The Battery

Many visitors say you can’t leave Charleston without seeing this stretch along the city’s southern tip, which they call beautiful and a must-visit. This row of Southern-style mansions overlooking Charleston Harbor was formerly the heart and soul of the city’s maritime activity. Today, the area attracts camera-toting tourists from all over the country.

As you explore this picturesque neighborhood, make sure to also spend some time in the nearby White Point Garden, where several Civil War relics and memorials commemorate the city’s role in the battle. Start your tour of the Battery at the 12-acre Waterfront Park (home to the giant pineapple fountain featured on many Charleston postcards), then follow the walking paths on East Battery Street for the nearly mile-long stroll to White Point Garden. If you’re staying at one of the hotels or bed-and-breakfasts located downtown, you can easily walk along the Battery from your digs. If you’re driving to the Battery, you’ll find some limited street parking, and some lots closer to Waterfront Park. Bus route No. 211 provides service to Waterfront Park and East Bay Street. Several of the city’s best walking tours make stops along the Battery. If you’re interested in the history of the mansions or the promenade’s role in the Civil War, consider signing up for a tour.