Downtown Charleston Travel Guide

Charleston

A historic pink building with green shutters, a black wrought iron fence, and lush greenery.

A grand room with a fireplace, ornate furniture, and a chandelier.

A cobblestone pathway flanked by trees and a building with a sign reading "SING".

A room with a red upholstered sofa, a wooden table with silverware, and a mirror on the wall.

A wooden staircase with a black railing, a wooden cabinet, and a fireplace in a room with yellow walls and wooden floors.

Visit Downtown Charleston

Things to do

Charleston travel guide

Stay near popular Downtown Charleston attractions

A historic building with arched doorways and columns, surrounded by lush trees and a paved sidewalk.

College of Charleston

8.8/10 (2,901 reviews)

Named by Travel + Leisure as “America's Most Beautiful College Campus” in 2017, this South Carolina institution is engaging for visitors and beloved by students.

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Things to do

Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

£32

per adult

98% of travellers recommend

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

£38

per adult

94% of travellers recommend

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

£34

per adult

96% of travellers recommend

Charleston: Boone Hall Plantation Entry & Tour w/ Transport

£60

per adult

86% of travellers recommend

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

£37

per adult

90% of travellers recommend

Drayton Hall Admission Ticket with Interpreter-Guided Tour

£26

per adult

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Where to stay in Downtown Charleston

Find the best Downtown Charleston areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown Charleston

A horse-drawn carriage crossing a street at a city intersection.

Charleston Historic District

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

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A lush green rice paddy field with a tree in the foreground.

James Island

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A large brick building with a red roof, a pond in the foreground, and trees with Spanish moss.

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 Citadel Mall or Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site.

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A cityscape at sunset with a prominent bridge in the background, a historic church, and modern buildings.

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.