Charleston, SC

Travel Guide

Charleston
Charleston Historic District
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site which includes a park
White Point Gardens showing a statue or sculpture
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site showing a garden

Steeped in history, this Southern town is an ideal spot for walking tours of antebellum mansions, beautiful gardens and fine restaurants. 

Charleston is best explored on a walking tour or in a horse-drawn carriage with your driver telling stories about city landmarks. Learn about military history and the Southern way of life. Sample local foods of shrimp and grits, Lowcountry barbecue, collard greens and sweet pralines.

The American Civil War began here, when the seceding Confederacy fired upon and overtook federal Fort Sumter in the Charleston River. A later Union attack reduced the fort to rubble. Take a ferry to see the historic site, which also contains a complete timeline of U.S. naval activities along the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Across the harbor, walk along The Battery and White Point Garden to gaze at the fort, now a national monument. Reflect on this pivotal moment in U.S. history. Turn around to view pretty antebellum houses surrounded by flowers in this neighborhood known as South of Broad. The writer Pat Conroy lived here. Many of his popular novels reveal not only Charleston’s geography, but also its cultural nuances.

To the west, the brilliant white Romanesque architecture of The Citadel gleams against a bright blue Charleston sky. Watch military cadets in dress uniforms during weekly parades or competing in weekend football games against other Southern colleges in the fall.

Nearby visit Middleton Place, a 1755 plantation with one of the nation’s earliest landscaped gardens. Something blooms here at any time of year. You might see an alligator sunning itself next to the Ashley River.

To the east, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is an impressive modern structure, especially with its triangular arches illuminated at night. Walk, bike or drive across for excellent views of the river and harbor or run across during the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run in early April.

Spring’s Spoleto Festival offers opera, theater, dance, music and artist talks. Throughout the year, visit the Charleston Historic Market to purchase locally made handicrafts. Famous hand-woven sweetgrass baskets, once used during rice harvesting, are still made by locals and treasured as artworks.

Where to stay in Charleston

Charleston Historic District showing heritage architecture

Charleston Historic District

4.5/5(3,245 area reviews)

Explore this National Historic Landmark District, boasting an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including Charleston "single houses." Nearby Ansonborough features fine Greek Revival houses and historic civic buildings.

Charleston Historic District
Edmonston-Alston House featuring a house

Downtown Charleston

4/5(643 area reviews)

Explore the National Historic Landmark District, boasting an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including Charleston "single houses." Discover fine Greek Revival homes in Ansonborough and historic civic buildings on Broad Street.

Downtown Charleston
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site showing heritage elements and a house

West Ashley

Boasting Citadel Mall and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, this area is connected by the West Ashley Greenway and features historic sites like Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Revitalization efforts attract art and design businesses.

West Ashley
Worth every minute of waiting! The Charleston Nasty Biscuit at Hominy Grill, complete with a mimosa and side of home fries, made for the best brunch I've possibly ever had.

Cannonborough Elliotborough

While visiting Cannonborough Elliotborough, you might make a stop by sights like Upper King Design District and Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

Cannonborough Elliotborough
Charleston

Harleston Village

If you're spending some time in Harleston Village, Marion Square and The Riviera Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Harleston Village
Waterfront Park showing a park, modern architecture and a marina

French Quarter

Historic district in downtown Charleston, the French Quarter boasts art galleries and notable sites like the Pink House Tavern and Dock Street Theatre. Enjoy diverse dining options and Charleston's Waterfront Park nearby.

French Quarter
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
$199 nightly
The price is $227 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$227 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,756 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

The Francis Marion Hotel
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
$238 nightly
The price is $271 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$271 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,626 reviews)
"Love my vacations in Charleston! Great place for staying!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Emeline
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
$254 nightly
The price is $290 total per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
$290 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Charleston. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Great rooms and location but for the $$$ money, the rooms were very loud and you could hear everything. I would expect these to be quiet and tranquil."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

The Ryder Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Luxury yacht in downtown Charleston, SC

Luxury yacht in downtown Charleston, SC

Charleston
Book a stay at this family-friendly houseboat in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise ...
Great hotel alternative
"Stayed for four nights with my son on our first trip to Charleston, looking at a potential college. It was great to have two bedrooms and bathrooms, plus common space. The staff was very responsive, flexible, and helpful. I spent one afternoon on the back deck, sipping iced coffee and watching the ..."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

Luxury yacht in downtown Charleston, SC
The Quarters on King

The Quarters on King

3 out of 5
288 King Street, Charleston, SC
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and concierge services. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (192 reviews)
Great Experience on King Street
"I had a great experience with the Check-in Charleston team and their 2 bedroom unit in Quarters on King. They, particularly Emily, couldn’t have been more prompt, helpful or friendly. The unit itself (202) exceeded my expectations. It has a large open family room/kitchenette space with 10’ or so ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

The Quarters on King
Casa Zoë | Historic Garden Carriage House CHS

Casa Zoë | Historic Garden Carriage House CHS

Charleston
Stay at this vacation home in Charleston. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (130 reviews)
Perfection!
"It truly was perfect. Stevenson was so wonderful to work with and the house was a dream!"

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Casa Zoë | Historic Garden Carriage House CHS
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Charleston

Much of Charleston is walkable, and this is by far the most enjoyable way to explore this historic city. When you do need to get somewhere fast, you have a few options. Make use of the trolley to get to popular attractions, or ride the bus to reach more residential areas. Taxis are another possibility. Note, though, that taxis aren’t easy to hail in the street, so should be booked in advance. Visit the Charleston Regional Transportation AuthorityOpens in a new window website.Browse Charleston rental cars.

Best time to visit

The summer months in Charleston can get very hot, so most people will find a spring or fall visit more pleasant. Come between March and May or between September and November for sunny weather and temperatures that rarely climb above the low 80s F (20s C). One benefit of coming in spring is that you'll see the city’s pretty flowers in bloom. In fall, meanwhile, colorful foliage transforms the streets.

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