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All the United States South Carolina Charleston

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Charleston

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina

Updated June 19, 2026
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Unusual Attractions in Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina

Old Slave Mart

South Carolina's last remaining slavery auction house is now a museum devoted to its own tragic history.
Old Charleston City Jail

Charleston, South Carolina

Old Charleston City Jail

Charleston's historic city jail once held everyone from pirates to Civil War POWs.

Charleston, South Carolina

Drayton Hall

Tour the oldest unrestored plantation house in America that is open to the public.
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Overgrown headstones at the Unitarian Cemetery.

Charleston, South Carolina

Unitarian Church Cemetery

Paths are maintained, but trees have taken over plots.
Tavern at Rainbow Row

Charleston, South Carolina

Tavern at Rainbow Row

The oldest liquor store in the country is a model of resilience and mischief.
The Waring Historical Library. (Press Photo)

Charleston, South Carolina

The Waring Historical Library

Dedicated to the history of the health sciences.
Giant’s Causeway Pillar Section

Charleston, South Carolina

Giant's Causeway Pillar

A stack of stones steeped in Irish folklore, much like the hero they're connected to, hide in plain sight.
See All 16 Things To Do in Charleston

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Charleston

Tavern at Rainbow Row

Charleston, South Carolina

Tavern at Rainbow Row

The oldest liquor store in the country is a model of resilience and mischief.
In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Charleston, South Carolina

History & Culture 3
Architecture 3
Architectural Oddities 2
Shops 2
Museums 2
American Revolution 2
Slavery 2
Crime And Punishment 2
Medical Museums 2
Us Civil War 2
Monuments 1
Houses 1
Stores 1
Dental Museums 1
Ghosts 1
Natural Wonders 1
Memento Mori 1
Catacombs And Crypts 1
Sacred Spaces 1
Jails 1

Charleston Leaderboard

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Stories About Charleston

This eye-catching Finsch’s Imperial pigeon has a wingspan of about two feet—the biggest birds ever to fly were more than 12 times its size.

What's the Biggest Bird in the World?

From a flightless giant heavier than a polar bear to a super-glider with a 24-foot wingspan, avians ancient and modern compete for the crown.
by Jackie Mead, Atlas Obscura
July 19, 2022

Meet the Fatbergs

Digging into the science of three cities' sewer-clogging blobs.
by Jessica Leigh Hester, Atlas Obscura
November 20, 2018
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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