Things to do on a Charleston RV road trip

This fort was the first on Sullivan Island, and has a storied military history from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and beyond. It’s been restored to display artifacts from the major periods of American history and the setting near the water is spectacular. Visit Fort Moultrie before you head out to Fort Sumter to get a more complete picture of the region’s history.

There are quite a few options for carriage tours in Charleston, but Palmetto Carriage Works is our favorite. The tour guides are fun and informative. You can tour the barn and visit the animals, plus the company is transparent about the welfare of their horses. A carriage ride through the streets of historic downtown Charleston is fun for families, but can also make for a great date night activity after a romantic dinner in one of the best food cities in the U.S.

Poogan’s Smokehouse has wonderful Charleston BBQ, but the snacks and appetizers are particularly good here so we recommend this place for a late afternoon happy hour. Try the pimento cheese fritters and buffalo pork rinds. If you are really hungry and want something a bit more filling, try the “Four Porksman” which includes pulled pork, smoked sausage, smoked bacon, and a St. Louis rib on a toasted Hawaiian bun.

Learning about the history of pirates in Charleston from a costumed pirate with a parrot on the shoulder? Yes, please. Sabrina and Eric will take you through the oldest parts of the city on a 2-hour walking tour starting at the Powder Magazine Museum and including a visit to the Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon. Bring snacks and water or plan on grabbing lunch or dinner when the tour ends.

The artisans and entrepreneurs of the Charleston area have some of their best wares for sale at the City Market. You’ll find the usual touristy trinkets alongside a variety of beautiful Sweetgrass baskets, fresh roasted coffee, and other local delights. We recommend you be respectful and ask permission before taking pictures—some of the local merchants do not like to have pictures taken of themselves, or their wares.

Minor league games are a fantastic way to soak in local flavor, and the RiverDogs is a particularly great option. The food options include chicken and waffles served in a dog bowl and macaroni and cheese with pulled pork and okra. Bellyitcher Ale is the signature ballpark beer specially made by the local Rusty Bull Brewing company. Prices are affordable, and if you get lucky you might just spot Bill Murray taking in a game (he’s part owner of the team and lives nearby).

There are dozens of world-class places to eat in and around downtown Charleston, so consider our recommendations here to be a mere starting point. The Early Bird Diner serves breakfast all day, so there is no excuse for missing out on some of the best chicken and waffles in the entire country. You also can’t go wrong ordering the country scramble, the corn cake benedict, or the ridiculously flavorful and creamy grits. Everything on the menu is good and the ambiance is comfortable and homey