Downtown Charleston Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston
Nathaniel Russell House

Popular places to visit

Port of Charleston

Port of Charleston

Explore the waterfront in Charleston with a trip to Port of Charleston. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or seek out the local tours.

Port of Charleston
College of Charleston

College of Charleston

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.

College of Charleston
Charleston City Market

Charleston City Market

Purchase food, jewelry and handicrafts in the market and learn about local tradition, the Civil War and slavery at its museum.

Charleston City Market
Waterfront Park featuring general coastal views, landscape views and a coastal town

Waterfront Park

Stroll the city’s waterfront esplanades at sunset, when the afternoon sun begins to dip and the harbor is lit with soft colors.

Waterfront Park
South Carolina Aquarium

South Carolina Aquarium

See an array of aquatic creatures, including an albino alligator, in underwater habitats ranging from salt marshes to coastal plains.

South Carolina Aquarium
The Citadel

The Citadel

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of The Citadel during your travels in Charleston. Visit the area's churches or amble around its beautiful beaches.

The Citadel

Activities

Schooner Pride

Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

NZ$93
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

NZ$68
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

NZ$62
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

NZ$85
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

NZ$84
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Morning Charleston Harbor Sail Lux Catamaran Shade and Seating

Morning Charleston Harbor Sail Lux Catamaran Shade and Seating

NZ$65
per adult
Morning Charleston Harbor Sail Lux Catamaran Shade and Seating
See all activities in Charleston

Our pick of the best Downtown Charleston Hotel Deals

Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$560 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
NZ$560
13 Oct - 14 Oct
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! (1,684 reviews)
"The room was clean but was very small."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Emeline
Planters Inn

Planters Inn

4.5 out of 5
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$748 per night from 6 Oct to 7 Oct
NZ$748
6 Oct - 7 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,020 reviews)
"Beautiful Hotel that embodied the spirit and charm of Charleston. The hotel is in the heart of downtown and walking distance to great shopping and restaurants. I can't wait to book our next stay at the Planters Inn"

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Planters Inn
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$583 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$583
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,026 reviews)
"Located close to the downtown area and the French Quarter. Very walkable to these areas. Very nice pool with bar service. The on-site restaurant was nice; the food was excellent. The place is not too pricey."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

The Ryder Hotel
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$427 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$427
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,895 reviews)
"The property was beautiful and clean. Our stay was very nice."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

The Francis Marion Hotel
The Charleston Place

The Charleston Place

5 out of 5
205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"From the smooth valet check in for our daughter’s 21 birthday, complete with a bubbly toast, to a beautiful room service breakfast, I cannot say enough about the staff, property and overall experience! The reset of the entryway is well managed, with no true interruptions- a feat of hospitality at ..."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

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The Charleston Place
The Vendue

The Vendue

4 out of 5
19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$494 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$494
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (680 reviews)
"All good"

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

The Vendue
See all 1,350 properties in Downtown 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.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Charleston

South Carolina which includes interior views and heritage architecture

Radcliffeborough

While Radcliffeborough may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Port of Charleston and Music Farm.

Radcliffeborough
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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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
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King Street

If you're spending some time in King Street, Marion Square and Charleston Music Hall are top sights worth seeing.

King Street
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Charleston Historic District

4.5/5(9 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
South Carolina Aquarium showing marine life

Ansonborough

If you're spending some time in Ansonborough, Port of Charleston and South Carolina Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.

Ansonborough

Downtown Charleston Travel Guide

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