Charleston Travel Guide

Charleston South Carolina is the epitome of southern charm. Picture pastel historic houses with rocking chairs resting on grand front porches; palmetto trees line the sidewalks of downtown; and sprawling sandy beaches grace the coastline. Year-round favorable weather, attractions to suit almost every type of traveler, and a diverse food scene make this Carolina coastal city an inviting destination. Find everything you need to know to visit the Holy City in this Charleston Travel Guide!

Charleston lies in the geographic region known as Lowcountry, the area of South Carolina that falls in the coastal plains and below the ancient seacoast. Lowcountry has its own culture, architecture, economy and cuisine and there’s no better place to experience it than in the Holy City. Come here to marvel at the colorful homes, ride in a horse-drawn carriage on cobblestone streets, learn about Charleston’s storied past, and eat fantastic Southern cuisine.

To help you with your planning, this article contains a map that includes the location of every hotel, restaurant, and attraction mentioned. Plus, you’ll find plenty photos of the picturesque city if you keep scrolling. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a girls’ weekend, this Charleston Travel Guide will help you plan your best trip yet!

This Charleston Travel Guide covers the following topics. Click each link to jump to the corresponding section.

When to Visit

How to Get There and Get Around

How Long to Stay

Where to Stay

Where to Eat & Drink

Things to Do

Scenes from Charleston

How to Use this Map: Red markers indicate the locations of things to do. Yellow markers represent recommended hotels. Purple markers indicate places to eat and drink. Blue markers represent the beaches. Click the markers for more information on each place. To zoom in or out, click the plus and minus buttons in the bottom left corner of the map (on your computer) or pinch the screen (on your phone). Click the arrow in the top left corner to view the map index. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star next to the map title.

When to Visit

Thanks to South Carolina’s mild weather, you can enjoy Charleston any time of year. The lengthy peak season runs from March through October. March-May is also a beautiful time to go as the weather warms up and the magnolia trees bloom. You may want to avoid visiting during Easter as this is when hotels are most expensive. September-November is also a good time to visit as the humid summer weather dissipates and the city is host to many foodie events, like Charleston Restaurant Week. PSA for foodies: Oyster season runs from September through April.

If you’re looking to spend a lot of time at the beach consider June-August. During the summer months the weather is very hot and humid—I don’t recommend exploring Historic Downtown in the middle of a summer day. In the summer months, I suggest exploring early in the mornings or in the evenings and enjoy and beach-focused vacation.

Off-season is considered to be December-February. Over a visit in the off-season you’ll find lower hotel prices, fewer tourists, and average temperature highs and lows to be 60 and 45, respectively. Another perk to visiting during the off-season is that it’s prime oyster season!

How to Get There and Get Around

If you’re coming from North Carolina, South Carolina or Georgia, you can easily drive to Charleston. Otherwise, plan to fly. Charleston has an international airport located just 20 minutes outside of the city. For reference, driving from Charlotte, North Carolina takes three and a half hours, five hours from Atlanta, Georgia and just under eight hours from Washington, D.C.

Once you’re in downtown Charleston, you don’t need a car to move about historic downtown Charleston. Most of the attractions and hotels are situated around in the downtown area, so you can walk to everything here. Many of the hotels offer complimentary bikes, allowing you to move around town swiftly. However, to get to any of the locations outside the Historic District, like the beaches, gardens and plantations, you’ll need to rent a car or take a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft.

How Long to Stay

Three to four days, or a long weekend, is the perfect amount of time to spend in the southern city. If you want to combine your Charleston stay with a mini beach vacation you should spend two nights downtown and two nights with an ocean view on one of the neighboring islands. Remember, everything moves a bit slower in the south so try not to overload your day and enjoy the atmosphere!

Where to Stay

Charleston is full of chic hotel options. There is a plethora of great four-star and five-star hotels right in the heart of the Historic District. Most exude that classic Charleston vibe. I recommend choosing a hotel within the Harleston Village, King Street, Ansonborough or French Quarter neighborhoods as these areas are most convenient for walking to all the attractions and restaurants.

Planters Inn (5-star) – Another ideally located hotel in the heart of Charleston, Planters Inn is a luxury boutique hotel that exudes Southern charm. Here you’ll find that each room has a unique name, a tucked-away courtyard with carriage lanterns, and The Peninsula Grill. Founded in 1803, the property is now a part of Relais & Châteaux’s exceptional collection. Situated next to the Historic Charleston Market.
The Vendue, Charleston’s Art Hotel (4-star) – A combination of two boutique hotels located across the street from each other, The Vendue is well-located off of Bay Street and by infamous Pineapple Fountain. Hundreds of pieces of original art can be found in the main exhibition as well as in the guestroom hallways.
Wentworth Mansion (5-star) – Built in a grand 19th-century mansion, Wenworth Mansion is one of the top-rated hotels in Charleston. The five-star property offers a full breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. Located several blocks east from King Street in Harleston Village.
Zero George (4-star) – Lovely boutique inn with 16 rooms and suites located across several restored historic residences and carriage houses. The continental breakfast even includes local treats from Callie’s Biscuits. This property is near the South Carolina Aquarium in the Garden District.
The Dewberry Charleston (5-star) – Situated next to Marion Square and in a former federal building, The Dewberry Charleston is one of Charleston’s most popular hotels and home to great dining options including the highest rooftop cocktail bar in the area, a spa and offers complimentary bikes, beach towels and totes.
Hotel Bennett (5-star) – Opened in 2020 as the newest of the area’s 5-star properties and one of Charleston’s largest hotels. This Salamander Hotel was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Best New Hotels in the World. Here you’ll find a rooftop pool, La Patisserie, a stylish tea and coffee spot, and Camellias, a champagne lounge with pink décor!

Where to Eat and Drink

The port city is full of fabulous places to eat. Given the size of Charleston, it’s impressive how many awesome restaurants and bars are found here. I recommend happy hour hopping to experience a good number of the restaurants and bars. The city is famous for its Lowcountry cuisine in which rice and seafood are staples. A few of my favorite Lowcountry dishes are she-crab soup and Frogmore stew (the Southern version of a New England clambake).

Drinks

Citrus Club – Whimsical cocktail bar on The Dewberry Charleston’s eighth floor terrace. As one of the highest rooftops in Charleston, the Citrus Club offers stunning views that stretch to the sea to accompany their citrus-inspired drinks.
Élevé – Trendy rooftop garden with an art-deco look at the top of Grand Bohemian Hotel. With a full menu and indoor seating available, the bar offers a solid selection of wines and cocktails.
Pavilion Bar – Set on the rooftop of the Market Pavilion Hotel, this posh bar has a central infinity pool and enough greenery to make you forget you’re in a city. Enjoy drinks under light-up umbrellas and take in the city views.
Henry’s on the Market – This multi-level establishment is home to a main dining room, a rooftop bar, the Whisky Lounge, and the NV Night Club. Eat elsewhere and come here for the city views and late-night dive bar vibes.
The Darling Oyster Bar – Great spot on King Street for happy hour. Read more about The Darling under ‘Eats.’
Leon’s – With an impressive variety of drink offerings and Southern soul food, Leon’s is one of the classic bars. Read more about Leon’s under ‘Eats.’
Harold’s Cabin – Hip and energetic bar co-owned by Bill Murray. Learn more about Harold’s Cabin under ‘Eats.’
Camellias – Champagne Lounge located inside Hotel Bennett. The pink-themed décor and shimmering chandelier make for a great photo op while you enjoy a champagne cocktail and signature Camellias Cake.
The Cocktail Club – Speakeasy-style bar tucked away just off King Street. The Cocktail Club is home to a rooftop terrace and stylish indoor to indulge in its light fare and couture cocktails.
The Rooftop Bar at Vendue – One of the top-rated rooftop bars in Charleston, this casual bar is a great spot for lunch, happy hour or evening drinks. Don’t forget to check out the original artwork on the lower level of the hotel!
The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits – One of the newest rooftop bars with some of the best views of the city is located at the top of Restoration Hotel. Come here for the sunset and enjoy the best bar snacks in town!

Eats and Sweets

Sugar Bakeshop – Popular local sweet shop and a great place to grab a coffee, cupcakes and plenty of other sweet snacks.
Peace Pie – The gourmet pie-style ice cream sandwiches found here have been called “One of the Best Ice Cream Sandwiches in America” by Buzzfeed. Stop here for unique ice cream and their famous ice cream sandwiches.
Vicious Biscuit (breakfast) – While it’s located in Mount Pleasant and not Charleston’s Historic Downtown, Vicious is a hidden gem and locals claim the best biscuits in Charleston can be found here. After breakfast head to Sullivan’s Island Beach!
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (breakfast & lunch) – Originally founded in 2005 as Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, the eatery is famous for its buttery Southern biscuits. You’ll want to try the biscuits praised by Saveur, Food & Wine, Southern Living, The New York Times and Oprah.
Harold’s Cabin (lunch & dinner; breakfast on weekends) – Co-owned by Bill Murray, this hipster restaurant serves locally sourced grocery items and vegetables from its own rooftop garden. The bar is hip; the brunch is great; and the homemade ice cream is delicious!
167 Raw (lunch & dinner) – One of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston, it is a sister location to the original Nantucket oyster bar. Come here for quick and casual eats.
Leon’s (lunch & dinner) – Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop is the place to go for fried chicken, oysters, drinks and a great atmosphere. Plus, they have rosé on tap. What’s not to love?
Husk (dinner; lunch on weekends) – This iconic Southern cuisine restaurant sources ingredients exclusively from the South. In addition to being awarded top honors for best new restaurant in 2011 by Southern Livingand Bon Appétit, it was also featured on Chef’s Table. Make sure you book a reservation in advance for this premier restaurant.
The Darling Oyster Bar (dinner; brunch on Sundays) – Set in a 115-year-old storefront along King Street, this energetic restaurant and bar serves up fresh seafood with local ingredients. A great happy hour and dinner spot!
FIG (dinner) – The best fine dining in Charleston is at this James Beard Award-winning restaurant. The name is an acronym for “Food Is Good.” Make a reservation here well in advance or opt to dine at the lively bar!
The Peninsula Grill (dinner) – Widely renowned by Forbes, Town & Country, and Condé Nast Traveler, to name a few, this hotel eatery offers upscale dining at Planters Inn. Southern cuisine is served in their posh-yet-private outdoor courtyard. Make sure to try their 12-layer coconut cake, which has been called the best in the world!

What to Do

One of the best ways to enjoy the Holy City is to embrace the laid-back atmosphere and just wander around via bike or on foot. You’ll find stunning homes and churches, great shopping, private gardens and parks. If walking isn’t your style, horse drawn carriage tours are all over the town and can be a great way to learn more from a local. Charleston is full of history. Between Fort Sumter, the site where the Civil War ignited, and numerous top-notch museums there’s a lot to learn in the town. And if you’re looking to explore out of the city, head to the surrounding islands for beach time or inland to visit plantations and gardens.

Rainbow Road & Historic Homes South of Broad

Colorful historic homes are synonymous with Charleston and there’s no better place to find them than in the South of Broad neighborhood. Rainbow Road may be the most famous (and most photographed) stretch in Charleston, but you’ll find beautiful houses, including a secret garden, all over the neighborhood. Rainbow Road sits along East Bay Street and covers the area north of Tradd Street and south of Elliot Street. A lesser known gem is Mrs. Whaley’s Private Garden. The secret garden is open most afternoons and unless you know where it is, you won’t find it (see my Charleston Guide map above).

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

Located close to the Charleston City Market, Joe Riley Waterfront Park stretches half a mile is home to the famous Pineapple Fountain. Stroll along the walkways and rest on the benches while enjoying the views of Charleston Harbor and the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge—which connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. You can even cool off by dipping your toes in the fountain water!

Shop King Street & Charleston City Market

King Street is the most famous street in Charleston and it’s no secret that some of the best shopping in the city is on this 300-year-old street. Many of the trendiest restaurants and rooftop bars are also located on King Street so you can eat and shop to your heart’s content! The street is split into three districts: Lower Antique, Middle Fashion, and Upper Design and Dining. The Lower Antique District stretches from Broad to Market Street and is home to some of the best antique shopping the in United States. Middle Fashion District runs from Market to Calhoun street and is a mix of local fashion boutiques as well as international name brand shops. The Upper Design and Dining District connects Marion Square to Spring Street and offers home and interior décor shopping and more restaurants.

Charleston is also home to several wonderful local markets. The Charleston City Market may be one of the nation’s oldest (established in the 1790s), but it is also one of the liveliest. Here you’ll find hundreds of entrepreneurs selling everything from the prized sweetgrass baskets to local sweets. Keep an eye out for the Certified Authentic Handmade in Charleston seal, which denotes locally made items. The market takes place in Market Hall, a series of single-story market sheds that continues for four blocks. The building is a designated National Historic Landmark. If you’re looking for a less touristy market, check out the Marion Square Farmer’s Market. It runs every Saturday and is a great way to support local foods and crafts!

Relax on the Beaches

Charleston is surrounded by several sprawling sandy beaches that are the perfect place to put your feet up and relax after walking around Historic Downtown. There are four main beaches around Charleston—each of them detailed below—with the closest ones to downtown being Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island. Read about each of the beaches to decide which one is best for you.

Folly Beach – The closest beach to downtown Charleston, Folly Beach has some great restaurants, bars, and pier. Surfing and fishing are common activities in the laid-back-yet-energetic atmosphere found here and live music can be found at several of the restaurants.
Sullivan’s Island – Drive through Mount Pleasant to reach Sullivan’s Island, home to the area’s classic wide and open beaches and some iconic restaurants, like Home BBQ and Poe’s Tavern. A little quieter than Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island has beautiful homes for rent and plenty of watersports to keep you occupied.
Isle of Palms – Just north of Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms also requires you drive through Mount Pleasant to reach its more upscale family-friendly beaches. Isle of Palms is a 30-minute drive outside of Charleston and has a stunning pier and a residential and resort community with activities like golfing, kayaking, tennis, fishing and sailing.
Kiawah Island – While often associated with Charleston, Kiawah Island is a 45-minute drive outside the city and only has one public beach. Don’t let the distance deter you though, the island is the most untouched out of the group—here you’ll find preserved forests, dunes, marshes, alligators, seabirds and sea turtles. If you’re planning to visit Kiawah Island, I recommend staying on the island for at least one night. Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a top-notch 5-star resort that is a great for families and couples!

Explore the Gardens and Plantations Around Charleston

There are some incredible experiences outside of the city and just inland. Charleston is rich in history. Many of the plantations in the area are on the National Register of Historic Places and now serve as educational tools. They are great way to learn about the past and see more of the Lowcountry land.

Angel Oak Tree – While neither a garden nor a plantation, Angel Oak Tree is a Southern treasure. This live oak is more than 400-years-old, making it one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi River. Straight out of a fairy tale, its enormous limbs are awe-inspiring in the early morning light.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens – Founded in 1676, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is the oldest public garden in the U.S. and has been distinguished as one of “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens” by Travel + Leisure. The shining white bridge, enigmatic swamps, and striking flowers found here make it hard to argue with this honor. The family home is partially open to the public and furnished with early American antiques.
Boone Hall Plantation – Established in 1681 and located in Mount Pleasant, Boone Hall Plantation is the one of the oldest plantations still in operation producing agricultural crops. What makes this property unique is the eight original slave cabins that now hold artifact and audio exhibits on how the slaves lived. It is a sober and important reminder that much of the beauty here was built on the backs of an enslaved people. The property is also home to the Avenue of the Oaks, a haunting drive lined with low-hanging live oaks on either side.
Cypress Gardens – In the center of the gardens sits the famous Blackwater bald cypress swamp—from the infamous scene in The Notebook. Visitors can take boat rides in the swamp and enjoy over three miles of walking paths through the swamp and gardens. This preserve 45-minute drive outside of Charleston has played host to many major films.

Museums

As one of the East Coast’s most historic cities, Charleston is full of informative museums. You’ll find six museums along Museum Mile, a one-mile section of Meeting Street in Historic Downtown. Here’s a list of the best museums in the city!

The Charleston Museum – Founded in 1773, The Charleston Museum claims the title “America’s First Museum.” The historical importance of Charleston and societal lifestyle are well highlighted through several hundred artifacts. This is top-rated museum in the city.
Old Slave Mart Museum – Charleston played a big role in the domestic slave trading system up until 1863. The Old Slave Mart Museum tells the story of Charleston’s troubled role and focuses on slavery in America.
Patriots Point – Located in Mount Pleasant, Patriots Point offers a unique experience—tour aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, which was used in WWII, a submarine and a destroyer ship during your visit.
Gibbes Museum of Art – Over 100 years old, the museum is home to more than 10,000 pieces of art. The unifying aspect of the artwork, which includes nearly every style and genre, is its connection to Charleston and the greater southeast region.
Karpeles Manuscript Museum – Home to the world’s largest private collection of historic manuscripts. The collection is funded by a philanthropist who also supports several other repositories so exhibits rotate frequently. Check the website to see what’s on display for your visit.

Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter National Monument is situated in the Charleston Harbor and has played key roles throughout American’s history. The sea fort acted as city’s main defense against seaside attacks in the Revolutionary War and, most famously, is known as the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Visible from Joe Wiley Waterfront Park, the fort is only accessible by water. Take a ferry from the Historic Downtown or Mount Pleasant to reach Fort Sumter and learn more about its storied history.