Downtown Charleston Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Charleston
Popular places to visit
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.
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.
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.
The Citadel
Take a campus tour or just explore the area of The Citadel during your travels in Charleston. Visit the area's churches or amble around its beautiful beaches.
Activities
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Morning Charleston Harbor Sail Lux Catamaran Shade and Seating
Our pick of the best Downtown Charleston Hotel Deals
Emeline
The walls are extremely thin, so we could hear the folks in the room next door as well as we would have if they had been in our room. We thoroughly enjoyed the location of the hotel and its accessibility to shopping, the historic district and restaurants. The staff were professional, upbeat, and ...
Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Dwtn - Westedge by IHG
Thank you for a pleasant stay.
Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025
The Francis Marion Hotel
Great location, lovely place
Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025
The Vendue
Great hotel, beautiful and comfortable. Very clean. Helpful and courteous staff. Lovely modern dining room, cozy but not cramped, excellent food and wine list. Short walk to everything: galleries, restaurants, theater, shops, museums. Highly recommended.
Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025
The Charleston Place
Very safe
Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025
Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District
The front desk was awesome. They knew it was our first time and gave us a bridge view. Really solid place to stay because you can walk anywhere!
Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025
Check Downtown Charleston hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Charleston
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 Port of Charleston and Music Farm.
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.
King Street
If you're spending some time in King Street, Marion Square and Charleston Music Hall are top sights worth seeing.
Charleston Historic District
Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Port of Charleston to Charleston City Market – discover Charleston Historic District, a destination also famous for its shopping.
Ansonborough
If you're spending some time in Ansonborough, Port of Charleston and South Carolina Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.
