Free Activities in Charleston, SC

Going on vacation can really rack up expenses - flights, hotels, rental cars, dinners, you name it. In many cases, traveling can feel like you’re breaking the bank, but it doesn’t always have to. A lot of times, there are free activities or places to explore that allow you to still experience what a new city has to offer.

My husband and I recently traveled to Charleston for the first time and seeing as how neither one of us had been there before, there was a lot that we wanted to see. With some researching, we were able to find plenty to do in Charleston that was free and/or didn’t require us to pay for admission.

Charleston City Market

The Charleston City Market is a four block public market and one of the oldest in the country. The market features hundreds and hundreds of vendors offering everything from artwork, woven sweetgrass baskets, food, souvenirs, and more. Visiting and exploring Charleston City Market is free, it’s just up to you if you want to buy anything!

Hampton Park

Hampton Park is one of the city’s largest parks and lucky for us, was just a short walk from our Airbnb. The 60 acre park is a great place to walk around and explore, without having to spend any money. It is steeped in history, having formerly been the site of a horse racetrack and POW camp that held Union soldiers. It was also the location of the country’s first Memorial Day celebration in 1865. Nowadays, Hampton Park features numerous trails and paths, a large gazebo, flower gardens, picnic areas, and more.

Rainbow ROW

Another historical landmark that’s free to visit in Rainbow Row. The initial buildings were constructed in 1680 and served as housing and shops. Over the years, many of the structures were damaged, either from fire, artillery from the Civil War, or neglect. Eventually, in the 1920s, local preservationist Susan Pringle Frost started to rehabilitate the properties. This included repainting the houses with pastel colors, thus resulting in the name “Rainbow Road.” It is the longest grouping of intact Georgian row houses in the country and brings many visitors who want to marvel at the architecture and alternating colors.

Waterfront Park

A short distance from Rainbow Row is Waterfront Park. The public space offers sweeping views of Charleston Harbor, free of cost! Notable features include the wide wooden pier, family-sized swinging benches, and the picturesque Pineapple Fountain. Waterfront Park also has many Southern-specific plants, such as shaded oak canopies and palmetto trees.

The Battery and white point garden

If you walk south from Waterfront Park, you’ll reach The Battery, a historic defensive seawall and promenade. What’s great about The Battery is that you’re able to experience some of Charleston’s history without having to pay an entry fee. The path leads to White Point Garden, where there’s a beautiful gazebo, old cannons, sprawling grassy space, and overhanging trees that are indicative of the South. On a clear day, from White Point Garden, you may even be able to spot Fort Sumter in the distance.