Where The Culture and History of Charleston Come To Life
Charleston is a multicultural city with a long history. Whether you're interested in history, slavery, war, art, science, animals, gardens, nature, firefighters, textiles, manuscripts, the post office, or The Citadel, Charleston has the perfect museum just waiting to be explored.Featured Offers
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The Fire Museum, located adjacent to Tanger Outlet Mall, is home to the largest collection of fully restored American LaFrance fire trucks and antique fire equipment in the country, is a wonderful museum for the firefighter in all of us.
America’s first museum showcases a variety of fascinating artifacts that tell the story of Lowcountry cultural and natural history. Whether you have an interest in early Southern furniture, historic textiles or the Civil War, the Charleston Museum has something for everyone in your family.
Experience Charleston’s history through art! Come face to face with stories of the South Carolina Lowcountry as seen through painting, miniature portraiture, sculpture, photographs, and more. Complimentary cell phone tour (using your own phone) with paid admission. Tues-Sat 10am-5, Sunday 1-5.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Open daily 9am-5pm. Visitor Center, museum, gift shop and history trail, 17th century trade ship replica Adventure, native animal zoo, informal gardens, exhibits and more. Learn about and experience South Carolinas original settlement.
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
Nine interactive exhibits, including a two-story Medieval Castle, a pirate ship and a dedicated Art Room, allow your children to explore the arts, sciences and humanities through their own hands-on experiences. Weekly classes expose children to the arts, movement and foreign languages. Admission $10 per person, $8 for SC Residents, free for children under 12 months. Tues-Sat, 9 am-5 pm; Sun, 12pm-5 pm; closed Mon.
Edisto Island Museum
T-F 1-4pm. Exhibits on sea island plantation life, the Civil War and native Americans. Adults $3; Students $2; 10 and under are free.
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
The Halsey Institute at the College of Charleston is a non-collecting contemporary art museum in downtown Charleston. In addition to organizing 5 exhibitions each year, the Halsey also presents lectures, a film series, publications & tours. Free admission.
Gallery Hours: M-Sat. 11am - 4pm, Thurs. 11am - 7pm
Karpeles Manuscript Museum
W-Sa 11am-4pm. Houses the largest private collection of historically significant manuscripts in the world (more than 1 million). Philanthropist David Karpeles supports seven museums across the nation and his collection ranges from Ancient Egypt to the Apollo moon landing. Free.
Museum Mile
This diverse mile long corridor stretches along Meeting Street from the Charleston Visitor Center to the Nathaniel Russell House. Offering visitors the most comprehensive array of historical and cultural attractions in downtown Charleston.
Old City Market
Open M-Su. one of the nation's oldest public markets (circa 1804), this beloved attraction completed a three-year, $5.5 million renovation in June 2011. Shop for authentic Lowcountry souvenirs and hear the lilting dialect of Gullah ladies as the weave and sell handmade sweetgrass baskets.
Old Slave Mart Museum
Recounting the story of Charleston's role in this inter-state slave trade by focusing on the history of this particular building and site and the slave sales that occurred here. Hours are 9 to 5 M-Saturday. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children aged 6 to 12, and 5 and under are free of charge.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
At Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, tour the USS Yorktown, USS Clamagore, Medal of Honor Museum, Cold War Submarine Memorial and the only Vietnam Support Base Camp in the U.S. It’s history you can touch.
Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc.
Established in 1991 by the Vestry of St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church to develop and maintain a commemorative garden and preserve the legacy of the master craftsman. The Bell Garden (George Street) and the Heart Garden (topiary garden), entrance from Menotti Street.
Postal Museum
(located inside the old post office). Charleston’s postal history. The Post Office Building circa 1896 was erected over the ruins of the old police station, which was destroyed in the earthquake of 1886. The building at Meeting and Broad is the oldest continuously operated post office in the Carolinas.
Summerville Dorchester Museum
100 East Doty Ave., Summerville, SC 29483; 843-875-9666. Th-Sa 10am-2pm. Other hours by appointment.
The Citadel Museum
Su-F 2-5pm; Sa 12-5pm. Closed College, religious, and military holidays. 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 held at 3:45pm almost every Friday during the academic year. Also visit Summerall Chapel. Free.
The City Hall Gallery
M-F 9am-5pm. Located in the Council Chamber of the Charleston City Hall (1801), the gallery contains portraits of many important leaders, including one of George Washington by John Trumbull.
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.
