What to do in Charleston SC while house and pet sitting

Do you feel like taking a trip to a smallish town packed with historic buildings and romantic seaside views? Then your next pet sit may well be taking you to lovely Charleston in South Carolina. If it does and you find yourself wondering: “But what is there to do in Charleston SC?” – don’t worry, we got you covered!

Founded in 1670, Charleston SC, also called “The Holy City” (we’ll tell you why later!), is the oldest town in South Carolina and therefore home to many exciting historical buildings and other cultural sites. So, no matter if you’re looking for fun but educational activities or if you prefer to just let your mind wander while taking relaxing strolls downtown or at the beach, this city has everything you could want – and more.

Charleston SC attractions

Let’s dive right into it with the top 5 must-see attractions in Charleston SC you don’t want to miss while you’re there: 

1. Charleston See-It-All Sightseeing Bus Tour: When you’ve never been to a city before and want a look at as many attractions as possible, it’s a great idea to start by getting tickets for a local sightseeing bus. Charleston SC offers a wide array of architectural masterpieces, museums, and gardens and parks – and taking the 90min See-It-All Tour you won’t miss a thing!
2. Middleton Place: If you’re fascinated by the darker side of history and would like to learn more about it while strolling through America’s oldest landscaped garden, this is the place for you! Middleton Place tells two closely interwoven yet very different stories about the people who lived, worked, and died here.
3. Pineapple Fountain at Joe Riley Waterfront Park: If you love to take a few good shots while you’re out and about, this is the spot for you to be! At one side of the park, you’ll find some of the most beautiful houses in Charleston, located along what’s called the “Rainbow Row”, while at the other side, there’s nothing but calming, blue waters. Your Instagram followers will go crazy liking your next selfie, taken in front of the Pineapple Fountain during sundown, we promise!
4. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens: Our next Charleston SC attraction is a dream come true for any nature lovers out there! Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is at its best at the beginning of spring, when mother nature slowly comes out of hibernation and the trees and flowers are in full bloom. Those of you who like to live on the edge can also take a tour through the local swamps and try to spot one or two of the alligators calling it their home.
5. Saint Michael’s Church: Located downtown, at an intersection called the “Four Corners of Law”, St. Michael’s Church is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city. Remember when we said that Charleston SC is also called the “Holy City”? If you’d like to guess why, we’ll give you a hint: This church is just one of the many reasons for that. Charleston houses over 50 churches and synagogues and counts as one of the most religiously tolerant cities in the US.

Free things to do in Charleston SC

Did you spend most of your travel budget visiting all the great sights we just told you about but would still like to see more? No worries, we got you! There is also plenty of free things to do in Charleston SC – just check out these cool places: 

1. Folly Beach: Folly Beach is the perfect spot to go surfing, treasure hunting for shells, or watching the local birds fly into the sunset (or sunrise, if you’re an early bird, too!) – and all that right next to a pier where you can find some of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston SC. Make sure to also check out the lighthouse and the graffiti-painted pathway leading up to it!
2. Charleston City Market: Consisting of several 200-year-old brick buildings and housing every kind of restaurant and shop you can think of, this vibrant point of interest is an absolute must-see in Charleston SC – and worth a visit even if you don’t want to spend a single dollar. Don’t feel bad if you can’t resist the gorgeous hand-made, locally produced souvenirs, though – I promise, we won’t tell!
3. Mace Brown Museum of Natural History: “I can’t get enough dinosaurs.” Located within the Science and Mathematics Building at the College of Charleston, Ross Geller from “Friends” would happily spend the whole day (or several days) at the Mace Brown Museum. And if you’re even remotely as taken with long-dead creatures, so should you! The museum features more than 30,000 fossils and should most definitely make it onto any history fan’s “What to do in Charleston SC for free” bucket list.

Fun things to do in Charleston SC

Did you just spend the third day in a row exploring the most beautiful churches, museums and historical landmarks the town has to offer, learning all kinds of interesting new things? Then you might find yourself wondering what to do in Charleston SC today that doesn’t require too much brainpower. Here are some things to do that are simple, pure fun:

1. Charleston SC Ghost Tour: Sitting at home, all alone (except for your furry protégé, of course!), with no idea what to do at night in Charleston SC? Then come and join one of the many ghost and graveyard guided walking tours the city has to offer, and get ready for some of the scariest true stories you’ll ever hear. And who knows? You might even spot a supernatural being yourself.
2. Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park: Fancy some daring adventures in lofty heights? Then off you go to Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park! Challenge yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and find out just how brave you really are!
3. Charleston Brewery Tour: Get a taste of Charleston's bustling beer scene with this exclusive tour. There’s even an optional stop at a BBQ for delicious smoked steaks (and who could say no to that?)

Best Restaurants in Charleston SC: food and drink

With all your sightseeing and adventure cravings satisfied, how about some delicious chow to replenish your energy? We’ve put in the work and found some of the best restaurants in Charleston SC for you!

1. American dinner in Downtown: Swig&Swine serves food all day long and is not only pet-friendly by allowing dogs inside, but also one of the best restaurants in downtown Charleston SC – serving some of the juiciest steak in all of town.
2. Delicious and authentic: There you are, in beautiful South Carolina, seeing one cool landmark after the other, and still, once evening comes around, all you can think of is that creamy pasta you had years ago when visiting Europe? Well, you’re in luck! La Fontana is the best Italian restaurant in Charleston SC and serves delicious, authentic pasta dishes and more. You probably won’t find what you know as ‘Pasta Chicken Alfredo’ on their menu, but trust us when we say the actual Italian version is much better anyway.
3. Casual, loud, and fun: Getting tired of fancy eateries where you have to pretend to know which fork to use for what, when all you want to do is dig in? At Ashley River you’ll find the best casual restaurant in Charleston SC: California Dreaming. Serving freshly prepared American classics in front of a beautiful waterfront backdrop, we guarantee this place will make you feel welcome no matter the order in which you use your cutlery.

Now that you’ve got all the insides on what to do while in Charleston SC during your house or pet sitting trip, all that’s left for you to do is figure out how to fit all those amazing adventures into your single stay. Or just go ahead and book your next one right away for even more time in this beautiful, diverse city!

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