Downtown Charleston Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Charleston
Popular places to visit
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.
Medical University of South Carolina
Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Medical University of South Carolina during your travels in Charleston. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.
Charleston City Market
Purchase food, jewelry and handicrafts in the market and learn about local tradition, the Civil War and slavery at its museum.
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.
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.
South Carolina Aquarium
See an array of aquatic creatures, including an albino alligator, in underwater habitats ranging from salt marshes to coastal plains.
Activities
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
Sightseeing Bus Tour of Charleston with Adventure Sightseeing
USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Exclusive Night-Time Access
Our pick of the best Downtown Charleston Hotel Deals
The Ryder Hotel
Great location, central to everything. Clean facilities, friendly staff. Would definitely stay again. Only less than ideal aspect is amenity fee, which was not explicitly discussed during booking process or at check in. This seems pretty typical nowadays and is fairly reasonable, but would have been ...
Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026
The Francis Marion Hotel
This was a superior location, great staff, nice clean rooms and the amenities were plentiful.
Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Dwtn - Westedge by IHG
There were a few good restaurants within walking distance but it was a good 25 minute walk to King St. but very doable !
Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026
Emeline
The hotel is wonderful, it’s perfectly situated to everything, we had an amazing stay!! Will be back!
Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
Awakened 2 mornings at 5:30 by septic truck outside our window
Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026
Hotel Bennett
We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina. Even though the weather during our trip was a bit chilly, the hotel made the entire experience feel warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. After a long day of travel, the staff was incredibly accommodating and allowed ...
Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Charleston
King Street
If you're spending some time in King Street, Marion Square and Charleston Music Hall are top sights worth seeing.
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 Music Farm and Charleston Music Hall.
Harleston Village
While visiting Harleston Village, you might make a stop by sights like Marion Square and Colonial Lake.
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.
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.
Ansonborough
If you're spending some time in Ansonborough, South Carolina Aquarium and International African American Museum are top sights worth seeing.
