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Charleston

The zenith of old-world charm, Charleston whisks you into the nation's tumultuous past and nourishes your mind, heart and stomach in roughly equal measure.

History

This lovely city will embrace you with the warmth and hospitality of an old and dear friend – who lived in the 18th century. We jest, but the cannons, cemeteries and carriage rides absolutely conjure an earlier era. Here, signers of the Declaration of Independence puffed cigars and whispered of revolution in the withdrawing rooms of historic homes, and the first shots of the Civil War rang out over Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The city itself was built on slave labor, and several related sights are among the nation's most important educators on the long-standing oppression of African Americans.

Food

Its chefs are regular contenders for James Beard awards. Its restaurants and dishes frequently get the nod from magazines like Bon Appétit. And with culinary roots in Europe, the Caribbean and West Africa, is it any wonder that every year millions of people pack a toothbrush just to eat in Charleston? But reading or hearing about delicious things never quite satisfies the way, say, slurping a raw oyster can. Or tearing into a fried green tomato. Or swirling the cream and sherry in a bowl of she-crab soup…

Romance

Charleston's most beloved 19th-century porch furnishing was the joggling board – a bouncy, wooden rocking bench that couples sat on back in the day as part of a courtship ritual. Not much has changed. Today lovers stroll cobblestone streets past historic buildings, stop to smell the blooming jasmine and enjoy long, candlelit dinners on verandas. Everywhere you turn another blushing bride is standing on the steps of yet another enchanting church. Above all, this is a place for seduction by Southern hospitality – Charleston will charm the sweat right off your brow.

Charlestonians

The good people of Charleston have seemingly stepped from the pages of a Victorian romance novel and settled in the South for the sole purpose of welcoming visitors. Conversation flows more gracefully than the Coop-ah Ri-vah, as they'd say it, and whether it's their elegant drawl or the refined (but never stuffy) manners, the locals land themselves squarely in your good graces without a shred of effort. Similarly, the kindhearted and easygoing Gullah people are the sort you'd hope to pass a day with roasting oysters or fishing, and the unhurried cadence of their well-preserved language is thoroughly enchanting.

Why I love Charleston

By Ashley Harrell, Writer

Although I went to college in the Carolinas, I never fathomed a swath of the South quite like Charleston. Here was this small, intimate place, but with the sensibilities and offerings of a city much larger. I marveled at the simple beauty of walking around on streets decorated in bits of history, like old-timey gas lanterns hung from curled wrought iron or 'upping stone' steps that once helped people onto horses. I also adored the locals, particularly on the unseasonably warm night when they taught me to shuck a cluster of oysters in an alley.

Explore Charleston

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Featured Story

Charleston vs Savannah: how to choose between the two Southern cities

9 min read — Published May 31st, 2021

The proximity and historic character of Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, have led to many comparisons. Here's how the two cities stack up.

Latest Stories from Charleston

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Charleston.

  • Historic Building

    Heyward-Washington House

    As the name hints, this 1772 Georgian-style town house is kind of a big deal because George Washington rented it for a week, and visitors can stand in…

  • Historic Building

    Aiken-Rhett House

    The only surviving urban town-house complex, this 1820 abode gives a fascinating glimpse into antebellum life on a 45-minute self-guided audio tour. The…

  • Historic Site

    Fort Sumter National Monument

    The first shots of the Civil War rang out at Fort Sumter, on a pentagon-shaped island in the harbor. A Confederate stronghold, this fort was shelled to…

  • Museum

    Old Slave Mart Museum

    Formerly called Ryan's Mart, this building once housed an open-air market that auctioned African American men, women and children in the mid-1800s, the…

  • Historic Building

    Drayton Hall

    This 1738 Palladian brick mansion is the country's oldest preserved plantation house open to the public. Yep, it's older than the nation. Drayton Hall was…

  • Historic Building

    Middleton Place

    Designed in 1741, this plantation's vast gardens are the oldest in the US. Countless slaves spent years terracing the land and digging the precise…

  • Museum

    Calhoun Mansion

    If you've ever wondered what the wealthiest, fanciest, most well-traveled hoarder's house might look like, visit the Calhoun Mansion. With 35 rooms and 24…

  • Historic Building

    Nathaniel Russell House

    A spectacular, self-supporting spiral staircase is the highlight at this 1808 Federal-style house, built by a Rhode Islander, known in Charleston as 'King…

  • Public Art

    Joggling Board

    In the yard of the Nathaniel Russell House sits a fine specimen of a super-Charlestonian porch furnishing – the joggling board. It consists of a 16ft…

  • Historic Building

    Edmondston-Alston House

    Charles Edmondston built this Federal-style home in 1825 for a mere $25,000, and fell on hard times in 1837, forcing him to sell it to Charles Alston for …

  • Historic Building

    Magnolia Plantation

    This 500-acre plantation, which has been owned by the Drayton family since 1676, is a veritable theme park. Enjoy a tram tour, a petting zoo and a guided…

  • Aquarium

    South Carolina Aquarium

    A showcase of South Carolina's wildlife, with creatures hailing from the mountain forest, piedmont, salt marsh, coastal and undersea habitats. Although…

  • Church

    St Michael's Church

    St Michael's is the oldest church in town, dating back to 1752, and its beloved bells have been announcing the time and various events, including…

  • Museum

    Charleston Museum

    Founded in 1773, this is the country's oldest museum. It's helpful and informative if you're looking for historical background before strolling through…

  • Area

    Rainbow Row

    With its 13 candy-colored houses, this stretch of Georgian row houses on lower E Bay St is one of the most photographed areas in Charleston. The…

  • College

    College of Charleston

    Spread over a few city blocks at the center of Charleston's downtown, this university was founded in 1770 and is the oldest in the state. The campus is…

  • Historic Building

    Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

    Kids love the creepy dungeon, used as a prison for American patriots held by the British during the Revolutionary War. The cramped space sits beneath a…

  • Museum

    Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

    An outpost of the world's largest private collection of important original manuscripts and documents, housed in a former Methodist church built in 1856…

  • Square

    Marion Square

    Charleston's most frequented park is 10 acres of green space in the middle of downtown, bordering on King, Calhoun, Meeting and Tobacco Sts. It's the home…

  • Historic Building

    Joseph Manigault House

    This three-story Federal-style house from 1803 was once the showpiece of a French Huguenot rice planter. There's a tiny neoclassical gate temple in the…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Charleston.

  • Activities