5 Charleston Tourist Attractions You Need to See
Looking for the best Charleston tourist attractions that you need to see? Read our blog to learn more! Visit our website to learn more about booking a speed boat ride in Charleston.
Charleston is a favorite southern destination. Known as the largest city in South Carolina, it’s a picturesque city with a strong tourism industry. You’ll find cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and more – it’s perfect for the whole family. It also has numerous Charleston tourist attractions that you won’t want to miss while you’re in the area.
Here are the top Charleston tourist attractions you must see while visiting:
- Joe Wiley Waterfront Park
- South Carolina Aquarium
- USS Yorktown and Patriots Point
- The Battery
- Old Slave Mart Museum
1. Joe Wiley Waterfront Park
Are you looking for the pineapple fountain? You know, the one featured on nearly every Charleston, SC website? Well, head to the Joe Wiley Waterfront Park. This is the place for tourists and locals to gather to relax and enjoy the views of the Charleston Harbor. The waterfront park itself is 12-acres. There’s something for everyone here at this popular Charleston tourist attraction. Bring a picnic lunch or watch the sailboats and ships in the water with your family.
2. South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is one of the most popular Charleston tourist attractions. The aquarium places an emphasis on participation, which makes it the perfect place for kids. There are daily interaction shows, shark shallows, and plenty of tours you can take. Better yet, you can visit the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital where they care for sick and injured sea turtles. You’ll ride right by the South Carolina Aquarium on the Charleston Speed Boat Adventure Tour!
3. USS Yorktown and Patriots Point
Across Charleston Harbor from the Historic District is Patriots Point is where you can board the USS Yorktown. This was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy, and she’s now one of the top Charleston tourist attractions. While you’re at Patriots Point, you can tour aircraft, submarines, and other maritime exhibits. If you’d rather skip the tours but want to see these attractions during your stay in Charleston, they’re on the route for the Charleston Speed Boat Adventure Tour!
4. The Battery
Photo Credit: James Willamor
The Battery is always one of the top Charleston tourist attractions. It’s a landmark defensive seawall and promenade that’s famous for its antebellum homes. This is the perfect sight to see from the water, and it’s included in the Charleston Speed Boat Adventure Tour route. Don’t visit Charleston without visiting this area!
5. Old Slave Mart Museum
Out of all of the Charleston tourist attractions, the Old Slave Mart Museum is one of the most worthwhile. It’s located in the heart of the French Quarter near the French Huguenot Church. The building is where slaves were auctioned prior to the Civil War. While the museum itself is self-guided, the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and provide an important and sobering history about the event that took place all too recently. Charleston is a beautiful place to visit, but it also has a dark history when it comes to racism. By learning about slavery, we can overcome our history.
Final thoughts
There you have it! Charleston tourist attractions abound, and you don’t want to miss any of the above while on vacation. If you need help tying in a bunch of sights, try a Charleston Speed Boat Adventure Tour. It’s fun for the whole family and helps you see sights across the city!