Charleston Art Galleries: A Big List

Charleston, SC is an amazing town for anyone interested in art. Charleston is the home to over 100 art galleries, exhibits, and installations, all of which are free to visit.

Here is a short list of some of our favorite galleries and a long list of other art galleries that might peak your interest.

NOTABLE GALLERIES

French Quarter Art Galleries
30 galleries located near the Old City Market area - stop by for a free gallery map
Gallery Chuma
home of internationally acclaimed Lowcountry artist, Jonathan Green
Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street
15 galleries in a 2 block area
City Gallery at Waterfront Park
contemporary art in with a view
Robert Lange Studios
a superb collection of Lowcountry artists
Ship Shapes Maritime Gallery
exquisite model ships for the kid in all of us
Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art
impressive exhibitions in a sleek modern setting
Eye Level Art
cutting edge contemporary art
Redux Contemporary Arts Center
modern art with an attitude
Artistic Spirit Gallery
Southern folk art

KING STREET GALLERIES

Allison Sprock's Amazing Art

Audubon Gallery

Sylvan Gallery

Alison Sprock Fine Art

Rebekah Jacob Gallery

Imaging Arts Gallery

CHURCH STREET GALLERIES

Birds I View Gallery

Margaret Petterson Gallery

Shelby Lee Gallery

Dog & Horse Fine Art & Portraiture and Sculpture Garden

John Dunnan Gallery

Indigo Fine Art Gallery

Coleman Fine Art

Carolina Galleries

Charleston Crafts Cooperative

EAST BAY STREET GALLERIES

Lowcountry Artists Ltd

Eva Carter Gallery

Charleston Artist Guild Gallery

Courtyard Art Gallery

Studio 151 Fine Art Gallery

BROAD STREET GALLERIES

Martin Gallery

Edward Dare Gallery

Mary Martin a Gallery of Fine Art

Ann Long Fine Art

Hamlet Gallery

Bernie Horton Originals Gallery

Edward Dare Gallery

MORE DOWNTOWN GALLERIES

Helena Fox Fine Art

Corrigan Gallery

Charleston Art Gallery & Portrait Studio

Cobblestone Studios

Peter O'Neill Galleries

William McCullough Studio

MORE LOCAL ART GALLERIES

North Charleston City Gallery

Islands Art Gallery

Madeline Carol Gallery

fotopopART

50+ Free Things to Do & See in Charleston

Charleston SC is a great town to visit but being a tourist, especially with a family can get pretty expensive. Fortunately, there are many free activities you can enjoy in Charleston that won't hurt your budget.

Here is our list of 50+ great things to see and do for free in Charleston.

1. Hit the surf or walk the pier at Folly Beach
   
2. Learn about African American history at the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture
   
3. Take a free tour at the College of Charleston
   
4. Cool off in the fountain at Waterfront Park
   
5. Ponder history while walking the Battery & White Point Gardens
   
6. Browse fine art galleries in the French Quarter
   
7. Stroll the Farmer's Market at Marion Square
   
8. Experience the majesty of our giant Angel Oak Tree
   
9. Catch Friday Night* Fireworks at Brittle Bank Park (*after home games)
   
10. Check out contemporary art at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park
    
11. Feed the Ducks at Hampton Park
    
12. Relax with a book at the Charleston County Public Library
    
13. Soak up the pageantry at the Citadel Dress Parades
    
14. Appreciate the historic beauty of unique iron work at Philip Simmons Gardens
    
15. Commune with nature at the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
    
16. Read History first hand at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum
    
17. Walk, run or bicycle across the Cooper River Bridge
    
18. Investigate Charleston's oldest surviving public building: The Powder magazine
    
19. Delve into Civi War history at the Fort Sumter National Monument Exhibit Hall at Liberty Square
    
20. Take a peak inside historic John Rutledge House
    
21. Find 30 minutes of peace at the St. Lukes Chapel Recital Series
    
22. Search for ghosts at the Battery Carriage House Inn gardens
    
23. Look back on technology at the John Rivers Communications Museum
    
24. Run around or kick back at Charleston city parks and playgrounds
    
25. Marvel at the renovations at The Dock Street Theatre
    
26. Enjoy the free tour at Irvin-House Vineyards
    
27. Brush up on your military history at the Citadel Museum
    
28. Mingle with the chickens, goats, and miniature at the Red Barn
    
29. Enter our own secret garden at the Gateway Garden Walk
    
30. Connect with the ghosts of the Civil War at Magnolia Cemetery
    
31. Take advantage of outdoor education at The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
    
32. Chill out in centrally-located Marion Square
    
33. Wander through National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at Riverfront Park
    
34. Sit in on some music with Chamber Music of Charleston
    
35. Frolic under the bridge at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
    
36. Scout out history and science at Fort Johnson & the Marine Resources Center
    
37. Hop on the DASH (Downtown Area SHuttle) for a free ride through historic Charleston
    
38. Find your inner peace in the beautiful gardens at Mepkin Abbey
    

    Explore Charleston's many historic, religious and cultural buildings:
    
    

39. Charleston City Hall
    
40. Charleston County Court House
    
41. The Customs House
    
42. The Old Jail
    
43. French Huguenot Church
    
44. Charleston Library Society
    
45. The Fireproof Building
    
46. South Carolina State Arsenal
    
47. US Post Office & Courthouse
    
48. St. Michael's Episcopal Church
    
49. First Scots Presbyterian Church
    
50. South Carolina Bank of Charleston
    
51. First Baptist Church
    
52. Porter Military Academy
    
53. Central Baptist Church
    
54. Old Bethel UM Church
    
55. Bethel Methodist Church
    
56. St. Matthew's German Lutheran Church
    
57. Emanuel A.M.E. Church
    
58. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue
    
59. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
    
60. Circular Congregational Church
    
61. Unitarian Church
    
62. St. Philip's Episcopal Church
    
    

Beat the Heat at Charleston Waterparks

Charleston, SC is known for its amazing beaches but we've also been blessed with a superb parks system that boasts three amazing water parks to help everyone beat the heat during the late Spring and Summer.

• Splash Island Waterpark
  Located in Palmetto Islands County Park in Mt. Pleasant, Splash Island features slides, waterfalls and a swirling cyclone water ride.
  
  
• Splash Zone Waterpark
  Located in James Island County Park, Splash Island features 2 tube slides, a relaxing lazy river and a Caribbean play structure for kids of all ages.
  
  
• Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark
  Located in Wannamaker County Park in North Charelston, Whirlin' Waters features over 15 acres of wonderful wetness including a Big Splash tree house, toddler pools, a lazy river, a wave pool and 3 tube slides.
  

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For those of you not interested in investing the time and money for a day at the waterparks, we suggest a stop at downtown Charleston's Waterfront Park which features a large fountain where kids are encouraged to get soaked in a beautiful setting. While you are there, you can take a wlak along the Charleston battery or out to the end of the pier at Charleston's wharf where you will also find shaded giant swings for the whole family to enjoy.

Charleston SC Maps

Here are a collection of interactive maps and printable maps of the Charleston, SC area.

We know y'all got GPS and can navigate your way around Charleston, SC without a printed map, but some of us like things the old-fashioned way. Besides, you never know when your battery might die so print out a map for yourself just in case.

Charleston SC Area Maps:

Greater Charleston area map

Greater Charleston map

Charleston metro area map

Interactive map of Charleston parks & recreation areas

Greater Charleston regional area map

Downtown Peninsula Charleston SC Maps:

Downtown Charleston map

Peninsula Charleston map

Downtown Charleston Parks & Playgrounds Map

Downtown Charleston SC map

Map of Historic Charleston City Market area

Folly Beach SC Map:

Folly Beach SC map

Folly Beach map

Isle of Palms Map:

IOP map

North Charleston SC Maps:

North Charleston City map

Mt. Pleasant SC Maps:

Mt. Pleasant Map

Charleston Hotels Maps:

Map of Charleston hotels

Map of Charleston beach hotels

Specialty Maps:

Charleston area historic buildings map

Downtown Charleston historic buildings map

Historical maps of Charleston SC

Sidewalk Curator - Photographer

Meet Joan Perry, Charleston's "Sidewalk Curator."

We decided to launch our new blog with a link to Joan's site because we love how she captures the spirit of Charleston so lovingly through her art.