Charleston Waterfront Park
Charleston Waterfront Park
Charleston Waterfront Park
4.5
About
Overlooking Charleston Harbor and Cooper Park on the eastern coast of the peninsula, this expansive waterfront green space is perfect for laidback strolls and picnics.
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Top ways to experience Charleston Waterfront Park
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: French Quarter
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552 within 5 kms
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292 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,656 reviews
Excellent
3,723
Very good
1,657
Average
242
Poor
21
Terrible
13
Svensota
Wilmette, IL257 contributions
Feb 2020
I always bring guests to the waterfront park. It's a great "front door' to Charleston. The views of the harbor are exceptional. And, there's always something interesting happening in the area--musicians, swinging in the swings, The City Gallery.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flashncrash
Berkeley, CA672 contributions
Dec 2019
This waterfront park has expanses of grass, has sunny spots as well as plenty of trees for shade. The shooting fountain at the north entrance of the park at Vendue Range and Concord St is fun! This corner is also where you can catch the free DASH bus. The other fountain is the Pineapple Fountain, beautiful to look at and to see all the areas where water flows. The pier is wide and has some wide bench swings if you can snag one. From the pier you might also get the chance to see some pink dolphins, we did! Will say that you may come upon a transient or two but they don't take away from the enjoyment of this waterfront park. We found ourselves returning here multiple times during our stay in Charleston.
Written November 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina Watson
Fredericksburg, VA106 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The pineapple fountain is a must see and the park is located right next to the gorgeous French Quarter. We also walked down to the swings on the pier. We found close parking near N. Atlantic Wharf.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nissins
Charlotte, NC102 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
My small tour group stopped at this park on a very hot afternoon. The breeze was a very welcome treat! Our tour guide affirmed that there’s always a breeze at this place. I fell in love with the park right away! So I visited again the following day. I took the water taxi then afterwards just hang out and walked leisurely. I was able to capture a beautiful photo in front of the pineapple fountain and on other captivating spots! The stroll underneath the big trees was very relaxing - specially so - there was a young lady who serenaded us with her electric violin. Definitely my favorite spot in downtown Charleston!!!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy G
Clinton, MA333 contributions
May 2021
This was the best place to cool off and we enjoyed the swings that are along the pier. There are only about 6 of them but nice wooden swings. I had flagged down a pedi-cab (rickshaw pedi cab) Charleston Bike taxi and it was the best thing as we were so tired from a walking tour we could have never made it here. The splash pad and pier area are very pretty and cooling on a hot afternoon then we walked along the water to the Pineapple Fountain. There were many people waiting in line for photo ops but it worked out well with each group taking the pic for the previous person. The tree lined area was a nice picturesque walkway also. This whole area was well designed and a beautiful addition to the waterfront. Down the street we stopped at The Rooftop bar at the Vendue for a cool beverage. Although I was disappointed in the view from there.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kersten S
Tulsa, OK82 contributions
May 2021
This park is so nice with lots of areas to sit in shaded areas and enjoy the waterfront. The pineapple fountain is beautiful and the swings are a nice place to sit and catch the breeze off the water. Near the Old Provost & Dungeon.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda C
Cornelius, NC5 contributions
Jan 2020
We went to the Joe Riley waterfront Park is part of a walking tour we were doing. It was a self guided walking tour from a booklet and we have been on our feet by that time for over two hours so perhaps that is influencing my review. However, there are not as many benches as you would like and certainly not enough overlooking the water. I also noticed a lack of water fountains and restrooms. We were there in January and the temperature was in the low 70s, so I can imagine that in the summer you definitely need to bring your water bottle with you and plan to end up somewhere where there is a restroom in the park. The park allows easy entrance to the battery but here again the whole battery is without a bench to sit on overlooking the water.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom B
Worthington, OH457 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The park stretches for about three tenths of a mile along Charleston Harbor bookended on the north side by a splash fountain and sizable public pier and to the south end public pier. Two walkways traverse the length of the park; a wide crushed shell open air path that follows the harbor sea wall and a paved lovely heavily tree lined walkway paralleling Concord Street with numerous bench areas and the city's iconic Pineapple Fountain. An enjoyable relaxing area of the city with scenic views of the harbor.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN6,326 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Nice place for a stroll along the Charleston Harbor with views of the Ravenel Bridge in the distance. Pineapple Fountain is quite pretty and a good photo spot. Nearby construction cranes takes a bit away from the experience.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveleveryweek
Boston77 contributions
Sept 2022
The water is on one side and beautiful homes/condos on the other. Fountains and old oaks line the park. Keep walking onto East Bay Street to see some of the most well kept and beautiful 1700's and 1800's homes in the city
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there an admission fee or is the park free to the public?
Written June 23, 2019
Are there places to sit to watch the fireworks without bringing your own chair? Grassy areas for blankets?
Written June 25, 2018
Yep, but I’m sure it will fill up quick.
Written June 25, 2018
Monica A
Lerum, Sweden
Are there any beaches so we can go swiming when we are visiting Charleston in june?
Written February 7, 2018
I would like to know walking directions to this park from the Old Exchange & th distance
Thanks,
John S
Written November 6, 2016
Old Exchange Bldg. is on Broad St and East Bay. About a 4 block, 10 minute walk to the park.
Written July 17, 2017
It is a City of Charleston park, so there are definite restrictions. I'd call the city and ask. Parking can be a problem, and there are always LOTS of tourists, so any sort of privacy will be difficult. Not so sure if you could "rope off" any section.
Written July 17, 2017
is there parking available and is it expensive?
Written December 5, 2015
There are parking garages nearby. You will be very lucky to find a parking meter close by or have enough change. A quarter gets you 15 minutes. Enforced to 6:00 pm free on weekends.
Written May 6, 2016
we will only be in Charleston for one day. What should we do and where should we eat that isn't too expensive?
Written October 21, 2015
Oh, and since you'll be at the Market anyway, might as well stroll through there. It really shouldn't take more than an hour to do that, and that's stretching it.
Written October 30, 2015
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