Charleston

Main sights

• Rainbow Row

  Thirteen historic houses at 79 to 107 East Bay Street, between Tradd and Elliott streets. They began as shops with living quarters above and faced the river before the land was filled in. The pastel paint dates from restorations in the 1930s and 1940s. Most are private homes, so stay on the pavement.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Rainbow Row (opens in a new tab)
• The Battery

  A defensive seawall and promenade at the tip of the peninsula, where the two rivers meet. The raised High Battery runs along East Battery to Murray Boulevard. From it you can see Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, Fort Moultrie and the USS Yorktown, with big antebellum houses behind you.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for The Battery (opens in a new tab)
• Charleston City Market

  A long run of market buildings at the foot of Market Street, with sweetgrass basket makers often at work. It is open daily except Christmas Day, with a night market on Friday and Saturday from March to December. It was never a slave market, despite the common story.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Charleston City Market (opens in a new tab)
• Old Slave Mart Museum

  At 6 Chalmers Street, a building from 1859 believed to be the last slave auction site still standing in South Carolina. The City of Charleston runs it, and its website lists opening hours of 9:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Old Slave Mart Museum (opens in a new tab)
• St Michael's Church

  The city's oldest surviving church building, at 71 Broad Street, the line between North and South of Broad. Its congregation was organised in 1751.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for St Michael's Church (opens in a new tab)

Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhoods worth wandering

• French Quarter

  Between South Market and Tradd streets, from Meeting Street to the water, on the site of the old walled town. St Philip's Church, the French Huguenot Church, the Powder Magazine and the galleries are all here, and some lanes are still cobbled.

• South of Broad

  Grand houses and gardens below Broad Street, running down to the Battery. These are private homes, so this is a look from the pavement.

• Upper King Street

  Shops, restaurants and bars further up the peninsula. King is the main north-south shopping street, and the Visitor Center at 375 Meeting Street is close by.

Best areas to explore on foot

1. The Battery to Rainbow Row

   From White Point Garden, a public park since 1837, follow the raised High Battery north along East Battery, then continue up East Bay Street to Rainbow Row. Stay on the harbour side for the view of Fort Sumter.

2. Waterfront Park

   About half a mile along the Cooper River from Vendue Range south to Adger's Wharf. It has a wooden pier at Vendue Wharf, the Pineapple Fountain and shallow fountains for wading. It opened in 1990 and joins easily to the French Quarter.

3. King Street

   Charleston's main shopping street, running up the peninsula from Broad Street. It is a straight, flat walk, and the free DASH shuttles can bring you back.

4. Meeting Street

   The Charleston Museum Mile follows the Meeting Street corridor. The Visitor Center has a brochure for a self-guided walk past its museums and historic buildings.

Practical walking notes

• Terrain

  Flat throughout, with some uneven old pavements and cobbled lanes in the French Quarter.

• Flooding

  Downtown streets flood at high tide and in heavy rain. Flooding usually starts when the harbour reaches about 7 feet, and the city's roads have closed as recently as October 2026. Check the forecast and tide times before you plan a long walk.

• Heat

  Summer heat index readings are typically around 37°C by day and can reach about 43°C. Start early, and plan a museum or shade for the middle of the day.

• Storms

  Afternoon storms are common in summer. Heavy rain can flood the low streets quickly, so head for higher ground or indoors and wait rather than wading through.

• Shortcuts

  Three free DASH shuttle routes run downtown and all stop at the Visitor Center. They save your legs on the way back up the peninsula.

When to visit

• Spring

  The best time, with azaleas and mild weather.

• Autumn

  Warm and less humid.

• Summer

  Hot and humid, with afternoon storms.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

• By air

  Charleston International Airport is about 20 minutes from downtown.

Local transport

• On foot

  The historic district is best walked.

• DASH trolley

  Free trolley buses circle downtown.