Things to do nearArthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is a soaring cable-stayed landmark in Charleston, South Carolina, celebrated for its striking architecture, panoramic harbor views, and a beloved pedestrian walkway.
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge opened in 2005, replacing two aging spans that had connected Charleston and Mount Pleasant for decades. Designed by Parsons Transportation Group, it stretches roughly three miles across the Cooper River and was, at the time of its completion, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Its twin diamond-shaped towers climb more than 570 feet above the water, giving the structure a clean, geometric profile that has become inseparable from the Charleston skyline.
The eight-foot-wide pedestrian and cycling lane runs along the eastern edge of the roadway, offering an unobstructed corridor above the river that draws joggers, cyclists, and casual walkers in equal measure. From the apex of the span, the views extend in every direction: the church steeples and pastel facades of the Charleston Peninsula to the south, the marshlands and suburban spread of Mount Pleasant to the north, and the broad expanse of Charleston Harbor opening toward the Atlantic.
Below, the Cooper River carries steady maritime traffic, from container vessels bound for the Port of Charleston to recreational sailboats tacking across the channel. The bridge also serves as the course for the Cooper River Bridge Run, one of the largest road races in the southeastern United States, held each spring. Whether you cross on foot or by bike, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge rewards the effort with a perspective on the Lowcountry landscape that no ground-level vantage point can match.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Visit during the early morning hours to catch soft light on the Cooper River and avoid the midday heat that settles over the span in summer.
Bring a bicycle to cover the full eight-mile round trip across the bridge and back, a route popular with locals on weekend mornings.
Look south from the pedestrian path for a clear view of historic downtown Charleston and its waterfront church steeples rising above the roofline.
Try the annual Cooper River Bridge Run, a 10K road race held each spring that draws tens of thousands of participants across the full length of the bridge.
Park at Waterfront Park on the Charleston side or at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant to access the bridge without navigating limited on-span parking.
Top tours & experiences near Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Cruise Charleston Harbor & Take a Ghost Graveyard Tour
See Charleston by harbor cruise and after-dark graveyard walk
Sunset Cruise in Charleston Harbor
Cruise Charleston Harbor at sunset with BYOB, music, and landmark views
Mount Pleasant Harbor Cruise with Seating & Restrooms
Enjoy a 1.5-hour shared cruise with shaded seating and onboard restroom while taking in harbor views
Dolphin Watching Cruise in Charleston Harbor
Spot playful bottlenose dolphins and iconic Charleston landmarks on a relaxed 1.5-hour pontoon cruise.
Charleston Harbor Daytime Cruise
Relax on a small-group harbor cruise with shade, local commentary, and dolphin-spotting opportunities
Charleston Party Boat Cruise
Bring your own drinks for a shared adults-only harbor party with music, dancing and onboard amenities
Narrated Charleston Harbor Lunch Cruise
Cruise Charleston Harbor with live narration and a gourmet box lunch
2-Hour Charleston Harbor Daytime Sail
Harbor sightseeing with landmark views from a spacious catamaran
Charleston Harbor Sunset Sail
Golden-hour harbor views, lively music, and drinks aboard a catamaran
Charleston Harbor Party Sail
Celebrate on a shared catamaran with an onboard bar, social energy, and harbor views
Cruise Charleston Harbor on a 90-Minute Tour
See 75+ Charleston landmarks on a narrated harbor cruise
Cruise Charleston Harbor With Live Music & BBQ Buffet
Cruise Charleston Harbor with live music and a BBQ buffet
Explore Charleston Harbor Cruise & Carriage Tour
Cruise Charleston Harbor, then ride a narrated carriage tour downtown
Charleston Harbor Cruise & Boone Hall Plantation Tour
Experience Charleston from the harbor to historic Boone Hall in one package
2-Hour Sunset Sail in Charleston Harbor
Sail the 84-foot Schooner Pride at sunset in Charleston Harbor
Sail Charleston Harbor on a 90-Minute Dolphin Sail
Cruise Charleston Harbor on the 84-foot Schooner Pride and spot local wildlife
Charleston Harbor Cruise, Carriage Ride & Boone Hall
See Charleston by harbor, horse-drawn carriage, and plantation tour in one combo
Charleston Harbor Private Catamaran Charter
Host your celebration aboard a 55-foot catamaran with Charleston Harbor views
Charleston Harbor Mimosa Brunch Sail
Pair light brunch bites with Charleston Harbor views on a relaxed Sunday sail
Charleston Harbor Sunset Sail
Midweek happy hour sailing with Charleston Harbor sunset views
Sail & Swim Charter in Charleston
Private Charleston harbor sailing with swim-ready water hammocks
Charleston Swimming Charter
Cruise Charleston Harbor, swim and lounge on water hammocks
Charleston Sunset Sailing Cruise
Sail Charleston Harbor at sunset with views of Fort Sumter
Charleston 2.5-Hour Private Sailing Charter
Sail Charleston Harbor's landmark-lined waterfront aboard a private charter
Cruise Charleston Harbor on a Private Bring-Your-Own-Drinks Charter
Customize a private Charleston Harbor cruise and bring your own drinks
Explore Charleston Harbor on a 2-Hour History Cruise
Cruise Charleston Harbor by tiki boat and spot historic sights in 2 hours
Cruise Charleston Harbor on a Private Boat Tour
Private boat tour past Charleston’s iconic landmarks
Tour Boone Hall Plantation & Cruise Charleston Harbor
Visit Boone Hall Plantation, then use your Harbor Tour voucher when it suits you
Explore Charleston Harbor & Magnolia Plantation Combo
Cruise Charleston Harbor, then tour Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Charleston Guided Tour of Boone Hall Plantation
Explore Boone Hall's history, gardens, and Gullah culture from Charleston
Charleston City Bus & Harbor Tour
See Charleston by climate-controlled bus and narrated harbor cruise
Charleston Sunset Charter
Sail Charleston Harbor at sunset with your own drinks and snacks
Charleston Sunset Tiki Cruise
Sunset harbor cruising with tropical music, games, and Ravenel Bridge views
Charleston USS Yorktown Museum Tour
Roundtrip harbor transport and admission to Patriot's Point Maritime Museum
Charleston Haunted History Walking Tour
Trace Charleston’s haunted past through true tales and local legends
Sunset Charleston Harbor Cruise
See Charleston Harbor landmarks and watch for dolphins on a family-friendly cruise
Charleston Harbor Dolphin Watching Cruise
Cruise historic harbor landmarks and watch for dolphins
Sunset Harbor Cruise From Daniel Island
Sunset views along the Wando River, Ravenel Bridge, and Battery
Charleston Happy Hour Cruise
Unwind on a Friday Wando River cruise with onboard drinks and Lowcountry views
Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
Sunset harbor views, historic landmarks and a relaxed catamaran ride
Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
See harbor landmarks from an open-air vessel close to the water
Private Charleston Harbor Cruise
See Charleston landmarks from an open-air monohull
Charleston Sunset Charter
Private harbor sunset cruising with room to sightsee, relax, or swim
Private Morning Dolphin Cruise in Charleston
Cruise Charleston Harbor privately with time for sightseeing, wildlife watching, and swimming