Downtown Charleston Travel Guide

Charleston

A historic pink building with green shutters, a black wrought iron fence, and lush greenery.
A grand room with a fireplace, ornate furniture, and a chandelier.
A cobblestone pathway flanked by trees and a building with a sign reading "SING".
A room with a red upholstered sofa, a wooden table with silverware, and a mirror on the wall.
A wooden staircase with a black railing, a wooden cabinet, and a fireplace in a room with yellow walls and wooden floors.

Stay near popular Downtown Charleston attractions

A historic building with arched doorways and columns, surrounded by lush trees and a paved sidewalk.

College of Charleston

8.8/10 (2,901 reviews)
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.
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Things to do

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

฿1,640
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage
Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

Charleston: Fort Sumter Access with Roundtrip Ferry

฿1,410
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Fort Sumter Access with Roundtrip Ferry
Picture 7 for Activity Charleston: 1-Hour Carriage Tour of the Historic District

Charleston: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour

฿1,640
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Downtown Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

฿1,771
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

฿1,214
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Charleston: See it All City Tour with Adventure Sightseeing
Folly Beach: Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour to Morris Island

Folly Beach: Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour to Morris Island

฿1,935
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Folly Beach: Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour to Morris Island
See all activities in Charleston

Top hotels in Downtown Charleston

Emeline

Emeline

4 out of 5
181 Church St Charleston SC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿7,594 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
฿7,594
฿10,359 total
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
Emeline
The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

4 out of 5
387 King St Charleston SC
The price is ฿7,407 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
฿7,407
฿8,443 total
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,507 reviews)
"AC was very nice in the room. Staff were attentive and clean quiet gym"

Reviewed on 13 Sept 2026

The Francis Marion Hotel
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street Charleston SC
The price is ฿6,006 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
฿6,006
฿8,527 total
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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 their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,189 reviews)
"Such a cute hotel. The vibes are amazing and set the scene for a great time. Everything from the rooftop pool, to the Little Palm, the sitting areas and the rooms and so cute and charming. The amenities available through their gear garage are such a nice add as well! I would definitely recommend ..."

Reviewed on 13 Sept 2026

The Ryder Hotel
Andrew Pinckney Inn

Andrew Pinckney Inn

4 out of 5
40 Pinckney St Charleston SC
The price is ฿7,734 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿7,734
฿8,883 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,520 reviews)
"The lovely historic hotel was centrally located and beautiful. Well maintained and immaculate. Staff was friendly and helpful. Afternoon wine and snacks on the rooftop was a special touch. Their continental breakfast was delicious. We look forward to returning!"

Reviewed on 13 Sept 2026

Andrew Pinckney Inn
The Charleston Place

The Charleston Place

5 out of 5
205 Meeting Street Charleston SC
The price is ฿15,765 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿15,765
฿18,047 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Charleston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
The Charleston Place
The Palmetto Hotel

The Palmetto Hotel

4 out of 5
194 East Bay Street Charleston SC
The price is ฿10,212 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿10,212
฿11,718 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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! (1,005 reviews)
"The Palmetto was absolutely perfect. First impression walking in is a gorgeous, inviting sitting room and a beautiful bar around the corner at the entrance, and then very lovely staff welcoming at check in. The room and (large) bathroom were clean and also beautiful. I love that a steamer was in ..."

Reviewed on 13 Sept 2026

The Palmetto Hotel
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Where to stay in Downtown Charleston

Find the best Downtown Charleston areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown Charleston
Learn more about Downtown Charleston
A horse-drawn carriage crossing a street at a city intersection.

Charleston Historic District

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.

A cityscape at sunset with a prominent bridge in the background, a historic church, and modern buildings.

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.

Princess St and King St intersecting with classic brick buildings and a street lamp.

King Street

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

A large brick building with a red roof, a pond in the foreground, and trees with Spanish moss.

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 Citadel Mall or Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site.

Downtown Charleston Travel Guide