Free things to do in Charleston: Angel Oak, City Gallery, the Battery walk, the Ravenel Bridge path, Second Sunday on King and library story times.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Each listing links to the official page it comes from; check it before you go, as hours change for holidays and events. Any city question: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311.

A lot of Charleston costs nothing: its most famous tree, its waterfront walks, a city art gallery, a monthly car-free King Street and free story times at the library. Here is what is free, with hours as each place publishes them.

Who to call

  • Angel Oak Park: 843-559-3496
  • City Gallery: 843-958-6484
  • City Recreation Department: 843-724-7327
  • Charleston County Public Library: 843-805-6930

Free all year

What Where When
Angel Oak Park 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. to Sat.; 1 to 5 p.m. Sun.
City Gallery 34 Prioleau St. Noon to 5 p.m. Wed. to Sun. during exhibitions
High Battery walk Tradd Street and Murray Boulevard to East Battery Any time
Wonders’ Way Ravenel Bridge Any time
Hampton Park 30 Mary Murray Drive See city page
Melton Peter Demetre Park 640 Wampler Drive, James Island 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Tiedemann Park Nature Center 38 Elizabeth St. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays

The Angel Oak. The city-owned live oak on Johns Island is estimated at 300 to 400 years old and 65 feet tall, with shade covering 17,000 square feet. There is no admission charge. Last entry is 4:50 p.m., and the gift shop closes at 4:30 p.m.

City Gallery. The city’s gallery sits at the edge of Joe Riley Waterfront Park, with one entrance facing the park’s fountain and one on Prioleau Street. Admission is free and walk-ins are welcome. There is an elevator under the Prioleau Street staircase. Food is not allowed in the gallery.

Waterfront walks. The city puts the walk from Cheney Park, at Tradd Street and Murray Boulevard, to the end of the High Battery at 1.2 miles, looking toward Fort Sumter. For a longer walk, cross the Cooper River on Wonders’ Way, the 2.7-mile path on the Ravenel Bridge.

Parks. Hampton Park has the city’s biggest flower displays, trails and restrooms. Melton Peter Demetre Park, the city’s only waterfront park on James Island, looks out at the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge and Fort Johnson. The nature center at Tiedemann Park has reptile and amphibian displays. More in our parks and trails guide.

Free on the calendar

  • Second Sunday on King. On the second Sunday of each month, King Street is closed to cars from Calhoun Street to Queen Street from noon to 5 p.m., the city says. On the monthly schedule the next are Sunday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 13. More in our King Street guide.
  • Movie Night in the Park at American Gardens. The downtown park at 174 King St. shows free movies on Sunday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m., with vendors from 5:30 p.m., according to the King Street BID calendar. Bring a blanket or chairs. The park’s Sunday Market runs 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each Sunday through Nov. 8.
  • Charleston Farmers Market. Marion Square, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 21, with holiday markets in December. Free to walk around; see farmers markets.
  • Library story times. Charleston County Public Library runs free baby, toddler, preschool and family story times at its branches. See our kids’ activities guide.
  • SuperStars Sundays. Families of children with special needs visit the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, 25 Ann St., free on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.

Getting there for free

CARTA’s DASH trolley is free and loops the peninsula on three routes: 210 CofC/Aquarium, 211 Meeting/King and 213 Lockwood/Calhoun. City street meters are free on Sundays and city holidays. Details in our getting around guide.

What this means for you

  • Go to the Angel Oak before 4:50 p.m.; it is free, but the gate closes.
  • Plan a downtown day on a Sunday: free meters, free DASH and, on the second Sunday, a car-free King Street.
  • The City Gallery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

More: things to do this month, Halloween events and live music and nightlife.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Angel Oak free?

Yes. Angel Oak Park, 3688 Angel Oak Road on Johns Island, has no admission charge. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with last entry at 4:50 p.m.

Yes. The City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St., is free and open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday during exhibitions; walk-ins are welcome.

Is there a free trolley in downtown Charleston?

Yes. CARTA’s Downtown Area Shuttle, or DASH, is free. Its routes are 210 CofC/Aquarium, 211 Meeting/King and 213 Lockwood/Calhoun.

When does King Street close to cars?

On Second Sunday on King, the second Sunday of each month, the city closes King Street from Calhoun Street to Queen Street to cars from noon to 5 p.m.