South Carolina Aquarium 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401, Located on the Historic Charleston Harbor, 843-720-1990, 800-722-6455, Recognized as a world-class environmental institution, this aquarium showcases over 60 exhibits on the numerous animals, plants, and habitats of the five regions of the Appalachian Watershed. It is home to over 10,000 plants and animals including river otters, loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, great blue herons, hawks, sea horses, jellyfish, moray eels, starfish, pythons, sea dragons and sharks. Interpretive programs are presented daily. Numerous events and activities are held throughout the year and a gift shop is on site. more... 

Aiken-Rhett House (circa 1818) 48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-723-1159, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this magnificent historic house contains numerous decorative items and furnishings from Europe dating back to the mid-19th century plus features an intact work yard that is one of the most complete structures of African-American urban life in the nation. Other original buildings on site include the kitchens, slave quarters, stables, and cattle sheds. more... 

Calhoun Mansion (circa 1876) 16 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-8205, 888-803-7705, Featured in the movies "Scarlett" and "North and South", this 24,000 square foot Victorian Baronial Manor mansion has features including elaborate chandeliers, 14-foot ceilings, a stairwell that reaches to a 75-foot domed ceiling, ornate plaster and wood moldings, and a ballroom with a 45-foot high coved glass skylight. Guided tours that last approximately 45 minutes are available. more... 

Dock Street Theatre (circa 1736) 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Located in Downtown Charleston, 843-720-3968, The first building in America designed for theatrical performances, Dock Street Theatre is a combination of an early Georgian playhouse and the preservation of a circa 1809 hotel. The Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theatre company, calls this theater home. It is host to over 130 performances each season. 

Drayton Hall (circa 1742) 3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-769-2600, A National Trust Historic Site, this mansion is the oldest preserved plantation house in the United States and is an outstanding example of Georgian Palladian architecture. Virtually in its original condition, this historic mansion lies on 630 acres and features displays, artifacts, and memorabilia that depict the history of the people who lived and worked here. 

Edmondston-Alston House (circa 1828) 21 East Battery Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-7171, One of the first houses built on Charleston's High Battery, this magnificent house contains original family furniture, books, paintings, silver, portraits, engravings, and unconventional woodwork. Guided tours are available that provide a glimpse into the lives of merchant Charles Edmondston who built the house and rice planter Charles Alston who later bought the house. more... 

Heyward-Washington House (circa 1772) 87 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-0354, "Charleston's Revolutionary War House", this Historic Landmark was built by prominent rice planter Daniel Heyward for his son, Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This is also the house that George Washington rented in 1791 during his visit to Charleston. An extraordinary collection of Charleston-made furniture is located inside the house and a period formal garden and restored kitchen building are on site. more... 

Huguenot Church 136 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Corner of Queen and Church Streets, 843-722-4385, One of the last remaining Huguenot churches in the nation, this historic church is also the oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in the United States. A French Service is held at this church annually to commemorate The Edict of Nantes. more... 

Joseph Manigault House (circa 1803) 350 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-723-2926, One of the most graceful historic structures in Charleston, this notable Adam Style, Neoclassical mansion is filled with fine examples of furniture made in Charleston, England, and France. Many of the rooms in the house have been beautifully restored to their original styles and colors. A charming Gate Temple is featured in the period garden and other outbuildings such as the kitchen and slave quarters are also on site. more... 

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (circa 1841) 90 Hassel Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Historic Downtown Charleston, 843-723-1090, A National Historic Landmark, this synagogue was the first Reform Jewish congregation in the nation and is the oldest surviving Reform synagogue in continuous use in the United States. It is also one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architectures in the country, as well as the fourth oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. more... 

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (circa 1676) 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-571-1266, Open to the public since 1872, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry and the oldest public garden in the United States. There are several tours to choose from when visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. During the tour of the Plantation House, visitors will learn about the Drayton family and the fate of the two homes that was once stood on this spot. This grand home features 10 rooms which are open to the public. Each is furnished with early-American antiques, quilts porcelain, and Drayton family heirlooms. The tram tour will take you through the plantation’s lakes, forest, wetlands, and marshes to view the property’s abundant wildlife. “From Slavery to Freedom” brings history alive when you sit in a recreated 19th century slave cabin and hear guides tell the stories of the slaves that once worked the land.  

Middleton Place (circa 1755) 4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-556-6020, Middleton Place is a carefully preserved 18th century plantation that encompasses 65 acres of America's oldest landscaped gardens that include rare camellias, azaleas, magnolias, and ancient live oaks. The house museum contains original family furniture, china, paintings, and portraits. You can learn about the daily life of slaves at a freedman's cabin, slave chapel, and in the plantation stableyards where you'll see a blacksmith, carpenter, cooper, potter, and a weaver demonstrating their crafts. A restaurant, inn, and a museum shop are also on site and plantation carriage tours are available. 

Nathaniel Russell House (circa 1808) 51 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-724-8481, Recognized as one of the most important Neoclassical architectural structures in America, this lovely mansion is nestled among beautiful spacious gardens and has features including an outstanding free-flying staircase, geometrically shaped rooms, and elaborate plasterwork. The house is filled with period antiques and works of art, many made in Charleston. more... 

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (circa 1771) 122 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-727-2165, "Considered to be one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States", this historic building was built by the British as the Exchange and Customs House and once held American Patriot prisoners in the Provost during the Revolutionary War. You can see the Half-Moon Battery portion of the Charles Towne Sea Wall that was built to defend the colony from pirates in the late 1600's while visiting this historic site. A gift shop is also on site. 

St. John's Lutheran Church (circa 1817) Archdale and Clifford Streets, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-723-2426, Noted for its majestic temple and known as the "Mother Church of Lutherans", this historic church was built by German immigrants and has a long and interesting history. more... 

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (circa 1839) 89 Hassel Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-7696, Known as "the Mother Church of the Catholic Diocese of the Carolinas and Georgia", this historic church is the oldest Roman Catholic church in South Carolina and contains numerous exquisite religious paintings throughout the building. 

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site 1500 Old Town Road, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-852-4200, The first permanent English settlement was established at this historic site over 300 years ago. Highlights of this site include an original fortified town that portrays 1670's town life, a reproduction 17th Century sailing vessel, and a natural habitat zoo that contains animals that roamed here centuries ago such as pumas, bison, alligators, black bears, and wolves. more... 

Avery Research Center for African-American History 125 Bull Street, Charleston, SC 29424, 843-953-7609, Located on the site of the former Avery Normal Institute that was founded in 1865, this research center collects manuscripts, documents, and other materials relating to the history and culture of African Americans in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry area. Collections on site include the Walter Pantovic Slavery Collection, Holloway Scrapbook, and the Bernice Robinson Collection. more... 

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum 68 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403, Historic St. James Methodist Church, 843-853-4651, The largest private collection of historically significant manuscripts in the world is housed at this museum with over one million manuscripts available in an array of topics including art, literature, history, religion, and science. Collections include the original draft of the Bill of Rights of the United States, the Apollo moon landing, and Ancient Egypt. more... 

Addison Hatfield Gallery 38 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Historic French Quarter, 843-577-7710, The exclusive fine art gallery for the late Master Sculptor, Fredrick E. Hart, this gallery also carries an eclectic array of impressionistic and representational oils, acrylics, and watercolors by regional and national known artists. Black figurative watercolor images and masterful etchings by Stephen Scott Young are also on display. more... 

American Military Museum 40 Pinckney Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-723-9620, Dedicated to the men and women who have served or are serving in the armed forces, this unique military museum contains hundreds of artifacts and uniforms from all branches of the armed forces from the World Wars, Vietnam, Korea War, Indian Wars, Spanish American War, and the wars with Britain. 

Belle Muse Art Studio and Gallery 79-B Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-478-9572, Wonderful pieces of contemporary art. more...

Best Friend of Charleston 31 Ann Street, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-973-7369, A full size antique replica of the first steam engine used on the first steam locomotive in the United States to provide regularly scheduled passenger service is on site at this museum that also contains numerous railroad artifacts and memorabilia. The engine was constructed from the original plans in 1928. A gift shop is also on site that carries a variety of railroad merchandise. more... 

Charleston Museum, The 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403, Across from the Visitor's Center, 843-722-2996, The first museum in America that was founded in 1773, this museum contains exhibits that depict the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina coastal region. You'll learn about the historic, archaeological, scientific, and ethnological past of Charleston and South Carolina through the many artifacts on display at this museum. more... 

Citadel Museum, The Citadel Campus, Charleston, SC 29409, Third Floor of the Daniel Library, 843-953-6846, Depicting the history of this military school from its founding in 1842 to the present, this museum displays handsome exhibits on the military, academic, social, and athletic aspects of cadet life including archival documents, uniforms, and photographs. more...

E. S. Lawrence Gallery 229 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 888-823-0028, A dealer of both national and international artwork, this premier art gallery showcases the works of over 20 talented artists and features an eclectic array of contemporary, original works of art. more... 

Gibbes Museum of Art 135 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Located in Charleston’s Historic District, 843-722-2706, Built in 1905, Charleston's premier art museum features an outstanding and distinguished collection of American paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, sculptures, engravings, and photographs. An array of exhibitions, programs, and special events are held throughout the year at this museum. more... 

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, Located on Charleston Harbor, 866-831-1720, Home to the world famous aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum shows visitors what it took to operate such carrier machines as the Yorktown, Laffey, Clamagore, a cold-war submarine, and Ingham. 25 planes, jets, and helicopters are also on display and you can try your hand at the Navy Flight Simulator.

Ship Shapes Maritime Gallery 360 Concord Street, Suite 103, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-324-8792, Ship Shapes Maritime Gallery, founded in 2004, is a unique, charming and historic "little museum" filled with nautical treasures for all ages. It is decorated with Chippendale furniture, a crystal chandelier, and there's always "fire in the fireplace." Bill Thomas-Moore, a professional model shipwright for 45 years, is also a maritime historian and storyteller. Meet "Lord Phineas P. Sinktobottom", in uniform as the brilliant, but eccentric, retired admiral of an unknown navy, from 1760. See Admiral Sinktobottom working on ship models at his bench in the studio.  more... 

Slave Mart Museum 6 Chalmers Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-724-7395, One of several locations in Charleston where slaves were sold, the last auctions at this market were held in 1863. Displays and exhibits in the museum narrate the African-American heritage in Charleston and the Lowcountry from 1670 to the Civil Rights Movement. Permanent exhibits include the Caribbean influences on America, slavery, emancipation, arts, and cuisine. 

Battery & White Point Gardens East Battery and Murray Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29401, Located in Charleston’s Historic District, Offering fantastic views of Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor, this historic landmark was the site of pirate Stede Bonnet's hanging in the 1720s before it was used as a public garden in 1837. It was also a fortification during the Civil War.

Caw Caw Interpretive Center 5200 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29470, Located 25 Miles West in Ravenel, 843-889-8898, Filled with exhibits that showcase the natural, historical and cultural history of the site and the region, this breathtaking 654-acre park also features eight miles of interpretive trails, over 1,200 feet of boardwalk through nine different habitats, and environmental educational classrooms. more... 

Folly Beach County Park 1010 West Ashley, Charleston, SC 29439, Folly Beach, 843-588-2426, This beach access park features over 2,500 feet of ocean frontage, as well as 200 feet along the river and a 600 foot beach front swimming area. Other features of the park include a dressing area, outdoor showers, picnic areas, snack bar, and a boardwalk. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. more... 

International Center for Birds of Prey P.O. Box 1247, Charleston, SC 29402, Located in Awendaw, 843-928-3494, Part of the Avian Conservation Center, the International Center for Birds of Prey is "dedicated to the study and welfare of birds and their habitats." The Center’s medical clinic treats nearly 400 injured birds of prey each year. more...

Isle of Palms County Park 1 Fourteenth Avenue, Charleston, SC 29451, Isle of Palms, 843-762-2172, Conveniently located at the foot of the Isle of Palms Connector, this lovely park offers 600 feet of ocean frontage, as well as a dune boardwalk, showers, vending machines, picnic areas, sand volleyball, and a children's play area. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. more...

James Island County Park 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-795-4386, 800-743-PARK, Beautiful and scenic 643 acre park that features miles of paved trails for skating, biking, and walking, a children's playground, 16 acres of freshwater lakes, unrestricted fishing and crabbing dock, a picnic center, and a park center. Full hookup RV sites and ten modern vacation cottages are also on site.  more... 

Wannamaker County Park 8888 University Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29406, North Charleston, 843-762-2172, Beautiful 1,015 acre nature oriented park that has many features including two children's playgrounds, a 20-foot playhill, paved and unpaved trails, picnic sites with grills and tables, open meadows, and a park center with a snack bar, screened porch, and large patio. Bicycle and pedal boat rentals are available. more... 

Charleston Journeys 1589 Bryden Lane, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466, 843-814-6124, Discover the greatest tours in Charleston including: The Classic Charleston Tour, The Civil War Tour, The Pirate Tour, and the Ghost Tour.

Adventure Sightseeing Tours 1090 Fort Sumter Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-762-0088, One of the most comprehensive tours of historic Charleston is provided by this company that offers live narration by licensed guides and chances to see all of the major points of interest in Charleston including the Battery and the Military Citadel. Reservations are recommended for this two hour, ninety minute tour. 

America By Foot 58 1/2 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-568-6455, The original Charleston walks. They offer a variety of walking tours. 

Barrier Island Eco-Tours 50 41st Avenue, Charleston, SC 29451, Isle of Palms, 843-886-5000, Discover the unique beauty of South Carolina's barrier islands, back waters, and salt marshes with naturalist guided and narrated eco-tours of this rare and fragile ecosytem. Tour in the comfort of their shaded boats and watch wildlife and waterfowl or just take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. 

Bohicket Boat: Adventure & Tour Company 1880 Andell Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29455, John's Island, Bohicket Marina, 843-768-7294, A wide variety of adventures and tours are available by this company that offers dolphin watching tours, river tours, sunset cruises, ACE Basin adventures, shelling shuttles to remote barrier islands, sailing charters, fishing charters, custom tours with renowned guides, and kayak tours. Kayak and boat rentals are available.

Carolina Polo & Carriage Company 181 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Lobby of the Doubletree Hotel, 843-577-6767, Experience Charleston in an old-fashioned, romantic carriage by this company that offers hour long buggy and carriage tours of Charleston's Historic District. Private carriages are also available for weddings, tours, and special events. 

Chai Y'all Tours 316 Confederate Circle, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-556-0664, This tour company features knowledgeable guides sharing stories, facts, and sites relating to the Jewish heritage of Charleston from 1695 to the present during this unique tour. 

Charleston Explorers Charleston Maritime Center, 843-856-9302, An educational and research organization that offers tours, cruises, and other activities related to marine ecology. A mobile classroom is featured, as are dolphin cruises, marine science projects, and education programs. more...

Charleston Harbor Tours 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-1112, Considered to be one the most enjoyable attraction in Charleston, this fascinating, 90-minite, non-stop cruise aboard the Carolina Belle covers 20 miles and 300 years of history. See the waterfront mansions along the Battery and forts that shaped their history: Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, and Fort Sumter. Snack bar items and beverages are available for purchase. Tours depart daily at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30, mid-February through Thanksgiving weekend. 

Charleston Strolls Walk With History 115 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29402, 843-766-2080, "Charleston's First Walking Tour", this guided walking tour was featured in Southern Living and recommended by The New York Times. Stately mansions, hidden gardens, architectural treasures, and major landmarks are all included in the tour. 

Charleston Tours 545 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-571-0049, The only tour company in Charleston offering "Old South" Plantation Tours every day, this professional tour company features licensed tour guides and a wide array of tour options where you can see places such as the French Quarter, The Citadel, Rainbow Row, Slave Mart, and the Waterfront Mansions. 

Charlestonian Yacht 40 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-579-2101, A luxuriously appointed 93-foot coastal touring yacht that specializes in custom cruises in the sheltered bays, basins, and waterways of the South Carolina Lowcountry. 

Doin' the Charleston Tours 382 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29417, Between Ann & John Streets, 843-763-1233, Enjoy humor, charm, drama, and history during this 90 minute, narrated minibus tour of historic Charleston. All of the major points in Charleston are covered, with a stop at the famous Battery included. The bus features laserdisc images, music, and large viewing windows. 

Fort Sumter Tours 360 Concord Street, Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-1691, The only tour that stops at Fort Sumter National Monument, where the Civil War began, this tour company provides narrated two hour tours of this breathtaking island fort while National Park Service historians explain the fort's history. 

Ghosts of Carolina Walking Tours Gervais & Main Streets, Charleston, SC 29201, North Steps of S.C. State Capitol Building, 803-454-4467, Featured on CNN Travel Guide, The Learning Channel, and Home & Garden Television, one of their world famous walking tours will give you a chance to come and experience Charleston's dark side. They will chill and thrill you with stories of the spiritual world, ghosts, the Palmetto State's rich folklore tradition, and much more.  

Gray Line Tours 219 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29402, 843-722-4444, Ride through the complete history of Charleston with this tour company that provides charter buses, shuttle buses, and guides for your bus or automobile. Numerous tour packages are available including the combination bus and boat tour. 

Gullah Tours 43 John Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-763-7551, Explore the places, history, and stories related to the varied contributions made by Black Charlestonians during this unique tour that also emphasizes the Gullah language, the language spoken by the Lowcountry's first black inhabitants. 

Island Hopper Charters 1555 Terns Nest Road, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-906-4656, Family owned and operated charter company that provides customized boat charters to suit anyone's needs. Excursions available include inshore fishing, dolphin watching, shelling trips to Morris Island Lighthouse, and sunset cruises. 

Janice Kahn Tours 316 Confederate Circle, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-556-0664, Here is a tour guide company who will accompany you by bus, by car, or even on foot, to provide you with a private, personalized, old-fashioned tour of Charleston by well informed and certified guides. Learn about the unique culture, history, and architecture of Charleston and explore the Lowcountry Plantations with this guide service. 

Middleton Outdoor Center 4290 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-556-0500 Ext. 100, Soak up a breathtaking view of the famous grassy terrace of Middleton Place while paddling a kayak. Guided kayak tours explore the Ashley River and into winding tidal creeks where wading birds, fiddler crabs, alligators and deer can be spotted. Guided tours led by a naturalist or self-guided adventures are available daily, year-round. Lodging, nature hikes, bicycle rentals and Challenge Course facility also on site.  

Old South Carriage Company 14 Anson Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-723-9712, Costumed guides in Confederate uniforms take visitors on a fully narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of the Historic District during this premier carriage tour that departs daily at 9:00 a.m. The tours last one hour and cover over two miles of the Historic Residential District. 

Original Charleston Walks 45 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-577-3800, Various comprehensive and entertaining guided walking tours of the city are provided by this premier walking tour company. Highlights of the tour include Charleston's oldest church, Dock Street Theater, Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and High Battery. 

Palmetto Carriage Tours 40 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-723-8154, The oldest continually operating carriage company in Charleston, this company features experienced guides and one hour, fully narrated mule-drawn carriage tours through historic Charleston. Three different tours rotate on a daily basis. 

Schooner Pride, The Departs from the Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29455, 360 Concord Street, 843-559-9686, Reminiscent of the romantic days of coastal sailing, you'll experience two hours of beauty around the historic Charleston Harbor aboard this tall, 84-foot, three masted schooner that is USCG certified. Passengers who wish to help work the sails are encouraged to participate. Private charters are also available.  

Spiritline Harbor Tour 360 Concord Street, Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-722-BOAT, Explore the Charleston Harbor aboard the finest passenger yacht with this tour company that offers one and a half hour, fully narrated cruises around the harbor, the Cooper River, and the Naval Base Harbor where you'll see historic fort, bustling port activities, and palatial homes. 

Sweet Grass Tours 316 Confederate Circle, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-556-0664, This tour showcases the influence of African-Americans and their culture on Charleston's culture, architecture, churches, cuisine, music and history.  

Talk of the Towne 2166 St. James Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-795-8199, Providing fully narrated, motorized tours aboard a 21-passenger minibus, this tour company offers your choice of a seventy-five minute or two hour tour of Historic Charleston where you'll see hundreds of historic landmarks including the Battery and the Market. The two hour tours also include a 35-minute guided tour of either the Nathaniel Russell House or the Edmondston-Alston House. 

Taylored Tours of Charleston 1300 Lenevar Drive, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-763-5747, A wide variety of tours are available by this knowledgeable tour company with tours available including general history, plantation tours, special interest tours, and house museum tours that range in time from 75 minutes to all day. The two hour tours include a half hour stop at one of Charleston's premier museum houses.  

Tour Charleston LLC 184 East Bay Street, Suite 302, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-723-1670, This company offers several tours that highlight Charleston's ghosts, pirates, and history including "The Story of Charleston" tour that profiles Charleston's legendary figures, recounts the impact of wars and disasters, and reveals the city's elegant details and "The Ghosts of Charleston", the most popular walking tour in Charleston that features knowledgeable guides educating you about famous ghosts from Charleston's colorful past and present. 

Tourrific Tours 25 Eighth Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-853-2500, Enjoy a personalized guided tour of Charleston with this tour company and learn the untold history of Charleston, as well as the early contributions of African-Americans to this historic city. You'll see ironworks made by Charleston blacksmith Philip Simmons during this tour, as well as Charleston single houses and historic churches.