Are you headed to Charleston for all the different things you can do during the week? We have assembled a list of some of our favorite museums as they drop into different categories! From art to history to for kids, there is something for everyone in this list
For the History Lover
Price: $24 Adult & $16 Children
Location: 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
For the history buffs that love battleships, hands-on history, and even camping, check out this staple of Charleston. Patriots Point is a must see if you head to Charleston, it offers everything that you can imagine from aircraft carriers to destroyers to a Vietnam experience. If you’re into history, you need to stop by Patriots Point!
Price: $10 Adults & $5 Children
Location: 122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Have you ever wanted to see what a real-life dungeon looks like? This may be one of your only real shots to truly experience what it’s like! People rave about the kid-friendliness and immersive nature of the tour guides. This place is a must-see because it is truly one of a kind. You should plan to spend more than an hour there, it’s easy to explore all three levels and keep people of all ages entertained!
For the Art Lover
Price: $12 Adults & $6 Children
Location: 135 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
Gibbes Art Gallery is a fantastic art museum that has been around since 1858! It is fitted with a café, amazing art, and a full gift shop. People rave about the quality of local and international art as well as the kid-friendliness of the art gallery
Price: Free!!
Location: 161 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29424
This great art gallery is an easy choice for a lot of reasons. First, it’s free and can be a great place to spend the day seeing some fantastic amateur and professional art! It is also located on the College of Charleston campus and provides an awesome view of a visually stunning campus that you can spend hours exploring. If you’re looking for a cheap way to spend the day and truly enjoy some art, check out Halsey!
For the Kids
Price: Non-SC Residents: $12, SC Residents: $10, Children: Free
Location: 25 Ann Street, Charleston, SC 29403
If you’re looking for your kids to enjoy an immersive experience that they can touch and play with then check out this gem. The Children Museum is known as a place where you can spend DAYS exploring and letting the kids run wild. There are classes including art room surprise and let’s move that provides a structured environment for kids to explore their creative and active side!
Price: Free Again!! (Donations Encouraged)
Location: 202 Calhoun Street
College of Charleston has the setup to make a cheap enjoyable day! Paired with the Halsey Institute of Art, you can bring your kids to see some fantastic art in the morning and then dinosaur bones and other amazing prehistoric beasts! If you book ahead of time, you can get a full tour of the museum and get a fantastic immersive experience into prehistoric ages!
For the Beauty
Price: $12 Adult & $5 Children
Location 87 Church St, Charleston, SC 29403
If you’re already planning to hit The Charleston Museum, you must add this one to your ticket. Built in 1772, this house was stayed in by George Washington and its gorgeous courtyard and art are worth the price of admission. Visitors are extremely impressed by the quality of the tour and how well maintained everything is to this day!
Price: $12 Adult & $8 Children
Location: 21 East Battery, Charleston, SC 29401
Are you into architectural masterpieces that just take your breath away? If yes, then check out this amazing feat in Charleston. The Edmonton-Alston House is a part of Middleton Place and its tours provide a look into colonial Charleston that can show you how lavishly some lived back in the day!
The Can't-Miss Museum
Price: $12 Adult & $5 Children
Location: 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, 29403
If there’s a museum that you NEED to hit while you’re in Charleston it’s this one. Known as the oldest museum in the United States, The Charleston Museum boasts a wide variety of exhibitions and is a great place to bring a family with varying interests. There is also the ability to add a couple of the architectural tours around Charleston to your ticket for a small bump in price (including our highly recommended Heyward-Washington House.
