Things to Do › Free Things to Do › Free in Charleston
12 free things to do in Charleston, each one free in the words of the operator, the city or the official visitor bureau. Where parking costs money, the row says so.
- Things12on this page
- Regions1Lowcountry
- Free8as the operator states
- CheckedOct 262026
The Short Answer
- DASH shuttles are free to all residents and visitors. source
- Angel Oak Tree Park has no admission charge. source
- Folly Beach County Park is free for walk-ins and bicyclists. source
- Fort Moultrie has NPS fee-free days on October 27 and November 11, 2026. source
Every Things on Our List
| Name | Where | What | When | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Oak Park | Johns Island Lowcountry | City park around the Angel Oak tree, with a gift shop and picnic area. | Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.; last entrance 4:50 p.m. | Free | source |
| Charles Towne Landing for children 5 and under | Charleston Lowcountry | State historic site with the Animal Forest zoo and replica ship Adventure. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Children's Museum of the Lowcountry SuperStars Sundays | Charleston Lowcountry | Quieter museum hours for families with children with special needs on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, 10 a.m.-noon. | Not listed | Free | Parking: Nearby garages $2.00/hour; meters $2/hour. source |
| DASH downtown shuttle | Charleston Lowcountry | Free CARTA shuttle on three downtown lines (Orange 210, Green 211, Purple 213) to places like the SC Aquarium, King Street and Waterfront Park. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Every Kid Outdoors pass for fourth graders | Charleston area Lowcountry | Families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free pass; Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie promote it on their kids page. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Folly Beach County Park (walk-in or by bike) | Folly Beach Lowcountry | County beach park with boardwalks, seasonal lifeguards and a snack bar. | Not listed | Free | Parking: Vehicles pay: $5 (Jan-Feb, Nov-Dec), $10 (March, October), $15 (April, September), May-Labor Day $15 weekdays and $25 weekends/holidays. source |
| Fort Moultrie fee-free days | Sullivan's Island Lowcountry | NPS fee-free entrance days for US citizens and residents; the remaining 2026 dates are October 27 (Theodore Roosevelt's birthday) and November 11 (Veterans Day). | Not listed | Free | Kids: Children under 16 never need an entrance pass. source |
| Fort Moultrie for children under 16 | Sullivan's Island Lowcountry | Fort Moultrie charges only visitors 16 and older; children under 16 do not need an entrance pass. | Not listed | Children under 16: no entrance pass needed. Adults (16+) $10. | source |
| James Island County Park for toddlers | Charleston (James Island) Lowcountry | County park with playground, trails and dog park; gate admission $2 per person. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Magnolia Plantation free parking | Charleston Lowcountry | Magnolia provides free parking; SC teachers with proof of employment can visit free to plan field trips. | Not listed | Parking free; admission is charged. | source |
| Patriots Point for young kids and active-duty military | Mount Pleasant Lowcountry | Ships and aircraft museum including the USS Yorktown. | Not listed | Children 5 and under free; active-duty military with current ID free. Others pay ($23 children 6-12, $28 adults). | Parking: Parking is a separate fee. source |
| Waterfront Park | Charleston Lowcountry | Eight-acre harbor park and pier with garden rooms, wooden swings, fountains, lawns and a walking path. | Not listed | Not listed | source |
No rows match.
Hours, dates and prices are copied from each operator’s own page on the date shown; check before you go.
Free for Kids Only
- Fort Moultrie: children under 16 don't need an entrance pass. source
- Fort Sumter Tours ferry: children 3 and under free. source
- Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: free before the first birthday. source
What Free Days Do Not Cover
- NPS charges no entrance fee at Fort Sumter, but the ferry is required and is not covered by annual passes or fee-free days. source
FAQ
Is the DASH trolley in Charleston free?
Yes. DASH shuttles are free to all residents and visitors. source
Do kids pay at Fort Moultrie?
No. Children under 16 don't need an entrance pass; visitors 16 and older pay $10. source
Is Angel Oak free?
Yes, Angel Oak Tree Park has no admission charge. source
What We Could Not Confirm
Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.
- Waterfront Park: city Park Directory does not state 'free'; public city park, price left blank.
- Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square: official page does not say entry is free; left out.
- White Point Garden, Hampton Park, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, Sullivan's Island beach access: no official page read that states free.
- Gibbes Museum and Charleston Museum free days: both sites did not load for us.
Sources
- https://ridecarta.com/support/faqs/
- https://www.charleston-sc.gov/facilities/facility/details/Angel-Oak-Park-7
- https://www.ccprc.com/listing/folly-beach-county-park/88/
- https://www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- DASH downtown shuttle
- Waterfront Park
- Children's Museum of the Lowcountry SuperStars Sundays
- James Island County Park for toddlers
- Patriots Point for young kids and active-duty military
- Charles Towne Landing for children 5 and under
- Magnolia Plantation free parking
- Free for Kids Only
Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Free Things to Do in Charleston, SC”, itssouthcarolina.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-charleston/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.