Family guide
Charleston is an unusually good city for children — small enough to walk, and full of pirates, forts, ships and a submarine.
The historic district is compact, flat and walkable, which matters more than anything else when you are travelling with small children. Most of what is worth seeing sits within a few blocks, and the things that don’t — the beach, the aircraft carrier, the forts — are a short drive or a boat ride away.
The honest problem with Charleston and children is that the city’s main attraction is its history, and history is usually delivered as an adult standing still and talking. That is what the Junior JWalkers Tour was built to solve.
Our tour for families
Kids solve clues, spot hidden details, complete challenges and collect stickers in their own tour passport as they move through the historic district. It is part history tour, part game — and parents take part the whole way rather than watching from the side.
Picks from our Charleston guides that work well for families.
Board the USS Yorktown, a historic aircraft carrier that played a crucial role in World War II. The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum offers a fascinating maritime experience with various exhibits and vessels.
Visit website for USS Yorktown (Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum)
Explore the history of the Civil War at the Hunley Submarine Museum. This museum houses the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, offering a unique glimpse into naval warfare.
Immerse yourself in history at Fort Moultrie, a series of fortifications on Sullivan's Island. Explore the military history of the site, from the American Revolution to World War II.
Head to Folly Beach to relax by the ocean. Whether you prefer lounging in the sun, taking a leisurely stroll along the shore, or enjoying a beachside picnic, Folly Beach provides a serene coastal escape.
Relax in the expansive Hampton Park, a public park with walking paths, beautiful greenery, and scenic ponds. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic.
Experience the serenity of nature at Cypress Gardens. Take a boat ride through cypress swamps, stroll through gardens, and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
Opt for a relaxing boat ride with the Charleston Water Taxi. Enjoy the views of the harbor and the city skyline as you travel between different points, offering a unique and calming perspective.
More in our guides to Charleston attractions, relaxing activities and getting around.
Charleston’s historic district is compact and walkable, which suits small legs. The Junior JWalkers scavenger hunt tour is built for ages 5–11 and turns the history into a game. Beyond downtown, the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, Fort Moultrie and the Hunley submarine hold most children’s attention, and Folly Beach and Hampton Park are easy afternoons.
Yes, particularly for families with school-age children. The historic core is small enough to walk, there is a beach half an hour away, and much of the history is the kind children respond to — pirates, forts, ships and a submarine.
Yes. The Junior JWalkers Tour is a guided scavenger hunt through the historic district for ages 5–11. Kids solve clues, spot hidden details, complete challenges and collect stickers in their own tour passport, with a bonus activity to continue afterwards.
The Junior JWalkers Tour is designed for ages 5 to 11. The adult tours — the Chicora Walk and Badass Broads — are two hours of standing and listening, which suits older children and teenagers better than young ones. Badass Broads covers serious subject matter including slavery and violence.
Two to three days covers the historic district, one of the museums or forts, and a beach afternoon without rushing. The walking tours take about two hours, so they fit into a morning or an afternoon rather than taking a whole day.
Our guides cover where to eat, where to stay and how to get around. If you have a question about whether a tour will suit your family, call 843-608-1911 or send us a message — we would rather tell you straight than have you book the wrong thing.
