With its gas lamp-lit streets, steeple studded skyline, and antebellum charm, Charleston, SC has captured the hearts of visitors from all over the world and made itself one of America’s must-visit destinations. Multiple publications like Travel and Leisure have recognized this Lowcountry gem as the nation’s best city!
After several visits to the Holy City (and even residing here for over a year), I couldn’t possibly agree more. Charleston is one of Lady’s favorite places to be, and who can blame her?
Whether you’re wandering through the cobblestone streets of downtown or exploring the nearby parks and plantations, the opportunities for memory-making fun are nearly limitless.
Here are just some of our favorite dog-friendly things to do in Charleston that you won’t want to skip!
Before we dive in, be sure to download your FREE copy of my handy dandy Doggie Packing Checklist!
This is the same list I use when I’m packing for a trip with Lady and it helps me stay organized so I know my pup will have everything she needs to stay safe and happy during our travels.
Download your free copy right now and let’s start planning your next vacation with your fur baby!
7 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Charleston, SC
1. Stroll Through Downtown Charleston
Steeped in historic charm and that famous Southern hospitality, Downtown Charleston is a waterside port city brimming with a nearly endless amount of things to see and experience.
As you wander the streets, you’ll feel as if you have been transported into another world among the rows of pastel-colored buildings and towering oak trees intricately draped in Spanish moss.
The sounds of horse hooves clanking against the cobblestones and the feel of the ocean mist drifting in from the harbor only enhance this enchanting other-worldly ambiance. Once you arrive, you’ll never want to leave, and I’m sure your four-legged friend will feel the same!
Charleston warmly welcomes all visitors, both human and canine. During your downtown excursions, you’ll notice that many local shops and restaurants leave bowls of water right outside their front doors for thirsty dogs walking by.
Many of these places will even let you bring Fido inside with you to shop or dine! During your stop in Downtown Charleston, here are just a few places you won’t want to miss!
Waterfront Park
When you Google photos of Charleston, more often than not, one of the first pictures you’ll find is the iconic fountain in Waterfront Park (I like to call it the Pineapple Fountain).
This dog-friendly area is one of the peninsula’s most visited parks with its fantastic harbor views, gardens, walking paths, and pier that stretches out into the ocean for fantastic photo opportunities of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Lady and I often stop here to rest our feet, grab an ice cream from a nearby parlor, and watch the sailboats navigate through the harbor.
The Battery and White Point Gardens
This prominent Charleston landmark is located right in the heart of the historic district and boasts an interesting past. During the 1800s, at the height of the Civil War, White Point was used as a fortification for the city to defend itself against intruders from the sea.
Today, you’ll still find the same weapons used during that era including historic mortars and cannons. Aside from the park’s Civil War-era relics, you’ll also enjoy spectacular views of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter, a sprawling green field shaded by massive oak trees, and a look at the city’s largest and most opulent waterfront mansions.
Marion Square Park
Known to me personally as the Central Park of Charleston, Marion Square Park was originally used during the 1700s as the site for a defensive wall against the Native Americans. You’ll find no wall there today! Instead, the large plot of land is used as a public park in honor of Revolutionary War officer, Francis Marion. Many locals bring their dogs here to sunbathe, play a quick game of fetch, or simply take a break from the crowds on bustling King Street. This is also the site of the well-attended Charleston Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday from mid-April to mid-November.
Charleston Carriage Works
A visit to Charleston is hardly complete without taking a horse-drawn carriage tour. Luckily, Charleston Carriage Works allows small dogs to ride for free (at least four humans must accompany the dog for it to be free of charge). If you bring a larger dog or don’t have a party of four to take the tour, no worries! Your dog can still ride at the price of a child’s ticket.
A carriage tour is a unique experience that allows you and your dog to see the best sights of Downtown Charleston and learn fascinating stories and facts about the city from a knowledgeable guide.
2. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Established in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has withstood the test of time and become Charleston’s most visited plantation! It was also rated as one of America’s most beautiful gardens by Travel and Leisure.
Unlike most gardens, Magnolia Plantation has crafted its landscape to cooperate with nature and create an Eden-like escape from reality. Humans and dogs alike are welcome to explore the gardens, wander the variety of nature trails, and even take a tour of Drayton’s mansion.
Dogs are also invited to join their humans on the tram tours that escort visitors through the plantation’s wetlands, forests, and marshes in search of local wildlife and history.
3. Riverfront Park
Set alongside the beautiful Cooper River, Riverfront Park in Charleston is a great spot to unwind, watch the massive cargo ships float by, and take in the natural beauty of the area. Lady and I have enjoyed several picnics in the park’s sprawling meadow, so if you’re looking for a spot to share lunch in the great outdoors, this is the place!
The park is also home to the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial. You won’t want to miss snapping a few photos of the famous Lone Sailor, the Homecoming Statue, or the historic homes once occupied by naval officers.
4. Paddle Boarding Shem Creek
Shem Creek is an iconic waterway that gracefully winds through Mt. Pleasant and empties into Charleston Harbor. I’ve done many SUP (Stand-Up Paddle Boarding) adventures here, but it’s always more fun when Lady is with me.
Coastal Expeditions offers reasonably priced paddle board rentals that disembark right in the hub of the Shem Creek area. As you glide up the creek, you’ll be able to wave to diners in the nearby restaurants or to your fellow boaters, admire the beautiful waterfront homes, or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.
It’s also not uncommon for you to receive a few visitors during your excursion! Curious dolphins have been known to break the surface right next to your board in this area. During one of my own paddleboard adventures, a dolphin came so close he brushed against my board and followed me down the creek!
Don’t worry, they’re not dangerous. They just want to introduce themselves!
*Pet Safety Tip*: If your dog isn’t a regular swimmer, I highly suggest getting a pet lifejacket for him/her before you do any water activities! Even if you know for sure that your dog is a good swimmer, it never hurts to have one on hand, especially when you’re exploring unfamiliar waters.
5. Old Charleston Ghost Tours
Don’t let Charleston’s visual elegance and laid-back vibe fool you! This city also holds a dark past that is so spine-chilling, it earned the title as one of America’s most haunted locales. With that being said, ghost tours have become a very popular tourist activity.
If you think you and your pooch are brave enough, the Old Charleston Ghost Tour is a must! A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the dim streets of Charleston to the whereabouts of the city’s most notorious ghostly residents.
Each tour is approximately 90 minutes and begins in Washington Square Park at precisely 7:30 p.m. each night, so don’t be late!
6. Folly Beach
Known by the locals as “The Edge of America,” Folly Beach is Charleston’s most popular coastal getaway. The expansive shoreline and gently rolling Atlantic waves create plenty of opportunities for dog-friendly things to do in Charleston including sunbathing, surfing, swimming, playing fetch, and much more.
Dogs love a good beach day as much as we do, so bring them along next time you decide to visit Folly! Dogs are always welcome anytime from October 1st to April 30th. Between May 1st and September 30th, they’ll be able to visit before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
When you’ve had some fun on the beach, stroll into Folly’s funky beach town and check out the wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, most of which are dog-friendly!
7. Charles Towne Landing
In 1670, a group of English settlers landed in a marshy point off the Ashley River that would soon become the birthplace of the Carolina colony. Today, Charles Towne Landing offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and experience what life was like for these settlers in the place where it all happened!
The historic site is filled with hiking trails, beautiful gardens, a live-oak alley, interactive exhibits, and Charleston’s only 17th-century sailing ship replica.
*Note* Please keep in mind that the only area dogs are not permitted in the park is the Animal Forest. All other areas are fair game!
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Charleston is arguably my favorite place to be in the world! Whether you’re in search of your next big adventure or the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway in the Lowcountry, there’s no place quite like it. Plus, the plethora of dog-friendly things to do in Charleston makes it one of the best cities to bring your pets along for the journey. What more could you ask for?
Don’t forget to check out our list of incredible dog-friendly restaurants in Charleston, SC, or explore even more of our favorite pet-friendly destinations around America such as Savannah, GA or Asheville, NC!
