Top 20 best museums in Charleston

The Old Slave Mart, located at 6 Chalmers Street in Charleston, South Carolina, is a significant historical site that once served as a slave auction gallery during the antebellum period. This building provides a tangible connection to the city's past, offering visitors a chance to learn about a crucial aspect of Charleston's history.

The South Carolina Aquarium houses a diverse range of more than ten thousand plants and animals. Visitors can expect to see a variety of species including North American river otters, loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, great blue herons, owls, lined seahorses, jellyfish, pufferfish, green moray eels, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, pythons, and sharks. This wide array of flora and fauna provides an enriching experience for all visitors.

The Charleston Museum, situated in the Wraggborough neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina, holds the distinction of being the oldest museum in the United States. This historic institution offers a unique opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich past of the country.

The Powder Magazine, located at 79 Cumberland Street in Charleston, South Carolina, serves as both a gunpowder magazine and a museum. This unique combination offers visitors a chance to delve into the history of the area while also exploring a significant piece of military history.

The Nathaniel Russell House, built in 1808, is an early 19th-century house located at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina. It was constructed by Nathaniel Russell, a wealthy merchant and slave trader. The house is recognized as one of the most important neoclassical houses in the United States, showcasing the architectural style of the period.

The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, also known as the Custom House and The Exchange, is a historic building located at the intersection of East Bay and Broad Streets in Charleston, South Carolina. This building, built between 1767 and 1771, has served a variety of civic institutional functions over the years, including notably as a prisoner of war facility operated by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Today, it stands as a testament to the city's rich history and is a popular destination for tourists.

The Gibbes Museum of Art, which was previously known as the Gibbes Art Gallery, is an art museum located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a significant cultural institution in the city, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of artworks.

The Williams Mansion, previously known as the Calhoun Mansion, is a Victorian-era house located at 16 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina. This historic mansion is open to the public for tours, offering visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of the Victorian period.

The Heyward-Washington House, located at 87 Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina, is a historic house museum. Constructed in 1772, the house stands as a testament to the rich history of the area. It was once the home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and served as the residence of George Washington during his 1791 visit to the city. Today, it is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum.

The Joseph Manigault House, located in Charleston, South Carolina, is a historic house museum. It is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum, making it a significant part of the city's cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the house to gain insights into the architectural style and history of the period.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a historic site located on the Ashley River at 3550 Ashley Road River, Charleston County, in South Carolina. The plantation, which dates back to 1676, is one of the oldest in the South and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house and gardens are open to the public every day, with an admission fee charged.

Middleton Place is a historic plantation located in Dorchester County, South Carolina. It is situated along the Ashley River and is approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Charleston. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history of the area while enjoying the natural beauty of the Ashley River.

The Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, located in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina, is a significant location as it preserves the original site of the first permanent English settlement in Carolina. This site offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the beginnings of English colonization in the region.

The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History is a public natural history museum situated on the campus of The College of Charleston, a public liberal arts college in Charleston, South Carolina. It provides a unique resource for teaching and internationally respected research activities conducted at The College of Charleston.

McLeod Plantation is a significant historical site located on James Island, South Carolina. It is situated near the intersection of Folly and Maybank roads at Wappoo Creek, which flows into the Ashley River. This former slave plantation offers a glimpse into a crucial part of American history and provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about the past in a tangible way.

St. Luke's Chapel is the only remaining building from the Charleston Arsenal. In 1883, Dr. Porter converted the artillery shed into a chapel, which eventually became part of the Porter Military Academy. This historical building provides a unique insight into the transformation of the site over the years.

The Gov. William Aiken House, also known as the Aiken-Rhett House, is a historic building located at 48 Elizabeth Street, in the Wraggborough neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1820, the house is known for its association with Gov. William Aiken and is considered to be the best preserved complex of antebellum domestic structures in Charleston. The house was originally configured as a Charleston single house with entrance from the south side along Judith Street.