KEEP YOUR COOL
Sometimes you just have to take a break from the afternoon swelter and find respite indoors. Chill out while discovering cool things about Charleston from the inside
History Buffs
Dig deep into the story of the city at The Charleston Museum, one of the oldest collecting institutions in the US. There are artifacts for most every aspect of life here, from the Native Americans to the colonists and the enslaved people who built the city and its agricultural wealth. The Armory houses all manner of weaponry, from Revolutionary War swords to dueling pistols, while the Historic Textiles Gallery showcases rotating exhibits, such as this summer’s “The Lawn Party”—outdoor party fashions from the 19th century to the present. Find examples of natural history, such as the massive Megalodon jaw; fine silver from the colonial elite; and even a hands-on section geared for the kids. 360 Meeting St. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $12, $10 ages 13-17, $5 for ages three-12. charlestonmuseum.org (opens in a new tab)
If maritime history floats your boat, visit the CSS HL Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, in 1864. The Confederate submersible, along with its crew, then succumbed to the depths, lost until being discovered off the coast of Charleston in 1995 and lifted from the seabed five years later. Today, the Hunley is preserved and studied in a lab at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center at the old Charleston Navy Base, where the Friends of the Hunley conduct tours of the craft every weekend. 1250 Supply St. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $18, $15 senior/military, $10 ages six-12. hunley.org (opens in a new tab)
Art Smart
Get to know the Holy City through its art and culture at the Gibbes Museum of Art, with more than 10,000 works in its permanent collection. From 18th century colonial portraits to Charleston Renaissance-era landscapes and etchings to contemporary works and the ongoing visiting artist program, you’ll glean new layers of Charleston’s past and present. On your way out, peruse the museum store, where you’ll find jewelry, gifts, books, and more, with many items made by local artists and artisans. 135 Meeting St. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m.-4 p.m. gibbesmuseum.org (opens in a new tab)
Under the Sea
Get lost in the wonders of South Carolina waters, from mountain streams to the Atlantic at the South Carolina Aquarium. Exhibits highlight thousands of species—animal and plant, aquatic and terrestrial—native to the state, from alligators and cypress trees to bald eagles and river otters. It’s amazing to witness the two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank and its variety of fish, eels, and sharks, especially at the various feeding times. Pass the pelicans perched in an outdoor forest and saltwater marsh, filled with a variety of local wildlife. Head to The Shallows to pet the cownose stingrays (pay an extra $5 to feed them a treat). And don’t miss the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery to learn more about these creatures and the aquarium’s conservation efforts to rehabilitate and release them to the wild. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 100 Aquarium Wharf. Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $30 ages 13 & up, $23 ages three-12. scquarium.org (opens in a new tab)
Kid Stuff
Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild in the cool environs of the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry with exhibits designed to encourage exploration through play. You’ll find a pint-sized grocery store complete with shopping carts and cash registers, an interactive art room where your blossoming Picasso can paint a new masterpiece, and an outdoor butterfly garden, for when they’re ready to venture back outside. Guests must schedule their visit in advance online for two-hour playdates on weekends only. 25 Ann St. Saturday & Sunday. $12 per person. explorecml.org (opens in a new tab)