Things to do in Charleston
Museums in Charleston, South Carolina
The Charleston Museum
M-Sa 9am – 5pm; Su 1-5pm. America's first museum showcases a variety of cultural
and natural history artifacts that tell the story of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Visitors of all ages will be transported back through time, viewing artifacts
from ancient fossils and an enormous whale skeleton to elegant costumes and
Charleston silver. Don't miss the Heyward-Washington House (c. 1772),
"Charleston's Revolutionary War House" and the Joseph Manigault House (c. 1803),
"Charleston's Huguenot House." $10 adults/$4 children 3-12/under 3 are free.
360 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-722-2996
Fax: 843-722-1784
American Military Museum
Dedicated to our Armed Forces, past, present and future. Hundreds of uniforms,
artifacts, military miniatures, covering all branches and all periods, including
Iraq, Vietnam, World Wars, Civil War, Revolutionary War. Mon - Sat. 10-6pm, Sun.
1-5pm. Military in uniform free. Adults $6, children $2. Handicap access.
A, MC, V, D.
360 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-723-9620
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm; Su 1-5pm. The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is a
hands-on interactive learning environment for children ages 3 months to 12 years.
Explore a shrimp boat, race golf balls, discover castle life, splash in SCE& G’s
Water Wise and unleash your creative spirit! MC, V.
25 Ann Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-853-8962
City Gallery at Waterfront Park Open Tu-F 11am-6pm; Sa & Sun 12pm-5pm; closed Mondays. The City Gallery at Waterfront Park is a venue for work that is new, vital, and innovative – with a focus on broadening the Charleston art outlook. This gallery aims to do for fine arts in Charleston what Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto have achieved for performing arts.
32 Prioleau St
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-724-7175
Gibbes Museum of Art
Tu-Sa 10am-5pm and Su 1pm-5pm. This Charleston museum is housed in a 1905 Beaux Arts building located in
the Historic District of downtown Charleston. The Gibbes Museum of Art offers one
of the finest collections of American art in the Southeast. Come face to face with
the history of the Lowcountry as seen through portraiture and landscape, painting,
sculpture, photographs and other works on paper. Adults $7; Student, military,
senior $6; Children 6 – 18 $4; Children under 6 Free. A, MC, V, D.
135 Meeting St.
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-2706
Fax: 843-720-1682
Karpeles Manuscript Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Charleston houses the largest private collection of
historically significant manuscripts in the world (over 1 million).
Philanthropist David Karpeles supports seven museums across the nation
and his collection ranges from Ancient Egypt to the Apollo moon landing.
Manuscripts rotate between the museums every two months. The museum is located
in the historic St. James Methodist Church (1856) at 68 Spring Street.
Museum hours are from 11:00am - 4:00pm, Wednesday - Saturday. Admission is free.
68 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-853-4651
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Open daily 9am-6:30pm Adults $14, Seniors and military with ID $12, Children 6-11 $7.
The imposing 888 foot aircraft carrier Yorktown is the flagship of the Patriots Point
battle group. The destroyer Laffey, the Coast Guard cutter Ingham and the submarine
Clamagore are also on display along with 25 aircraft, Congressional Medal of Honor
Museum and Cold War Submarine memorial. Veterans lead guided tours. MC, V.
40 Patriots Point Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: 843-884-2727
Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc.
A non-profit organization, was established in 1991 by the Vestry of St. John's
Reformed Episcopal Church to develop and maintain a commemorative garden in Charleston on the
grounds of the church and to preserve the legacy of the master craftsman. The
Bell Garden, corner of George Street and the Heart Garden (a topiary garden)
located behind the church has an entrance from Menotti St.
P. O. Box 21585
Charleston, SC 29413-1585
Phone: 843-571-6445
Postal Museum
This Charleston museum explains the area's postal history. In 1896 the post office moved
to the new Post Office Building, which was erected over the ruins of the old
police station, which was destroyed in the earthquake of 1886. The building at
Meeting and Broad streets is the oldest continuously operated post office
in the Carolinas.
Corner of Meeting and Broad Streets
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-868-8118
Shem Creek Maritime Museum
Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 5 pm. Outdoor exhibits chronicle the story of the
Charleston area's rich maritime heritage. Located on the bank of historic Shem
Creek, adjacent to the Fifth Season. Ground level is handicapped accessible.
Free admission.
514 Mill Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: 843-849-9000
South Carolina Historical Society
Founded in 1855, the South Carolina Historical Society is the state's oldest
historical society and maintains a vast research library and archives in the
historic Robert Mills Fireproof Building. Researchers are invited to explore
our collections. Members conduct research for free and receive the Society's
publications. Tours available by appointment.
100 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-723-3225
Fax: 843-723-8584
The Citadel Museum
Su-F 2-5pm; Sa 12-5pm. Closed College, religious, and military holidays.
Located on The Citadel Campus, the museum portrays the history of The
Military College of South Carolina and Corps of Cadets from 1842 to present.
Exhibits feature photographs, uniforms and archival documents. Dress Parade
by the Corps of Cadets held at 3:45pm almost every Friday during the academic
year. Also visit Summerall Chapel and canteen/gift shop in Mark Clark Hall.
Free.
Citadel Campus
Charleston, SC
Phone: 843-953-6726
The City Hall Gallery
Mon - Fri, 9-5pm. Located in the Council Chamber of Charleston City Hall (1801),
the gallery in Charleston contains portraits of many important leaders, including one of
George Washington by John Trumbull. Guide available. No admission fee.
80 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: 843-868-8118
The Confederate Museum
Market Hall was built in 1841. Since 1898, the Daughters of the Confederacy
has operated the Confederate Museum, which contains flags, uniforms, swords
and other Confederate memorabilia.
Market Hall, 188 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: 843-723-1541
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Open daily 9am-6:30pm Adults $14, Seniors and military with ID $12, Children 6-11 $7. The imposing 888 foot aircraft carrier Yorktown is the flagship of the Patriots Point battle group. The destroyer Laffey, the Coast Guard cutter Ingham and the submarine Clamagore are also on display along with 25 aircraft, Congressional Medal of Honor Museum and Cold War Submarine memorial. Veterans lead guided tours. MC, V.
40 Patriots Point Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: 843-884-2727
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