Be respectful and thoughtful as you explore the city’s complex history.

Many visitors admire the historic homes and tour Rainbow Row supposedly haunted areas, but these popular activities only scratch the surface of Charleston’s past.

There are many historic sites where tourists can learn about the city’s history, from its association with pirates to its role in the American Civil War.

Two of my favorites are the Sewee Shell Ring Boardwalk, a 1-mile walk through prehistoric shell middens, and Gene’s Haufbrau, one of the city’s oldest and most legendary bars.

It is also important to be considerate and learn a little history if you choose to visit these places.

For example, I have seen tourists exploring plantations without realizing the the land and the domains’ links with slavery, even if approximately 40% of all Africans enslaved to the United States transited through the port of Charleston and about 10% of them lived in South Carolina until the abolition of slavery.

Be sure to try the cuisine at a local restaurant for the full experience.

Charleston’s food scenegets a lot of recognition, and rightly so. From crab rice to Frogmore stew, local dishes are very different from what you’ll find on a traditional Southern menu.

Many tourists arrive ready to order unique cuisine. However, I wish more of them would make sure to try foods at authentic, local restaurants, like Poogan’s Porch Or Charleston Crab House.

When tourists have doubts about where to eat, they should ask the locals. Most Charlestonians are incredibly friendly and eager to show off their city.

You don’t have to go there at peak times to get the most out of Charleston.

The majority of tourists come to Charleston from September to November, leading to crowds and longer wait times at restaurants, bars and other attractions.

Additionally, it is also hurricane season, so there is an increased risk of encountering severe weather.

I wish more people would consider booking their trips at other times.

Charleston is a year-round destination. Spring is great for viewing a plethora of flora, summer offers ideal beach weather and winter is fantastic for making hard-to-book restaurant reservations and explore the museums.

Unless you have a specific need for a car, stick to walking.

Many tourists make the mistake of using a car to get around the city. The city streets are old, narrow and cobbled. They are not designed for heavy traffic and cars often travel at around 20 mph on one-lane roads.

Because many tourists are not used to slower speeds, I have seen them drive too fast and cause dangerous situations. If someone is driving slower than you, it is important to follow their lead rather than taking risks or driving aggressively.

As long as you stay in the metro area and don’t travel to a neighboring island, walking or taking a pedicab are your best forms of transportation.

Be alert for alligator sightings. If you spot one, keep a safe distance.

Visitors can encounter alligators in Charleston. Their popular places for sunbathing include ponds, marshes and golf courses.

If you see any of the wild animals, keep your distance and leave them alone. People who got too close to the alligators or attempted to photograph them were seriously injured or even killed.

You can spot dolphins right from town – you don’t always need a fancy tour to do it.

The port city is surrounded by hundreds of dolphins. However, many tourists don’t know where to go to see them.

Some people choose to take dolphin cruises, but tourists shouldn’t feel obligated to shell out extra money to catch a glimpse of the animals. Instead, I recommend searching for them by kayaking Shem Creek, taking the Daniel Island Ferry to town, or walking an empty, calm waterway.

You never know when you’re going to come across a pod.

The sunsets in Charleston are hard to beat, so be sure to make time for them.

Watching the sunset is not a priority for many tourists, which is an oversight.

As someone who knows Charleston like the back of his hand, I can say that there is no bad point of view to watch the sun set in the city.

Some of my must-see and easy-to-access places include the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and Sullivan Beach.

This story was originally published on August 8, 2022 and last updated on November 8, 2024.