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City in South Carolina, United States
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Start with this museum to learn about Charleston's history.
The island site of the start of the Civil War, now a National Monument. One must board a ferry for an additional fee at either Liberty Square in downtown or Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes. Fort Sumter is in ruins, but there are markers telling you where things used to be, as well as a museum.
Between S. Market and Tradd, Meeting and the waterfront, where the English colonial Walled Town once stood. Known for its art galleries, St. Philips Church, French Huguenot Church, and historic architecture.
An old shopping district at the foot of Market St. where vendors still sell wares. Contrary to popular legend, the Market was never a slave exchange. However, the remnants of the Old Slave Mart are a few blocks away.
Built in 1859 and believed to be the last slave auction market still standing in South Carolina. Now a museum.
Historic military college founded in 1842. Full dress parades generally occur every Friday afternoon while school is in session and are free to the public. The campus is typically open to visitors and tours can be arranged by calling the school or stopping by the Admissions Office located in Bond Hall.
Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of South Carolina and the thirteenth oldest in the United States.
At the College of Charleston. Built in 1828. Popular civil war movie-making site.
Non-collecting contemporary art museum with two galleries, focused on "adventurous" art from student, early, and mid-career artists.
Colonial cobblestone lane built on a longitude line.
A National Historic Landmark constructed in 1827 and believed to be the oldest building of fireproof construction in the United States. The work of Robert Mills, the first native-born American to be trained as an architect, and a Charleston native who worked with other important early American architects such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Latrobe. Mills was responsible for the Washington Monument and many other public buildings. The building consists primarily of solid masonry in a simple Greek Doric style. An oval hall contains a cantilevered stone staircase lit by a cupola. The building serves as the headquarters for the South Carolina Historical Society, a private non-profit organization founded in 1856.
Quite the Ashley River plantation, dating to the 1730s.
This park sits at the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula with beautiful views, especially along the Battery Promenade by the Cooper River. Don't miss the elegant historic mansions along the Promenade, some of which have sold for nearly $20M.
Has the South Carolina Aquarium and the Fort Sumter National Monument Visitor Center, both of which offer views of the Ravenel Bridge. This is also where you may take a boat tour to Fort Sumter.
A popular park with plenty of lovely fountains and benches for people-watching. A couple of the fountains are designed for wading, including one shaped like a pineapple. The Wharf at Vendue Range offers views of the cruise ship terminal and the Ravenel Bridge.
Popular vintage garden from the 18th century with plantation home estate and small zoological park. Open for tours and visits.
Since 1905, this striking Beaux Arts building has housed a premier collection of over 10,000 works of fine art, principally American works with a Charleston or Southern connection.
Free art gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park with a variety of contemporary art with a focus on Lowcountry artists that is owned by the City of Charleston.
Congregationalists, Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and French Huguenots of the original settlement of Charles Town founded this dissenting congregation, known as the Independent Church, around 1681. They met at the White Meeting House, for which Meeting Street is named.
Organized around 1681 by Huguenot refugees from the Protestant persecutions in France; first church at present site built in 1687.
Organized around 1681 at site now occupied by St. Michael's.
Organized around 1683; present site donated in 1699. Oldest Baptist church in the South, and often referred to as the "Mother Church of Southern Baptists".
Organized in 1731.
Organized in 1749. The present Greek Revival-style building, built in 1840, is the oldest continually operating Jewish cemetery in the U.S. The oldest surviving Reform synagogue in the world and second-oldest synagogue of any kind in the United States.
Organized in 1751.
Organized in 1789. Oldest Catholic church in the Carolinas.
Organized in 1791.
Organized in 1809.
Organized in 1821.
Organized in 1840.
Organized in 1854.
Organized 1742.
For lovers of nature, Angel Oak is a sprawling oak tree estimated to be as much as 500 years old and provides a great place for a picnic and a visit off the beaten path (John's Island).
Good bar food and great venue to watch your favorite sports team. Also offers a Sunday brunch.
Has homemade bread and chips.
Excellent freshly cooked Chinese food. Eat in or take out.
Refined French cafe in Upper King. Lunch and dinner served daily.
Good seafood in Upper King. Dinner nightly.
Small cafe in the Market Area serving upscale comfort food.
Local contemporary bistro in the Market area.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and take out).
Good seafood in the Market area. Dinner nightly.
Excellent seafood, casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, very popular, near the Charleston Place. Lunch and dinner daily.
Upscale lowcountry Southern cuisine.
Some of the best she-crab soup in town.
Led by award-winning chef Sean Brock, Husk focuses on both exploring and creating playful variants of traditional Southern food.
Southern infusion cuisine.
The restaurant serves traditional Southern cuisine, and its menu selection varies with the seasons.
An old speakeasy from the Prohibition era that is a local favorite.
Another local favorite, tucked amongst all the college bars on King Street.
Has a lively 40s crowd.
Atop the Vendue Inn; an excellent place to enjoy a drink outdoors.
Pre-Prohibition style drinks made with top-shelf liquor and house-made mixers.
This park has over 600 acres, walking and biking trails, a dog park with a lake, kayak and canoe rentals, a waterpark and a 124-site RV park that is first class. There are also lovely furnished cabins with nice views of the wetlands and an area for primitive camping. It is on James Island, but is approximately 6 mi from downtown Charleston and approximately 7 miles from Folly Beach.
Rooms located along the peaceful Long Branch Creek, a tidal saltwater creek, teeming with shrimp and fish. Features include a private dock reaching into the creek, outdoor pool with barbecue grill, complimentary continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi for guests.
A quiet, low-key bed and breakfast wonderfully close to the College of Charleston and the King Street shopping district, but still offers privacy and comfort. Call for last-minute rates and you may get a substantial discount, but don't count on that during busy times.
All suite property with continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, indoor pool, fitness center and business center. 100% non smoking.
Free WiFi, but only in the lobby & large business center.
Housed in a historic building that was once the South Carolina State Arsenal and the original Citadel Military College built before the Civil War, now restored in its original architectural style and often referred to as the "Big Pink Castle". Inside, the hotel features British West Colonial Plantation decor, with hardwood floors, potted palms, ceiling fans and mahogany furniture. A lush 5-story atrium has a 12 foot fountain, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and plenty of furnished nooks for quiet conversations. Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast served each morning along with a reception each evening with free cocktails and light snacks. Complimentary wireless internet, pool, jacuzzi, fitness room, and two-room suites with microwaves and refrigerators.
Features antebellum decor in a restored warehouse with original hardwood floors. Complimentary hot breakfast and high speed wireless internet connection.
Historic decor with a modern twist and boutique accommodations with luxury amenities.
All-suite hotel with full kitchens, free hot breakfast, indoor swimming pool, and complimentary wi-fi.
Renovated all-suites hotel next to the Charleston Area Convention Center and North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. A free shuttle to Charleston Airport, less than two miles away. Indoor pool, free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception, and fitness center featuring a Peloton Bike with toe cages.
A boutique inn located one block off of historic Market Street. Free wireless internet access, continental breakfast, afternoon cookies, and all day lemonade and teas.
A historic bed and breakfast mansion on the Battery Park overlooking Charleston Harbor.
A full-service four-diamond hotel. Michelin-rated restaurant, spa, 24-hour room service, cafe, and club.
Once the largest and grandest hotel in the Carolinas when it opened in 1924, this place was named for a general of the American Revolution and re-opened in 1996 after a major restoration. Restaurant serving Southern cuisine, cocktails and jazz piano in bar, and spa on-site. Hotel services include a doorman and bell service, concierge, valet parking, room service, wireless internet, business center, newsstand and gift shop and a well-equipped fitness center.
A AAA 4 Diamond award winning hotel located on Market St. 4 Diamond restaurant Tristan is on property and provides room service.
Overlooks the harbor and offers complimentary cookies and milk to guests every evening, a wine and cheese reception, and accommodations with historical interiors.
Outdoor heated pool, wireless internet access, manager's reception, fitness center, and a buffet breakfast.
This hotel has lots of history (it was saved from a fire by Robert E. Lee himself), the rooms are very comfortable, and the staff is attentive.
Daily Southern breakfast, fireplaces, and marble whirlpool baths. Has two on-site restaurants and is pet friendly.
50 guest rooms with modern amenities and decor.
Anchors include Dillard's, Belk, and Target.
By car
Charleston is nearly at the midpoint of South Carolina's Atlantic coastline.S.S. 17.S.S. 17 in West Ashley, passing the Charleston International Airport.
By train
Amtrak has a train station 10 miles north of downtown. The Palmetto stops there on its way from New York City to Savannah, as does the Silver Meteor.
By bus
The Greyhound station is in North Charleston. To get to Downtown Charleston, cross the street from the Greyhound station and take the #11 Airport bus (away from the airport).
By public transportation
The public transportation system in Charleston consists primarily of a fleet of buses run by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and privately run taxi services.
By tour bus or carriage
Gray Line of Charleston offers a choice of guided mini-bus tours of the historic, charming city of Charleston, designed to give you a fun and informative look into the city’s well-preserved past.
By foot
Luckily for visitors to Charleston's peninsula, the historic district is accessible on foot.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Charleston · International · CHS
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