Weekend Trip to Charleston SC from Charlotte: Drive, Itinerary and Where to Stay

The best things to do in Charleston SC with kids include the South Carolina Aquarium, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, Joe Riley Waterfront Park, and the Fort Sumter ferry. The city also offers Rainbow Row, the Battery, Charleston City Market, nearby beaches, and Patriots Point. Many of the core family-friendly activities are concentrated downtown and can be combined on foot or with a short drive.

The core downtown attractions are close together. The Aquarium, Waterfront Park, City Market, Rainbow Row, and the Battery can all be combined on foot or with a short drive. Beaches and attractions such as Patriots Point require a separate trip.

A family staying near downtown can cover the core downtown activities in two days, then add a beach or Mount Pleasant day for a longer trip.

12 Best Things to Do in Charleston SC With Kids: At a Glance

Use this table to plan your time. Where prices or schedules vary, check the attraction's official website before visiting.

1. South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium at 100 Aquarium Wharf is a major family attraction on Charleston's waterfront. Open daily 9am to 5pm, last entry 3:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25.

The aquarium is built around a mountain-to-sea habitat journey through South Carolina's natural ecosystems. The Great Ocean Tank is a 42-foot-deep exhibit with sharks, sea turtles, and open-ocean fish. The Shallows features a cownose ray feeding area. Two touch tanks hold stingrays, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and urchins. The Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery center is a working rehabilitation facility where injured sea turtles are treated before release.

Daily programs and animal encounters run throughout the day. Check the program board on arrival and plan the visit around scheduled shows. Allow two to three hours. Most of the aquarium is indoors, making it practical on hot or rainy days.

2. Children's Museum of the Lowcountry

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is at 25 Ann Street, Charleston SC 29403. It is designed for children aged 10 and under. Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm (museum members may enter from 9am), Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

The museum has seven interior exhibit galleries plus a backyard of hands-on interactive exhibits, including a two-story Medieval Castle, a full-scale pirate ship, and a dedicated Art Room. Allow two hours.

3. Joe Riley Waterfront Park

Joe Riley Waterfront Park runs along the Cooper River at Concord Street and Vendue Range in downtown Charleston. Free entry, open daily sunrise to sunset.

The park has two fountains. The Pineapple Fountain is a well-known Charleston landmark. A second fountain gives families another place to cool off in warmer months. The harbor pier extends over the Cooper River with views across to Mount Pleasant and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. No admission or advance reservation is required.

4. Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter is accessible by ferry only. It is where Confederate forces opened fire on the U.S. garrison on April 12, 1861, beginning the Civil War. The National Park Service manages the fort; Fort Sumter Tours operates the ferry service.

A National Park Ranger provides historical commentary on the fort grounds. For older children and teenagers, the Civil War history is substantial and is brought to life by the physical environment. For younger children, the ferry ride across the harbor is the main draw.

More Family Activities in Charleston SC

5. Charleston City Market

The Charleston City Market runs along Market Street between Meeting and East Bay Streets. It is free to browse. Covered sheds are open daily and house local artisans and vendors. Sweetgrass basket makers are among the market's signature vendors. The covered sheds provide shade on hot days.

6. Rainbow Row and the Historic District

Rainbow Row is a stretch of 13 colorfully painted Georgian row houses on East Bay Street, between Elliott and Tradd Streets. Free to walk and photograph, best seen in the morning. A short walk from Rainbow Row covers cobblestone lanes, church steeples, and antebellum architecture.

7. The Battery and White Point Garden

White Point Garden is a waterfront park at the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula. Entry is free. The Battery promenade is lined with oak trees, 19th-century cannons, and harbor views. A practical stop in the morning or late afternoon.

8. Charleston-area beaches

Folly Beach is one of the most accessible Charleston-area beaches from downtown, accessible by car. Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms are also within driving distance of downtown. Folly Beach has surf shops and restaurants. A car is required for all beach trips.

9. Patriots Point and USS Yorktown

Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is in Mount Pleasant, across the harbor via the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. The main attraction is the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned aircraft carrier open as a floating museum. Best for ages 8 and up with an interest in naval history or military equipment. Check current hours and admission at patriotspoint.org before visiting.

10. Charleston harbor cruise

Charleston harbor sightseeing cruises run from the downtown waterfront and cover the harbor, Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Most cruises run approximately 90 minutes. A harbor cruise is a seated option that can suit families with young children who find long walks difficult. Check current operators, schedules, and pricing when planning.

11. Carriage tour of the Historic District

Horse-drawn carriage tours run through the Historic District from several departure points downtown. They cover Rainbow Row, the Battery, and historic architecture in a narrated one-hour format that works well for families who find walking tours difficult. Schedules vary by company, and advance reservations are recommended.

12. Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum is a useful indoor option for families who want a break from outdoor sightseeing. Its collections cover Charleston and South Carolina history, natural history, and decorative arts. Open Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday noon to 5pm. Check the museum's official website for current admission prices before visiting.

Things to Do in Charleston SC With Kids by Age

Toddlers and preschoolers (under 5)

• Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: designed specifically for this age group.
• Joe Riley Waterfront Park: fountains and open lawns at no cost.
• City Market: covered sheds, local vendors and plenty to look at while walking through the market.
• Carriage tour: seated and narrated, no walking required.

Elementary-age children (5-10)

• South Carolina Aquarium: touch tanks, sea turtles, and the Great Ocean Tank.
• Rainbow Row and historic district walk: a practical orientation walk at the start of the trip.
• Joe Riley Waterfront Park and Folly Beach: outdoor balance for museum-heavy days.
• Harbor cruise: low-effort for children who tire of walking.

Tweens and teens (11 and up)

• Fort Sumter: Civil War history is the strongest draw for this age group. A ranger-led visit with real fortifications is more engaging than a museum.
• Patriots Point / USS Yorktown: the scale of a full aircraft carrier and naval aircraft on display.
• Folly Beach, Isle of Palms: old enough for more independent beach time.
• Charleston Museum: South Carolina history and natural history collections.

Free Things to Do in Charleston SC With Kids

These cost nothing to enter:

• Joe Riley Waterfront Park: two fountains, pier, lawns, harbor views.
• Rainbow Row walk: East Bay Street, morning light is best.
• White Point Garden and the Battery: harbor views, cannons, shaded lawns.
• Charleston City Market: free to browse, and sweetgrass basket makers are among the market's signature vendors.
• Historic District walk: cobblestone lanes, church steeples, antebellum architecture.

Indoor Things to Do in Charleston SC With Kids

When heat or rain makes outdoor activities impractical:

• South Carolina Aquarium: mostly indoors, making it practical on hot or rainy days.
• Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: mostly indoors. Check splash pad status at explorecml.org before visiting.
• Charleston Museum: indoor history and natural history collections.
• Charleston City Market: covered sheds provide shade and partial rain cover.

A Simple 2-Day Charleston Itinerary With Kids

Day 1

• Morning (9am): SC Aquarium. Arrive at opening and allow 2-3 hours for the visit.
• Late morning: Joe Riley Waterfront Park, directly next to the aquarium. Free.
• Afternoon: City Market and Rainbow Row. Browse the market sheds, then walk to East Bay Street.
• Evening: King Street for dinner.

Day 2

• Morning (9:30am ferry): Fort Sumter. Take the 9:30am departure from Liberty Square to start the day early and allow roughly 2 to 2.5 hours for the round trip and fort visit.
• Lunchtime: Back in downtown. City Market area or Waterfront Park.
• Afternoon: Children's Museum (ages 10 and under) or White Point Garden and the Battery (all ages).
• Optional day 3: Folly Beach. Folly Beach is a short drive from downtown, with travel time depending on traffic. It works as an afternoon extension or a full third day.

Where to Stay in Charleston SC With Kids

For a family visit to Charleston, the three-bedroom home at 257 Rutledge is part of three restored historic homes at 257 Rutledge Avenue in Cannonborough-Elliottborough. It gives families their own private property with a full kitchen, private entrance, and guest parking.

The property has three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and three floors, with a capacity of up to 8 guests. All guests at 257 Rutledge have access to the shared, heated saltwater guest pool, which is open year-round and is guest-only.

For families needing more space, 257 Rutledge also has five apartments with full kitchens and four private-entry suites on the same property. Confirm parking arrangements for additional vehicles directly with the property.

The SC Aquarium, Waterfront Park, and the Fort Sumter ferry terminal are all within the downtown waterfront area, a short drive from the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood. View 257 Rutledge accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions