Charleston

Travel Guide

Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston

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

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Charleston Historic District

4.5/5(82 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
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Downtown Charleston

3.5/5(17 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
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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
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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 Colonial Lake are top sights worth seeing.

Harleston Village
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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
The price is CA $248 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $248
per night
Aug 3 - Aug 4
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! (1,779 reviews)
Great stay!
"This hotel is in a great location and the staff are fantastic! My only note is that the furnishings could use an update. It’s a historic hotel, with great character and charm, but some aspects of it just feel old."

Reviewed on Jul. 28, 2025

The Francis Marion Hotel
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
The price is CA $218 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
CA $218
per night
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (1,648 reviews)
"The property was clean, staff were friendly, and it was in the middle of everything!"

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2025

Emeline
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
The price is CA $238 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
CA $238
per night
Aug 7 - Aug 8
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! (1,020 reviews)
"Super cute hotel. Definitely not your cookie cutter big box hotel. Every human I encountered has been coached in hospitality and has bought into the program. I had a great stay."

Reviewed on Jul. 28, 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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (184 reviews)
"Delightful experience! Loved hanging on deck. A little dated and only 1 shower. But i would rent it again."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

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
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. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
Our first time in Charleston
"Iris hotel at Charleston was great. I only stayed 1 night with my family. It was clean & have everything. Receptionist Savannah was nice & friendly."

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

The Iris Charleston
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.

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