Where can you find nine hands-on exhibits, historic military collections, South Carolina's oldest public building, a formal 18th-century garden, + learn the story of Charleston all in one place? A one-mile section of Meeting Street known as Museum Mile.

Museum Mile | Photo by Pam Harrington Executives

Museum Mile includes six museums, five nationally-renowned historic houses, four parks, a Revolutionary War powder magazine, and several public buildings– such as the Market and City Hall– that tell the story of Charleston’s history + culture.

Typically, admission to the museums ranges between $5-$15 for adults– but during the month of January– visitors can access 13 participating museums for $25 ($10 for children) with a Museum Mile pass.

Purchasing tickets: During January 2019, ticket purchases must be made in person at a Charleston Visitor Center downtown, in North Charleston or in Mount Pleasant.

The 2019 participating museums include:

🏛 Aiken-Rhett House Museum | 48 Elizabeth St.

Aiken-Rhett House | Photo by @marthahenry

🕐 Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Last tour begins at 4 p.m.
Originally built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson. It was then expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s. The house and its furnishings paint a picture of urban life in antebellum Charleston, as well as the lifestyle upheld by a Southern politician, slaveholder, and industrialist. Now owned by the Charleston Museum. It formally opened as a museum house in 1975.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 The Charleston Museum | 360 Meeting St.

🕐 Mon.- Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.
Founded in 1773 and commonly regarded as “America’s First Museum,” the museum focuses on the Lowcountry– including its natural history, historical material culture, and documentary + photographic resources.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry | 25 Ann. St.

🕐 Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.
The Children’s Museum offers free monthly programs, camps, + interactive exhibits. It works to address specific needs within the Lowcountry community by partnering with area organizations.
💰 $10 for adults (who are S.C. residents); $12 for adults (who are non-residents); Free for children under 12

🏛 Confederate Museum | 188 Meeting St.

🕐 Tues.- Sat., 11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Opened in 1899 after young soldier brought their relics to be preserved for the future.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 Edmondston-Alston House | 21 E. Battery

🕐 Tues.- Sat., 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sun.-Mon., 1-4:30 p.m.
The collection at the Edmondston-Alston House Museum consists of pieces such as an original print of the Ordinance of Secession, portraits, gas lights, + interior woodwork.
💰 $5 for adults

🏛 Gibbes Museum of Art | 135 Meeting St.

🕐 Mon., Tues., Thurs., + Fri., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m.
Features the Miniature Collection, rotating exhibits, classes, + more.
💰 $15 for adults ($13 when purchased in advance online)

🏛 Heyward-Washington House | 87 Church St.

🕐 Mon.- Sat.,10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.
Built in 1772, the Georgian-style home was once occupied by Thomas Heyward, Jr., and is where George Washington stayed for his week-long visit to Charleston.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 Joseph Manigault House | 350 Meeting St.

🕐 Mon.- Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.
Built in 1803, reflects the urban lifestyle of a wealthy, rice-planting family and the enslaved African Americans who lived there.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 Nathaniel Russell House Museum | 51 Meeting St.

🕐 Daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. for docent-led tours. The last tour begins at 4 p.m.
Built over a five-year period + completed in 1808 by Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell. Take a docent-led tour or download the app for your own self-guided tour.
💰 $12 for adults

🏛 The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon | 122 East Bay St.

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon | Photo by @maureenmomoe

🕐 Daily 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Built in 1771 + previously property of the British, the building has been used as a commercial exchange, a custom house, post office, city hall, military headquarters, + museum. The building is now owned by the South Carolina State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and operated by the City of Charleston.
💰 $10 for adults

🏛 Old Slave Mart Museum | 6 Chalmers St.

Old Slave Mart Museum | Photo by @jacquiannsmith

🕐 Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Recounts the history of Charleston's role in the interstate slave trade by focusing on the history of the building and the slave sales that occurred here.
💰 $8 for adults

🏛 The South Carolina Historical Society Museum | 100 Meeting St.

🕐 Tues.- Sat., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. Last admission time is 3:15 p.m.
Features interactive exhibits, + educational tours.
💰 $12 for adults

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I did the math (you’re welcome) and it would cost over $100 to visit each of these sites separately. So if you’re looking to see two or more of these sites– January is definitely the month to do it.

Know if any other good deals to help us play tourist in our own city? Let us know in the comments below.

– Justine