Charleston Waterfront Park Reviews

4.6

11 of 291 Best Attractions in Charleston


Reviews

Pretty Views

By Pimentochez |

Pretty. On water. Can walk out on pier. Lots of covered sitting areas. Very nice. Water fountain splash for kiddos.

Great Place For a Stroll

By TravelingSoccerLoon |

Nice place for a stroll along the Charleston Harbor with views of the Ravenel Bridge in the distance. Pineapple Fountain is quite pretty and a good photo spot. Nearby construction cranes takes a bit away from the experience.

charleston left a bad taste

By jim t |

charleston left a bad taste. i am tourist walking outside enjoying sites on waterfront. then i receive a citation for not wearing mask on march 17 2021. enforcement is inconsistent since fully 50% of people are not wearing a mask. people who are jogging apparently are ok not to wear mask since enforcers did not go after them. $100 fine is too rich. that $100 i planned to spend at small businesses, not so now. would better serve guests, citizens and businesses if it were a warning citation.
unhappy, not returning

Meh

By Redhead32 |

Nothing fancy. A couple pretty fountains, lots of construction. I would not go out of my way, but if you have time to kill then this spot is okay.

Great Place for Photos

By rebecca82017 |

The waterfront park and pineapple fountain are very pretty and well kept. Overall the area feels very safe and is great for walking. Good place to take photos and to stop for a picnic if you have the time and food.

Rustic park

By UpperCapeResident |

This waterfront park in Charleston harbor is small but offers a wonderful relaxing location in downtown. Pineapple fountain and sets of swings are focal points. A decent stopover in Charleston for midday or evening outing.

Beautiful park!

By smitty60 |

A lovely place to stroll under the palm trees, enjoy the fountains and the water views, or just sit and relax in the many seating areas provided under the old oak trees.

Disappointing. Had expected more

By Eyekaytoo |

After having taken the free DASH tourist bus down to the river, we alighted and found ourselves close to the Waterfront Park. We strolled along the Cooper river/estuary but found it rather disheveled and smelly with quite a lot of dead vegetation before you could see out to the river/estuary in the middle distance. We came across the pineapple fountain easily enough but to be honest, we didn't think much of it. And then there is quite a lot of new construction work which takes away a lot of the beauty of the shoreline.

We were disappointed and had expected more of a spectacle.

A wonderfully peaceful way to spend a morning

By vichy |

Unexpectedly stumbled upon the pier here and ended up spending a really relaxing morning here, just sitting on the bench swings enjoying the breeze and sunshine and quiet. If you're looking for a quiet space to just relax and soak in the view of the water - definitely check this out.

Waterfront Park

By Lolly’s Look |

The Charleston Waterfront Park-now Joe Riley is a beautiful waterfront park in Charleston. The majestic pineapple fountain is the centerpiece of this beautiful park.

Seemed fairly safe

By MominOC |

Very clean park with many trees to shelter you from the sun. Plenty of scattered park benches with a view of the water.

Can’t miss seeing this when visiting Charleston

By katherinedQ5040BW |

The pineapple fountain is an iconic landmark in Charleston that cannot be missed when visiting the area. Waterfront park provides a nice shaded walking or picnicking area. Try parking in the East Bay parking garage, which is directly across from the pineapple foundation and offers cheap rates and shaded parking—a perfect for exploring Charleston for the day!

Beautiful way to welcome you to Charleston!

By Savannah Girl |

Such a beautiful way to take the pineapple symbol of "welcome" and incorporate it into a fountain. This fountain was so beautifully done. Please take the time to stop by on your walk and see,

Nice park

By KellyS |

What a beautiful park along the water! The shade is wonderful & we enjoyed our time
Walking through the park and sitting and chatting on the benches.

Beautiful place for an evening stroll.

By gojencarr |

We were lucky that this park was just a block from our hotel. It was a great place to go for a stroll after dinner or in the morning with a cup of coffee. Nice breezes, lots of shade and pretty views.

Calming View

By Erinn B |

Very nice park, plenty of place to sit and social distance while enjoying the view of the water. Best part are the swinging benches on the pier! There were a decent chunk of kids playing in the water fountains, a little too much for my likening in this Covid world but none of them were mine so that’s their parents business. Highly recommend this spot for a calming activity after you hit King St or Rainbow Row.

Loved the pineapple fountain

By Cathy G |

This was the best place to cool off and we enjoyed the swings that are along the pier. There are only about 6 of them but nice wooden swings. I had flagged down a pedi-cab (rickshaw pedi cab) Charleston Bike taxi and it was the best thing as we were so tired from a walking tour we could have never made it here. The splash pad and pier area are very pretty and cooling on a hot afternoon then we walked along the water to the Pineapple Fountain. There were many people waiting in line for photo ops but it worked out well with each group taking the pic for the previous person. The tree lined area was a nice picturesque walkway also. This whole area was well designed and a beautiful addition to the waterfront. Down the street we stopped at The Rooftop bar at the Vendue for a cool beverage. Although I was disappointed in the view from there.

Great place to cool off on a hot day

By kline2009 |

Great place for kids and adults alike to cool off on a hot day of walking around Charleston. Beautiful too! Close to Rainbow Row and the Battery.

Don't miss

By Karin H |

This was an immediate favorite spot that my daughter (18) & I went to each morning to relax, drink our iced coffee, and read. The park is beautiful with many benches for sitting. Lots of families & people walking their pups. Great place for pictures. Beautiful historic homes. Very clean.

Nice waterfront walk

By Shelliu |

Not very big and hard to miss on any Charleston visit. Beautiful statues, views of the water and watching the passing boats and freighters.

Beautiful Park

By songbirdnay |

We had lunch at Fleet Landing, which is right by this park. Came over to walk on the pier, and realized what a beautiful place it is overall! We spent over an hour, just walking and taking pictures. If I lived in Charleston, I'd go all the time! Clean, peaceful, beautiful.

Great location!

By clearing_boxer |

A great space right next to all the action. The boats and dolphins in the water were beautiful, and the fountains/trees/dock on land were a pleasure.

Safe and serene area.

By Timezone Travelers |

Nice strolling area on the water plus great for people watching. Some nice fountains here too and just enjoy the waterfront. Very safe.

Peaceful and Fun all at one time!

By Sallyloves2explore |

Beautiful fountain! Lots of shade with benches and areas to sit and look at the water! Pet and kid friendly. You can wade in the fountain and splash around! Wide walk ways to stroll the water front!

Not special

By Jennifer H |

I don’t know if it was because we were there in early November and also the fountain was off, but this really isn’t anything special.

Great Place to rest

By Linda J |

Can get here on the 211 bus Charta for free. Pretty place to people and water watch. Splash pad fountain for kids(and adults) !

"Pinapple Fountain"

By William L |

The Park along the Battery is really cool. Great place to hang out and take some pics.
Nice walking area and access to water taxi.

Pineapple Fountain

By Amy39094 |

We went to this park multiple times on our trip. The famous pineapple fountain is here, a wading fountain that is popular w/kids, and a pier where you can catch the water taxi. If you want to get some shade & some cool breezes - this is the place. We watched dolphins swimming here.

Southern Charm

By Mom2Twincesses |

You can't think of Charleston without thinking of this iconic fountain, so don't miss it. The waterway and pier are beautiful in that east coast muddy water way. We even say sting rays in the water!

You can wade in the fountain!

By lacholitarubia |

A great place to cool off in the summer heat :) Kids and adults are wading and cooling off It's also free.

The pineapple park

By Lolly’s Look |

Joe Riley waterfront park, or The Pineapple Park as we call it, is in Charleston on the waterfront with a sweeping view of the harbor. Of course, the pineapple fountain is your welcome into Charleston.

Pleasant walk

By Jody B |

Pretty and happy, walked here from our hotel just to see the pineapple fountain, and it didn’t disappoint. Nice to see others also enjoying the park!

Just lovely

By ShelleyG33 |

A lovely park with 2 interesting fountains, nice water views with occasional dolphin sightings, and lots and lots of benches.

Nice way to spend a day

By T A |

We walked around the waterfront area and downtown Charleston. We didn’t have an agenda, just stopped when we wanted and looked, read and took pictures. The weather was nice, so it was a good way to spend the day without spending a ton of money (it was free!).

Nice Walk

By Itravelalot1981 |

A beautifully maintained park. It’s a nice relaxing setting to take a stroll or sit and watch the water.

Beautiful Charelston Park

By Paul I |

I enjoyed the tree canopy of the park. The pineapple fountain is beautiful. While visiting the fountain, we saw a few children playing in the fountain and they were having a wonderful time wading in the water. They were having the time of their life.

Nice view and places to sit

By seancQ5943NN |

Great spot to sit and relax and people watch. Popular photo spot and cool shaded trees nearby.Plenty of benches to sit on.

Always beautiful

By Louise S |

Beautiful park, bring swimsuits for the kids and let them play in the fountains. Currently a lot of development near by but hopefully not next year.

just beautiful

By Holly H |

this park was on the water. It had two fountains, which were gorgeous. The park had a walkway by the water. There were plenty of shady places to sit. The park was beautiful. Close by was a pier with covered seats--even porch swings to sit and enjoy the wonderful breeze coming off the water as you watch the boats float by

Great way to enjoy the outdoors

By flashncrash |

This waterfront park has expanses of grass, has sunny spots as well as plenty of trees for shade. The shooting fountain at the north entrance of the park at Vendue Range and Concord St is fun! This corner is also where you can catch the free DASH bus. The other fountain is the Pineapple Fountain, beautiful to look at and to see all the areas where water flows. The pier is wide and has some wide bench swings if you can snag one. From the pier you might also get the chance to see some pink dolphins, we did! Will say that you may come upon a transient or two but they don't take away from the enjoyment of this waterfront park. We found ourselves returning here multiple times during our stay in Charleston.

So relaxing!

By Donna M. L |

One of the most relaxing things to do in Charleston and it will only cost you a parking fee! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the waves and the ships come and go! We even saw a dolphin or two!

Gorgeous

By RWG19 |

Absolutely love the huge tree canopies and the lovely fountains! We walked here every morning and absolutely loved it!

Nice quiet spot along the river.

By DogDoggie |

We grabbed a picnic and had dinner at Joe Riley. Really enjoyable. The pineapple fountain is really cool. Dog friendly (on leash).

Gorgeous!

By Meredith |

Such a beautiful fountain and park. Great to take a short spot and get a photo with the pineapple fountain! It was clean and great on a sunny day.

Beautiful park

By 2bostons2ppl |

This was a lovely park. It was a nice stroll through downtown Charleston by the water. The weather was beautiful. The Pineapple Fountain is pretty but the fountain wasn't on when I was there. Maybe because it was bit cool that day or something.

Make this part of your daily walk

By MPC2of3 |

Make a visit to this park part of your daily walk, beautiful water and bridge views. Easy to access from downtown Charleston.

Beautiful park

By JerseyGirlinMIA |

Beautiful park, a lot of benches in which to sit and enjoy the area
In addition to have a great afternoon stroll

Pineapple fountain!

By Kdawg282 |

Awesome waterfront area and must see in Charleston. Had a great time and visited the famous pineapple fountain. Would visit again!

Very Pretty! but.......

By Barbara D |

Very pretty but.....so many homeless sleeping on the benches and so many people asking for handouts - it was uncomfortable. Benches all over in the shade - a very nice relaxing rest after so much walking

Great Park

By C P M |

This is a very pleasing park to visit when in downtown Charleston. Play in the fountain, walk about or sit and watch the ships go by. Not a lot os shade. Carry a bottle of water for it can become warm. Have gone here many times.

Historic signs that explain the harbour.

By nadam795 |

A lovely place to stroll and take in views of the harbour. Really liked the helpful signage that explained the local history.

Beautiful and the kids love playing in the fountains.

By Leslie C |

Must see while visiting Charleston, beautiful view of the harbor and the fountains are so much fun for the kids. Great photo opps :)

Always worth a visit.

By In50by50 |

From the market down Meeting then back along the river. A beautiful walk with enough history, architecture and greenery to make your trip worthwhile.

A Charleston Landmark

By Dan’Vy Le |

The "Charleston Pineapple" is what us Holy City natives call it. It's a beautiful landmark that has been there for as long as I can remember. At night it lights up in the most beautiful fashion, most go for a romantic walk, and some even kick off their shoes and walk around in the water. It's truly a place of many memories and happy times for me.

Amazing Trip!

By Marianne D |

We had an excellent time! Loved everything about Charleston Waterpark and Charleston, SC as a whole! Food, drinks and people were amazing!

Pleasant

By bigfinklefan |

Enjoyed our walk from Charleston Place to Waterfront Park.

Lots of benches, pretty views of the water, and nice surroundings.

Would recommend.

Nice park with great views

By hbhakh |

The Waterfront Park offers great views, open spaces, and numerous benches to sit and relax. There's a pier, which also has plenty of seating. This is worth some time.

The Pineapple Fountain

By shadd19990 |

The Pineapple fountain is just beautiful along with the colorful flowers all around. Nice breeze as it is right on the water with a lovely view of ships including cruise ships coming and going.

A Beautiful Walk

By billandmarie |

Don't miss this part of the city, it's well worth the stroll along the water and the park setting that outlies the city.

Cool fountain!

By 12midnight |

Really nice river walk. Check the pineapple fountain out and cool off there too. Just enjoy the walk and scenery

Beautiful area of town

By traveleveryweek |

The water is on one side and beautiful homes/condos on the other. Fountains and old oaks line the park. Keep walking onto East Bay Street to see some of the most well kept and beautiful 1700's and 1800's homes in the city

Great spot to take in the beautiful view

By Mick H |

We were there on a beautiful day in Feb and it was so nice to sit there and watch the cruise ship leave and take in the atmosphere.

Pretty and quaint

By Lois L |

A little disappointed that the fountain was not on, but we did see dolphins here! Great little spot to just chill.

Fountain turned off in Winter

By California_momofsix |

Beautiful park, well taken care of and clean. Nice place for a walk, or for sitting on a bench and looking out over the waters of the bay. There was a fountain on the North end that was working, but the pineapple fountain had yellow tape around it, and was completely dry. I am downgrading the attraction for the winter tape, since I was disappointed I couldn't get a nice picture with the iconic fountain.

Mesmerizing!

By Nissins |

My small tour group stopped at this park on a very hot afternoon. The breeze was a very welcome treat! Our tour guide affirmed that there’s always a breeze at this place. I fell in love with the park right away! So I visited again the following day. I took the water taxi then afterwards just hang out and walked leisurely. I was able to capture a beautiful photo in front of the pineapple fountain and on other captivating spots! The stroll underneath the big trees was very relaxing - specially so - there was a young lady who serenaded us with her electric violin. Definitely my favorite spot in downtown Charleston!!!

Of Course You Have To

By Curtis W |

Yes it is a bit cliche to go walk through the park and see the fountains and the waterfront. My question is why would you not! It is a beautiful little park with wind views and a great feel as you stroll along the waterfront or sit and relax under the live oak trees.

Construction...

By Kate N |

It was nice but the adjacent construction wasn’t too pleasant. The fountain was a good break. The kids enjoyed it

Beautiful park with waterfront views in downtown Charleston

By EliizabethWS |

Love coming here with friends and family coming into town. Great waterfront views and close to several restaurants and bars.

Scenic Place w/ Pineapple Fountain

By Brooke Hinkle |

This beautiful waterfront area is great for pictures, scenery, and of course the Pineapple fountain. You’ll also see a cobblestone section with iconic southern trees. This spot is only about a quarter mile from Rainbow Row.

Beautiful park!

By Jennifer B |

Loved the pineapple fountain, and our favorite part was sitting in the waterfront swings enjoying the 80° weather ☺️

Lovely respite

By Beth T |

Enjoy the pineapple fountain and children's play fountain right on the waterfront just when you need a break from history and shopping!

Spectacular feature

By Andrew B |

She was a cold day when we visited this ‘must see’ site in Charleston. There were still a lot of people out though.

Not worth it

By Superhero Family |

Gnarly park that was very dirty and not well kept. The playground was covered in trash and gum and did not feel safe for our son.

A Few Tips About Joe Riley Park

By Marty Bielicki |

This is a beautiful area to take a stroll along Charleston’s waterfront. There is a gorgeous fountain to sit around. Then, too, there is a large walking pier, known as “Waterfront Park Pier,” that juts out giving outstanding views of the bay. There are a number of swinging seats that we enjoyed.

The first “fort” in the channel is Castle Pinckney. It is easily confused as Ft. Sumter as it is quite visible from Charleston’s waterfront. Castle Pinckney was developed in 1810 now operated by the Sons of the Confederacy. Ft. Sumter is farther out near the inlet, but still visible.

This Park is named “Joe Riley” after the longest serving mayor in the United States, serving 10 terms. This Charleston man is still alive at this juncture.

The Park extends down several paths through oak and magnolia trees.

If you walk south pass several houses and buildings, you will eventually come to the seawall, promenade and White Point Garden’s. This is a beautiful waterfront area of Charleston too.

If you found this review “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.

Lovely and a Great Place to Walk

By Global_Coug |

Charleston is quite a charming city. The older part of town towards the battery is sort of like the best of Philadelphia's Independence neighborhood and the French Quarter in New Orleans, except clean and safe. This is a great place to walk and see beautiful antebellum houses as well as Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter.

Waterfront Park

By lithlith |

The Waterfront park is a must see/stroll while in Charleston. It's right on the water with lots of trees, benches, and fountains. You'll get some great photos here. If the Carnival Sunshine is in dock, then you'll see that from here as well as crew members hanging out in the park enjoying a break from the ship.

Really cool park

By Cryptic_Tourist |

Quite enjoyed this little park, went back twice, once the view the cruise ship and another time to see the Pineapple Fountain. It was crowded, but again, not to the point where it felt uncomfortable.

Great Photo OP

By Lisa S |

Beautiful fountain, great place to take that vacation photo. Enjoyed walking in the park and along the pier.

Nice walk

By jstock |

It was a nice walk along the waterfront watching the boats sail around the harbor. The flowers were very beautiful.

Well Worth a Visit

By Jeremy C |

If you are walking around the downtown historical district, you are only a few blocks from this small, but very pretty park. Make sure you check out both of the fountains, including the "pineapple fountain, and walk along the river for some nice views.

Love the fountain

By Thad H |

Very nice waterfront area that we enjoyed walking through. We plan too go back at a latter date. Love Charleston.

Fun fun fun

By Samantha G |

This is such a beautiful park and you can wade in the fountains right by the ocean. Make sure to go at night the lights make it even more gorgeous!

A Delightful Walk.

By Mark B |

Take a stroll by the water's edge. Walk out onto the pier. Spend a moment to slow down and watch the world drift slowly by.

Well Kept Grounds

By Aimee T |

This is a beautiful and well maintained area. Very easy to navigate and has great options to stroll either by the water or in the shade.

Lovely walk!

By Kim N |

Lovely park along the Charleston Harbor. There are comfortable walking paths with beautiful views of the Harbor, city, and fountain.

Fountain was off :(

By Vanessa T |

Don't go during the day in the summer...it was unbearably hot! And the fountain was off which was a bummer. We ended up finding shelter in an ice cream shop until evening hours offered a small drop in temps. Other than that a very cool park with gorgeous views.

Waterfront park sights

By Bushmaster42 |

This is one of my favorite locations to visit in Charleston and we enjoy our walks through here as well.
HOWEVER on our last visit we were able to get a swing near the street while we waited for the water taxi. Several of the swings were occupied by homeless individuals who had slept there overnight. One decides to get up got to the railing and proceeds to URINATE and then return to HIS SWING to sleep. This is not the type of scene one would want a wife or child to see.

Lovely stroll

By Dinerdon |

Nice place for a stroll along the water. Places to stop and sit and enjoy the view. Nice refreshing breeze and easy to walk. Offers a different venue from the city streets.

Fabulous on a blue-sky day

By missmeadow |

Beautiful park and promenade in Historic Charleston. Easy to find and free to enjoy. Two gorgeous fountains as well.

Peaceful Place

By JR K |

Wonderful place to stroll in the shade and admire the beautiful landscape, bay, old houses
Many little seating spaces to sit and chill

Very pretty place to enjoy Charleston river views

By mariedesjardins |

I took the carta express from King Street in august to Waterfront Park. There you can sit on a bench under trees, visit the pineapple fountain, watch the boats cruise by, and stroll along the wooden pier.

Great place to relax and smell the harbour

By Jason U |

My wife and I finished up our anniversary vacation with a visit to this park. It was peaceful and relaxing

Great views and History

By Brian S |

Beautiful Views of the Harbor and Water. Amazing shopping and Restaurants all thought the area and all in waking distance. Great afternoon just walking around and enjoying the views.

awesome adventure

By pann482020 |

A beautiful pineapple waterfall to see in Charleston, a must see while in Charleston , great photo app around the fountain in a beautiful park to rest and relax any time of the year

Beautiful park

By mgnelu |

We visited the Waterfront Park twice during our trip to Charleston and we enjoyed it every time. The park has two water fountains (one of which is the Pineapple Fountain) where kids splash to cool off during the hot days. There is a dock in the North part of the park, where you can swing in the shade (you may have to wait for a swing to become available though). You can relax on a bench or walk right next to the waterfront if it is not too hot. Alternatively there are benches along a path shaded by mature trees.

Picturesque park and marina

By Noraatc |

Joe Riley Waterfront Park and the marina are very picturesque and such a great place to relax on the benches and take pictures of the iconic Pineapple Fountain and the sailing boats.

Lovely Area

By PennStateProud |

We had a very peaceful walk along the harbor and took advantage of several photo opps by the "Pineapple Fountain".

Calm, welcoming park

By dustythoughts |

This calm, relaxing park is a lovely way to spend part of the day: you can walk on the boardwalk, relax by the refreshing pineapple fountain, and people-watch (or ship-watch) while sitting on a bench. There's also plenty of space for picnicking, and the swings are really fun. It can get really warm here and limited shade, so bring an umbrella and some water.

Charleston trip

By Konstantin B |

Nice park with great harbour view. Good for walking by the water and enjoy quite part of Charleston.

Unique Fountain

By PJCM744 |

Enjoyed seeing the hospitality symbol in this Southern City. Hot day so we had to plan our pictures around the kids floating in the fountain, but really couldn't blame them.

Gorgeous day to visit

By Sara T |

It was a gorgeous day to visit. We walked around with our two dogs. There was a nice park area. We saw dolphins! It was not too crowded (went during the week). Very enjoyable!

Perfect spot for a walk

By Jktchorne |

Beautiful peaceful area right off the French quarter. Shaded and plenty of benches to people watch. Or take walk down waterfront. Cool off in a front.

nice for a stroll

By ozpix |

Lovely place for afternoon stroll and the Pineapple fountain is just beautiful and an icon of the city.

Beautiful setting

By Anantha |

Very beautiful park with couple fountains of which one is in a pineapple shape. Nice place to stroll along the waters. When we went there was even a Carnival cruise docked right next to the park.

Spend some time relaxing here

By Laur2396 |

This was our landing base on most days. We loved spending our free time here, listening to the musicians, watching people splash in the fountain, sitting on the benches, etc.

Just get a picnic lunch and stay!

By Hdew |

Great way to spend a relaxing afternoon! Lots of energy, mixed with tons of spots in the sun or shade to just hang out and chill. Or take a walk along the water!

Peaceful, pleasant park...

By AMsays |

The accessible walkway parallel to the park gives you great views of Fort Sumpter, Ravenel Bridge, naval boats and the peninsula harbour. The Park itself is clean and green. The wonderful pineapple fountain is one of two but the more interesting piece that became more relevant when I understood the history of the pineapple in Charleston . A peaceful, pleasant park….

Big Pineapple, Big View

By TripleB718 |

A fun, free experience with a great view. This place has one of the best waterfront views in all of Charleston. Kids will enjoy splashing, and adults will enjoy the scenery.

Beautiful park

By ottostravelqueen |

So beautiful and picturesque. A great place to hang out and walk for a little while. The swings are nice and the tree canopy park is beautiful.

Great photo op and views.

By Stephanie D |

Beautiful fountain and park. An awesome view of the water and surrounding homes and a delightful walk on a sunny day.

Walk the water

By TXMARTINS |

Walk the entire park from end to end along the water and soak in classic Charleston, the pineapple fountain, and so many beautiful houses in the Battery. Benches throughout to stop and take a minute to look out at the water.

A nice green space

By ksufan88 |

This is a picturesque park with live oaks on both sides of the sidewalk and plenty of shaded benches to sit on and either people watch or overlook the water. A highlight of the park was the pineapple fountain in the middle of the park where kids could wade in and cool off.

Beautiful!

By Darlene D |

Beautiful area. Great view of the water . The fountain looks exactly as said. Wear good sneakers, lots of walking! Lot to see.

Afternoon walk

By Jessica K |

This is a beautiful park with multiple benches and both sunny and shaded areas to relax. When in the French Quarter, this is a must visit park - specifically for the pineapple fountain.

Pineapple fountain

By Footprints |

We visited the park at night following our haunted tour. It appeared to be very safe. There were several people walking through. The fountain was so pretty at night.

Home of the Pineapple Fountain

By Taylor B |

Charleston Waterfront Park, also named after former Mayor Joseph P. Riley, who began to rejuvenate the site as early as 1975, transferred the underutilized Cooper River riverfront into a long, curving expanse of green that includes a 1,200-foot-long promenade along the water's edge. Designed, developed and completed in 1990 by the noted Japanese architect Sasaki, who also built Chicago's Riverwalk, it received the Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architecture. Located along Concord Street, near the Chicago City Market, overlooking the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor, Waterfront Park is popular with runners, strollers, bikers, bird watchers, sun bathers, picnickers and people watchers who have more than 10 acres to roam on paths or relax on old-fashioned park benches. There also are two large fountains for kids to splash and play and cool off. Open from 6 a.m. to midnight, the centerpiece of the park is the iconic Pineapple Fountain, a reference to the traditional symbol of hospitality in the South. It has become a symbol of the city's recovery from the disaster of Hurricane Hugo, which destroyed Charleston in 1989, giving locals hope for a new life. Curiously, construction of the Pineapple Fountain began just before Hugh struck the city.

take in the views

By oceansidecowgrl9 |

great place to walk around and enjoy the sea breeze, a couple nice fountains and some shady spots on a hot day under some trees

nice walk around place at the end of the day

By exploration822408 |

Our group of four adults we here in april 2025. the pineapple fountain was the highlight here. we came to explore and people watch at the end of the day touring the city. did not spend much time here. it is near historic homes, churches, restaurants and you can see the cruise ships come and go.

Simply Gorgeous!

By Judy L |

Such a gorgeous park!! The pineapple fountain did not disappoint!! We enjoyed spending time swinging and taking in the view!! Watching the sailboats were especially enjoyable.

Waterfront views

By Nav1go |

Pretty little park right on the water. There was a homeless person sleeping on a bench - wasn’t interfering with anyone as there were plenty of other places to sit. You don’t seem to see them South of Broad. Nice shaded way to walk south.

Fun Picture Spot

By Chictraveler37 |

The Waterfront Park is very nice. It's on the water and you have a great view of the SS Yorktown, Ravenel bridge, sailboats, and just great for people watching. The pineapple fountain is in the park as well and is a popular picture spot.

Nice park

By Barbara V |

Great park right by the harbor. We went to see the Pineapple Fountain. Nice appearance and kept clean.

Nice walk

By Matt P |

If you have time to kill its a nice park to walk around and see a few pretty fountains. The park is well maintained and nice part is along the water.

Swinging at the Park!

By NanaLaGrange |

Beautiful view of the harbor and lovely park! My favorite spot is the pavilions with the large swings! We enjoyed the swings every day of our visit to Charleston. These swings are the most relaxing spots in Charleston

Great place to walk your dog

By Lauratt |

Really enjoyed a long walk with the pup at the waterfront park. Beautiful view of the harbor, nicely landscaped and palm-tree lined walkway. Lots of places/benches to stop and take in the view.

Quick Stop

By DFam4 |

Nice waterfront park. Great spot for a walk or to enjoy the view. Pier has seating/swings, pineapple fountain was neat and a great photo opportunity.

Great Riverfront Area to Peruse !!

By DannyWasserman |

Check out this expansive waterfront area. There are water fountains for the kids to play in, a water taxi, bars to have lunch and drinks, and a nice boardwalk o peruse and see the seawall and pretty oak trees with their Spanish Moss.

Nice park

By Liv2Wander |

Nice park. Great view. Made me sad to see all of the homeless people sleeping there in the evening. Each time we visited there were several. Hope the city does something to help these people.

Very clean / pretty

By Krysblair |

This park has a lot of construction going on but was still nice to visit. There were two fountains, once being the pineapple. Both wonderful with great views. A must see in downtown. Very clean and spacious.

Beautiful park

By Brenda K |

What a beautiful park that offers peaceful walks with lots of park benches to have a seat and people watch. It gave us a nice little break from walking the historical streets and time to re-energize. Sitting in the park made you think of all the history that had taken place there.

Beautiful

By slpdfw67 |

A great place for photos or a picnic or just enjoying the beautiful weather. Also provides ample shade and views of the harbor and bridge

A Charleston must see

By Bluedog38 |

Lovely park with great views. Be sure and take a photo at the fountain. Good walk to downtown/rain bow row. Saw a dachshund club outing and sone dance teams performing.

Fantastic

By Carmen B |

This park is absolutely beautiful. The area is well-maintained and the view is superb. On a muggy Charleston day, this spot is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Relaxing setting

By PoppaP54 |

The park is relatively modest in size, though features nicely maintained grounds, with available seating. It provides a view out towards the harbor. Few street performers present, but, at least during our visit, no panhandlers. Some nearby locations to pick up beverage or ice cream which can be enjoyed in the ark.

Beautiful Spot

By Mike O |

We included this place on our walk around the City on an unusually warm and sunny early Spring day. It was a beautiful spot with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery while staying socially distant from others.

Great fountains and pier over the water

By DvilleBrian |

Nice walk by the water at this park with a cool pineapple fountain, a pier that goes out over the water where you can view the ruins of Fort Pinckney, the bridge, boats and we even saw some dolpins!

The large fountain near Vendue street and the Pineapple Fountain are both very photogenic.

Great place for a walk but watch out for the gnats!

Beautiful area for strolling around

By LadyPhade |

Not really a destination site but if your walking around the area or visiting Rainbow Row (the longest row of 13 rainbow colored Georgian row houses in US which is a popular Instagram photo site) well then its worth a visit as its right there as well. I loved the beautiful live oak? trees in the park. The pineapple fountain was pretty and its right by the water. Pineapples are a thing in Charleston because back in the day when it was a very popular dock site for imports exports..pineapples were often brought back as they had a longer so to say shelf life - residents would put a sign on their door of the top of a pineapple to invite people in to their homes for social gatherings.

Lovely Area

By Deb M |

This is a wonderful area to view the city as well as walk to relax. There were many shops and restaurants near by as well. Also very clean.

Don't Miss

By Familytraveller31 |

Any walking tour of Charleston will take you along the beautiful and historical waterfront park, which is a must on a visit.

Must See

By Julie P |

We truly loved the waterfront fountains and the walkways. Our best photos of our vacation came from this area. We appreciated the historical value and the current beauty of the area.

Cool views.

By L4942AHkennethm |

Nice fountain. Excellent view of Fort Sumpter. Nice dock for you to walk on and enjoy the breeze. Will be better when construction is done.

Must see

By Lyrissa S |

So worth the walk! Absolutely beautiful!!! The park and fountains are beautiful with children playing in he fountains. Tons of shade and lots of benches to sit outside and the boats on the water.

Beautiful!

By Kaitlyn G |

Very pretty waterfront area. Fountains were beautiful and full of kids & dogs splashing and playing, which was so fun to watch! I even dipped my toes in for a quick cool off. Fun spot for a quick stop and stroll on the pier.

Really cool space

By ilivetotravel |

We went in the early evening and enjoyed walking around the nearby apartment/condo buildings as we approached the park. Great views and chill space.

Beautiful

By dmk1257 |

Great location and views. Well cared for and beautiful settings. Great view of the Harbor and Ravenel bridge.

Splendid!

By Wendy B |

What a lovely place to walk through to enjoy a view of the harbor and historic homes. A delightful place for families, couples, and others to sit in comfort and safety. There was a young patrol officer on duty strolling the area.

Super photogenic source!!

By 🇧🇷🇺🇸🇩🇪🇵🇹🇲🇦Helena Villalba |

A beautiful square to stroll in the afternoon! The view is beautiful, many families and the elderly, looking for the remains of the trees to rest. The fountain is beautiful and the effect but photos very cool, worth a walk in this park.

Nice park to walk

By StephenCross |

Charlestown Waterfront Park is a really calm place to relax and / or take a stroll. Nicely laid out and impeccably clean.

Nice small park with waterviews

By alikarim |

A decent park to get a small walk, and admire both the waters, boats and the unique houses lining the street along the park. The fountain is nice to take some pictures, and there is another fountain nearby also to enjoy on bay street

No other fountain like it.

By michelenerangel |

Super cute fountain. Area around it is in construction so hopefully once it is completed. the picture view will be awesome from all angles. Its a great place to walk with less people around.

COVID etiquette Lacking

By Mart1591 |

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Lovely walking area BUT groups of friends walk around without masks and will not stay six feet away from you. This is happening all over Charleston. If they do not believe in masks that's OK, but please stay away from me! Beware if you are at risk! This turned me off and probably others for another visit in the near future. My visit was 2/19/21 to 2/21/21

This park is a must see when in Charleston!

By Wishedforchild |

The pineapple signifies hospitality, so this fountain represents the social flavor given to visitor or citizen alike. Thank you for making conversation and relationship a priority, Charleston!

Cool walk

By Steven L |

Park was decent but construction on the swing pier! Kids were swimming under the pineapple it was cool water and kids enjoying themselves under parents eyes. Soaked my feet in the cool water myself.

Breathtaking views

By Deanna E |

There were breathtaking views of the harbor, Fort Sumter, and Mount Pleasant Point. The fountains were refreshing and well-maintained. However, be careful exploring the area after a rain storm, lots and lots of large puddles!

Lovely area

By ACTtherapist |

I love to come here every time I visit Charleston--breezy, lots of shade and places to sit, the fountains, the waterfront--how can you go wrong? And somehow, it never seems crowded. The decision to create this park after Hurricane Hugo, during the area when I used to live there, was brilliant. Don't miss it.

Beautiful Park

By Emily L |

Joe Riley Waterfront park was beautiful, but a little overrated. Every blog I read before the trip insisted you check out the pineapple fountain. And while it was in fact beautiful, it was also full of children wading in it, and we would've enjoyed our trip just as much if we had skipped the park.

Beautiful waterfront

By Kody S |

The waterfront itself is beautiful, the location is very shaded and sometimes has local performers. There are plaques showing the development of Charleston in different eras.

Great for the entire family.

By Pat S |

The Pineapple Fountain is one of the most photographed landmarks in town. Pineapples are everywhere in Charleston -- in the architecture and gift shops. A symbol of hospitality for the Low Country. The park is very relaxing, having many shade trees and is right on the water. One of the days we were there the children were playing in the fountain, which was fun to watch. The boardwalk over the water has many places to sit and swing. Also picnic benches. There is also a splash pad for young and old alike. Great place for photos and nature watching.

Nice evening walk

By OnewaytotheFather |

We really enjoyed walking along the water and getting a feel for Charleston. The fountain was nice and we also liked looking at the houses.

Cute Little Park

By Mike J |

Took lots of pictures. Nice fountain and lots to do in the area of the park. The marina, Fleet Landing restaurant, Fort Sumter museum and the aquarium all near by.

Nice walk

By LostInTime |

This park is right along the water. It’s really nice for walking as you can watch the waves and boats. There are also a few piers and fountains.

She walks by the sea

By Diego |

Beautiful square by the sea.
You can breathe European foundation air, from there to rainbow street; and living in the USA is no small thing.
Very relaxing and cute

Loved It

By Glenn K |

Stayed at The Vendue for a week and walked around here every morning and afternoon. So very nice - loved it.

One of my favs

By Victoria B |

I love the waterfront park! I love the fountain (even more when my little one asked to play in it!), I love the green space leading to the pineapple fountain. I love the pier and the swings. I love the dolphins that show up almost everytime I've visited. This is a perfect spot in Charleston to sit and rest your feet after a day of walking. A great spot to grab a snack (maybe from Belgian Gelato) and relax.

Great Photo Op at Sunset

By Howard A |

Nice open space with the pineapple fountain and a path along the water with some swings and a calm place to hang out. Read about the spot where you can hear your echo if you stand on top of the round slab near the end of the park. Good for a stroll before dinner at one of the nearby Bay St. restaurants and not far from a bar, The Griffon, which is worth checking out if so close by, for the decor.

The Pineapple

By Traveller |

I visited and walked around Joe Riley Waterfront Park during my visit to Charleston in June 2021. I covered the park on a walk to the Battery and Rainbow Row. The fountain in the park is called "The Pineapple" and makes a good photo op. I walked a lot in Charleston during my stay there. In my opinion, the Battery is worth repeat visits on walks but one walk to the Joe Riley Waterfront Park plus taking a photo of "The Pineapple" was enough for me.

Fun for small kids

By suMountainLover |

Cool spot for warmer evenings. Our toddler had fun walking in the fountain. Remember to take spare clothes and towel to dry kids off. They can't resist getting into the fountain.
We got extra lucky and spotted 3 dolphins under nearby pier in the evening (6pm ish)

Lovely Place

By Doris S |

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Charleston. The pineapple fountain is here and you can take a stroll along the water. A guy came along and set up a displayed some parrots.
There are a lot of shady places to sit and take a break.

It’s a water fountain

By stephaniejurek |

This is a nice water fountain to walk up and take photos with. But it’s just a water fountain. I was reading other reviews and unsure of what people were expecting. But for a water fountain it was pretty neat.

Big Beautiful Park

By slhokie |

This is beautifully done with lots of shaded places to sit. You have two attractive fountains and lots of waterfront scenery. It is a long park and you can walk down it to the battery area. It is a lovely area to relax.

Not the best visit.

By Denise |

My sweetheart and I visited this park and wanted to sit on the swings but couldn’t because they were occupied by what seemed to be homeless people sleeping on the swings. So instead we sat on a bench to enjoy the view. We were approached several times by young boys that wanted to give us a flower and then asked for donations for their basketball team. The first couple of times was okay but after multiple times being approached it was excessive. As we enjoyed the view I looked over and saw the same group of boys smoking pot. Other than that, the park really is beautiful. It’s unfortunate we weren’t able to enjoy the park without these intrusions.

Right on the Water

By Kim C |

This park is delightful! There is a lovely accessible walkway along the waterfront that overlooks Fort Sumpter, the Naval boats and the harbor that goes all around the peninsula of Charleston. Lots of signage that describes the history of the town as well. Go at sunset for a beautiful end to your day!

Gorgeous park

By Sophia H |

This was a really well maintained park and it was perfect for an afternoon walk. Loved the pineapple fountain!

Pretty!

By Diane |

Lovely park! They allow kids and people to get into the fountain--not sure thats a great idea and the park had some homeless but overall the park and fountain were super nice!

Pretty area

By Gerryp84 |

This is a pretty area with several fountains and nice things to see. There was live music playing. It’s not a place I would make a special trip for, but if you’re in the area, it’s a nice place to walk around.

Shady walk with benches

By Travel 360 |

This is a pleasant area with benches and shade. It's a nice little break from sidewalks and storefronts. Not a 'must see' but a nice place to rest a bit.

beautiful walk along the water

By CaptainJenni |

This is a fun park for all! Take a stroll along the water and dip your toes in the fountains. There are porch swings in the shade for you to relax on.

Attractive city park with scenic Charleston Harbor views

By Tom B |

The park stretches for about three tenths of a mile along Charleston Harbor bookended on the north side by a splash fountain and sizable public pier and to the south end public pier. Two walkways traverse the length of the park; a wide crushed shell open air path that follows the harbor sea wall and a paved lovely heavily tree lined walkway paralleling Concord Street with numerous bench areas and the city's iconic Pineapple Fountain. An enjoyable relaxing area of the city with scenic views of the harbor.

Lots of seating, great people watching

By Heather H |

The area is under construction right now but has tons of places to sit and take in the beautiful view.

Great place for a walk

By Mr. T |

Great place to walk around and relax. Saw numerous families with kids playing in the fountains. It’s a beautiful waterfront park.

Beautiful fountain on the waterfront

By Suzi B |

The pineapple fountain and the surrounding walkway along the waterfront is a great place for photos/videos and a nice place to walk off the calories you're sure to be consuming in Charleston!

Symbol of hospitality in South Carolina's Lowcountry

By Taylor B |

Pineapples don't grow in South Carolina but the Pineapple Fountain in Charleston's Joe Riley Waterfront Park is a symbol of hospitality in the state's Lowcountry. Located on Concord Street, between Vendue Range to the north and Adger's Wharf to the south, overlooking the Cooper River, the Pineapple Fountain is the focal point of Waterfront Park, which locals and tourists have been enjoying since it opened in 1990. Wading in Pineapple Fountain not only is permitted but it is welcomed. Named for Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., who began making plans for the park on the site soon after taking office in 1975, the park faces Charleston Harbor and Ravenel Bridge. Over the years, it has received many design awards. Most significantly, it received the 1007 Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Aside from the Pineapple Fountain, the park also features a large splash fountain, a floating dock that offers unobstructed views of the Ravenel Bridge, Charleston Harbor, Castle Pinkney, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown at Patriots Point and Fort Sumter, a dense canopy of oak trees and benches that stretch one-quarter mile along Concord Street and Prioleau Street, a 1,200-foot palmetto lined esplanade that follows the natural water line along the riverfront and North Adger's Wharf, a reconstruction of the 17th century pier that once occupied the same site, marking the southern edge of the park.

Currently under construction

By Philippe G |

Waterfront park is always a nice place to stop for some rest and for children to play around the fountains (either the pineapple or the other one). When we visited all the swings except one were closed due to work being done to them. And lots of construction is happening all around the park. But I’m sure it will be great as soon as they finish !

Wonderful fountain

By yellowstone1 |

This is a nice fountain with a nice view of, mostly the Cooper River and over to Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown. You can see Castle Pinckney and Fort Sumter way in the distance.

Great Stroll

By The World is My Oyster |

We walked up and down the boardwalk and really loved the Harbour views. The weather was perfect, and the sunset spectacular.

great palce

By mechanic1987 |

If you want a place to walk with a view this is for you. you can sit in the sun or shade and enjoy the park. you can also walk in the dun or shade.

Nice spot

By NewYorkTraveler2010 |

Very nice spot with a landmark fountain - makes for a nice photo and a nice place to sit and relax while sightseeing.

Lovely. Just comeAnd you’ll want to come again.

By Laurie Ashley |

Boardwalk with swings. Beautiful walkway with fountains and huge live oaks. It’s magical. Stay ten minutes or several hours. There is even a splash park. Just love.

Beautiful park

By Diane A |

The park was lovely, but due to season pineapple fountain was not on. Beautiful anyway I got some really beautiful photo,

pineapple fountain

By Marie Y |

Loved this pineapple fountain... area around it is beautiful and peaceful, lots of places to sit and enjoy.

Great place to relax and enjoy

By ria4917 |

This park is just a great place to sit and relax. People were cooling off in the fountain.wjust sat in the cool shade and watch what was going on on the water. It’s a great place to people watch.

Great

By Paul |

Views were spectacular and the shade was cool. The bay with the boats was very nice. The buildings over looking the bay were remarkable. We ate the The Landing Restaurant with great views and of course the food was delicious.

Iconic fountain with good views and unfavorable people

By ctaylor0159 |

Cool iconic fountain. Sucks because kids swim in it and run around all wet. Located next to the pier with great views of the bridge and USS Yorktown. Lots of people selling stuff and some homeless folks too. Nice waterfront views.

Beautiful, relaxing park

By KBD87 |

This is a beautiful relaxing park on the waterfront with benches, fountains, gardens and a beautiful view of the harbor. It’s a wonderful place to relax and people watch and also seemed very safe

Beautiful Park

By Mrs.Bacon |

Beautiful park along the Charleston Harbor. The Pineapple Fountain is located in this park which is a symbol of hospitality. My 2.5 year old loved running through the park and little ones can stick their feet in the fountain water. The trees line the walkway creating a beautiful overhang. Highly recommend if in the area.

Must see

By lucycan |

This is a must do even if you just stroll through for 20 min. Great views of the harbor, and we even saw some dolphins! The fountains are nice and they pretty much encourage you to wade in them!

Free and nice romantic.

By Carlos & Clary |

Free small park on water front . Nice walk . Great atmosphere. I was able to ride my bike with my wife then at night we had a nice walk . Fountains allow small kids to get wet. Lots of construction around but nice place to go I really recommend.

Loved the Pineapple Fountain

By Steph S |

Seeing the Pineapple Fountain is just one of those things you must do when visiting Charleston. It’s a bonus to be able to wade in it as well.

Insta stop!

By CarsonsMommy |

Great spot to stroll, relax, soak in the view, and take photos. Grab a gelato from the nearby shop and walk out in the pier to feel the breeze and watch the sailboats. Stop at the fountains, and cool off your feet in the big pineapple!!

Feels like a walk back in time

By heliophil |

Beautiful waterfront park under old oak trees along the Battery. You can wade in the pineapple fountain, which is far more beautiful at sunset.

Great place to lose 15 minutes

By BHUANG69 |

The pineapple fountain is nice -- good picture-taking opportunity. It's a place that is good for killing 15 minutes taking pictures and relaxing. We also saw some dolphins hopping above the water.

Waterfront Park is one of Charleston's most popular places to unwind

By sanju_222323 |

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.

First Retirement Vacation

By RPS117 |

The waterfront is easily walkable with great views. Tree covered pathways as well as open pathways. Great homes along the walk to enhance your experience. The Griffin is a nice pub to rest and have a pint.

Fun beautiful and busy

By Chris C |

The park was busy but also beautiful. The docks were nice and clean with open seats to swing in. It was a good little stroll for the evening.

Beautifully designed outdoor space

By luv2travel4evermore |

We thoroughly enjoyed strolling through Joe Riley Waterfront Park, a beautifully designed outdoor space and recipient of several Landscape Architecture awards. Definitely worth a visit!

Quick visit

By ApplesAbby |

Beautiful but there were people playing in the fountain. Nice location. Nice shaded areas nearby. Historic fountain.

Nice Place to Cool Down

By graceb_91 |

This was a great place to cool down on a hot day. It is also the home of the popular pineapple fountain. Plenty of benches in the shade and some nice people watching. The main downside was that as of May 2024, there were several buildings under construction right against the park so it has hard to ignore the noise.

Cool Fountain!

By JJDA |

Nice park to walk around. They were doing some work nearby, but the park itself is very nice and the pineapple fountain is distinctive and cool.

Great place for family

By Chris C |

Very nice and relaxing place. 2 fountains nice weather by an art gallery. Very close to the hear of Charleston. Great architecture and beauty

Beautiful Park

By Mo C |

This park was beautiful to stroll through - lovely to see the waterfalls and watch all the locals and travelers enjoying the wonderful weather when we were there.

Beautiful, but busy

By Christen A |

I was out walking around this area of town and came across this gem. View of the harbor were gorgeous. The pineapple fountain is very nice. There were lots of people out and about today so it was hard to take decent photographs. There was a guy dressed like a pirate out with his collection of rescue animals. That was one of the highlights with his big, beautiful birds.

Great place to watch a baseball game

By Paul M |

Great place to watch a game of baseball. It’s not major league, but it is the “national game” played by professionals in a great and affordable location. It’s too bad, but ubiquitous, that the P A system is intent on being the entertainment, rather than leaving it to the game (“That’s entertainment” ?). Thanks Joe, for this lovely ballpark.

Beautiful

By Bridget B |

The scenery is amazing. Wonderful for people watching too!!! Take the time to take a stroll around, it’s worth it!

A Must See Walk of the Harbor

By Patricia M |

Take a walk down East Bay Street....very interesting shops/restaurants, and the walk through the park on East Bay Street. Very nice area to watch the ships.

Interesting water fountain

By Patricia I |

Lovely time spent here with the family and enjoying a comfortable day in Charleston. Have been here several times.

Lovely park

By crystal g |

I took my 14 and 18 year old here, and we absolutely loved it! The fountains are beautiful, it's a nice walk with great views along the entire path!

Absolutely loved it

By Russell3939 |

We found this place to be gorgeous. We loved the pineapple fountain and there is another fountain to the far left if you are looking at the water. Walking out to the end of the pier has some great views. There was an aircraft carrier docked across the way which the kids enjoyed. If you enter the gate near the fountain to the left (looking towards the water) look up. The tress make a sort of tunnel and make for an awesome picture.

Chill Time

By 576mbailey |

It was really worth walking there and maybe even sit and people watch. I took some pictures and now I wish I would have taken more....

Nice, free entertainment

By Trail325414 |

We really enjoyed walking around here on the water. The views from all around were so pretty. One of my favorite things of our trip

Beautiful fountain

By DayTrip790081 |

Lovely fountain, very inviting for a peaceful respite. Watch out for the birds...they like to share the fountain !

Sunrise at the Waterfront

By Kevin M |

One benefit of winter travel; a 7:22 sunrise. Waterfront park a nice location to experience it, though many coffee shops don’t open until 8am☹️

Enjoyed Pineapple Fountain...

By pdxtrvl |

We enjoyed Pineapple Fountain and the boardwalk/waterfront... excellent place to see dolphins. One night, they came right by the dock. A peaceful setting on the water. Would definitely go back!

Beautiful park

By Tanya Tulp |

Beautiful park with two fountains. Lots of beautiful trees and benches to sit in the shade and watch the boats out on the water. I loved the pier, there was usually someone playing music, we enjoyed the swings and listening to the music.

Wow this is beautiful!

By Tiffanyjim |

This was such a pretty park/waterfront! We loved it and if we would have had more time could have spent the day here! The fountains were beautiful and the flowers very pretty! We even got to see a few dolphins out in the harbor which was a treat! Would definitely like to return here!

Views x Views

By Inspire26118 |

Great place to explore and relax outside. You can boat watch, walk your dog, mingle with the locals, and more. There is a nice public pier with a set of oversized “porch” swings. It’s an open public space with benches for seating and resting. The walkway closest to the water is covered with gravel for running and low impact walking. The highlight of the park aside from the water and visibility to passing marine life and ships, is the Pineapple fountain. It’s a wonder during the day and glows at night. You are allowed to play in the fountain at your own risk if that’s your thing or it gets too hot outside. You can see the Fort and Navy ship from the park. Hang out and take it all in. Street parking and garages are nearby if you are driving.

First time in Charleston

By Stacy G |

It was a gorgeous day so I walked the riverfront...depending on which direction your coming from, you'll happen upon it, close to the pineapple fountain.

Lovely Walk

By sonia d |

Great to walk through the park. Nice view of Fort Sumter. Relaxing to sit by the Pineapple Fountain.

great views

By Charliearuba |

the 4 plaques describing Charleston were informative, the view fantastic. The Pineapple fountain was nice

Lovely spot to rest on a bench or walk around

By HappyFamilyofnj4 |

Pretty fountain and park is on the water. Just a really nice spot to have a reprieve after touring attractions.

Really nice park!

By Kristy O |

This is where the pineapple fountain is! Really nice view of the harbor and nice azaleas. Very nice place to walk.

Pineapple 🍍 fountain

By Carrie A |

Nice walk along the water. Lovely trees that kept you shaded. There are two Fountains and a nice pier.

It’s a park

By jaimeelsabio |

Small, but pretty park along the waterfront, but nothing special about it. The Pineapple fountain is pretty, but it’s just a fountain. It was fun watching the dolphins down by the water.

Fab day with friends

By Lucy sand |

Such a fabulous experience!
Had an amazing day with friends and family.
Was such a nice break from reality.

Iconic Charleston Park

By laewagne |

One of the main tourist attractions. You get to see the pineapple fountain and the swings on the pier. Nice to get a little shade at the pier. Close to the city market. Always nice to walk along the water and see the old houses and buildings.

Pineapple Fountain and more!

By The Sane Adventurer |

The park is pretty and accented with the pineapple fountain . Worth taking a stroll and looking out at the harbor.

Beautiful historic park

By Frannyk55 |

Lovely little park along the waterfront. Nice to walk through day or evening, we did both. Some landmarks to read and learn about. Don't miss the famous pineapple fountain.

Beautiful area

By irene c |

Lovely evening walk with buskers playing and lots of people walking and enjoying the sunset hour, definitely worth the trip

Fun little spot

By Atraveler12@ |

Very neat spot, and a nice place to relax in the shade and get out of the heat of the Market area. The Pineapple fountain and walking path are both cool little areas -- would probably be nice for a picnic.

Learn history and relax

By Catherine |

Cool breezes off the Cooper River felt good. Splashing in the fountain cooled my feet. Waterfront Park has lots of benches, many under shady trees, for resting. Do stop at the Robert Smalls Memorial and learn about a courageous American hero.

Beautiful Waterfront Feature

By scramolini |

Always a spectacular feature, especially with the glorious weather in Charleston. The city is so easy to walk with historic places on each street!

Definitely Worth Seeing

By sandy M |

We had a little time to spend and this waterfront park was ideal. There are swings next to the harbor on the public pier. The pineapple fountain was also a hit! Public restrooms and parking are nearby.

Nice Park by the Harbor

By Outdoor Traveler |

Its a nice park to stroll, view the harbor, and enjoy some shade. The pineapple fountain is beautiful. You can get some nice views of birds, passing boats and ships. Take a rest, enjoy the view in this beautiful and historic city!

Free and beautiful walk

By Kiev |

Great place to hang out and enjoy a walk, always kept really clean and friendly to families. Lots of people of all ages enjoying this beautiful area. This is totally free and a great way to spend about 1-2 hours walking towards the market and down to the dock.

Lovely Landmark

By Melissa D |

It was raining the day we drove around the area, but it was still a lovely place to see. I imagine walking around the park in the spring would be just beautiful.

A lovely area to visit!

By Kersten S |

This park is so nice with lots of areas to sit in shaded areas and enjoy the waterfront. The pineapple fountain is beautiful and the swings are a nice place to sit and catch the breeze off the water. Near the Old Provost & Dungeon.

Nice area but crowded

By Emily M |

Lots of people on a weekday afternoon in the summer, but there's a reason for it. Wading allowed in the fountains, and very nice shaded or sunny walking paths.

Lovely!

By Stephanie P |

We loved to walk Charleston! The temperatures and weather was just perfect.... even the overcast day made it cool and enjoyable! No rain, even!!

Nice during the day/Stay in group at night

By Tasha B |

Nice place to sit and near the peir. At night their was a homeless man sleeping on bench on the outside of the pineable fountain.

Nice place to relax and enjoy the view

By Paula B |

Worth a stroll through or to stop and relax in the shade for a bit. A lovely view of the water and Arthur J Ravnel bridge, and the fountains are beautiful as well.

Well kept garden and opportunity to cool off

By TCtravelers4114 |

Beautiful large park with plenty of shade and seating right along the shoreline. Couple of viewing points including the pier which had a mix of local fisherman, musicians and tourists. The pineapple fountain as well as a another water fountain we’re a great way to cool off mid-day. Worth the time if it’s a nice day out!

Beautiful

By Ukie57 |

Such a gorgeous area to walk and absorb the southeastern coast from city side. The Pineapple Fountain is a wonderful spot for a remembrance photo. Lots of areas where shade is available for a spot to rest on a hot day.

Pretty spot to take photos

By Kristens_on_Vacation |

We arrived in town with a few ideas, but mostly just the wish to walk around and see the sights in the hours we had to get a feel for this historic city.

This park was one of our stops and we 2almost missed it. Very thankful that after being unimpressed with the market, someone in a shop recommended we keep walking to the end of the road and go enjoy waterfront park!

Very pretty spots to take photos. Great place to take a stroll and soak up some sun.

There was a gentleman along the water with parrots. I was so excited to talk to and hold one of them. He educated those with no bird knowledge and shared how he came to have them. The teens with us and the 5 year old alike loved this.

We stopped at the Fleet Landing restaurant for drinks at the outdoor back bar (delicious) and were able to easily navigate back to the bus stops to get back to the visitors center.

The side streets leading into and out of the park have a few of the celebrated gorgeous alleyways, historic houses and so many cool little touches. Well worth some exploration time, especially if you are into take photos. Our teen daughter took a ton!

I love the water, so this park made the day so much better for me! Hope you enjoy it too ♡

@Kristens_on_vacation IG

Beautiful park and great views!

By jbrenz |

Beautiful park and great views of the harbor. The pineapple fountain was very interesting snd the park was really clean. Great views of the Ravenel Bridge from the park, too. Great place to just sit and enjoy the views and the greenery and cleanliness of a well-kept park.

Nice afternoon

By Wayne K |

We got lucky in July and arrived in town about 4:30pm but it had just some rain showers. The temps were lovely with a slight breeze. I had expected heat plus humidity. We lingered along sidewalks toward the two fountains at one end of the park. We enjoyed the ships and boats coming and going.

A small green oasis along the seafront

By A Midlife Adventure |

Not as large as we expected but nonetheless worth a visit.
We wandered through on our way back from the centre to the parking garage for the Fort Sumter ferry.

It was lovely to see young children playing in the fountains and there are several decent benches to stop and take a breath. Great views out across the water so you can watch the boats sailing in n out.

Beautiful park!

By Lisa B |

This park offers very nice views of the river/bridge, etc. Plenty of places to sit (in the shade too!). Nice walking path right along the waterfront. Worth the visit!

Quiet in the heart of the historic city

By Gary B |

The whole waterfront park is amazing. We lived in Charleston when this was being built...seeing it today is what makes Charleston such a wonderful place to visit.

Anniversary

By Heidi S |

Beautiful park to cool down in convenient to bus line, pedal bike or just walking and water taxi stop also

Pretty fountain and park

By Patricia Z |

The fountain is the centerpiece of the park but the overall park is clean and peaceful. There are plenty of benches to allow you to sit and enjoy the breeze and views.

Cool spot to run

By daearz77 |

I was running downtown and decided to take a detour through here, which ended up being a great choice. The views are nice and the fountains are gorgeous.

Cool but hot… drinks needed!

By Andy-S60 |

Nice walk through the park and along the waterfront. Really cool Pineapple fountain along the way. It was so hot though dude, we could’ve done with a few more shady places to rest our weary posteriors. And no drinks outlets to be seen for miles…. hey man set up a cold drinks stall or something!

Nice stroll in a pedestrian friendly zone with pier fountain and park with lots of shades

By Brown_Samantha |

We found a parking spot and paid $1.50 for parking that was one block away from the Pineapple Fountain. It was pure good luck. The fountain is beautiful and clean. Very photogenic!

Also walked the park and out to the pier area. This is a great green space that anyone could enjoy. We found the park to be super clean. Not overran by homeless people, tent encampment that plagues other big cities. Kudos to Charleston!!

Graduation road trip

By Tiffany |

Beautiful waterfront park with an awesome pineapple fountain!! Kids were even able to wade in both fountains

Lovely place to walk

By Archana W |

Easy to get to from downtown restaurants. Lots of shade and beautiful trees and the pineapple fountain, of course. Grab an ice cream cone and enjoy yourself.

Shores of Slavery

By Renee Shifrah Yisrael |

Disappointed that the shores of my ancestors was filled with pride of descendants of slaves masters. Very little recognition of the translating slave trade and the ships that harbored these waters are mentioned😢 Almost glorifying slave masters and reminding their heirs of the good ole days. This is not a happy place for Black people😢

Pleasant Riverside Promenade With Fountains and Views

By Gilberto B |

A beautiful park along the river with relaxing views and clean paths. The pineapple fountain is the highlight and makes for great photos. Perfect for a calm afternoon stroll.

Mildly disappointed

By Patricia S |

I had looked forward to visiting this park. We did enjoy the pineapple fountain and the beautiful flowers. The breeze and the surrounding view were very nice. I had figured it might be a bit like the waterfront park in Savannah, but it isn't! Not much to do at this park. Our children were baffled at the many homeless people, not only here, but all over Charleston.

Great Scenery, Wonderful Fountains

By JamieK76 |

We stumbled upon this park by accident as we were looking for the Rainbow Row houses.

There are two water fountains that you can get wet in. My 9 yr old daughter was elated to get in them and have some fun. She was particularly thrilled with the pineapple one.

The pier has some seating, including swings. Seems like a great area to just watch for a bit.

It’s a lovely walk through beautiful trees that provide wonderful shade. Or you can walk along the water. It was really hot so we enjoyed the shaded walk.

We didn’t realize that shortly after that park is the Battery Park area. We were exhausted by then so we went back another day.

Kids love it!

By Frank C |

Most popular attraction for the Kids. We spent an Hour here, Nice warm day, dried quickly. Scenic area, can bring blanket and picnic for grass area. Be careful of doggie waste. Great place to photograph the kids and family. Fun!

Pineapple welcome

By mikerhonda2020 |

The history of the pineapple symbolizing “welcome “ was new to us. The fountain provided us with a great picture opportunity. We were met by people who were willing to trade cameras for couple shots. Very beautiful setting.

It's a park, clean and many areas to sit

By FencePert |

It's a very nice park. It is clean and seems to be safe during the day. It's not the biggest park but it has a good amount of benches and areas to sit. It has a nice swing chair area under a roof . I mean it's a park, nothing out of this world .

great fountain

By fargeo |

Quick trip, near the docks, the customs house, and the outdoor market. You can walk from any of the hotels off King, They have metered parking 1.5 hrs is most time most people will spend.

Wonderful

By KatiLu |

Great history in this exiting of town. The swings and picnic tables in the pier offer a nice break from sun and heat. Watch the ships come in. See dolphins in the water

Walk the water front path or the shady tree lined path.

By nicole s |

Both walks are beautiful. Great views of the port area, the forts, and also beautiful old.houses. The pineapple fountain is a great photo opportunity.

A nice outdoor spot to sit for a while

By historylover33 |

Charleston does a wonderful job of maintaining and preserving it’s beautiful city. The Waterfront’s nicely maintained acres are no exception. You may want to come here and sit for a while, clear your mind, meditate, read a book, people watch, walk, picnic, daydeam while taking in the awesome view. The waterfront prominade yields plenty of space to sit /stand. There is a picnic area with tables, as well. The splendidly designed Pineapple Fountain is not to be missed. It is perfect for a photo op. This place on your is worthy of your to-visit list, while in Charleston.

Beautiful views, well maintained and great for kids

By AmyK |

We love Waterfront park and recently visited with our five and seven year old children and my husband’s mother. The kids love the swings on the pier and playing in the fountains. The views of the harbor and bridge are wonderful and the park is well maintained with lots of charm. There were more homeless people than I have seen in the past but that’s probably to be expected with the unfortunate state of things.

Nice relaxing place

By Kentontroyer |

Very nice park to walk and relax by the water. Pineapple fountain is really neat and the style of the area is fascinating.

Peaceful

By thegggmano |

Wonderful spot to rest those feet after walking the streets and alleys of the city.The bench swings are great. They ask you share by allowing your time to 20 minutes. We have struck a conversation with other visitors to the city each time there. It was nice. Sharing a smile with strangers .the south can bring that out in you .i have had locals treat me like family. The park is a short distance from the market or a carriage ride. Soon the African American museum dedicated to the enslaved will also be right there..

Good for people watching

By Jay |

It’s a nice park on the waterfront. The city keeps it up, but every drunk tourist finds their way down there. The fountains are down there which means that everyone comes out to wade in them in hot days

Loved it!

By srosene |

Attractive area for your must-see Charleston tour. Don't forget the camera! Close to plenty of other attractions on foot also.

Nice space

By drwatsonjd |

The area itself was nice. If you just want to sit and look at the water and whatnot. As far as parks go, it's certainly a nicer one.

Lovely park

By Courtney K |

Made a quick stop here while wandering the streets of Charleston. Fountains were beautiful and best part is you can walk in them. Our 1+ old was ecstatic. Highly recommend this stop for families with small children. Will be even better when construction next door is finished.

Pretty park on the waterfront

By kfl51 |

Hubby and I walked here our first night in town and again the day, after a nice lunch on the water. It is pretty and has lovely trees. At times you walk next to the water or nice homes. Definitely recommend!

Evening stroll

By Phaedra |

Nothing spectacular. My husband & I walked by the pier and the area stunk. The pineapple fountain had kids playing in the water. Its an okay park. Not good for a romantic stroll.

Nice park.

By emeek |

Enjoyed the fountains and the view. Saw dolphins in the bay both times we were there. A lot of construction going on and some of the pavilions in the pier were closed.

Great place to visit!

By Andrew C |

The Joe Riley Waterfront Park is indeed another gem of Charleston. It provides plenty of green space and waterfront views without having to be on top of other people. The fountains are beautiful, the family sized swings are fun, the waterfront views (all the way out to Ft Sumter) and the live oaks to walk through are fantastic. Who knew we could have this much enjoyment for absolutely no money out of pocket? I highly recommend bringing your family to this park for a great time!

Was so much nicer, Homeless have taken over

By CocoMD |

Used to be a charming spot -- overlooking harbor, fun swings, but now, a hangout for the "unhoused" -- Still a worthwhile starting point for a walk along the battery

Pleasant walk

By Peter W |

Walked all along the waterfront through the park. Well laid out area with great views across the water. Some areas need a little maintenance but generally the paths were good.

Nice Park

By coachee1313 |

A very picturesque park right along the water that is perfect for a stroll or a sit! Highly worthwhile to visit here when in Charleston.

It's a park

By TAJ1085 |

There is nothing special about this park. It is pretty and on the water. Construction is going on at beginning and near the battery.

Gorgeous park and views

By robinbeam |

This is a beautiful park on the waterfront. You can see out to Fort Sumter and just beyond. It is fun to watch all of the boats and ships. There is a shady walk all along the shoreline.

Nice place for a stroll.

By Rosa C |

Nice place for a stroll or take a break from local activities. Close to most everything, nearby restaurants and shops.

Great Walk

By bear2bear |

Definitely easy to explore and walk. Places to take a moment to rest. Be sure to bring your water bottle and use a map to wander down side alleys.

Still beautiful after 20 years

By ABZ79 |

Still great views of the water and historic homes. Great for sitting and enjoying the outdoor scenic views or for letting the kids burn off some energy.

Well-kept park area

By HeleneA636 |

Well-kept park area with fountains, benches to sit on and water views. There is a pier to go out on. Now we were here in January and of course there was not so much activity, can imagine that it is full speed when it is warmer outside.

The Pineapple Fountain

By tangi1 |

Breezy waterfront park with beautiful views of the harbor. Plenty of benches to sit, cool off and people watch. Location of the famous Pineapple Fountain. Water was very cold but saw some children having fun splashing away. If you take the free Dash green line you can get off right at Waterfront Park.

Take a nice evening stroll

By Kaitlin K |

We walked through this park after dinner and watched the sunset. It’s a clean area and the fountain is unique. I recommend walking the pier or relaxing on a swinging bench to watch the sunset over the water.

Canopy-covered walk

By Helen C |

Lovely water view and the famous pineapple fountain. Uncrowded on a weekday. Lovely oak canopy-covered walkway.

Beautiful views!

By Cheryl C |

The fountain wasn't actually working when we visited but it still looked cool and the surrounding area was awesome! The ocean was the backdrop and there is a boardwalk down the way a bit with several porch swings.

Great to see the fountains, ocean and beautiful homes

By Jerry W |

We are glad we decided to go for a walk to this park even though it was so hot the days we were in Charleston. There were plenty of shady sidewalks. The buildings on one side, ocean on the other and nice landscaping. Definitely worth seeing.