What to do on Your Day Trip to Charleston with Kids
I have been to Charleston, SC so many times I’ve lost count. I grew up visiting Charleston at least twice a year because my grandparents lived there and we always spent the holidays and summer with them.
Then when I graduated high school, I moved down to Charleston and lived there for four years. Since I have been in Columbia, SC for 10 years now, I am still able to visit Charleston at least once a year, but usually get to go more.
Now that we’re a family of four, with two preschoolers running around, visiting Charleston has definitely changed what we’re able to do there. As much as I would love to spend a week every time we visit, that’s not always possible. Sometimes we get a long weekend and sometimes it’s just a quick day trip.
If you’re close to the area or happen to find yourself in Charleston for a day with your family, I wanted to share some of my top recommendations for what to do on your day trip to Charleston with kids.
If you happen to be there for a weekend or more extended stay, you can squeeze more things in! Or if you’re one of those families who likes to do as much as possible, make sure you check to see which spots are in similar locations so you’re not driving all over town and wasting precious exploration time!
Option 1: Visit the beach
There are several beaches you can see while visiting Charleston. Even if it’s not spring or summer weather, you can still walk the beach or search for shells any time of year! Just make sure to check the weather and dress accordingly.
Folly Beach (this is the beach I grew up visiting!) There is a lot more to do on Folly now then when I was growing up! Take a walk down the shops on Folly Road, visit the pier and eat at Rita’s Seaside Grille, Taco Boy or Pier 101.
Sullivan’s Island more than just a beach, it’s home to Fort Moultrie! Kids under 15 get in free. There are cannons and all kinds of historical things. Sullivan’s Island also has a lighthouse! Eat at The Obstinate Daughter or High Thyme Cuisine.
Isle of Palms Walk the pier at Isle of Palms County Park and eat at Papi’s Taqueria or Acme Lowcountry Kitchen.
Option 2: Visit Downtown
The Battery
White Point Gardens
Rainbow Row
Hazel Park Playground (small)
King Street
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
All these areas I listed for downtown are relatively close to each other. You can park (FREE!) at the battery and walk right into White Point Gardens and straight on to Rainbow Row.
Hazel Park Playground is a small, fenced in Playground, along the way if you’re walking towards rainbow row and on to King Street (about 15min) from the battery. King Street has amazing shopping, although definitely high-end, but it’s also beautiful just to see all the historic buildings. Many photo opportunities on King Street!
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is a great stop if you have toddlers and younger elementary school age children but I would not try to walk there from the Battery. That would be a very long & arduous walk (35+min one way). They do have parking there, but it will be slim pickings. Best to park in a parking garage near the museum for that visit!
Option 3: Visit Downtown (Again)
Historic Charleston City Market
Pineapple Fountain
Waterfront Park
I don’t know if you want to attempt to do all of the downtown things in one day, but if you only have one day and you want to try, these would be more walkable things to do with your kids (from above)! If you have the option to split it up in two days, I would do these on another day.
Visit Tom’s Toys and build till your heart's content. A room basically full of hundreds of Jenga blocks. It is a store, but there is no obligation to purchase. I’ve never actually been to this store before, but it looks awesome!
Also near this area is the Historic Charleston City Market. The market is a little more “corporate” than in the past, but you can still find basket weavers, local delicacies and handmade goods.
Next to each other are the Pineapple Fountain and Waterfront Park along the Charleston Harbor. These are both prominent landmarks and beloved spots to visit in Charleston. In the warmer months, kids can splash near the fountain to cool off. (Less than a 20min walk from the Battery!)
Kid friendly places to eat Downtown:
The best place to take kids to eat (according to my Chas mom friend) is Home Team BBQ. Make sure you sit outside! It has a great outdoor area for kids. It also has parking options.
Her second choice would be Taco Boy and also recommends sitting outside. They have heaters for the colder months and it is a great kid friendly spot. Another shout out for accessible parking!
Option 4: Visit the Angel Oak Tree
Okay, so the Angel Oak Tree isn’t exactly in Charleston proper, it’s in Johns Island. But it is an amazing, historical sight to behold. It’s a really big, really old tree… like 500+ years old. If your kids love nature and cool things this is definitely a sight to see.
Eat at the Fat Hen or Wild Olive because they’re delicious and have fantastic ambiance.
Option 5: Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation is historical and the most visited plantation near Charleston. It is America’s Last Large-scale Romantic-style Garden that works with nature.
Entrance into the plantation gets you a self guided tour of the garden and the petting zoo. There are other attractions listed below that you can do for an additional $8 per person. They also have an on-site café that serves traditional sandwiches and daily specials.
Paid Attractions (children under 6 are free!):
Audubon Swamp Garden
The Nature Tram Tour
Rice Field Boat Tour
The Plantation House Tour
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the family-friendly things to do in Charleston. These are just some of my favorite things and what I think you would get the most time and value from while visiting the Holy City.
Whenever we visit Charleston we are usually staying at a beach house (so we are guaranteed beach time) or we are specifically going to the beach for the day. I always make sure to stop downtown and at least see the battery & gardens.
Charleston is such a historic and beautiful city to visit. Have you been to Charleston? What are some of your favorite things to do there? Tell me in the comments!