Charleston Historic Sites

Historic Sites in Charleston, SC

Charleston Historic Sites

Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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29 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travelers are saying

  • Kevin B
    Denver, CO808 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit. Huge gardens that are beautiful. There are paid and unpaid tours but you could also just walk the whole place. I was there about 3.5 hours and did two tours. The house tour I would skip as quick and honestly just about the family. The rice tour I would recommend. It was well narrated by our guide and mostly on a golf cart with a few jump off points. Plenty to see. They also have a restaurant and gift shop with WiFi.
    Written August 27, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathleen S
    Mount Dora, FL27 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We signed up for a special workshop on indigo dying at the Plantation. It was a very nice, small group experience and worked well for my daughter's high anxiety. We also took the Nature Train guided trolley tour of the plantation. It was fun and interesting. The garden beds are beautiful. The snack bar wasn't exceptional but good enough to hit the spot. The Slave to Freedom tour was unimpressive, despite the guide's academic focus on the subject. It felt like the Plantation put the tour together to expand their potential guest numbers and lure people interested in the subject matter for a visit. Then, they clearly felt the need to tippy-toe for guest comfort around the dark side of the slavery practice at Magnolia Plantation. Very disappointing as this was one of the Charleston tours we were most interested in seeing. We did not tour the Plantation House as this was an additional fee and we'd already paid well for the indigo dying workshop ($150 ea.)
    Written September 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hollis P
    Westampton, NJ373 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our adventure started with a 30 minute boat ride from Liberty Square to Fort Sumter. Upon arrival, we were invited to explore on our own or attend the Ranger talk. We opted for the Ranger talk which still left ample time to visit the museum and walk around the site. We were on the 2:30 ferry. Going at this time allows guests to participate in the lowering of the flag ceremony. Time at the fort is about an hour. Make sure you use the official park website to buy your tickets. It was seamless. Tickets can also be purchased at the visitor center. Covered parking is available for a small fee at the Aquarium garage. There are clean bathrooms available on the ground floor of this garage. If you take the 2:30 ferry, the Visitor Center will be closed upon return. Allow time before your ride to visit the interesting exhibits.
    Written August 20, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trish L
    14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Liked being able to do this as a self-guided tour. It was a gorgeous house. Every room had multiple stories to be told and it was fascinating. There were docents around in case you had questions. We really enjoyed this!
    Written July 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aaron V
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our tour guide Tamara’s ability to convey the experiences and struggles of the individuals who shaped McLeod Plantation was nothing short of remarkable. Her engaging narrative was both informative and empathetic, creating an understanding of the historical significance of the site. It was clear that she had invested considerable effort into researching and presenting the plantation's history with accuracy and sensitivity.

    Her approachability and willingness to answer questions made the tour not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable. Tamara’s left us with a deeper appreciation of the complex history of McLeod Plantation. If you’re looking for an unforgettable tour with a guide who truly brings history to life, Tamara is the one to see. Highly recommended! She was incredibly veteran friendly and made this trip very enjoyable.
    Written September 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ethiopia2006
    Barcelona75 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an absolutely wonderful house to visit. The house is preserved, not restored and still one can imagine how its owners and their slaves lived during the antebellum era and in general how urban life was before the war. The self guided tour does not only focus on the house and its owners but it does justice to the lives of the slaves who lived in the property.
    Written September 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • IcicleCreek
    United States177 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The grounds (with self-guided tour) are beautiful and the visitor center was interesting. Our only complaint was with the house tour. The guidebooks and websites said the house tour was 45-50 minutes and the Drayton Hall website says it's one hour. However, the tour we were on lasted 90 minutes. That was too long for many on the tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and enjoyed sharing lots of details (and maybe hearing his own voice) but many in the group weren't looking for that level of detail. He didn't "read the room" very well. We also spent 20 minutes near the visitor center listening to background before going to the archeological site, then the house. This was helpful context, if a bit more than was needed, but there should be chairs for some people to sit.
    Written April 24, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charlie G
    56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum had way more than I expected: ancient Egyptian artifacts, old furniture, toys, instruments, artwork, silverware, animals, local Charleston history, and even a mummy. I was blown away by the variety. It’s definitely worth a look for anyone interested in museums, history, or just trying to take a break from the heat.
    Written August 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LostInTime
    Pittsburgh, PA22,208 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This old church is very tall and very white. It had an old graveyard behind it. On Sunday night I couldn’t go inside but from the outside it was nice.
    Written June 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ramsey F
    San Antonio, TX42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice stroll on asphalt path under shade trees with my dog. Interpretative signs along the way explaining the plantation. Nice museum at the visitor center. $12 includes parking.
    Written August 20, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neillibin
    La Mesa, CA457 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting home from the period 1700’s. Beautifully restored home with amazing furnishings. The garden was beautiful and seeing times from slavery and the homes
    Written May 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • parrottdize
    Dyer, IN2,375 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We chose this tour as it was only a half day tour and that would leave us time to walk around town.
    This home was built in 1803 and was designed by the owners brother. You can take pictures, but no flash please.
    While outside I was taking a photo of a rose bush......our guide said that there was a group that documented old/history varies of rose bushes and this was one of them; unfortunately she didn't know the name of the rose bush.
    Written July 27, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ColdSun
    7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tiny but fun museum to stop by if you are in the area. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, exhibitions were focus on the topic with details, good to touch on the cannon tools. Only need about half an hour.
    Written December 27, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lolly’s Look
    New York City, NY15,010 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Chalmers Street cobblestone area is a throwback to the 1800s when horse and carriages traveled on these rocky roads. Chalmers Street is in the French quarter and historic homes line the street.
    Written October 29, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,509 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Old St. Andrew's Parish Church in Charleston, South Carolina, is described as a simple, elegant church. No spires, no Gothic architecture, no bell tower. Located at 2604 Ashley River Road, it was founded in 1706 and is the oldest surviving church structure in South Carolina. It was one of 10 Anglican churches established by South Carolina's Church Act of 1706 and the original church was build the same year, then expanded to its current cruciform plan in 1723. It wasn't used from 1891 to 1948, then underwent extensive and steady restoration and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The interior is a treasure to behold. Three worship services are held every Sunday. Historically, the church hides a past that has left it for dead many times. It survived a major fire in the 1760s, was one of the few buildings along Ashley Road that Union troops didn't burn to the ground during the Civil War and survived the Great Earthquake of 1886 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
    Written September 20, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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