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

5/5(35 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Port of Charleston to Charleston City Market – discover Charleston Historic District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Charleston Historic District
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Downtown Charleston

4/5(6 area reviews)

Travellers to Downtown Charleston praise its fantastic nightlife. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Port of Charleston and Charleston Music Hall.

Downtown Charleston
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West Ashley

West Ashley is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site or Citadel Mall.

West Ashley
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Cannonborough Elliotborough

If you're spending some time in Cannonborough Elliotborough, Upper King Design District and Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Cannonborough Elliotborough
Charleston

Harleston Village

While visiting Harleston Village, you might make a stop by sights like Marion Square and Colonial Lake.

Harleston Village
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French Quarter

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal to Dock Street Theater – discover French Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

French Quarter
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
The price is €175 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€175
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,790 reviews)
"The location was excellent. Staff was wonderful."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

The Francis Marion Hotel
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
The price is €172 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€172
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,648 reviews)
"Classy Hotel, Great rooms. Love the record player, Love that they had the water machines. Not super big fan about glass containers. The front desk staff and Valet and Bellman were great. Restaurant was not super friendly or efficient."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Emeline
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview

3 out of 5
11 Ashley Point Drive, Charleston, SC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €61 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
€61
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the convenient parking and ...
6.4/10 (2,367 reviews)
"Property was great would recommend for good budget hotel!"

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview
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 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 26 Jun 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! (187 reviews)
Ladies getaway
"Overall, we did enjoy this unique adventure. Location was awesome, but for 3 "senior" ladies, it was a bit challenging. Long, HOT (summer in the South) walk to boat, but carts were provided. Checkin was good but other communication was poor. The main cabin door is difficult to open & close & does ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Luxury yacht in downtown Charleston, SC
The Palmetto House

The Palmetto House

2.5 out of 5
99 Spring St, Charleston, SC
Stay at this aparthotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal and South ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"It was in a nice area. Unit was decent however. We where confused what unit we where in beings there is 4 units in the little complex. The dishes had dog hairs on them . Also for the price per night what you got was expensive."

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2025

The Palmetto House
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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