I was delighted to find The Irish Memorial Park today which is located off of East Bay St with…read morefabulous views of The Ravenel Bridge & The USS Yorktown. I've been meaning to check it out for a while since I am Irish. It was lovely to see. They have a large granite Irish map with counties carved out. Along with various plaques of Irish people. It's quite serene with lots of seating. On a cooler day .. a perfect spot to sit & reflect with shade trees.

What a gorgeous memorial- looks to be made of granite. Ireland in all it's glory, is situated…read moreoverlooking the Cooper River and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Across the river you can see the USS Yorktown. I visited this park twice while visiting Charleston- once in the evening and again during the day to take better pictures. Included in the Charlotte Street Park- it has a lovely green space, plenty of benches, the Mayor's Gate and seems to be a popular spot for fishing. Dedicated to the many Irish immigrants who arrived in Charleston to settle.

I have to admit I'm an easy mark for a place like this…read more But I really found the price of admission and the information provided was absolutely worth it Small but informative museum, including a great Short documentary that provides all the information you need about the very important role This location played in the revolution. The tour of the Fort is self-directed and is interesting to see after going into the museum It's kept up well, but I actually found the museum more valuable than the fort itself glad I went! Didn't get to see Fort Sumter, which remains on the list, but this is also worthwhile and is both cheaper and less of a drag on time

This was my second visit to the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and I'm glad we made time to stop…read moreagain while exploring Sullivan's Island. Earlier in the day, we had visited nearby Fort Sumter, but instead of taking the ferry out to the fort itself, we stopped here to learn more about Charleston's harbor defenses and the area's fascinating history. The visitor center has several exhibits providing great context before (or after) exploring the historic sites. After spending some time inside, we crossed the street to walk around Fort Moultrie itself. Between the exhibits and the fort, it was an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so. Whether it's your first visit or your second, I'd recommend making a stop here. The staff was friendly (I love rangers), the exhibits were informative, and it's a nice complement to a visit to Fort Sumter or the rest of the Charleston area.

Interesting if you do research on the history. The sight has been neglected making it difficult to…read moreread the information posted in the display at the site. By doing your own research, it's possible to figure out where the points of reference are located.

For years I've driven by the road and markers on James Island that head out to the Fort Lamar…read moreHistoric Preserve without ever stopping until finally one day recently my curiosity got the better of me. Despite being documented as the second most important Civil War site in South Carolina, the preserve is in need of a little bit of TLC. The preserve is on the site of the Battle of Secessionville in which a Confederate force of 1,250 defeated 3,500 Union troops on June 16, 1862. This is one of the few land battle sites fought in the state during the Civil War. Few physical remnants of the battle or fort remain today, but visitors can visit self-guided hiking trails to discover the history of the area. The preserve covers both sides of the road. You'll want to park in the area where you see monuments and memorials to the site as well as an informational double-sided billboard. You'll need to cross the street to begin the main hiking trail (unpaved). My main issue is that DNR (the agency responsible for upkeep of the site) doesn't appear to be visiting the site frequently as the brochure bin that you pick up the map to guide you on the trail seemed to have been empty for quite some time. This is an issue as there are no signs along the trail to tell you what you're looking at or provide historical context. Simply small number plaques that I assume would align with information in the brochure/map that was unavailable in the parking area. As it was - my friends and I ended up not completing the whole hike through the site as we had no idea how long the trail went and without the context for what we were looking at - it was more or less just a nice stroll in the woods along the marsh. If I could get my hands on one of the maps to actually self-guide myself through the trail I would definitely come back to this important historical site.

We were planning on visiting Boone Plantation, but we were early, since it opens at Noon on…read moreSundays. So, we had some time to kill. Almost across the street I have noticed a sign for Charles Pickney National Historic Site which looked open, so off we went. There is a big parking lot upon entrance. Free to visit. Big, woodsy grounds with a few trails, historic houses (closed for the season when we visited in November), a small visitor center with picnic benches, clean restrooms, water fountains. We enjoyed walking around, decompressing, admiring the Spanish moss and the camellias in bloom. We also learnt about Charles Pickney (had no idea who he was), always interesting to get a slice of local and US History. He was a land owner, a politician, a Founding Father who contributed to the Constitution, South Carolina governor (several times), US Senator and member of the House. Also, alongside his wife, Eliza were some of the first people developing indigo crops. All this information you ready by walking around it's interesting and will tie in with the facts and stories you will get while touring Boone plantation. It all connects. Great place to stumble into, it has a bit of everything: respite, nature, history. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. TIP: If you are early for Boone, pop in here. You should do both place if you have time! Lots to learn and the historic site has lots of charm on its own!

This historical park lies near one of Charleston's many prominent plantation-turned-attraction…read moresites. This is far less adorned, less aesthetically impressive. However, as a piece of history it was more interesting than I expected. Speaking as a Washingtonian, the name Charles Pinckney means nothing to me and is not a prominent part of the pantheon of Founding Fathers and the surrounding narrative that we so often hear. The site here tries to make the case that this individual was influential in the country's founding, as well as holding a diverse variety of other roles. And yet, the museum house that forms the centerpiece of this site also focuses on the plantation system that formed the lifeblood of the region and is quite detailed about the slave labor that went into it. Gullah spirituals echo through the walls, and dueling murals in the hall express the fundamental contradiction between the inventors of individual rights simultaneously owning human beings. I don't know what used to be here, but museums in this region have stepped up to the challenge presented by this history. Otherwise, the site offers a brief trail and a boardwalk that's more of a platform looking out into the swamp and the nearby road. I probably spent a little over an hour in the park, which was more than I thought. And it was free.

While IMPRESSIVE & MAJESTIC from the outside, the inside contains 100's of 1 of a kind treasures &…read more art pieces from the Ming Dynasty, thru Canton, the Wales from England etc. The history is classic Charleston ~ about the wealthy & how they lived and spent their time & . Always something to learn on these tours so well worth seeing. The gentleman and current owner has assembled quite an art gallery and actually lives on site which is rare a deserves huge praise for his care of the mansion & grounds. For me the insides were/are a chasm of stuff some interesting & some just odd, however I have a laymen's eye not the eye of a collector, & certainly not the pocket book.

Beautiful mansion with divine architecture and informative tour guide. Wish the rooms were not…read moreroped off but I love the display of art and artifacts!!! Beautifully collection! Definitely worth seeing!

Incredible history, gorgeous synagogue, wonderful tour led by Jeff. Museum with several artifacts…read moreand photos, Wonderful Judaica sold in their Chosen Treasures Gift Shop by warm and friendly members. Sanctuary just stunning, as well as the Greek Revival architecture. Book online, tours M, T, Th, Fri.

From the moment we met Ronnie, founder and licensed Charleston tour guide, we knew we were in for…read moresomething exceptional. His passion for Charleston's Jewish history and broader narrative of the city is truly remarkable. Personalized, immersive, and deeply thoughtful, that's how I'd describe the entire experience. Ronnie offered a private, customized tour that wove together vibrant storytelling with Charleston's layered past. He brought to life stories of privateers, Revolutionary patriots, merchants, community builders, and even the challenging and complex roles of Jewish individuals in the slave economy and Civil War. His approach was respectful, honest, and profoundly insightful. We loved the thoughtful touches: complimentary snacks and water, seamless door-to-door service in a premium SUV, and all entry fees included -- making every part of the tour feel effortless and enjoyable. Ronnie's storytelling went beyond guidebook facts. His knowledge, warmth, and ability to layer various perspectives made the history feel lived-in and deeply human. Plus, knowing that part of the tour proceeds support Jewish preservation efforts in the city--through partnerships with the Charleston Jewish Federation--just added to the meaningfulness of the experience. Whether you're a lifelong Charleston lover or new to its rich tapestry, Charleston Jewish Tours is a must-do. And bringing along Ronnie as your guide ensures you'll come away informed, inspired, and connected to the soul of this city.

I wasn't sure what to expect coming here, but it turned out to be a great place to check out! The…read moregrounds are sprawling and beautiful, with a lot of large trees and Spanish moss. They also offer a variety of tours. My group ended up doing a tour on slavery, which was very informative and eye opening. Highly recommend doing this tour if you visit! The tour guide that was talking about this was great and had a lot of passion when she spoke about some very difficult subject matter. It wasn't overly crowded on a Saturday, so you felt like you had the space to wander and take everything in which was nice. Definitely worth visiting and doing some guided tours!

I came to Middleton Place with my family, aunt, and her friend for a dinner. The restaurant is…read morebeautiful. Great ambiance. Lots of southern charm. Plenty of parking. We had reservations and so we were seated fairly quickly. I ordered the soft shell crab and it did not disappoint. No crumbs. Would visit and order again.

USS Laffey is closed for maintenance but no big deal since lots to see on Yorktown. I have now…read morebeen on all five aircraft carrier museums and Yorktown is a very close second to Midway and Intrepid which, IMO, are tied for best. Plenty of exhibits and planes to see. There are two guided tours available: Captain's and Admiral's Tours. These are just the names and have nothing to do with meeting Captains or Admirals. I purchased the Admiral's Tour and thought it was worth the $40. Great tour guide and we saw lots. I visited on Tuesday and Friday. I thoroughly enjoyed my time onboard. Admission also includes the Vietnam War Experience which I think is worth checking out.

I took a ghost tour on the USS Yorktown. The history and sites, incredible. The views at sunset up…read moreon the flight deck, absolutely breathtaking and such a memorable experience. This is a great spot if you enjoy learning about history.