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

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

NZ$84
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

NZ$68
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry
Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

NZ$81
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch
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
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
90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

NZ$63
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour
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$498 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
NZ$498
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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! (1,668 reviews)
Solid Charleston Stay!
"This is always one of my favorite stays in Charleston. Amazing location, clean and spacious rooms with great amenities, and the staff is always pleasant. The coffee shop in the lobby has become one of My favorites in town. Well worth the price when it’s a bit higher to be right in the middle of everything ..."

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

Emeline
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$445 per night from 22 Sept to 23 Sept
NZ$445
22 Sept - 23 Sept
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! (1,854 reviews)
"The beds were very comfortable and the room was very clean. We did have some trouble with getting hot water for showers and the bathroom doorknob fell off. The toilet also did not flush well. Maintenance came very quickly and remedied all the issues. The room was nousy due to being next to wear housekeeping ..."

Reviewed on 16 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! (1,007 reviews)
"Had an issue with Expedia with reservations, hotel corrected the issue after much stress."

Reviewed on 14 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$520 per night from 6 Oct to 7 Oct
NZ$520
6 Oct - 7 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! (669 reviews)
Excellent Stay at The Vendue
"Cleaning staff, valets, and front desk personnel were most kind, friendly and extremely hospitable. Tour of lobby's art exhibit was led by a woman (whose name escapes me) who arranged the exhibit and answered my many questions about each painting/ art piece and the artist who creeated it. The night ..."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

The Vendue
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$527 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$527
21 Sept - 22 Sept
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! (1,001 reviews)
"I thought the room was very cool the way decorated. I did notice that my window looked right into the people dining so not sure if I like paying the price to have to keep my curtains closed. The outdoor pool was small but hey - no big deal. The bartender younger guy could use an attitude adjustment. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Sept 2025

The Ryder Hotel
Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District

Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District

3.5 out of 5
560 King Street, Charleston, SC
The price is NZ$323 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
NZ$323
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,032 reviews)
Review.
"Staff was super friendly and very helpful. Quiet. Good location."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District
See all 1,338 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: