Fun Things For Teens In Charleston

1. FREE - Walk (or bike) to the top of the Ravenel Bridge for dramatic views of the Charleston Harbor, peninsula and islands. Don’t forget your camera to capture some amazing photo ops. If you are up to biking the incline, you can rent bikes from local favorite Sweetgrass Cycles (843-654-9326) located near the foot of the bridge in Mount Pleasant. Owner Lee Edwards will give you directions to the popular bike lane access. For an extended adventure, bike to Aquarium Wharf and return to Mount Pleasant on the hourly water taxi. 
2. Paddleboarding on Shem Creek is a unique treat for both experienced and novice paddlers. We are fans of Odyssey Board Shop (843-884-5282). If you are coming from downtown Charleston, take the first left after crossing the Shem Creek Bridge on Coleman Boulevard. Owners Brian and Jenny will outfit your crew, and if you choose, even give lessons and guide you down picturesque Shem Creek. You will encounter pelicans and dolphins as you paddle alongside shrimp boats and docks near the historic Old Village Mount Pleasant. Call ahead and they can have your SUPs in the water and ready to go! If you're lucky enough to see a manatee, please remember, look but do not touch. They are endangered.
3. It is well worth the trek to the marina on the Isle of Palms where you can get outdoors with Barrier Island Eco Tours (843-886-5000). Naturalists-guided excursions through the Low Country salt marshes to Capers Island make learning about the diverse ecosystems a lot of fun for all ages.
4. A Ghost Tour with Tour Charleston should be on your do not miss list. The only tour that takes you into the enchanting Unitarian Graveyard (while the other guides stand outside the gates!) Tour Charleston’s nightly tours leave from Waterfront Park. During the less than a mile stroll to the graveyard, the history of Charleston comes alive through the stories of Charleston’s hauntings. Call 843-723-1670 for tickets or information on private tours and group rates (a very cool idea for a teen birthday party).
5. Explore maritime history at Patriots Point across the Cooper River in Mount Pleasant. Home of the aircraft carrier the USS Yorktown, the submarine USS Clamagore, a century of aircraft and more.
6. Learn to Surf. The Gulf Stream keeps Charleston’s waters relatively warm most of the year and the gentle swells of Folly Beach and The Isle of Palms are perfect for beginners.  Local Kai Dilling runs the Sol Surfers Surf School (843-881-6700) and popular summer camps…a great experience for all levels from novice to those looking to improve their skills.
7. FREE - Check out Waterfront Park. Located Downtown at the end of Vendue Range and Concord Street, this beautiful park provides sea breezes and spectacular views of the harbor….bench swings and dolphin watching from the pier. There is plenty of grass and open space for picnics and Frisbee. Do not forget to check out the Echo Stone. If you are there in the evening, you can hop on to our early evening candlelight tour or the City’s original (and best!) Ghost Tour that leaves from the Circular Fountain. 
8. If you don’t mind crowds, a visit to the City Market will provide almost any souvenir you can imagine. Even though knick-knacks outnumber local crafts and artisans, it is worth checking out.
9. It is hard to beat the view from the water. The easiest and most economical way to get this is on one of the Harbor tour Boats. For a harbor cruise around the peninsula, call Bryan Collins at Sandlapper Boat Tours (843) 407-3688. To visit Fort Sumter, at the entrance to the harbor where the Civil War began, call Fort Sumter Tours (843) 722-2628.
10. Kelly Poe of Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriots Point is your go-to man for Boat and Fishing Charters. No one knows the local waters better than they do. Experienced captains take you sailing, inshore and offshore fishing - or just cruising.