Charleston

Travel Guide

Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston

Steeped in history, this Southern town is an ideal spot for walking tours of antebellum mansions, beautiful gardens and fine restaurants. 

Charleston is best explored on a walking tour or in a horse-drawn carriage with your driver telling stories about city landmarks. Learn about military history and the Southern way of life. Sample local foods of shrimp and grits, Lowcountry barbecue, collard greens and sweet pralines.

The American Civil War began here, when the seceding Confederacy fired upon and overtook federal Fort Sumter in the Charleston River. A later Union attack reduced the fort to rubble. Take a ferry to see the historic site, which also contains a complete timeline of U.S. naval activities along the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Across the harbor, walk along The Battery and White Point Garden to gaze at the fort, now a national monument. Reflect on this pivotal moment in U.S. history. Turn around to view pretty antebellum houses surrounded by flowers in this neighborhood known as South of Broad. The writer Pat Conroy lived here. Many of his popular novels reveal not only Charleston’s geography, but also its cultural nuances.

To the west, the brilliant white Romanesque architecture of The Citadel gleams against a bright blue Charleston sky. Watch military cadets in dress uniforms during weekly parades or competing in weekend football games against other Southern colleges in the fall.

Nearby visit Middleton Place, a 1755 plantation with one of the nation’s earliest landscaped gardens. Something blooms here at any time of year. You might see an alligator sunning itself next to the Ashley River.

To the east, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is an impressive modern structure, especially with its triangular arches illuminated at night. Walk, bike or drive across for excellent views of the river and harbor or run across during the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run in early April.

Spring’s Spoleto Festival offers opera, theater, dance, music and artist talks. Throughout the year, visit the Charleston Historic Market to purchase locally made handicrafts. Famous hand-woven sweetgrass baskets, once used during rice harvesting, are still made by locals and treasured as artworks.

Where to stay in Charleston

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Charleston Historic District

5/5(35 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal to Charleston City Market – discover Charleston Historic District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Charleston Historic District
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Downtown Charleston

4/5(6 area reviews)

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

Downtown Charleston
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West Ashley

West Ashley is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site or Citadel Mall.

West Ashley
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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.

Cannonborough Elliotborough
Charleston

Harleston Village

While visiting Harleston Village, you might make a stop by sights like Marion Square and The Riviera Theater.

Harleston Village
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French Quarter

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal to Dock Street Theater – discover French Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

French Quarter
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
The price is S$262 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$262
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,745 reviews)
"Nice hotel in great location."

Reviewed on 16 Jul, 2025

The Francis Marion Hotel
Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St, Charleston, SC
The price is S$316 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
S$316
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,634 reviews)
"Perfect location"

Reviewed on 16 Jul, 2025

Emeline
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
The price is S$431 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
S$431
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Charleston. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Overall the Ryder hotel was a good option for us. Rooms were clean and good size. Pool area was cute but small. If you are driving to the beach they had chairs, towels, etc. to borrow but no sun umbrellas but overall a good selection. Location to dinning and the market shopping was walkable. Some ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul, 2025

The Ryder Hotel
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.

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