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.
South Carolina Aquarium
See an array of aquatic creatures, including an albino alligator, in underwater habitats ranging from salt marshes to coastal plains.
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.
Rainbow Row
Find out about the history of Charleston with a stop at Rainbow Row. Make time for the stunning cathedral and local tours in this walkable area.
Activities
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston
Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage
Our pick of the best Downtown Charleston Hotel Deals
Emeline
The room was clean, well laid out and a great amount of space. We found the hotel to be great overall, the only slight consideration is the restaurant on the first floor is quite busy, you really need to make reservations most of the time. Also be mindful that if you leave the hotel or need to go ...
Reviewed on 27 Apr 2026
The Francis Marion Hotel
5 star experience!
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2026
The Ryder Hotel
Excellent boutique hotel. Walking distance to all downtown sites and restaurants. Would stay there again and recommend it to friends.
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2026
The Charleston Place
The room i booked was not available, the pool was not available or hot tub,the spa was not available. The price i paid for the room and extras was not equal.....I will not book with again. Deception this was and I am not pleased.
Reviewed on 26 Apr 2026
The Vendue
Location is in easy walking distance of numerous fine dining establishments, but you must make reservations at all early in your planning. Most do not arrange more than 30 days out but weekends fil up two weeks out. The hotel will help arrange those. The staff is excellent and very attentive to your ...
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2026
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
The hotel was excellent. We booked a deluxe king room with city view. We believe that we were given a regular king room We tried multiple times to explain this to the staff but they said we had a city view (all the rooms do!) Our room looked just like the pictures for a regular king room. It did ...
Reviewed on 29 Apr 2026
Check Downtown Charleston hotel availability
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.
