Look into the carefully preserved rooms of Thomas Elfe House and try to visualize how the residents once lived. This house provides its guests with an intriguing glimpse into days gone by.

Located in Downtown Charleston, this historically significant residence is worth including in your schedule. But you'll find loads more to explore in the area. USS Yorktown, College of Charleston, and Charleston City Market are within close reach of Thomas Elfe House.

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The Francis Marion Hotel

Charleston Historic District

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Sep 18 - Sep 21

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Boston (BOS) to Charleston (CHS)

8.8/10 Excellent! (1,738 reviews)

I loved that this location was historic and in close walking distance to everything. We didn’t rent a car we just walked everywhere.

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

The Ryder Hotel

Charleston Historic District

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Oct 9 - Oct 12

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Boston (BOS) to Charleston (CHS)

8.6/10 Excellent! (995 reviews)

Overall the Ryder hotel was a good option for us. Rooms were clean and good size. Pool area was cute but small. If you are driving to the beach they had chairs, towels, etc. to borrow but no sun umbrellas but overall a good selection. Location to dinning and the market shopping was walkable. Some place are a little longer walk (15 mins so it just depends on what you like). Limited onsite dinning menu (no kids meal so not for the picky eater). Room was not cleaned during our 2 night stay. No one answered when I call to get extra towels. Only parking is valet and it's $53/night (this does seem to be going rate for the area). Resort fee includes $10/night credit but it's only applied on each day so you can't do $20 one day and $0 the next (we were leaving at 5 a.m. so it wasn't really a perk). Overall a cute place with comfy beds.

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

The Restoration

Charleston Historic District

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Oct 9 - Oct 12

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Boston (BOS) to Charleston (CHS)

9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,011 reviews)

One of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed at, regarding accommodations. I cannot recommend this place enough. The breakfast basket is everythingggg

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

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Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

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Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour

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Downtown Charleston Food Tour

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Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

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Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

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Popular places to visit

The Dock Street Theatre is Charleston's last surviving hotel from the antebellum period. The silhouette of its wrought iron balcony against the spire of St. Philip's church may be the single most photographed spot in the city. The main portion of the building was constructed around 1809 as Planter's Hotel. The hotel was built by Alexander Calder and his wife, who did so by renovating several pre-existing buildings at the site. The main entrance may not have been built until 1855 by J.W. Gamble.

The hotel was used extensively by planters from the midlands of South Carolina, who traveled to Charleston during horse-racing season. It was noted for its wonderful food and drinks during this era, and the South's famous Planter's Punch may have originated here. Guests to the hotel passed through the recessed porch with brownstone columns, into the lobby, and up a grand staircase that ascended to a drawing room. While much of the interior has been altered, these elements of the antebellum hotel remain and were adapted in subsequent uses of the building. A series of additions to the hotel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries can be easily identified by differences in brick coloration.

This theater is said to have been the first building built specifically for theatrical performances in America. Planter's Hotel occasionally housed one of the city's theatrical troupes, which performed at the nearby New Theatre during the mid-19th century. The most notable actor of this troupe was Junius Brutus Booth. Booth was the patriarch of an outstanding family of actors, which included John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin. Junius Booth, who stayed at the Planter's Hotel, allegedly tried to kill his manager here in 1838. Today the Dock Street Theatre is home to the Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theater production company, and houses the city's Cultural Affairs office as well as The City Gallery, an exhibition space for local artists.

Dock Street Theater

Enjoy a show at Dock Street Theater, a storied theater in Charleston. Discover the area's churches, or seek out its local tours.

St. Philip's Church

Attend a service with the oldest religious congregation in South Carolina, dating back to the 17th century. George Washington worshipped with this congregation.

One of the many gates throughout Charleston, South Carolina. This one is called the Lyre.

Circular Congregational Church

You can find out about the history of Charleston with a visit to Circular Congregational Church. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

The Old Powder Magazine is the only public building remaining from the era of the Lords Proprietors, the eight English aristocrats who owned Carolina from 1670 to 1719.

Charles Town, as the capital and southernmost English settlement on the continent, was strategically important. The town was repeatedly attacked by pirates, marauding Spanish naval vessels, and Indians. Along with the high walls and a moat that surrounded Charles Town, the Powder Magazine, as the principal storehouse of munitions and gunpowder, was crucial for the defense of the city.

The Powder Magazine

4/5(4 reviews)

You can study the exhibits at The Powder Magazine, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Charleston. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Gibbes Museum of Art

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Browse the collection of this visual arts museum, set in Charleston’s Historic District. Its detailed Beaux Arts style makes it as impressive outside as inside.

Pink House Gallery

The oldest remaining tavern building in the South has been a law office and an art gallery. It is now a private residence retaining its iconic pink exterior.