Free things to do · Charleston · United States
7 free things to do in Charleston
Charleston without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Charleston without paying an entry fee: The Battery and White Point Garden, Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market and Joe Riley Waterfront Park are all free. Stay in Mount Pleasant or North Charleston for markedly lower hotel rates with free parking, and drive or ride-hail into town.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- December–February
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · South of Broad
1.The Battery and White Point Garden
Walk the High Battery at sunset, then head up Church Street past St. Michael's for the gas-lit evening walk back.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Street · South of Broad
2.Rainbow Row
Photograph from the opposite side of East Bay Street in the morning, when the sun lights the façades and traffic is light.
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Market · French Quarter and Market area
3.Charleston City Market
Buy sweetgrass baskets directly from the weavers, who often make them on the spot and can tell you how long each one took.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Rainy day
Park · French Quarter and Market area
4.Joe Riley Waterfront Park
Claim one of the bench swings at the end of the pier early in the evening to watch ships and dolphins in the harbour.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Mount Pleasant
5.Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge walk
Park at Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant and walk to the top and back; go early or near sunset in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Johns Island
6.Angel Oak
Do not climb or lean on the branches; the tree is protected and staff will ask you to step back.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Waterfront · Mount Pleasant
7.Shem Creek
Walk the boardwalk into the marsh at sunset, then eat at a deck table overlooking the shrimp boats.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Nature
- Couples
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| South of Broad | The Battery and White Point Garden and Rainbow Row | 45 minutes–1 hour + 15–20 minutes |
| French Quarter and Market area | Charleston City Market and Joe Riley Waterfront Park | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes |
| Mount Pleasant | Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge walk and Shem Creek | 1–1.5 hours + 2 hours |
| Johns Island | Angel Oak | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · French Quarter and Market area
Old Slave Mart Museum
Pair it with the International African American Museum for the fuller story from arrival to emancipation.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Historic site · French Quarter and Market area
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Ask about the section of the original 18th-century sea wall visible in the dungeon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Sullivan's Island
Fort Moultrie
Pair it with a swim at Sullivan's Island and dinner at Shem Creek on the drive back.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
More ways to save
- Stay in Mount Pleasant or North Charleston for markedly lower hotel rates with free parking, and drive or ride-hail into town.
- The Battery, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, the City Market, Angel Oak and the Ravenel Bridge walk are all free.
- Use city garages rather than hotel valet parking, which can add a large sum per night.
- January, February and August are usually the lowest-priced months; avoid Spoleto and spring weekends if price matters.
- Lunch menus at well-known restaurants are often much cheaper than dinner.
- Ride the free DASH shuttles around the peninsula instead of taxis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Charleston expensive to visit?
Charleston is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Charleston?
The Battery and White Point Garden: Walk the High Battery at sunset, then head up Church Street past St. Michael's for the gas-lit evening walk back.