Sights and landmarks in Charleston

Sights and landmarks in Charleston

1. See

   Circular Congregational Church

   Congregationalists, Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and French Huguenots of the original settlement of Charles Town founded this dissenting congregation, known as the Independent Church, around 1681. They met at the White Meeting House, for which Meeting Street is named.

2. See

   City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park

   Free art gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park with a variety of contemporary art with a focus on Lowcountry artists that is owned by the City of Charleston.

   Tue-Fri 11AM-6PM, Sat Sun noon-5PM, closed Mon·Free

3. See

   Fireproof Building

   A National Historic Landmark constructed in 1827 and believed to be the oldest building of fireproof construction in the United States. The work of Robert Mills, the first native-born American to be trained as an architect, and a Charleston native who worked with other important early American architects such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Latrobe. Mills was responsible for the Washington Monument and many other public buildings. The building consists primarily of solid masonry in a simple Greek Doric style. An oval hall contains a cantilevered stone staircase lit by a cupola. The building serves as the headquarters for the South Carolina Historical Society, a private non-profit organization founded in 1856.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM

4. See

   First Baptist Church

   Organized around 1683; present site donated in 1699. Oldest Baptist church in the South, and often referred to as the "Mother Church of Southern Baptists".

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   Fort Sumter

   The island site of the start of the Civil War, now a National Monument. One must board a ferry for an additional fee at either Liberty Square in downtown or Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes. Fort Sumter is in ruins, but there are markers telling you where things used to be, as well as a museum.

   9AM-5PM

6. See

   French Huguenot Church

   Organized around 1681 by Huguenot refugees from the Protestant persecutions in France; first church at present site built in 1687.

7. See

   French Quarter

   Between S. Market and Tradd, Meeting and the waterfront, where the English colonial Walled Town once stood. Known for its art galleries, St. Philips Church, French Huguenot Church, and historic architecture.

8. See

   Gibbes Museum of Art

   Since 1905, this striking Beaux Arts building has housed a premier collection of over 10,000 works of fine art, principally American works with a Charleston or Southern connection.

9. See

   Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art

   Non-collecting contemporary art museum with two galleries, focused on "adventurous" art from student, early, and mid-career artists.

   Free

10. See

    Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

    Organized in 1749. The present Greek Revival-style building, built in 1840, is the oldest continually operating Jewish cemetery in the U.S. The oldest surviving Reform synagogue in the world and second-oldest synagogue of any kind in the United States.

    Mon Tue Thu Fri tours at 10:15AM, 11:15AM, 1:15PM, and 2:15PM. Sun only 10:15AM and 11:15AM

11. See

    Liberty Square

    Has the South Carolina Aquarium and the Fort Sumter National Monument Visitor Center, both of which offer views of the Ravenel Bridge. This is also where you may take a boat tour to Fort Sumter.

12. See

    Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

    Popular vintage garden from the 18th century with plantation home estate and small zoological park. Open for tours and visits.

    Daily 9AM-5PM

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    Old Slave Mart

    Built in 1859 and believed to be the last slave auction market still standing in South Carolina. Now a museum.

14. See

    The Battery and White Point Gardens

    This park sits at the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula with beautiful views, especially along the Battery Promenade by the Cooper River. Don't miss the elegant historic mansions along the Promenade, some of which have sold for nearly $20M.

15. See

    The Citadel

    Historic military college founded in 1842. Full dress parades generally occur every Friday afternoon while school is in session and are free to the public. The campus is typically open to visitors and tours can be arranged by calling the school or stopping by the Admissions Office located in Bond Hall.

16. See

    The College of Charleston

    Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of South Carolina and the thirteenth oldest in the United States.

17. See

    The Market

    An old shopping district at the foot of Market St. where vendors still sell wares. Contrary to popular legend, the Market was never a slave exchange. However, the remnants of the Old Slave Mart are a few blocks away.

18. See

    Waterfront Park

    A popular park with plenty of lovely fountains and benches for people-watching. A couple of the fountains are designed for wading, including one shaped like a pineapple. The Wharf at Vendue Range offers views of the cruise ship terminal and the Ravenel Bridge.

19. See Not mapped

    Randolph Hall

    At the College of Charleston. Built in 1828. Popular civil war movie-making site.

20. See

    Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

    Organized in 1821.

21. See

    Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

    1500 Old Towne Rd

    Daily 9AM-5PM·Adults $10, youth (6-15) $6, SC resident senior $6.50

22. See

    Charleston Museum

    Start with this museum to learn about Charleston's history.

    Open daily·Adults $10

23. See

    Citadel Square Baptist Church

    Organized in 1854.

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    First Scots Presbyterian Church

    Organized in 1731.

25. See

    International African American Museum

    14 Wharfside St

    Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM·Adults̩ $19.95, youth (6-16), senior (62+) and military $9.95, child under 6 free, SNAP/EBT card ̩$2

26. See

    Longitude Lane

    Colonial cobblestone lane built on a longitude line.

27. See

    McLeod Plantation Historic Site

    325 Country Club Dr

28. See

    Middleton Place

    Quite the Ashley River plantation, dating to the 1730s.

    Daily 9AM-5PM·Adults $32 ($28 if purchased online), student (14+, with student ID) $15, child (6-13) $10, children under 5 free

29. See

    Saint Mary of the Annunciation

    Organized in 1789. Oldest Catholic church in the Carolinas.

30. See

    Second Presbyterian Church

    Organized in 1809.

31. See

    South Carolina Aquarium

    100 Aquarium Wharf

    Daily 9AM–5PM (until 6PM in summer); last admission one hour before closing·$25 adults, $15 children

32. See

    St. John's Lutheran Church

    Organized 1742.

33. See

    St. Matthews Lutheran Church

    Organized in 1840.

    Sanctuary open w/ docentsː typically Mon-Sat 11AM-3PM. Sun worship 10AM

34. See

    St. Michael's Church

    Organized in 1751.

35. See

    St. Philip's Church

    Organized around 1681 at site now occupied by St. Michael's.

36. See

    Trinity United Methodist Church

    Organized in 1791.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Charleston (CC BY-SA 4.0).