Charleston is one of a handful of major American cities that predate the country itself. With so many years behind it, it's perhaps no surprise that some of the buildings in the city's historic downtown area have been around for centuries. 

Since many of these structures are historic homes with beautiful gardens, spring is the perfect time to explore them. Our real estate agents plan to, and we'd like to invite you to do the same. Here are five standout spots near our Charleston homes for sale to get you started.  

5 Must-See Locations in Charleston's Historic District 

Middleton Place 

Address: 4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 

Middleton Place is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America—gorgeous green spaces that were the envy of the neighborhood back in 1741. At the time, part of the property was also used to grow rice. Now, the estate home and farm structures have all been converted to museum spaces.  

Every visitor to the plantation gets access to four tours: 

• The Middletons Across the Generations
• Beyond the Fields – Slavery at Middleton Place 
• The Garden Overview Tour 
• Meet the Historic Breeds 

You can complete all four in about 2.5 hours. 

Middleton Place is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tickets cost $32 for adults, $29 for seniors and military members with ID, $15 for college students with ID, and $10 for kids aged 6 to 13. Children under 6 can visit for free with a paying adult. 

Old Charleston Jail 

Address: 21 Magazine St., Charleston, SC 29401 

The Old Charleston Jail was built in 1802 as a more permanent replacement for Magazine Street's earlier, more primitive jail structures. The new building remained in use until 1939 and held many notable prisoners while still in operation, including: 

• John and Lavinia Fisher, famous highway robbers of the early 19th century 
• Denmark Vesey, free Black carpenter who bravely organized a massive 1822 uprising among the city's enslaved people and was jailed and hanged in the aftermath 
• Pirates like the French poisoner Jacque Alexander Tardy 

The jail is said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died there. Guided paranormal and historical tours of the location run every evening and claim to offer guests the chance to see these spirits in action. Tickets cost $39 per adult or $29 per child aged 10 to 12 and must be purchased in advance. 

South Carolina Historical Society Museum 

Address: 100 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401 

The South Carolina Historical Society Museum is proud to be the oldest non-profit museum in the country. They are currently based in the city's historic Fireproof Building and have five permanent interactive exhibits on the floor.  

These installations cover topics like:  

• The state's geographic features and natural wildlife 
• The early settlement period and the rise of slavery 
• The Civil War and subsequent rebuilding efforts 

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are just $1 per person, and all proceeds support future preservation efforts.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens 

Address: 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been open to the public for more than 150 years, but they've actually been around even longer—since 1679, in fact! The property has passed through 15 generations of the Drayton family and is still owned by them to this day.  

There are four tours included with general admission: 

• The Magnolia House Tour, a trip through the estate home that showcases how each generation of Draytons made the space their own 
• The Aubudon Swamp Garden, a network of boardwalks that runs through the ponds and wetlands on the property 
• The Discovery Tour, a walking tour of the plantation grounds led by trained volunteer guides 

The Nature Train and Wildlife Boat tours take guests through the surrounding landscape on a quest to spot some of the many plants and animals native to the area. Both require additional tickets that can only be purchased on-site. 

The gardens and estate home are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $29 for military members and seniors, or $16 for kids aged 6 to 13.  

Fort Sumter 

Address: 340 Concord St., Charleston, SC 29401 

Fort Sumter is one of the most important historical monuments in the country. Located on a small island in the middle of Charleston Harbor, this sea fort was the site of the 1861 garrison attack that sparked the Civil War.  

These days, you can visit the structure yourself with a ferry ride from Fort Sumter Tours. Tickets cost $43 per adult ($39 for seniors or military members with ID) or $26 per child aged 4 to 11 and include: 

• Ferry service to and from the fort 
• An overview of the historic conflict that took place there, narrated by an experienced national park ranger 
• Around an hour to explore the ruined fort and browse the gift shop 

At least two tours run on most days of the year. Check the tour company's website to find out which time slots are available on the day you plan to visit. 

Bring the Past Into Your Present in Charleston, SC 

You could spend a lifetime poring over Charleston's history and still not learn everything there is to know about this seminal American city. If that sounds like a challenge you want to tackle, we'd love to help you do it. Get in touch today for more information on our Charleston property listings and get ready to find your new local home base.