Charleston, SC

Travel Guide
Charleston featuring a house as well as a couple
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

Edmonston-Alston House featuring a house

Downtown Charleston

4/5(643 area reviews)

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

Downtown Charleston
Charleston

Charleston Historic District

4.5/5(3,245 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Charleston Historic District. Make a stop by Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal or Charleston City Market while you're exploring the area.

Charleston Historic District
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site showing heritage elements and a house

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.

West Ashley
Worth every minute of waiting! The Charleston Nasty Biscuit at Hominy Grill, complete with a mimosa and side of home fries, made for the best brunch I've possibly ever had.

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 Waterfront Park featuring a marina, a garden and modern architecture

French Quarter

Travelers to French Quarter praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal and Charleston City Market.

French Quarter
South Carolina showing interior views and heritage architecture

Radcliffeborough

If you're spending some time in Radcliffeborough, Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul and Brith Shalom Beth Israel Synagogue are top sights worth seeing.

Radcliffeborough
Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
301 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$5,158 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$5,158
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"S"

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview, an IHG Hotel
Emeline
Emeline
4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$10,534 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$10,534
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,220 reviews)
"Wonderful spot, clean and had everything you need right at your fingertips. Beautiful courtyard!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Emeline
The Ryder Hotel
The Ryder Hotel
3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
The price is NT$9,887 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
NT$9,887
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this hotel in Charleston. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (610 reviews)
"Great place to stay."

Reviewed on 2024/3/20

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.
The Quarters on Spring
The Quarters on Spring
3.5 out of 5
171 Spring Street, Charleston, SC
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal and Harborage ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (53 reviews)
"Great place for one or two people to spend a short stay in Charleston. The bed was comfortable, the walk in shower had three heads, the kitchen was full. Very satisfied and highly recommend."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

The Quarters on Spring
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, onsite parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
"We loved The Iris. Great location. Wonderful space. The furnishings were new and high quality. It was well equipped, even with a Dyson hair dryer. The bottle of wine, chocolate bar, coffee pods and personal note were a great touch. We didn’t use the car carousel but it looked really cool. The outside ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

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.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Charleston