The 10 Best Historic Sites in Coastal South Carolina, Coastal South Carolina

August 18, 2021 Kelli Reichel

Miles of white sand and romantic island resorts beckon from the hem of the Palmetto State. Families gravitate to Myrtle Beach and the 60-mile span of Grand Strand, where over 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts and nightclubs await. Charleston’s hundreds of heritage buildings, and irresistible charm, are part of its allure. Beach resorts at Kiawah Island, Seabrook and Edisto Island make for romantic getaways. Marshes, moss-bearded palms and oak groves create ambiance in the haunting Lowcountry.
Restaurants in Coastal South Carolina

1. Aiken-Rhett House

48 Elizabeth St, Charleston, SC 29403-6250 +1 843-723-1159 [email protected] http://www.historiccharleston.org/Visit/Museums/Aiken-Rhett-House-Museum.aspx
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,601 reviews

Aiken-Rhett House

The Aiken-Rhett House (c. 1820) is one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the nation. Vastly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s, the house and its outbuildings include a kitchen, the original quarters of the enslaved, carriage block and back lot. When Historic Charleston Foundation assumed ownership in 1995, we adopted a preserved-as-found preservation approach, meaning the structure and contents are left in an “as-found” state, including furniture, architecture and finishes that have not been altered since the mid 19th century. While many dependency buildings in Charleston have been demolished or adapted, the Aiken-Rhett slave quarters – with their original paint, floors and fixtures – survive virtually untouched since the 1850s, allowing visitors the chance to better comprehend the every-day realities of the enslaved Africans who lived and labored here. A 45-minute audio tour is available, last tour at 4pm.

Reviewed By DesigningWoman13 - Memphis, United States

This "preserved" house and slave quarters, with ts easy-to-use audio guide, gives you an excellent insight into how the upper classes lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, along with a good perspective on the slave side of the experience. Good, rounded view.

2. Nathaniel Russell House

51 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-2536 +1 843-724-8481 [email protected] http://www.historiccharleston.org/Russell.aspx
Excellent
58%
Good
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Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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4.5 based on 1,952 reviews

Nathaniel Russell House

A National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum was completed in 1808 by merchant Nathaniel Russell. The home’s graceful, free-flying, three-story staircase is an architectural marvel and the elegant interiors with elaborate plasterwork, geometrically shaped rooms, formal gardens and collection of 18th-century decorative and fine art speak to the wealth of Charleston’s elite in the early days of the American Republic. Restored to its original splendor using forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation technology by our curatorial staff, we ensure the highest standards of old-world expertise to replicate the finishes, fixtures and textiles appropriate for this 200-year old townhouse. The 18 enslaved Africans that lived on and maintained this property are an integral part of its history. Archaeological artifacts, educational panels and ongoing restoration of the enslaved quarters are vital to learning more about the enslaved and telling their important stories.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

Nathaniel Russell, a wealthy shipping merchant, built this magnificent three-story, Federal-style, 9,600-square-foot rectangular townhouse in 1808. Today, it is recognized as one of America's most important Neoclassical houses. It was designated a National Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Located at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, the prestigious house was built to display Russell's prominence as one of the wealthiest citizens of the community. Constructed of Carolina gray brick, the three-bay entrance front emphasizes height rather than width with the main living areas on the second and third levels. The first-story entrance front is dominated by the residence's grand entrance door. The house features three main rooms per floor, each of different geometric designs: a front rectangular room, a center oval room and a square room in the rear. The most important architectural feature of the house is the elliptical spiral staircase, which ascends three floors and is showcased by a golden walled stair hall. The second floor oval drawing room is the most highly decorated room in the house and is where the women of the house retired to after dinner. Papered in apricot, it features elaborate plaster moldings covered with 24-karat gold leaf. The Adamesque ornamentation of the fireplaces' mantles and cornices are among the most detailed in the city. Though most of the art and furniture displayed in the house are not original to the Nathaniel Russell House, they are of the correct period when the Russell family inhabited the house and many are of Charleston origin. The house and grounds are separated from the street by a brick and wrought iron fence with the entrance gate flanked by tall brick columns. To the south of the house is the garden that was originally laid out in a geometric arrangement with patterned beds of flowers, ornamental shrubs and large orange and grapefruit trees. Today, a formal English garden can be found with gravel paths, boxwood hedges and plants favored in the 19th century. In the rear of the house is the two-story slave quarters that housed many of the 18 slaves that lived and worked at the Nathaniel Russell House.

3. Heyward-Washington House

87 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-2503 +1 843-722-2996 [email protected] http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/historic-houses/heyward-washington-house/
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
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4.5 based on 394 reviews

Heyward-Washington House

Historic mansion open to the public.

Reviewed By BilB126357 - Boston, United States

I absolutely loved this beautiful house! The tour guide was very informative and thorough. The house was perfectly decorated with wonderful antique furniture and is in a beautiful neighborhood.

4. The Charleston Museum

360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403-6297 +1 843-722-2996 [email protected] http://www.charlestonmuseum.org
Excellent
51%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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4.5 based on 1,039 reviews

The Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum, America's First Museum, founded in 1773. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. We invite you to explore this rich, varied history at the Museum and its two National Historic Landmark houses, The Joseph Manigault and Heyward Washington Historic Houses. All are located downtown, in America's Most Historic City. Featuring: Lowcountry History, Historic Armory, Charleston in the Revolutionary War, "City Under Seige" (civil war), The Bunting Natural History Gallery, Kidstory, and Historic Textiles Gallery.

Reviewed By robinbeam - Oklahoma City, United States

We went to this museum as part of our Charleston Tour Pass. It is small, but very well curated. The display of local silver was lovely. They also have items from a local whale skeleton to an Egyptian mummy. Very eclectic.

5. Fort Sumter National Monument

Charleston, SC 29482-9748 +1 843-883-3123 http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
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4.5 based on 5,603 reviews

Fort Sumter National Monument

Learn all about this storied spot of the first clash between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, in which the Union forces finally surrendered after a 34-hour bombardment by the Rebels.

Reviewed By lrb06901

Knowledgeable NP rangers at the visitor center, lovely boat ride and memorable flag raising ceremony in the morning for those that helped AND watched to raise our flag.

6. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414-7109 +1 843-571-1266 [email protected] http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/
Excellent
51%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 6,816 reviews

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

South Carolina's Most Visited Plantation and Gardens. National Registry of Historic Places. Ancient Oak Avenue. Tours full of History. World Famous Gardens of the 19th Century "Romantic Style". Selected by Travel + Leisure (2014) as the only South Carolina garden deemed one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens". Reconstruction Period Plantation Home Tour. Award Winning Slave Cabin Tour. Very popular Nature-Train Tour. Rice Field Boat Tour. Family Oriented. Petting Zoo and Nature Center. Audubon Swamp Self-Guided Tour. Amazing Nesting Rookery. If you have only one Plantation to see, don't miss us!

Reviewed By barnettmail64

Had a wonderful trip around plantation lots to see Very interesting plus fabulous little petting zoo Shawn our driver was brilliant made the trip Good knowledge and vey informative Passionate about magnolia gardens Would definitely recommend a lovely day out

7. St. Michael's Church

71 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-2902 +1 843-723-0603 [email protected] http://www.stmichaelschurch.net
Excellent
73%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 789 reviews

St. Michael's Church

Charleston's oldest church has been tolling its bells on the hour since 1764. Dynamic Downtown Worship in the Anglican Tradition

Reviewed By yellowstone1 - Williamsburg, United States

We went from our hotel, French Quarter Inn (great hotel and I would most recommend this place but it is expensive but you get a lot for the price) actually we were on a private tour and Linda stopped to let us see this holy place and we were able to enter the sanctuary and see the Tiffany glass windows and the pulpit and the pew where George Washington attended services.

8. Drayton Hall

3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414-7126 +1 843-769-2600 [email protected] http://www.draytonhall.org/
Excellent
61%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,909 reviews

Drayton Hall

Circa 1738, Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public.

Reviewed By TurtleGirlGonzales - Dallas, United States

This is a must do for those interested in history, architecture etc. House is original, having survived the American Revolution and the Civil War--quite moving. Tour Guide Mary Jo? Mary Lou? was knowledgeable, interesting and lots of fun! It is empty and the impact of that is profound. It is preserved, not restored. To walk the same staircase as Cornwallis? Amazing! Take your time here, walk the African American cemetery near the entrance gates as well.

9. Fort Moultrie

1214 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482-9748 +1 843-883-3123 http://www.nps.gov/fosu/learn/historyculture/fort_moultrie.htm
Excellent
59%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 925 reviews

Fort Moultrie

Federal headquarters for the National Park Service's historic properties located in Charleston and Fort Sumter.

Reviewed By ColeDT - Gloucester, United States

Smaller museum with gift shop. The rangers inside were extremely welcoming and nice! Museum was a one room with an attached theater that showed a short 15 minute movie about the Fort. However, we opted out of watching it. The grounds of the Fort were fun to walk around and explore. Our boys had a blast! The batteries overlook Sullivan Island and the views are great. Looking out we saw three dolphins close to shore playing. We spent a good hour and a half looking around the grounds. Then walked to the beach and enjoyed that for another thirty minutes. We were here in FEB, so its still a more quiet time in Charleston, so the beach was practically bare except for a few people walking their dogs. (Although I don't think this is a swimming beach because there is a huge sign talking about deadly current here) I don't think that is a seasonal sign, but I am not sure of this. Great place to visit, and we will visit again on a warmer day =)

10. Hopsewee Plantation

494 Hopsewee Rd, Georgetown, SC 29440-5598 +1 843-546-7891 [email protected] http://www.hopsewee.com/
Excellent
72%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,010 reviews

Hopsewee Plantation

Hopsewee Plantation is an original lowcountry rice plantation on the North Santee Rive built between 1735 and 1740. Birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., Hopsewee is one of just 12 remaining birthplaces of Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The home has not been modified from its original design and is furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques. Two original slave cabins remain on the property. The guided tour explores the history of the Patriots and Planters who lived at Hopsewee while you explore the architectural features of the house from Attic to Cellar. Enjoy the hour long tour or just come for lunch in The River Oak Cottage Tearoom with Lowcountry favorites such as Shrimp and Grits, Pulled Pork, Soups and Sandwiches and our Southern Tea service modeled after a British Afternoon Tea.

Reviewed By penell2015 - Lowville, United States

Ths is my 3rd visit to Hopsewee. Our tour guide was excellent each time,explaining the pre-Civil War rice culture, the plantation owners' lifestyle and the African-American contribution to society, Interesting history of the Lynch family. Beautiful grounds.

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