James Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A rustic wooden interior with a table, a basket, and a painting on easels.
A pond with a fountain, surrounded by lush greenery and trees with Spanish moss.
A lush green rice paddy field with a tree in the foreground.
A beach with fallen trees and a sandy shore.
A wooden building with a red roof, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Our guide on where to stay in James Island

Find the best James Island areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about James Island
Learn more about James Island
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.

A pier with a lighthouse and a flagpole.

Downtown Charleston

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

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.

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.

Princess St and King St intersecting with classic brick buildings and a street lamp.

King Street

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

The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St Charleston SC
The price is NZ$371 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$371
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,336 reviews)
"What a beautiful hotel steeped in history! The lobby is beautiful, and the room is comfortable and classy. The hotel staff was welcoming and full of great advice."

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

The Francis Marion Hotel
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St Charleston SC
The price is NZ$457 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$457
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,707 reviews)
"When we opened the sofa bed, we found crumpled, used sheets left behind from previous guests. There was also trash and other items underneath and inside the bed. The sofa had what appeared to be red stains, possibly from wine or another liquid. Both nightstands in the bedroom were sticky from spilled ..."

Reviewed on 2 July 2026

Emeline
Tru by Hilton Charleston Ashley Phosphate

Tru by Hilton Charleston Ashley Phosphate

2.5 out of 5
2475 Prospect Drive North Charleston SC
The price is NZ$198 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$198
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in North Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,272 reviews)
"The general manager and her crew were very kind, the property was clean, and the bed was comfortable. I would definitely stay at this property again."

Reviewed on 2 July 2026

Tru by Hilton Charleston Ashley Phosphate
See all 7,147 properties in James Island
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.
Charming Lowcountry Cottage Near Beach & City

Charming Lowcountry Cottage Near Beach & City

Charleston SC
Stay at this holiday home in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park are located ...
Charming Lowcountry Cottage Near Beach & City
Charming 3 bedroom Home - 2 miles to beach! Pet-Friendly! Sleeps 4-9.

Charming 3 bedroom Home - 2 miles to beach! Pet-Friendly! Sleeps 4-9.

Charleston SC
Stay at this holiday home in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Charleston City Market and Folly Island Beaches are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
"The house was nice and clean and well equipped for our needs."

Reviewed on 7 June 2026

Charming 3 bedroom Home - 2 miles to beach! Pet-Friendly! Sleeps 4-9.
stayAPT Suites North Charleston

stayAPT Suites North Charleston

4 out of 5
9331 Blue House Rd North Charleston SC
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in North Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (311 reviews)
"The space was amazing. We didn't interact with the staff much. There were limited dishes, cookware and towels for our trip duration. Parking was great."

Reviewed on 1 July 2026

stayAPT Suites North Charleston
See all properties in James Island
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.

Stay near popular James Island attractions

McLeod Plantation Historic Site

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at McLeod Plantation Historic Site during your trip to Charleston.
See properties

Activities

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
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

NZ$73
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston

Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston

NZ$69
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston
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
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

NZ$51
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

NZ$111
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
See all activities in James Island

Cities near James Island

A pier extending into the ocean with a sunset in the background.

Folly Beach

A large suspension bridge with tall towers and cables, spanning a body of water with a grassy shoreline in the foreground.

Charleston

Explore a world of travel with Expedia