10 Best Things To Do in Charleston, South Carolina With Kids

Last Updated on June 19, 2026 by Tori Pines

Charleston is one of my favorite family destinations because it has the perfect mix of history, beaches, amazing food, and kid-friendly activities. And this things to do in Charleston with kids guide will help you plan the perfect getaway for people of all ages.

And honestly, I think Charleston surprises a lot of people. Before visiting, I pictured it mostly as a romantic couples destination, but there is actually SO much to do here as a family.

So if you’re planning a Charleston family vacation, here are my top recommendations!

Why Trust Me?

Great question! I didn’t just visit Charleston once and call myself an expert. I actually grew up spending serious time there as a small child and then lived in the nearby city of Myrtle Beach another great place to go with kids!) for many years as a teenager. My sister lives in Charleston, which means we visit regularly now with my own little kids, and I get to experience all of these attractions through fresh eyes every single time we go. I know which spots are actually worth the drive, which ones are worth the price tag, and which ones are totally overhyped. Everything on this list is something I have personally done and loved, and I’m giving you my honest, real-person take on all of it.

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10 Best Things To Do in Charleston With Kids Map

1.  Visit the South Carolina Aquarium

If you’re visiting Charleston with kids, I think the South Carolina Aquarium is pretty much a must-do.

It’s located right on the waterfront, and it’s one of those attractions that works for basically every age. Toddlers, older kids, and honestly adults too.

Inside you’ll find sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, and tons of interactive exhibits. The giant ocean tank is definitely the highlight because it stretches up multiple floors and is absolutely massive. But I really loved the turtle talk and the interactive learning area!

One thing I really liked about this aquarium is that it’s big enough to feel exciting, but not so huge that it becomes overwhelming with kids.

Plan to spend around two to three hours here if you want to explore at a relaxed pace. That’s about how long we stayed during our visit in May 2026 with our 3 year old and 9 month old baby. (Bringing a baby? Here’s my baby packing tips!)

And bonus, it’s air conditioned, which feels AMAZING during hot Charleston afternoons.

Ticket prices start at $34.50 per adult and $27.60 per child age 3-12 but increase in price as the date approaches, so I highly recommend you plan in advance and buy your tickets online at least a week before your visit!

Parking is in the garage right next door and is very easy to get to. Strollers are recommended here with little ones as it is very stroller friendly! (Need more tips for packing with kids? Read my packing list!)

2.  Take a Carriage Tour Through Downtown

I know this sounds touristy, but trust me, it’s worth it.

We booked a tour with Palmetto Carriage Works, and it ended up being one of our favorite activities in Charleston. Before the tour we got to explore the stable, pet the horses and learn more about the company and the horses they care for!

The carriage rides take you through the historic district while guides share stories about the city’s history, famous buildings, and hidden spots you would probably miss on your own. But the cool thing is that the tours are completely different every time you go! Since there are so many carriages on the city streets (up to 30 at one time!). They are controlled by the city as to where they can go when they leave the stable. There’s a lottery system that randomizes the route and the driver finds out after you’re already on your way!

And for families, this is actually such a nice break from walking. Charleston is gorgeous, but you can end up walking a LOT. So being able to sit back and relax while still sightseeing was perfect. And we happened to plan ours during nap time…so not only did we get a break from walking, but we also had some peaceful adult time and it could not have been better. And NO, that does not mean they’re boring for kids, ours was just 3 and exhausted from a long day of having fun in Charleston.

Tickets are $50 per adult and $40 per kid 4-11. Lap children 0-3 are free. Tickets sell out so I highly recommend booking in advance. It is possible to book day-of, but you won’t have all the time slots available. Each ride is an hour long so it’s the perfect length to sit back and relax but also not get too long for littles who have a hard time sitting still. Plus between the horse being entertaining and the pretty sights along the way they are sure to love it, or be dozed off into a nap like mine.

3. Play at Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain

If you’ve seen photos of Charleston, chances are you’ve already seen the famous Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park. This is probably one of the best free things to do in Charleston with kids.

The park itself is beautiful, with swings overlooking the harbor, walking paths, and lots of space to run around.

But the real highlight for kids is definitely the other fountain just steps from the pineapple fountain. On hot days you’ll see tons of children splashing around and cooling off here, so if you’re visiting in warm weather, I definitely recommend bringing a change of clothes.

It’s also just a really relaxing place to take a break during your day downtown.

4. Explore the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

If your kids love ships, airplanes, or anything military-related, this is SUCH a cool stop near Charleston.

The USS Yorktown is a massive aircraft carrier that you can actually walk through and explore. And honestly, it’s one of those attractions that feels way bigger in person than you expect.

You can tour the flight deck, look inside the sleeping quarters, see military aircraft up close, and explore different parts of the ship.

For older kids especially, this can easily become one of the highlights of a Charleston trip.

And even younger kids usually think it’s exciting just because the ship is so enormous.

Patriots Point also has additional exhibits and smaller ships to explore, so you can easily spend a few hours here if your family enjoys history or hands-on attractions.

A visit here will cost $28 per adult, $23 per child (6-12) and entry is free for kids 0-5. They also offer military, SC first responder and SC teacher discounts. Buy tickets in advance to guarantee entry and make it much faster getting in!

5. Wander Through the Charleston City Market

The Charleston City Market is one of the city’s most famous attractions, and it’s honestly just fun to walk through even if you aren’t planning to shop.

The market stretches for several blocks and is packed with over 300 local vendors selling souvenirs, snacks, artwork, jewelry, and the famous sweetgrass baskets Charleston is known for.

This is a great place to pick up gifts or little souvenirs for kids. And honestly, the atmosphere is part of the fun.

There’s always something happening, street performers, musicians, carriage horses walking by, it just feels lively and very Charleston.

6. Spend an Evening at Folly Beach

One of my favorite things about Charleston is that you can combine city activities and beach time in the same trip.

Folly Beach is only about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, and it has a really relaxed, family-friendly vibe. This is the perfect place to slow down after busy sightseeing days.

Build sandcastles, splash in the waves, hunt for shells, or just relax while the kids play.

And if you can time it for sunset, even better. Honestly, grabbing takeout seafood and having a beach picnic here might be one of the best ways to end a Charleston day. We grabbed dinner from The Crab Shack and it was so so good.

7. Eat ALL the Amazing Food

Charleston is absolutely a food city, and there are so many incredible places to eat with kids.

For breakfast, I highly recommend Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. Their biscuits are famous for a reason. While all of the things we ordered were delicious, I especially loved the fruity ones filled with jams! You can grab breakfast sandwiches, sweet biscuits, savory biscuits, honestly you can’t really go wrong here.

Then for lunch or dinner, Poogan’s Porch is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants. It’s located inside a historic house downtown and serves classic southern comfort food like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and mac and cheese. And even though it’s famous, it still felt really welcoming for families at lunch time. They could be a little rowdy and it didn’t feel like anyone even noticed.

For barbecue, Rodney Scott’s BBQ is a great choice. Rodney Scott is a James Beard Award-winning pitmaster and this place has become a true Charleston institution. They cook over live coal direct heat and you can really taste the difference. We ordered a family meal with a mix of meats and two sides to share, and it covered everyone, picky kids included. The whole place is outdoors with some covered seating, so the kids could be as loud and wiggly as they wanted and it never felt out of place.

For seafood (and other options) with a view, Fleet Landing is such a special spot. We go here for lunch or dinner almost every single time we visit Charleston with kids or without and is my parent’s favorite restaurant! It sits right on the Charleston Harbor in a building that used to serve as a ferry landing, and the panoramic water views paired with the yummy Southern seafood make it an optimal family choice. It’s casual enough that nobody bats an eye at a high chair or a spilled cup, but it still feels like a real Charleston dining experience.

If you’re craving something a little different from all the Lowcountry classics, Taco Boy downtown is a local favorite for a reason. It’s been a Charleston staple for years, and the funky, colorful atmosphere paired with a big back patio makes it such an easy, fun place to bring kids. The firepits and bright interior give it such a fun, festive feel, and the kids’ menu is great if anyone in your crew needs a break from biscuits and shrimp.

And no list of famous Charleston spots would be complete without Hyman’s Seafood. This historic institution on Meeting Street has been family-owned and operated since 1890, now in its fifth generation of Hymans running the show, and it has the accolades to prove it, Southern Living readers voted it the best seafood in the Southeast eight years running. The menu is enormous, with extensive shellfish selections and 8 to 15 different fish to choose from daily, and the she-crab soup and crab cakes are an absolute must. If you’re downtown shopping on Meeting Street, it’s such an easy, fun stop, and one I always recommend without hesitation.

8. Visit Fort Sumter National Monument

If you have kids interested in history, Fort Sumter is a really cool experience. This is the historic fort where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

To get there, you actually take a boat ride across the harbor, which makes the experience even more fun for kids. Once you arrive, you can explore the fort, walk around the grounds, and learn about Charleston’s role in American history. Even younger kids usually enjoy this because the ferry ride breaks things up and keeps it feeling interactive.

I recommend buying tickets in advance, which come with a self-guided tour (aka go at your kids pace) and round trip ferry ride!

9. Explore Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

If you want a break from downtown Charleston, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is absolutely beautiful. The gardens are full of giant oak trees, bridges, flowers, and walking paths that honestly feel straight out of a movie. Kids especially love the nature aspect of this stop.

Depending on the season, you may see turtles, birds, alligators, and lots of wildlife in the Wildlife Center which is the highlight for kids!

There’s also a small train tour and nature tram tour that can make this easier with younger kids for an added fee. But many tours including the House Tour, “From Slavery to Freedom” Tour and more are included with the cost of admission!

And if you love photography, this might end up being one of your favorite spots in Charleston.

10. Take a Food Tour — Especially With Older Kids

If your kids are a little older, I’d say around 10 and up, doing a food tour in Charleston can actually be really fun. Charleston is known for its food scene, and food tours are a great way to try multiple local specialties in one afternoon.

Most tours include things like shrimp and grits, barbecue, she crab soup, pralines, biscuits, and other southern favorites. And honestly, I think older kids enjoy this more than parents expect because it feels active and interactive instead of just sitting in one restaurant. Plus, you learn a lot about Charleston’s history and culture along the way.

The people at Charleston Culinary Tours are amazing and are part of what makes the food tour so great! Book in advance with them as their tours do book up!

So those are my favorite things to do in Charleston with kids! I really think Charleston works so well as a family destination because there’s such a good mix of activities. You can do museums, beaches, history, parks, amazing food, and outdoor adventures all in the same trip.

And everything feels pretty close together, (most things are completely walkable!!)  which makes family travel SO much easier.