Charleston with kids: our family-friendly itinerary (+ South Carolina road trip)

Charleston has been on my list for years, and this summer, we finally ticked if off as the first stop on our US East Coast road trip with R (17 months), Jack, and Jack’s mum.

A pink Gothic Revival-style church with arched windows, ornate trim, and a large wooden door sits behind a black iron fence, framed by palm trees on a sunny street.

A narrow brick path lined with lush green plants runs between two historic buildings, one red and one tan. An American flag hangs from the red building. Sunlight filters through leafy trees above.

British Airways briefly flew direct from Heathrow but stopped a few years back. I always knew I’d get to Charleston eventually and in the end we settled on flying into Atlanta, spending our first night at The Lodge on Lake Oconee in Georgia, a beautiful spot not far from Augusta National, home of the Masters (golf). We made our way to South Carolina the next morning, stopping at the Augusta Riverwalk for lunch and a walk along the way. We were a bit tired from the overnight flight and late arrival the night before, but the sunshine soon sorted us out.

Charleston was the first stop on a longer road trip for us, working our way up the East Coast before finishing in Washington DC (more on the full route further down). But out of everywhere we visited on that trip, Charleston was the main draw to the area, and it didn’t disappoint.

👉 Don’t have time to read the whole article? Find top-rated Charleston holiday rentals, or browse Charleston tours and activities.

Why Charleston works well with kids

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what brings people to Charleston: the pristine and colourful architecture, the South’s famous food, and the history. What I wasn’t sure about before we went was how well it works with a toddler in tow – but like most places in America, it worked wonderfully.

A historic street features pastel-coloured buildings and the Sottile Theatre with a marquee sign. Several people walk on the pavement under palm trees on a sunny day.

The downtown is compact and flat, which makes life so much easier when you’re relying on a pram and working hard to fill nap windows efficiently
The food scene is exceptional: Charleston’s reputation is well earned, and we ate well even with a 17-month-old at the table
There’s a good mix of things to do: white sandy beaches, several plantations to visit, a harbour, a children’s museum, and plenty of play parks. It’s easy to fill three or four nights without any scraping around
Staying outside the centre gives you the best of both worlds: James Island puts you 10-15 minutes from downtown and the same from Folly Beach, with more living space, easy parking, and none of the city noise

One watch-out: June in Charleston is seriously hot, 32°C+ with high humidity, and there’s also bugs in the evening to contend with. Pack good bug spray and plenty of sun cream and shade paraphernalia!

A statue of an historical figure holding a walking stick stands on a brick plinth with plaques, surrounded by trees and a monument in the background on a sunny day.

Where to stay in Charleston with kids

We stayed in this lovely Airbnb on James Island, and it worked really well as a base. Vrbo offers plenty of similar options in the James Island and Folly Beach area. A self-catering base made particular sense for us, both for the space (with 3 adults) and for the practicality of relaxing once R was in bed. It’s been a while since we’ve enjoyed going out to restaurants in the evening on holiday!

When it comes to supermarkets, we had both a Publix and a Walmart near our Airbnb. We preferred Publix, a big American supermarket chain that’s most similar to the Tesco we’re used to in the UK. R was absolutely delighted by the kids’ shopping trolleys, which have a car-shaped section on the front, giving free entertainment.

We hired a fab collection of toys through BabyQuip, which delivers and collects directly from your accommodation. It made the morning and evenings far easier as R was enamoured by all the new toys and it gave us a chance to put our feet up after busy days out and above.

A small child sits on a carpet surrounded by colourful toys, including a ride-on horse, a stacking ring toy, a toy phone, books, cars, and a plastic storage box filled with more toys and books.

I’d recommend considering a rental for any US trip (you can read more on my experience here) – and they offer cots, high chairs, outdoor items and plenty more should your accommodation lack something specific.

A few family hotel picks

If you’d prefer a hotel and want to be right in the historic centre, downtown has some characterful options and the location for sightseeing is hard to beat. Browse Charleston hotels here, and below are a few worth knowing about:

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Charleston Historic District: spacious two-room suites with free breakfast and a pool, all within walking distance of the sights, a solid choice with a toddler
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina: in Mount Pleasant, right by Patriots Point, with multiple pools, a private beach area, and a kids’ club for slightly older children
Wild Dunes Resort (Sweetgrass / Boardwalk Inn): a proper beach resort on Isle of Palms with five pools and some rooms with kitchenettes, handy if Isle of Palms makes it onto your itinerary

Getting around Charleston with kids

The most practical approach, especially if you’re staying outside the city centre like we were, is to drive and park up, then explore. The historic downtown is compact enough that once you’ve found a spot you can cover a lot on foot, but with the June heat we found an hour or so of walking was plenty before we wanted to retreat somewhere cool or get back in the air-conditioned car. Parking near Marion Square (we used this car park) worked well as a base for the historic district. For Magnolia Plantation and James Island County Park you can park easily right there.

A young child in a sunhat and dungarees walks on a gravel path under a wooden pergola with benches and climbing vines, surrounded by lush greenery on a sunny day.

Our Charleston itinerary with a toddler: day by day

Three nights in Charleston worked well but felt slightly rushed. If I were planning it again I’d go for four nights to allow a bit more breathing room and fit in a second beach day. Here’s how our three nights played out, and how I’d structure day four.

Day 1: arrival and Folly Beach

We arrived in the early afternoon after the drive from Lake Oconee via the Augusta Riverwalk, so the first day was deliberately low-key. We dropped our bags at the Airbnb, picked up groceries at Publix, and headed straight to Folly Beach for the afternoon.

It’s about 10-15 minutes from James Island and a beach with character: not the slightly pink sand of Florida, but a proper Atlantic coast beach with a surfer vibe, beach bars, and an atmosphere we loved. Parking is expensive in the official lots as you have to pay for the whole day, but it’s free along the residential streets near the beach as long as all four wheels are off the road (the signs are specific about this). We parked around here arriving at around 3:30/4pm and found a spot without much trouble. There’s a boardwalk not too far up the beach from there with a shop and a couple of bars to grab a drink at.

A small child in light blue pyjamas stands on a wooden boardwalk, looking through the railing at people playing and walking along a sandy beach next to the sea under a blue sky.

Day 2: historic Charleston walking tour, farmers market, and Children’s Museum

This was our main city day. We parked near Marion Square and started at the Charleston Farmers Market, which runs on Saturday mornings right there in the square (a great recommendation from Nicole, the lady who we rented our BabyQuip equipment through). There were tonnes of food stalls, local produce, and artisan bits.

A man in shorts and a cap pushes a pram through an outdoor market with white marquees and various goods. A large church with a tall spire stands at the end of the brick-paved street under a clear blue sky.

From there we did a self-guided historic walking tour that I’d planned, using this Google Maps route. It’s about 2.5 miles, entirely flat and pushchair-friendly, taking in Washington Square, the French Huguenot Church, Philadelphia Alley (a narrow, cobbled side street and one of the oldest in the city), Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park (home to the Pineapple Fountain, one of Charleston’s most photographed spots), the Battery and White Point Garden (both lined with old cannons and looking out towards Fort Sumter), before looping back through the City Market.

Colourful historic row houses line a sunlit street with parked cars and large leafy trees under a clear blue sky.

R was happy in the pram throughout, and even had a lovely snooze, but there is a play park (Hazel V. Parker play park) that you walk past should your kids be ready for a break.

A sunny playground scene with a yellow slide, climbing structures, a red toy car, and bark ground cover. Large trees provide shade, and a wooden fence surrounds the play area.

We had booked an early (11:30am) lunch at Magnolias, a proper Charleston institution serving refined Lowcountry cooking. The food was delicious – I had their shrimp and grits and Jack had the fried chicken. It’s fancier than we expected and the white tablecloth setting made it slightly tricky to fully relax with a toddler, even though the staff were warm with R. In hindsight I’d have probably preferred to eat somewhere casual like Bodega, which we walked past and thought looked very family-friendly.

We finished the walking tour through the old City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the US dating back to 1804. Today it’s known for its sweetgrass basket weavers, a Gullah craft tradition passed down through generations, alongside the food stalls and souvenir stands. We also stopped at River Street Sweets for an iconic praline.

A display counter with freshly made pralines in a sweet shop. The glass reads World Famous Pralines and the counter has a red sign offering free samples. The shop interior features chequered walls and sweet displays.

In the afternoon, when the heat really kicked in, the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry was the perfect escape. There’s boats and other toddler zones to explore, an outdoor splash park, and best of all, a large play Publix supermarket inside that R did not want to leave (we think that means it’s the best thing he’s ever seen!). Entry is $15 per person even for 1 year olds which we felt was a bit steep before entering, but actually it was very good.

A toddler stands in front of low supermarket shelves, reaching for items. The shelves display toy food boxes and bottles. Colourful shopping trolleys are nearby, and a mural of buildings decorates the wall.

Day 3: Magnolia Plantation and Charleston harbour cruise

We were invited on a PR visit to Magnolia Plantation in the morning, about 20 minutes from downtown along the Ashley River. The grounds are stunning: cypress swamps, Spanish moss, and far more wildlife than I’d expected.

A tranquil pond surrounded by tall, moss-draped trees reflects the greenery and blue sky. A small wooden gazebo and an arched footbridge are visible among the lush vegetation.

We spotted multiple alligators along the river and in the lake including herons and other birds just wandering the paths, which we all loved. We spent a few hours exploring, taking in a sweet fairies and flowers exhibit, a small enclosure of rescued animals, and peacocks wandering freely around the grounds.

A large, historic house with white columns, a wraparound veranda, and steps leading to the entrance sits shaded by tall trees beneath a partly cloudy sky.

A few things worth knowing about the extras: the house tour, the nature train, and a boat trip through the grounds all cost on top of garden admission. We skipped the house tour (guided tours of stately homes are not exactly toddler-friendly territory) and didn’t come across the nature train while we were there, so couldn’t judge whether the extra $15 was worth it. The boat trip wasn’t running on the day we visited, and we had the harbour cruise booked that afternoon anyway.

On prams, it would have been manageable but there are quite a few bridges and steps, so we wisely used our LittleLife backpack carrier.

In the afternoon we did the Carolina Belle harbour cruise, a 90-minute narrated tour past Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge. We decided to put R in the front carrier and that worked really well – he was transfixed by the birds the whole way round, and we spotted dolphins too! The captain / guide was entertaining, which always makes a difference. If you’re on the 3:30pm tour, sit on the right-hand side of the boat (opposite the boarding side) for the best shade.

A green and white boat named “Carolina Belle” moored at a pier in Charleston, SC, with an American flag flying above. The water and blue sky with light clouds are visible in the background.

A man wearing sunglasses holds a small child in a front carrier while sitting on a boat, looking out over the water towards distant buildings under a clear blue sky.

Day 4 (our final morning, or a full extra day if you have it): James Island County Park

We only had a morning here before checking out, but I really loved James Island County Park, another local tip from our BabyQuip host Nicole. Entry is just $2 per person and there’s an easy walk around a lake, an excellent playground with different age offerings, and a large water park.

I didn’t pay to go into the water park but had a look around with the manager and it looked so much fun! While it’s clearly geared towards slightly older children (with proper water slides, best suited to ages 4 or 5 and up), there were some splash zones which would have been good for toddlers had we had more time. It currently costs $15.99 or $13.99 for anyone under 48” tall, plus children under 2 are free (and there’s discounts on weekdays after 3pm).

If you have a full fourth day, this is where I’d also fit in Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, home to the USS Yorktown. We saw it from the water on the Carolina Belle and said at the time that with another day we’d have gone on board as it looked really interesting. It’s close to Shem Creek, a lively waterfront spot lined with restaurants, an ideal spot to watch the boats come in. I’d also have loved to visit Isle of Palms, a barrier island about 25 minutes from downtown with reportedly much calmer, prettier water than Folly Beach.

Horse-drawn carriage tours

Worth a mention, as though we didn’t do one I know that horse-drawn carriage tours are popular with families and a well-known way to see the historic district with a guide. We chose not to, partly because of the heat and our lack of enjoyment watching the horses working in those temperatures, but they looked well-run.

Where to eat in Charleston with kids

Charleston’s food is as good as everyone says, and we ate well during our time here.

Magnolias, 185 Meeting St: we covered this as part of Day 2 above, a proper Charleston institution with excellent food, just go in knowing it’s a smart, white-tablecloth sort of place. If you can manage an evening with a babysitter, it might suit better than a toddler lunch sitting.

City Market area: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit inside the Great Hall is a solid breakfast stop, and River Street Sweets on Market Street does delicious (albeit very sweet) pralines. They offer a free taste in the shop, which is how we ended up buying one.

If you’re eating in, we often pick up a fresh rotisserie chicken from Publix supermarket and grab a few salads.

Getting to Charleston from the UK

There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Charleston. We flew into Atlanta with BA and drove in, about 5 hours including our overnight at Lake Oconee and stop at the Augusta Riverwalk, which was a welcome lunch break. Charlotte is another option at around 3.5 hours’ drive.

You’ll need a hire car for Charleston: it’s essential for visiting a Plantation, Folly Beach, and getting around generally. We’d recommend searching with Discover Cars to compare rates.

Combining Charleston with a road trip

For us, Charleston was the start of a longer US East Coast road trip. From here we drove up to North Myrtle Beach for 4 nights on the beach, then continued through North Carolina and into Virginia, with a stop in Richmond before finishing in Washington DC. It’s a really mixed route and one I’d recommend, and guides for each stop are coming soon.

Other natural pairings if you’re doing Charleston as a standalone trip:

Charleston + Savannah: about 2 hours south, a similar feel and a well-trodden two-city combination. We’re already thinking about how we might incorporate this into future trips from northern Florida
Charleston + the Outer Banks: a few hours north for a very different stretch of Atlantic coastline
Charleston + Asheville: 4 hours into the Blue Ridge Mountains if you want to add a complete change of scenery. We actually did some of this as part of a road trip a few years ago from Nashville through the Smoky mountains to Charlotte

Our Charleston family destination score

1. Getting there: ⭐️⭐️

No direct UK flights currently means a connection or a drive from a nearby city. Atlanta is the largest entry point at around 5 hours by car including a stop. A hire car is essential once you’re there. Search with Discover Cars for the best rates.

2. Pramability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The historic downtown is very flat and easy with a pram, and the walking tour we did is entirely pushchair-friendly. It’s one of the better US cities we’ve visited for sidewalks.

3. Adult fun factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The food, the harbour, the history, Folly Beach, Magnolia Plantation’s gardens and wildlife: Charleston is easily one of our favourite US stops to date and we’d go back without hesitation.

4. Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not cheap, but not extortionate. Magnolia Plantation is $35 per adult, and restaurant meals add up quickly, but we felt that the accommodation near Folly Beach was good value for money given the space we had. There’s a lot you can see in the historic downtown for free (and parking wasn’t particularly expensive) and James Island County Park is $2 each, and the Children’s Museum is reasonable. Self-catering most evenings helps balance the overall cost out.

Charleston with kids: FAQs

Is Charleston a good destination for families with babies and toddlers?

Yes, really good, and better than I expected. The historic downtown is flat and pram-friendly, there’s a solid mix of things to do at different energy levels, and the food scene means the adults eat well too. The main thing to plan around is the heat if you’re going in summer.

How many days do you need in Charleston with kids?

We did three nights, which was enough but felt slightly rushed. Four nights would be the sweet spot: enough time to do the walking tour, Magnolia Plantation, a harbour cruise, a beach day, and still have a morning for somewhere like Patriots Point, Shem Creek, or Isle of Palms without feeling like you’re racing through everything.

Do you need a car in Charleston?

Not in the centre, as the historic downtown is walkable once you’ve parked, but you’ll need a car to get to Magnolia Plantation, Folly Beach, James Island County Park, and most other things. If you’re staying outside the centre (which I’d recommend for families), a car is essential. Search with Discover Cars for the best rates.

When is the best time to visit Charleston with kids?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are probably the sweet spots: warm enough to enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities, but without the intense heat and humidity of peak summer. We visited in June and had a wonderful time, but 32°C+ with a toddler does require some planning around the middle of the day.

What’s the best area to stay in Charleston with young children?

James Island works really well: you’re 10–15 minutes from both downtown and Folly Beach, with more space and easier parking than the city centre, and plenty of supermarkets nearby. If you’d prefer to be in the heart of the historic district, downtown has plenty of hotel options and you can walk to most things.

Is Folly Beach good for toddlers?

Yes, with a bit of common sense. It’s a proper Atlantic beach with bigger waves than calmer bay beaches, so keep little ones close to the water’s edge, but it’s perfectly manageable and R loved it. The beach bars and surfer vibe add to the atmosphere, and free street parking makes it easy to visit. We arrived around 3:30–4pm in June and still found a spot.

Is Magnolia Plantation worth it with a toddler?

Yes, we’d say it’s a great thing to do in Charleston with young children. Garden admission is $35 for adults and $3 for under 6s, and two hours in the grounds is time very well spent. Bring a baby carrier where possible, as there are bridges and steps throughout.

Got questions about visiting Charleston with a baby or toddler? Drop them in the comments or find me on Instagram @LittleBritsAbroad.

Allie, Jack & R x

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