If you are ever downtown, the pineapple fountain is a must. It is very beautiful and picture worthy as it is right by the water and vibrant flowers surrounding all around. There are benches throughout the area for seating. You do have a few steps to get to the area. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Waterfront Park is one of Charleston's most popular places to unwind. This ten-acre park overlooks Charleston Harbor and Cooper River and offers waterfront and off-the-water paths. It is a favorite among Charleston locals and tourists alike. This park is ideal for a sunset picnic or a relaxing stroll, and it only adds to the romantic charm of Charleston. It won the 2007 Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, confirming its status as a Charleston treasure. You can stroll through the gardens, walk the esplanade, or spend some time at one of the many fountains. Spanning over 8 acres and located less than a mile north of The Battery, Waterfront Park has become a beloved Charleston fixture. It is home to one of the city's most photographed sites: the pineapple fountain. In Charleston's scorching summer months (and we faced that too), visitors (especially children) can be found cooling off in the shallow water of the fountain. Wide walking paths, dozens of benches, well-manicured green spaces, picturesque Palmetto trees, and a famous Pineapple Fountain adorn the park. read more

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This is where the popular pineapple fountain is located. It was wonderful to walk out on the pier and watch the water. There is a lot of construction going on currently, but it was great to see as part of a self-paced walk around the city. read more

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Twelve acres in size, Waterfront Park runs from a really nice walking pier to the north, down to more of a wharf in the south. My wife and I needed to kill some time before our dinner reservation, so spent some time slowly walking the park, enjoying the weather. The views out into the harbor are lovely, being able to see historic Fort Sumner. It was completed in 1990. Because commercial vending is prohibited in the park, the vibe was definitely more local with us visitors being able to share the scenery with them, just for a while. There is a spray fountain where children of all ages can cool off on a hot day. My wife and I especially enjoyed the bench swing (Charleston Chairs) on the north pier. It would be a spectacular place to view the sunrise. read more

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Pet-Friendly and Free to Enjoy - A perfect option for a beautiful day outdoors. We headed into Charleston for a scenic walk and ended up covering about 2.5 miles. While some portions of the actual waterfront are currently under construction, there was still plenty of space to explore. Once the work is complete, I imagine it will be even more beautiful and enjoyable. read more

What can I say it's a fountain? And it works, it does have a nice view and surroundings. It's hard to get a very outstanding picture. Because there are so many other people standing around, and the only reason why I actually stopped is because my wife was all excited about seeing it. Period if you go, you'll feel safe.Everything's clean, just straight up.Good time, especially with all the trees down the walkways. read more

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Waterfront Park is such a fun park to walk through or sit down in for a little bit. It has the most beautiful view of the channel, where, on a lucky day, you can see the families of dolphins surfacing to come up for air. Of course, it also has the Pineapple Fountain, and the other spray fountain (not sure what it's called) that the kids love to play in in the summertime. The only downsides are that if you're driving there, parking can be a little hard to find, and it can be VERY muggy in the summer. Other than that, I love simply sitting in Waterfront Park and taking in all of the beautiful scenery. read more

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One of the most popular tourist attraction in Charleston, in the heart of downtown, on the water. It can get a tad crowded, but it has nice views of the water, we saw an egret, nice benches to rest or enjoy a snack, shady trees behind lined up on a nice alley. Once you start walking a bit, the place becomes more relaxing and quieter. Definitely a must when visiting the Low Country charming town! read more

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Such a beautiful place and unique experience while visiting Charleston! There's a special magic in this area. The people are warm and polite and it's rewarding to come back to a place of history. read more

Pretty waterfront park that offers spacious walking and scenic views. The fountain is big and fun to watch people run through and entertain themselves. Beautiful view of the water and plenty spots for some nice photos read more

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We came here as we walked around Charleston on Labor Day weekend. We were visiting some friends that live in the area and decided to do some exploring. The park is also called the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. It is about an eight-acre park along approximately one-half mile of the Cooper River which leads to Fort Sumpter and the Atlantic Ocean. Originally, the park was the location of shipping terminals and wharfs that experienced a long period of decline. Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. made plans for a park on the land after taking office in 1975. Between 1979 and 1990 the effort cleared hurdles, was designed and constructed as well as survived Hurricane Hugo. The park opened on May 11, 1990. The park includes: The Pineapple Fountain, Historical Markers, Public Piers and the splash fountain at the North entrance as well as walking areas along the waterfront. The fountain at the North entrance is splash fountain, where children of all ages play during hot Lowcountry summers. The Pineapple Fountain has become the focal point of the waterfront park and has become a symbol of Charleston. The fountain has been photographed by many and is a location for weddings. We walked the length of the park and the piers stopping to check out things along the way. Overall this was a great experience and is a must do for anyone visiting Charleston. read more

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Beautiful park, it's always nice to go walk around and see the sights. The pineapple fountain is a must see for tourists.

Not only a great waterfront park, this has to be one of the most scenic piers (overlooking an expansive harbor) in America. Yes, an ideal spot to take those vacay pics! Plus, you can take a stroll right into Downtown Charleston, with its many restaurants and shops. Every time we visit Charleston (and it's a lot!), we make a stop here as a family...and I can't believe I haven't put in a single review to date?!? In addition to the nice walkways to the iconic pier, you'll find several swing sets, plenty of sitting areas, an interactive fountain, and another gorgeous fountain. Anyway, if anyone visits Charleston, this is a must-stop! read more

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Fantastic waterfront grounds with open views of the ocean, shady trees, and nicely paved walkways. We took the free 211 bus from downtown to the park and spent a couple of hours here and the nearby Pineapple Fountain and Rainbow Row. Beautiful scenery all around. The Charleston Market is close by and many interesting shops and restaurants are also within walking distance. Great place to visit for those who want to get to know this town! read more

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Waterfront park is a staple here and many of us grew up coming here and now we get to bring our kids. There's a great selection of jungle gyms, picnic areas, and paths to walk while you enjoy the view. The city keeps the park very clean and this is a perfect location to throw a party. The property is vast and has space for a large number of people. Street parking avaible and garage parking. Ice cream shop and restaurants near. We love coming here and the kids do too. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great place to hangout after a long day of touring the historic Charleston. There's a pineapple fountain that allows kids to play in it. Tons of benches to sit with waterfront views. Best of all its free. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

It is one of the MUST DO things while visiting Charleston that I can get behind recommending 100%. The waterfront sprawls six blocks or so and is home to stunning views on good weather days. There is a lot of sight seeing, exercising and curiosity of the area by tourist. I found the area remarkably clean and there are also city ambassadors that where florescent vest that have radios and are also equipped with police cameras. Parking nearby is off street by meter and challenging to obtain during peak times. There are food stands and two fountains. The path is lined with benches to sit and take in the view. Make sure you have a working camera or charged up phone. The waterfront in Charleston is an absolute highlight. Full 5 stars! read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Took a stroll to the pier after walking the park. Nice covered seating and tables on the pier; along with the swings on the 3rd pic. read more

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Great views from the park! The project started in 1988 when it broke ground. The park had a target opening date of May 4, 1990... in September 1989, Hurricane Hugo struck, causing extensive damage to the park but amazingly, the park still opened on May 11, just one week past the pre-hurricane projection. The park is free and, indeed, it is a beautiful park with lots of trees producing shaded areas and park benches to stretch out and soak up the scene. There were commemorative plaques along areas of the park. The manicured grassy area and the flower bushes were well maintained making the park pleasant to see... and it's clean! We strolled past the larger-than-life sized pineapple fountain and headed towards the water. It has fantastic views of the Charleston harbor. Dolphin sighting! Hubby was surprised to see a dolphin playing in the water while we were looking over the rail! Very cool. We enjoyed spending some time here. Review #1845 read more

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Waterfront Park is a must see for tourists and locals alike. It is such a peaceful area to enjoy with family, friends, and pets. Take a walk out to the pier and hopefully you'll be able to relax on the swings if you're lucky. The fountain provides relief from the heat and you'll find kids running through it daily. There are stunning views that surround this area so sit down and enjoy the views. It's a great way to just get away from it all. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

[Coronavirus review] The waterfront area has two swimmable fountains, lots of benches in shade, and nice views of the water. It also has many palm trees that look like they came from the state flag. It goes for a decent distance between the market and ends near the Battery. Definitely a place you'd want to see while in the city. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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After getting inspired by the South Carolina Historic Society / Museum on a winter's day in February 2023, I ventured out to the Waterfront Park. I viewed the Charleston harbor by walking on the pier portion of the Charleston Waterfront Park. Upon arrival on a Thursday afternoon, I saw people walking around and a dude playing an instrument trying to make money. It was a chill afternoon and it was nice to see people roaming about. I probably spent about 30 minutes or so here admiring the views of Charleston Harbor and the USS Yorktown that was docked on the other side of the harbor. I was told that you can see Fort Sumter in the distance but you'd have to squint a little bit to see it. While the park itself was popular, the individual attractions you can see from this vantage point was even more popular. Just seeing it from afar isn't bad but it isn't good either. It was nice to see and hear all the sights and sounds your associate with the water and boats. It was around 4pm when I came here and it wasn't busy at all. Plenty of foot traffic and the occasional vagabond that seems to be wanting money so they harass the tourist or anyone who looks well to do. The salt in the air drifting from the Charleston harbor was nice. It was not cold but windy that Thursday afternoon. I sat down and reminded myself how life got me to this spot and the many memories I've made along the way. I also people watched too. A few families and individuals were here enjoying the views of Charleston harbor. I particularly enjoyed watching the USS Yorktown from across the way. A real life battleship outside of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is really a gem in itself. The pier itself is a short walk to the water's edge. While the scenery can be beautiful to some, it's semi industrial to be honest. Not really beach worthy beautiful, but it is also a functioning harbor too. The Charleston Waterfront Park is basically is that. A place for families and individuals to come and enjoy the water's edge here in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. It's a hot tourist spot and I just happen to be here to check things out. While it was just okay, it was nice to be out here and just enjoy life the way it was meant to be. Best thing to do is to come out here early in the morning or later in the afternoon to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. The ambiance was nice and the wind in my hair was pretty darn cool. Nice to be on vacation here in Charleston, SC. The overall experience here at the Charleston, SC waterfront park was pretty cool and good. While you may encounter some weirdos and vagabonds here, you're pretty safe here, depending on the time of day you are visiting. It's good for tourists and locals alike. Consider stopping by on your visit to Charleston SC. The Charleston SC Waterfront Park is located off Concord Street in the busy French Quarter of the city. There is no admission fee to come here, which is pretty cool like many public local parks anywhere. I usually like to watch anything and everything that moves, whether its people or nature, or even the cars and the maritime vessels here on the waterfront. It was a calming experience for sure. It was nice to be here while on vacation, basically. As far as parking goes, not sure if there was any parking nearby. I guess I wasn't paying attention as I was walking from Meeting Street to here. If you are a fan of the CARTA bus or DASH shuttle, consider the route(s) you need to get here. There is seating areas here to rest and take in the view. While the views aren't that great, it is a nice view no doubt. It's quite beautiful in its own way. 4.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! B read more

They have free, fast roaming Wifi - WHAT!! This totally beats the point of coming here to enjoy the scenery but thought I'd throw in that little fun fact in case you were looking for a beautiful, waterside park to get work done while enjoying fresh air and nature. This was one of my favorite places in Charleston because they had free parking (that wasn't too hard to navigate) and tons of beautiful scenery to enjoy in one area. You can park and walk all around the cobblestone streets viewing massive, luscious trees, historic plaques and sculptures, tons of dogs and waterfront scenery in all directions. The waterfront park is located right next to the famous "Rainbow Road," amongst other beautiful, old colorful homes that are very insta-worthy. It is also in walking distance of a handful of cafes and restaurants. I'd recommend a picnic in the park here and maybe walking to a bakery for dessert afterwards, then enjoying the sunset over the water. Not a bucket-list check off but if you're in town visiting I think it's worth your while and definitely a great spot for locals to hangout at. read more

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Bitter cold and such a bone chilling wind today, so why am I at the Waters edge breathing in the lung freezing air? Because I can. This point of the harbor where you can see it about all of the waterfront both sides of the Copper is beautiful no matter the weather temperature. So clear and crisp on a morning like today. The view is mind numbing and clear blue sky to boot. We always visit to walk the water and search for dolphins frolicking near Fleet and the docking areas. read more

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Of course you come to see the pineapple fountain and a walk along the waterfront. Passing rainbow row, and head on over to the Charleston City Market read more

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Beautiful park on the Cooper River. So many nice shady tree lined paths with benches and fountains to relax and get out of the hot sun. Fun people and boat watching spot. Perfect location for a picnic or just to enjoy the day. We enjoyed our time here. It would be lovely to live in those cute condos that face this park with water views. read more

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A small but beautiful park surrounded by beautiful trees, paths, landscaping, and two fountains; the pineapple fountain being the most iconic. You can easily spend a few hours here admiring all the park has to offer as well as the view of the water, bridge, and other sights in the distance. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We stopped in Charleston mainly for Rainbow Row but decided to take our pup for a walk. We found a dog park and then headed to the water because why not? We found this little pier and had some fun. The whole waterfront is dog friendly so that's always a win! You can walk along the water and just enjoy the fresh air. There isn't anything major but it was just fun to see the water and palm trees for us Ohioans! It's a nice spot to take a walk with your pup or have a little picnic. read more

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Waterfront Park is a staple for Charleston. The fountain itself is fun for kids in the summer & it's pretty during the day & at night. There are covered swings & a pier to walk down by the water. There is a nice park area & plenty of places to walk. There is also the iconic Pineapple Fountain nearby. If you are in Charleston, this is a stop you need to make. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

A nice area for a little stroll. There are a lot of foot traffic so social distancing is highly encouraged. I liked the fact that there are also a lot of shade and benches. The fountains are open for swimming too. read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Cute park along the waterfront in Charleston, there is a lovely fountain that is open for playing in, there are benches, there is shade, there's a nice long walk along the water and there's a large pier that juts out into the harbor. The pier has some neat swings on it and a great view of the harbor, the Ravenel bridge and the Navy ships at Patriot Point. Great spot for a walk to try to burn off some of those great Charleston eats. read more

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Beautiful park in the heart of Charleston's historic downtown. It is right along the harbor and the view is simply spectacular. This park is where the infamous pineapple water fountain is. There is also another beautiful fountain that kids can play in, no lifeguard on duty so be careful. Plenty of oak trees for shade and bench seating! read more

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Waterfront Park will forever be my favorite place in Charleston. My boyfriend proposed here. Definitely the best day ever. :) read more

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"Beautiful" waterfront park in the city of Charleston. Plenty of benches and shade. Watch the boats go by and just enjoy being in one of the more historic cities in the US. Just steps from from the Old Exchange and Provost. read more

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Love going here as a local, almost anytime of year. The fountains attract all ages for fun & relief. The benches under trees and along the water are relaxing places to sit and enjoy. The open field allows you to lay down and catch some sun. Then the pier is awesome to walk and see why we love Charleston. You can see the magnificent Ravenal bridge one way, the Yorktown right across the river. Then the harbour view towards the islands with boats and ships always draws you in. Don't forget Castle Pinckney too. This is a must visit location for visitors and locals. Come back at night and see the moon above the water. Thanks Charleston! read more

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I mainly went to the waterfront park to see the pineapple water fountain but I ended up enjoying much more than just the fountain! There's a courtyard area with benches, swings on the pier, and the view is beautiful! read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Beautiful waterfront walkway as well as a nice pier to walk on with ample amounts of benches to sit on. I loved that they had a swinging bench to sit on so relaxing. Great view is the ocean and the bridge . Would come back and relax read more

Waterfront Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Yes it has the pineapple fountain, but what it also has is a view of the harbor. Smell the salt air, enjoy the soft breeze, let the kids have fun in the water or grass. Perfect for the family. read more

There are so many ways to enjoy this park: come early and grab a porch swing to watch the sunset over the water, stroll around the lamp-lit promenade after a nearby dinner, pop in midday and wade through the pineapple fountain to cool off, bring a book and sit in the shade of a giant oak tree, or jog around the paths for a workout with a view any time of day! This is a nicely maintained park with various statues and informative plaques around to give you some information about the area. Each time we went, the area was impeccably clean, too. Location is convenient to a lot of dining and nightlife, street parking was not hard to find. Great spot for photos- saw a few engagement and family portrait sessions going on while we were here. It's a dog-friendly area but I didn't notice any pet bag stations, so bring extras. No bathrooms, but there are public parking garages with restrooms nearby. read more

Waterfront Park - Rules and info - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We love walking under the trees and out to the pier. We usually stop at a local ice cream store down from the fountain and the walk along the water. We love that it has benches to rest and relax and enjoy the view. read more

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