Good Attractions in Historic Downtown (Charleston)

The Charleston Walk

Here it is, the character of Charleston in one guided tour! You can see Charleston's culture from its inception through two wars and several natural disasters. A few of the highlights along the way include Fort Sumter and High Battery, Charleston's oldest church, Dock Street Theatre, and John C. Calhoun's grave, as well as many stunning historic homes. Your experienced tour guide will educate you with local information while you lose yourself for two hours on this incredible journey.

Jack Thomson's Civil War Walking Tour

Jack Thomson's Civil War Walking Tour of Charleston combines 188 photographs with actual locations to take the traveler into the past and resurrect the Charleston of the 1860s. You will see the town through the eyes of Confederate Soldier Gus Smythe, whose preserved letters give a first-hand account of the siege on the evacuated town in 1864. The tour is swift, but informative as each location is brought into historical context with descriptions of the events they hosted. Groups will meet at the historic Mills House Hotel to begin the tour at 9:00am daily. Adults: USD17, Children 12 and under: free. Check the website for further details.

Joseph Manigualt House

Designed by Gabriel Manigault for his brother, Joseph, this three-story brick house is built in the Adam-style, or Federal-style of architecture. The mansion features a sweeping staircase and rooms that are decorated in period style. There is also a garden and slave quarters on the property. Each December, the mansion is decorated for the holidays by the Garden Club of Charleston, using plants that would have only been available at the start of the 1800s. The Joseph Manigault House is open for tours Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission prices are USD10 for adults, USD5 for children 3-12. Children under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the house or through The Charleston Museum. Check the website for further details.

Hot Wheels Skating Center

If you're looking for some fun time with the kids, visit Hot Wheels Skating Center. Kids have to be accompanied by an adult so make sure you're up to it at all times! The place varying rates on different days, so check with them for prices and timings. This is a wonderful way to get energized and spend some quality time with the kids. If you want to visit this place in a large group, then you can rent out the entire skating rink on certain days. Children usually love this place and may probably ask to be taken to the Hot Wheels Skating Center frequently, so be prepared to spend a lot of time here.

Preservation Society of Charleston

Charleston is steeped in history and tradition and The Preservation Society of Charleston works at preserving the historic monuments by organizing fund raiser programs. One of the organizations major events is the Annual Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens. These guided tours are organized to visit about 8-10 private homes that have historic importance. These tours are the best way to get into these beautiful homes and experience them first hand. Special weekend tours are also arranged. Check the website for details on times, places to be visited and regulations.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Originally named "St. John and St. Finbar," the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is noted for its unique stained glass windows and large organ. Apart from baptism and marriages, the church is a venue for many musical concerts. The music ministry aims to portray the stories of Christ through chants, ethnic choirs, modern choirs and instrumentals. Special concerts like the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Concert are hosted in the Cathedral. Artists like John Tavener, Eric Whitacre and Olivier Messiaen have given their performances at this venue.

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, also known as 'Mother Emanuel', is a religious institution developed specially for the people of color. The Church organizes summer camps for students of all ages as also conducts conferences, gospel music classes conducted by renowned artists, which is followed by a concert on the last day of the course. Mother Emanuel also prepares graduating high school students for baccalaureate service. There's so much to Mother Emanuel along with religion and worship.

Avery Research Center

The main mission of this research center is to collect and preserve the rich history and culture of African Americans in Charleston and South Carolina. Established in 1985, the museum has documented the history of the slave trade, civil and women's rights movement. The center maintains an archive of rich material which is used by researchers, scholars and public alike. A cultural center and a gift shop are additional attractions. The center actively sponsors conferences and exhibits to promote Afro-American culture and history. A number of promotional events and study programs are held periodically.

New Tabernacle Fourth Baptist Church

New Tabernacle Fourth Baptist Church emphasizes on the three 'W's—word, worship and works which can help the community men face the challenges of the ever-changing world. The church conducts regular services, services, baptism and community programs for the benefit of the masses. Besides this, the church also is a popular venue for concerts and diverse events. Piccolo Spoleto Spotlight Concert Series and South Carolina Jazz Diaspora are some of the memorable events held here. All in all, a must-visit place for spiritual awareness and good entertainment.

Bethel United Methodist Church

Bethel United Methodist Church has several active ministries like the prayer ministry, music ministry and the outreach ministry which provides service to the needy in a variety of ways. The church helps in providing food from local kitchens to the homeless and assists in disaster relief. The church facilities are also available for weddings and receptions. The chapel can comfortably seat around 100 and the Fellowship Hall can accommodate around 125 seated guests. Sunday School class is conducted for adults where the Bible study takes center stage.

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul

Located in Charleston's historioc district, the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul is dedicated to the Episcopalians in South Carolina. Various concerts take place at this venue like the 'College of Charleston Concert Choir', 'Westminster Choir Concert' and 'Scott Bennett Organ Recital' to name a few. There are various ministries operating under the church like 'Children Chapel', Seamen's Ministry' and 'Episcopal Church Women'. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the church has a major contribution in the history of Charleston.

Alterman Studios Gallery

Located in downtown Charleston, Alterman Studios Gallery was founded in 1980 and measures 6,000 square-feet, making it the largest photography complex. This complex has the Alterman Gallery, Jack Alterman's professional photography services, and the Charleston Center for Photography and Custom Services of Black & White, Copy, and Digital services. They also promote and teach the craft of photography and offer instruction for photographers at all levels of expertise. They also hold workshops on special topics like digital printing, wedding photography and studio lighting that helps add to a photographers skills.