Not so touristy things to do around Charleston, South Carolina

By Minta Pavliscsak

I know we like to joke around about how horrible it can be to have all the tourists around. In reality though, tourists are a vital part of our fair city.

Tourism is, after all, a $3 billion industry.  It is also what pushes us to continue to grow to be one of the best cities, not only in the nation, but in the world.

So today we want to give those tourists a few tips, some little known gems of our city, and all around information you might not find anywhere else. (Yes, it’s useful information for our wonderful locals as well!) We hope this helps your stay to be a little more enjoyable!

Welcome to Charleston!

As cliché as it sounds, use the Visitor Center! If you are coming to Charleston at the last minute and are looking for a good deal on a place to stay, a lot of hotels will send their vacant rooms over to the Visitor Center and you can book them for a discounted rate. Already know where you are staying? Great! Still use the Visitor Center. They have lots of coupons/deals on attractions, excursions, and restaurants. It is also a great resource to find out what is going on around the city while you are visiting us.

You’re here…now what? Figuring out what to do can be a bit overwhelming given so many wonderful things Charleston has to offer! I won’t overwhelm you with a ton of choices. Instead, I will just give you a list of a few places to check out should you not want to do the typical touristy thing. You won’t find these on the major “to do while in Charleston” lists.

• Go on a free tour of Charleston. There are some great tours around Charleston, and a variety of them, but did you know that there is a free tour? Free Tours by Foot will take you on a Historic Charleston Tour, on a Civil War Tour, or on an Architecture Tour. The tours last about two hours. Another option is self-guided walking tour apps that you can download from the app store. The one that I have is Historic Walking Tour (only $3.99 for all 63 Charleston sites). The free version includes a map of restrooms around the city, which can come in very handy! The third free version of a walking tour is my favorite way to get to know Charleston, just start wandering around and checking things out. Go at your own pace, grab a map if you wish, and have an adventure.
• Check out the echo stones at Water Front Park. They are pretty discrete and you would think that they are just part of the architecture of the park, but step up on one, stand near the center, find it’s sweet spot, and speak. The sound resonating back is really cool. And don’t worry; you don’t look as silly as you think you do. The echo stones are the big round stones that line the paved walkway.
• Walk along the Gateway Walk. This stretches from Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church on Church Street to Saint John’s Lutheran Church on Clifford Street. It weaves in and out of old cemeteries. It is a serene walk, especially on our beautiful sunny days. Be aware that it is only accessible during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. Also some sections may be closed at various times throughout the week.
• Have a picnic at Allen Park. This is my favorite park in all of Charleston. It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city so it is nice and peaceful. There is a beautiful fountain in the center surrounded by adorning flowers and plants. All in all – the perfect picnic spot. You can find Allen Park just off of Ashley Avenue near Hampton Park.
• Go to Magnolia Cemetery. Just a little way off the Peninsula you will find a lovely, pre-civil war cemetery with beautiful tombstones. Even if the tombstones aren’t your thing, beautiful marsh views might be!
• Go see the Admiral’s House. Built in 1905, this house is located at the old Navy Base in North Charleston. This house is especially of interest to fans of The Notebook given that it was featured in the film, as was the chapel on the property.
• Take a stroll down Philadelphia Alley. Situated between Queen and Cumberland Streets, Philadelphia Alley is a cobblestone walkway where duels were once held. It’s beautiful to walk down day or night, but beware it is said to be haunted! Charleston has a few charming alleyways hidden throughout the city that are similar to this one.
• Get over to the Pitt Street Bridge. If you’re looking for beautiful views, decent fishing, and a great place to watch the sun set, here’s your spot! You’ll find this old bridge that used to connect Mt. Pleasant with Sullivan’s Island in the Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. It’s definitely worth the possibility of getting lost to find it! It is also a park, Pickett Park, and another great spot for a picnic! Learn more about the fascinating history of the Pitt Street Bridge here.
• Visit the Old Post office on Broad Street. Not only is it beautiful inside, it also houses a postal museum filled with interesting artifacts. You can also get a close up look at the sweetgrass basket weavers on the steps of the building.
• Take the kids to Hazel Parker Playground. We can’t forget about the kids! Located on East Bay Street near the Battery, Hazel Parker Playground has 2 playgrounds. One that is fenced in for the littler ones, and another with crazy climby-spinny things for the older kids. They also have a basketball court, a tennis court, a baseball field and lots of room to run around. There is a dog park just beside the playground as well. What’s better…free parking!

That should be enough to get you started on your not-so-touristy Charleston adventure. Don’t get me wrong, the touristy things are great, as is everything Charleston has to offer. We just wanted you to try something different, something that even some of the locals may not know about.

When you visit our wonderful city, remember to smile politely, push your chair back under the table and hold the door open for the next person. Do that and you will be welcomed with open arms!