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 green shutters, a central archway, and mature trees in the foreground.

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 ฿7,179 per night from 4 Oct to 5 Oct
฿7,179
฿9,885 total
4 Oct - 5 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 ฿7,748 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿7,748
฿8,832 total
27 Sept - 28 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! (2,538 reviews)
"Amazing hotel, great location,"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2026

The Francis Marion Hotel
The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel

3.5 out of 5
237 Meeting Street Charleston SC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,042 per night from 4 Oct to 5 Oct
฿6,042
฿8,572 total
4 Oct - 5 Oct
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 ...
The Ryder Hotel
The Charleston Place

The Charleston Place

5 out of 5
205 Meeting Street Charleston SC
The price is ฿15,256 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
฿15,256
฿17,468 total
18 Oct - 19 Oct
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,011 reviews)
"The hotel was fabulous! I was there to celebrate my 75th birthday. My only suggestion I may have that requested two double beds"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2026

The Charleston Place
Andrew Pinckney Inn

Andrew Pinckney Inn

4 out of 5
40 Pinckney St Charleston SC
The price is ฿7,000 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿7,000
฿8,046 total
27 Sept - 28 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! (1,522 reviews)
"Second time staying here and I loved it just as much. The view during breakfast is beautiful and the rooms are very nice!"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2026

Andrew Pinckney Inn
The Palmetto Hotel

The Palmetto Hotel

4 out of 5
194 East Bay Street Charleston SC
The price is ฿10,440 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
฿10,440
฿11,977 total
18 Oct - 19 Oct
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 ...
The Palmetto Hotel
See all 1,272 properties in Downtown Charleston
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.

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 tiered water fountain surrounded by manicured hedges and palm trees.

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