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 lively bars.
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.
South Carolina Aquarium
See an array of aquatic creatures, including an albino alligator, in underwater habitats ranging from salt marshes to coastal plains.
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.
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
Old Town Trolley Tour of Charleston
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
Our pick of the best Downtown Charleston Hotel Deals
Emeline
Bar space is beautiful and the food was delicious. Great location where you can walk to so many restaurants, shopping, or the waterfront.
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
The Ryder Hotel
What an adorable hotel. The rooms were great, the location was perfect for walking everywhere and the pool area was amazing (the waitstaff by the pool needs some training or maybe we were in the wrong. They only seemed to wait on the bachelorette parties and the folks in the reserved spots (which ...
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District
Don’t mind old. But falling apart is a different story. Needs refreshed very badly.
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
The Francis Marion Hotel
Room was nice and clean. Little noisy overnight. It’s understandable being so close to street
Reviewed on 2 Apr 2026
The Vendue
The stay started badly. The room was full of fruit flies. I told the staff about it on my way out to dinner, i was told they would take care of it. Came back to the room after 12 and the flies were still in there. They were surrounding outside of the room door as well. I called customer service and ...
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
Great location in the Historic French Quarter. Rooms good size, nice to have a balcony. Only complaint is there was no mini fridge and the shampoo/conditioner dispenser made the shower feel crowded. It should be on the opposite end of shower head. Great happy hour, check your bill to make sure you’re ...
Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026
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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 The Riviera Theater.
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.
