French Quarter Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Waterfront Park showing a park, modern architecture and a marina
Waterfront Park showing a park, modern architecture and a marina
Charleston Waterfront Park showing a garden and a sunset as well as a small group of people
Waterfront Park
Charleston Historic District which includes performance art, night scenes and music

Popular places to visit

Charleston City Market

Charleston City Market

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Purchase food, jewelry and handicrafts in the market and learn about local tradition, the Civil War and slavery at its museum.

Charleston City Market
The Dock Street Theatre is Charleston's last surviving hotel from the antebellum period. The silhouette of its wrought iron balcony against the spire of St. Philip's church may be the single most photographed spot in the city. The main portion of the building was constructed around 1809 as Planter's Hotel. The hotel was built by Alexander Calder and his wife, who did so by renovating several pre-existing buildings at the site. The main entrance may not have been built until 1855 by J.W. Gamble. The hotel was used extensively by planters from the midlands of South Carolina, who traveled to Charleston during horse-racing season. It was noted for its wonderful food and drinks during this era, and the South's famous Planter's Punch may have originated here. Guests to the hotel passed through the recessed porch with brownstone columns, into the lobby, and up a grand staircase that ascended to a drawing room. While much of the interior has been altered, these elements of the antebellum hotel remain and were adapted in subsequent uses of the building. A series of additions to the hotel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries can be easily identified by differences in brick coloration. This theater is said to have been the first building built specifically for theatrical performances in America. Planter's Hotel occasionally housed one of the city's theatrical troupes, which performed at the nearby New Theatre during the mid-19th century. The most notable actor of this troupe was Junius Brutus Booth. Booth was the patriarch of an outstanding family of actors, which included John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin. Junius Booth, who stayed at the Planter's Hotel, allegedly tried to kill his manager here in 1838. Today the Dock Street Theatre is home to the Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theater production company, and houses the city's Cultural Affairs office as well as The City Gallery, an exhibition space for local artists.

Dock Street Theater

Enjoy a show at Dock Street Theater, a popular theatre in Charleston. Discover the area's stunning cathedral or seek out its local tours.

Dock Street Theater
Washington Square featuring a park

Washington Square

Meet, mingle and move in this verdant park in the heart of downtown Charleston, a quiet retreat near several of the city’s top attractions.

Washington Square
Pink House Gallery featuring a house

Pink House Gallery

You can browse the exhibits at Pink House Gallery, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in Charleston. Add the area's shops or stunning cathedral to your travel plans.

Pink House Gallery
St. Philip\'s Church showing heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

St. Philip's Church

Attend a service with the oldest religious congregation in South Carolina, dating back to the 17th century. George Washington worshipped with this congregation.

St. Philip's Church
Walking tour around Charleston

Old Slave Mart Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Old Slave Mart Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Charleston. Discover the area's stunning cathedral or seek out its local tours.

Old Slave Mart Museum

Activities

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

NZ$75
per adult
94% 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$87
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

NZ$86
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
St. Michael's Church

Sightseeing Bus Tour of Charleston with Adventure Sightseeing

NZ$50
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Sightseeing Bus Tour of Charleston with Adventure Sightseeing
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

NZ$63
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

NZ$64
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing
See all activities in Charleston

Our pick of the best French Quarter Hotel Deals

HarbourView Inn

HarbourView Inn

4 out of 5
2 Vendue Range Charleston SC
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Excellent inn.

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

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HarbourView Inn
The Vendue

The Vendue

4 out of 5
19 Vendue Range Charleston SC
The price is NZ$434 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$434
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this boutique hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (823 reviews)
I really liked the location and the free drink. I did see a bug in my room :(

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

The Vendue
The Palmetto Hotel

The Palmetto Hotel

4 out of 5
194 East Bay Street Charleston SC
The price is NZ$481 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
NZ$481
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (883 reviews)
The staff was amazing

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

The Palmetto Hotel
The Loutrel

The Loutrel

4 out of 5
61 State St Charleston SC
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
excellent staff, great service

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

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The Loutrel
The Spectator Hotel

The Spectator Hotel

4 out of 5
67 State Street Charleston SC
Stay at this hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (996 reviews)
We had an excellent stay at The Spectator Hotel. The room was spotless, beautifully designed, and felt so comfortable and elevated. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive from start to finish and made everything feel effortless. The location is also perfect for walking to everything. Would ...

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

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The Spectator Hotel
French Quarter Inn

French Quarter Inn

4 out of 5
166 Church St Charleston SC
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
Yes and yes! Great place to stay

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

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French Quarter Inn
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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 French Quarter

Charleston Historic District showing heritage architecture

Charleston Historic District

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

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.

Charleston Historic District
This bridge spans part of a swamp that bordered the plantation we were visiting. #OnTheRoad

South of Broad

If you're spending some time in South of Broad, Rainbow Row and Nathaniel Russell House are top sights worth seeing.

South of Broad
Walking down random alleyways, I found a graveyard with people that are buried from over 200 years ago.

Harleston Village

While visiting Harleston Village, you might make a stop by sights like Marion Square and Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

Harleston Village
Cityscape of the historic downtown French Quarter district in Charleston, South Carolina

King Street

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

King Street
One quick stop one must make

Ansonborough

If you're spending some time in Ansonborough, South Carolina Aquarium and International African American Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Ansonborough
Edmonston-Alston House featuring a house

Downtown Charleston

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

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

Downtown Charleston

French Quarter Travel Guide

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