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

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

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
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
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
Charleston

Harleston Village

If you're spending some time in Harleston Village, Marion Square and Colonial Lake 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
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
$331 nightly
The price is $377 total per night from Nov 2 to Nov 3
$377 total
Nov 2 - Nov 3
Total with 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! (1,673 reviews)
"Excellent suite. Best Nespresso machine. Friendly service. Beautiful courtyard."

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Emeline
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Dwtn - Westedge by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Dwtn - Westedge by IHG

2.5 out of 5
250 Spring Street, Charleston, SC
$116 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
$132 total
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,400 reviews)
"The rooms are nice and the staff is very helpful and friendly. We did have some issues with the room but they weee all quickly rectified."

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Dwtn - Westedge by IHG
Planters Inn

Planters Inn

4.5 out of 5
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC
$263 nightly
The price is $299 total per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
$299 total
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,011 reviews)
"Great place to stay!"

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Planters Inn
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.
The Iris Charleston

The Iris Charleston

3 out of 5
84 Line St, Charleston, SC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (111 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2025

The Iris Charleston
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 and Charleston ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (193 reviews)
"Fantastic place in a fantastic location. I recommend not driving your own vehicle as it’s not needed and will pay for parking. He will not need your car, Uber from the airport. I will be coming back to try and stay at this place every year."

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

The Quarters on King
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 and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (192 reviews)
"We enjoyed our time and it was a great stay. It did smell a little moldy but think that might have been from the rain. We will definitely stay again!"

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2025

Luxury yacht in downtown Charleston, SC
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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