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Charleston

Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboar

See
36
Do
1
Eat
15
Drink
5
Buy
1

58 places

  1. Eat

    39 Rue de Jean

    Refined French cafe in Upper King. Lunch and dinner served daily.

  2. Do

    Angel Oak

    For lovers of nature, Angel Oak is a sprawling oak tree estimated to be as much as 500 years old and provides a great place for a picnic and a visit off the beaten path (John's Island).

  3. Drink

    Blind Tiger

    An old speakeasy from the Prohibition era that is a local favorite.

  4. Drink

    Burns Alley

    Another local favorite, tucked amongst all the college bars on King Street.

  5. See

    Circular Congregational Church

    Congregationalists, Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and French Huguenots of the original settlement of Charles Town founded this dissenting congregation, known as the Independent Church, around 1681. They met at the White Meeting House, for which Meeting Street is named.

  6. See

    City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park

    Free art gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park with a variety of contemporary art with a focus on Lowcountry artists that is owned by the City of Charleston.

    Tue-Fri 11AM-6PM, Sat Sun noon-5PM, closed MonFree

  7. See

    Fireproof Building

    A National Historic Landmark constructed in 1827 and believed to be the oldest building of fireproof construction in the United States. The work of Robert Mills, the first native-born American to be trained as an architect, and a Charleston native who worked with other important early American architects such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Latrobe. Mills was responsible for the Washington Monument and many other public buildings. The building consists primarily of solid masonry in a simple Greek Doric style. An oval hall contains a cantilevered stone staircase lit by a cupola. The building serves as the headquarters for the South Carolina Historical Society, a private non-profit organization founded in 1856.

    Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM

  8. See

    First Baptist Church

    Organized around 1683; present site donated in 1699. Oldest Baptist church in the South, and often referred to as the "Mother Church of Southern Baptists".

  9. See

    Fort Sumter

    The island site of the start of the Civil War, now a National Monument. One must board a ferry for an additional fee at either Liberty Square in downtown or Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes. Fort Sumter is in ruins, but there are markers telling you where things used to be, as well as a museum.

    9AM-5PM

  10. See

    French Huguenot Church

    Organized around 1681 by Huguenot refugees from the Protestant persecutions in France; first church at present site built in 1687.

  11. See

    French Quarter

    Between S. Market and Tradd, Meeting and the waterfront, where the English colonial Walled Town once stood. Known for its art galleries, St. Philips Church, French Huguenot Church, and historic architecture.

  12. See

    Gibbes Museum of Art

    Since 1905, this striking Beaux Arts building has housed a premier collection of over 10,000 works of fine art, principally American works with a Charleston or Southern connection.

  13. See

    Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art

    Non-collecting contemporary art museum with two galleries, focused on "adventurous" art from student, early, and mid-career artists.

    Free

  14. Eat

    Husk

    Led by award-winning chef Sean Brock, Husk focuses on both exploring and creating playful variants of traditional Southern food.

  15. Eat

    Hyman's Seafood Restaurant

    Excellent seafood, casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, very popular, near the Charleston Place. Lunch and dinner daily.

  16. See

    Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

    Organized in 1749. The present Greek Revival-style building, built in 1840, is the oldest continually operating Jewish cemetery in the U.S. The oldest surviving Reform synagogue in the world and second-oldest synagogue of any kind in the United States.

    Mon Tue Thu Fri tours at 10:15AM, 11:15AM, 1:15PM, and 2:15PM. Sun only 10:15AM and 11:15AM

  17. See

    Liberty Square

    Has the South Carolina Aquarium and the Fort Sumter National Monument Visitor Center, both of which offer views of the Ravenel Bridge. This is also where you may take a boat tour to Fort Sumter.

  18. See

    Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

    Popular vintage garden from the 18th century with plantation home estate and small zoological park. Open for tours and visits.

    Daily 9AM-5PM

  19. Eat

    Moe's Crosstown Tavern

    Good bar food and great venue to watch your favorite sports team. Also offers a Sunday brunch.

  20. See

    Old Slave Mart

    Built in 1859 and believed to be the last slave auction market still standing in South Carolina. Now a museum.

  21. Drink

    Rooftop

    Atop the Vendue Inn; an excellent place to enjoy a drink outdoors.

  22. Eat

    Slightly North of Broad

    The restaurant serves traditional Southern cuisine, and its menu selection varies with the seasons.

  23. See

    The Battery and White Point Gardens

    This park sits at the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula with beautiful views, especially along the Battery Promenade by the Cooper River. Don't miss the elegant historic mansions along the Promenade, some of which have sold for nearly $20M.

  24. See

    The Citadel

    Historic military college founded in 1842. Full dress parades generally occur every Friday afternoon while school is in session and are free to the public. The campus is typically open to visitors and tours can be arranged by calling the school or stopping by the Admissions Office located in Bond Hall.

  25. See

    The College of Charleston

    Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of South Carolina and the thirteenth oldest in the United States.

  26. Drink

    The Gin Joint

    Pre-Prohibition style drinks made with top-shelf liquor and house-made mixers.

  27. See

    The Market

    An old shopping district at the foot of Market St. where vendors still sell wares. Contrary to popular legend, the Market was never a slave exchange. However, the remnants of the Old Slave Mart are a few blocks away.

  28. See

    Waterfront Park

    A popular park with plenty of lovely fountains and benches for people-watching. A couple of the fountains are designed for wading, including one shaped like a pineapple. The Wharf at Vendue Range offers views of the cruise ship terminal and the Ravenel Bridge.

  29. See Not mapped

    Randolph Hall

    At the College of Charleston. Built in 1828. Popular civil war movie-making site.

  30. Eat

    82 Queen

    Some of the best she-crab soup in town.