Charleston is a crown jewel of Southern charm, where cobblestone streets and antebellum mansions tell stories spanning centuries. While most visitors flock to the iconic Rainbow Row and historic plantations, the true character of this coastal gem reveals itself in the less-trodden corners and local haunts.
If you want to experience Charleston like a local rather than check off the typical tourist attractions, you’re in for a treat. Here is a list of 20 things to do in Charleston that go beyond the obvious guidebook recommendations.
Angel Oak Tree
This majestic live oak on Johns Island has stood sentinel for approximately 400-500 years, making it one of the oldest living organisms east of the Mississippi. Its massive branches stretch outward like protective arms, creating a natural cathedral of dappled sunlight and shadow.
Standing beneath its canopy of 17,000 square feet feels almost spiritual, connecting visitors to the deep history of the Lowcountry landscape.
Cypress Gardens
Once part of a rice plantation, these serene blackwater swamps offer visitors a chance to paddle among ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. The gardens gained Hollywood fame as a filming location for ‘The Notebook,’ but the real magic happens when you venture out in one of the hand-carved cypress boats at dawn.
Wildlife abounds here – from graceful herons to sunbathing alligators – creating an authentic Lowcountry wilderness experience.
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Pitt Street Bridge
This former trolley bridge in Mount Pleasant has transformed into a peaceful linear park extending into the marsh. Locals bring fishing poles, cameras, and picnic baskets to this hidden gem where Charleston Harbor and Sullivan’s Island provide a stunning backdrop.
The sunset views make it worth the short drive from downtown, with fewer crowds than the popular waterfront park.
The Cigar Factory
Despite its name, this renovated industrial building no longer produces tobacco products but houses local businesses, restaurants, and artisan workshops. The historic brick structure offers a glimpse into Charleston’s manufacturing past while showcasing its creative present.
Pop into Mercantile and Mash for locally roasted coffee or Edmund’s Oast Brewing for craft beers in a space that beautifully balances preservation with innovation.
Bowens Island Restaurant
This weathered, graffiti-covered oyster joint sits on a tidal creek just minutes from Folly Beach but feels worlds away from the tourist trail. For over 70 years, they’ve been serving fresh-harvested local oysters steamed under wet burlap alongside simple Lowcountry classics.
The sunset view across the marshy expanse pairs perfectly with a cold beverage and a tray of briny clusters – just be prepared to get your hands dirty.
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Sunday Gospel Brunch at Hall’s Chophouse
While Halls is known for premium steaks, their Sunday Gospel Brunch offers something special beyond the expected culinary experience. Live gospel music fills the elegant space as servers deliver shrimp and grits worthy of spiritual praise.
The combination of soulful voices, Southern comfort food, and genuine hospitality captures Charleston’s unique cultural blend better than any guidebook attraction.
Hampton Park
This expansive green space in the city’s upper peninsula neighborhood was once a horse racing track and later a Confederate reunion site. Today, it offers a peaceful alternative to the more frequented downtown parks.
The winding jogging path circles seasonal flower displays, ancient live oaks, and a small pond that attracts wildlife. Local artists often set up easels here, capturing the natural beauty that changes each season.
Lost Dog Cafe
This Folly Beach institution serves breakfast all day in a space decorated with hundreds of customer-submitted dog photos. The relaxed vibe and hearty portions make it a favorite among surfers, beachcombers, and locals avoiding the downtown crowds.
Their fresh-squeezed juices and creative breakfast burritos provide perfect fuel for a beach exploration on the more laid-back side of Charleston living.
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Nathaniel Russell House Gardens
While the historic house gets attention for its famous floating staircase, the meticulously restored gardens behind the mansion offer a tranquil retreat from busy Meeting Street. The formal plantings and heritage roses follow authentic early 19th-century designs based on archaeological evidence.
The gardens provide a fragrant, peaceful spot to contemplate how landscape design reflected status and botanical knowledge in early America.
Preservation Society of Charleston Shop
Located in a historic building on King Street, this thoughtfully curated shop offers locally made goods that connect to Charleston’s cultural heritage. Unlike souvenir stores selling mass-produced trinkets, the Preservation Society features handcrafted sweetgrass baskets, regional cookbooks, and artisan-made housewares.
Each purchase supports historic preservation efforts, making your souvenirs meaningful contributions to maintaining Charleston’s architectural legacy.
Morris Island Lighthouse
This stoic sentinel stands offshore from Folly Beach, no longer operational but still an important landmark. The lighthouse has survived hurricanes, earthquakes, and erosion that separated it from the mainland.
Accessible only by boat or a long beach walk during low tide, the journey to view this isolated structure up close rewards visitors with a profound sense of coastal history and natural change over time.
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Prohibition
This King Street establishment goes beyond typical bar fare with 1920s ambiance and craft cocktails made with house-infused spirits and local ingredients. What sets it apart is the regular swing dance nights where locals of all skill levels twirl across the dance floor to live jazz.
Watching experienced dancers flip and spin provides entertainment alongside your expertly mixed Old Fashioned or creative seasonal concoction.
Second Sunday on King Street
Once a month, several blocks of King Street close to traffic, creating a pedestrian paradise for shopping, dining, and people-watching. Unlike organized festivals, this relaxed community event allows everyone to stroll down the middle of Charleston’s main commercial thoroughfare.
Street musicians set up on corners, restaurants expand outdoor seating, and dogs lead their owners from shop to shop in a display of authentic Charleston social life.
McLeod Plantation
This site offers a more sobering and educational alternative to the romanticized plantation experiences found elsewhere. The preserved slave cabins and thoughtful interpretation focus on telling the complete story of plantation life, particularly highlighting the experiences of the enslaved people who built Charleston’s wealth.
Guides provide context about Gullah Geechee culture and resistance rather than just architectural details about the main house.
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The Ordinary
Housed in a renovated bank, this upscale oyster hall celebrates the Atlantic’s bounty, emphasizing sustainable seafood. The soaring ceilings and original bank vault create a dining atmosphere that honors the building’s history and Charleston’s maritime heritage.
Their seafood towers feature the freshest seasonal offerings, while the smoked fish pâté served with house-made saltines proves that simple preparations often showcase quality ingredients best.
Charleston Tea Garden
America’s only commercial tea plantation sprawls across Wadmalaw Island, producing American Classic Tea from plants descended from colonial experiments. The trolley tour winds through neat rows of tea bushes, explaining the growing and harvesting processes unique to this operation.
The factory tour demystifies how the leaves become the beverage, while the gift shop offers samples of variations you won’t find elsewhere in the country.
Old Village Mount Pleasant
This historic neighborhood across the Cooper River offers tree-lined streets, colorful cottages, and waterfront parks without downtown crowds. The Old Village Market serves gourmet sandwiches perfect for picnicking at the nearby Alhambra Hall park with sweeping harbor views.
The pace here feels noticeably slower, offering a glimpse of local life just minutes from Charleston’s busier historic district.
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The Gin Joint
This intimate speakeasy-style bar limits its capacity to ensure quality service in a space that feels transported from another era. Their creative approach includes the option to choose two descriptive words from their menu (like ‘spicy’ and ‘refreshing’) and let the bartenders craft something unique.
The concoctions showcase unexpected ingredient combinations and presentation flourishes that transform cocktails into memorable experiences rather than mere beverages.
Magnolia Cemetery
This Victorian-era cemetery provides a hauntingly beautiful alternative to traditional sightseeing. Elaborate monuments, moss-draped oaks, and reflective ponds create a peaceful setting for contemplating Charleston’s complex history.
Notable graves include Confederate generals, prominent families, and victims of the H.L. Hunley submarine disaster. Photography enthusiasts particularly appreciate the atmospheric quality of early morning visits when fog often shrouds the ancient headstones.
Mepkin Abbey
Located about 40 minutes from downtown, this active Trappist monastery welcomes visitors seeking tranquility along the Cooper River. The monks maintain stunning botanical gardens, including a remarkable collection of crape myrtles and camellias that bloom throughout different seasons.
The on-site store offers monk-made preserves and honey, while the peaceful grounds provide walking paths perfect for quiet reflection away from city stimulation.
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Beyond the Carriage Ride
Charleston rewards those willing to venture past the horse-drawn carriages and guided walking tours with authentic experiences connecting visitors to the genuine spirit of the Lowcountry. The city’s magic doesn’t live just in its architectural treasures or restaurant scene but in the quiet moments between attractions—hearing shrimp boats chug home at dusk, catching the scent of Confederate jasmine on a warm night, or sharing a story with a vendor at a local market.
These experiences create lasting impressions that tourist checkmarks simply cannot match.
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