Everything to See and Do in the Battery in Charleston
The Battery
The area that is referred to as the Battery in Charleston, SC, is a promenade and seawall that runs along East Battery Street.
Named after an artillery battery that once stood in nearby Whitepoint Garden, this area is one of the top tourist destinations in Charleston.
Today, visitors flock to the Battery to view stately homes and enjoy views of Charleston Harbor from nearby Whitepoint Garden.
It also happens to be a stop on our popular Charleston History Tour!
Learn everything you need to know about Charleston’s Battery — including its history, major sites, and whether or not you should visit on your next trip to the Holy City.
The History of the Battery
The Battery is a historical site that dates back to the American Revolution; however, it also played major roles in the War of 1812 and the American Civil War.
Military history in the Battery dates back to 1735, when Fort Broughton was located here. It was also the site of Fort Wilkins during the War of 1812.
In 1837, the nearby Whitepoint Garden was used as a public park.
But all that changed again during the Civil War, which broke out in 1861 when the Battery (called Battery Ramsay) was used to store artillery.
The Battery & Whitepoint Garden: What’s the Difference?
The Battery and Whitepoint Garden are often spoken about in the same breath. Why? Because they are located next to each other at the southern tip of Downtown Charleston.
You may even hear people calling this area “Battery Park” — but you know better! The Battery and Whitepoint Garden are not officially called Battery Park. You can impress your friends and family with this fun Charleston fact.
If you’re planning to visit the Battery, you should definitely stop at Whitepoint Garden, as it offers stunning views of Charleston’s harbor.
Is It Worth Visiting Charleston’s Battery?
Yes, Charleston’s Battery is a very historic part of the city.
If you’re a Charleston Civil War history buff, you’ll want to add this site to your must-do list in Charleston; however, the Battery is relatively small, so it’s not a “destination” per se.
Instead of taking time to visit this attraction on your own, you might want to make it part of a self-guided tour of Charleston — or, join our Charleston History Tour, which stops at the Battery.
You’ll learn a bit about the Battery’s history and its significance in Charleston’s harbor.
Or, you could take any of the routes mentioned in the next section to get to the Battery and pass by some of Charleston’s other must-see attractions.
The Battery
How to Get to the Battery
The Battery sits at the southern tip of Downtown Charleston, so most north/south streets lead to the Battery!
If you want to enjoy a stunning route that’s full of history, you may simply want to stroll down King Street from any point in Downtown. Along King Street, you can pop into boutiques, restaurants, and cafes; you’ll also pass by the Riviera Theater, which is a great example of Art Deco architecture.
Or, walk south on Meeting Street, and you’ll pass by the Nathaniel Russel House and Charleston City Hall.
You could also walk along the waterfront on East Bay Street, which turns into East Battery Street. If you take this route, you’ll pass by Rainbow Row, the Ravenel House, and Stoll’s Alley, one of the picturesque stops on our Alleys & Hidden Passages Tour!
Things to Do in the Battery
Although the Battery in Charleston is chock-full of history, there’s not a ton to do or see here.
This is why we recommend stopping at the Battery if you’re already planning to visit some of the other attractions in Downtown Charleston.
Yet, some of the best things to do in the Battery include visiting Whitepoint Garden, learning about the Battery’s history on a tour, and enjoying views of Charleston Harbor.
Walks of Charleston Tour Group at the Battery
Learn About History
The Battery is a major historical site in Charleston, so there are plenty of monuments and sites that dot the area that help tell the story of Charleston.
Just some of the sites within Whitepoint Garden and near the Battery include monuments such as the:
- Confederate Defenders of Charleston
- William Moultrie Monument
- Orientation Marker
- Charleston Sundial
Visit Whitepoint Garden
Located next to the Battery is Whitepoint Garden. This garden offers stunning views of Charleston Harbor, the Ashley River, the Cooper River, and Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
If you take one of our guided tours, including our public tours, or book a private tour, you can learn a bit about the history of Whitepoint Garden and the nearby sites, such as Fort Sumter.
White Point Garden at Sunset
Take a Tour
The Battery is a stop on most Charleston history and walking tours.
Our Charleston History Tour stops at the Battery, where our knowledgeable guides will explain the history of the Battery and Whitepoint Garden and the surrounding sites, including some of the homes that line the battery.
You’ll also get some history behind some of the monuments in Whitepoint Garden and near the Battery.
Enjoy the Architecture
One of the main reasons to visit the Battery is the impressive Lowcountry architecture that lines the promenade.
There are several notable homes along the promenade, including the William Ravenal House at 13 East Battery (built in 1845 by the home’s namesake, a famous Charlestonian shipping merchant), the Charles Drayton House at 25 East Battery (a Victorian home completed in 1886), and the Edmondston-Alston House at 21 East Battery (a Federal-style home built in 1825 and now a local museum).
Enjoy Views of Charleston Harbor
From Charleston’s Battery, you’ll get stunning views of Charleston Harbor and some of the points of interest you’ll be able to see in the distance, including:
- Fort Sumter
- Castle Pinckney
- USS Yorktown
- Fort Moultrie
- Sullivan’s Island
One of the best ways to enjoy the Battery is simply by taking in the sights (and of course taking a few photos, too!).
You can learn about the history of Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and Sullivan’s Island through our other blog posts and from the guides on our history tours.
Of course, you can always book a private tour of the Battery if you’re a history buff and want to know more about this attraction in Downtown Charleston.