Visitor Guide

Book your vacation, the official charleston visitor guide – spring 2023.

Welcome to the Official Charleston Visitor Guide for Spring 2023! This comprehensive guide showcases the best of Charleston and is designed to help you make the most of your trip. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, you'll find plenty of things to see and do in this charming city, which is steeped in history and Southern hospitality. From historic landmarks and breathtaking beaches to world-class restaurants and charming boutiques, Charleston has something for everyone. So get ready to explore and let this guide be your companion on your journey. We hope you have an unforgettable Charleston experience!

Charleston's nonstop flight list is growing.  Check if your airport is on the list.

Request a mail-in Visitor Guide  via CharlestonCVB.com

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  • About Charleston
  • Travel Guide
  • Where to Stay
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  • Things to Do
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  • Charleston SC Maps

Find helpful Charleston SC Maps including points of interest maps, public restroom map, public parking garage map and restaurant maps. 

The greater Charleston area is comprised of five regions: Mt Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, The Islands, and Downtown Charleston. 

  • Mt. Pleasant  - Mt. Pleasant is located just across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and is home to Patriots Point and Boone Hall Plantation. 
  • West Ashley  - This area is west of the Charleston Peninsula, across the Ashley River, and home to Drayton Hall and Middleton Place. 
  • North Charleston  - North Charleston is located about 15 minutes north of downtown Charleston. The Charleston International Airport, Greyhound Bus Station and Amtrak Train Station are all located in North Charleston. 
  • The Islands  - The Islands include Sullivan's Island , Isle of Palms, Folly Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, James Island, Daniel Island and Johns Island. 
  • Downtown Charleston  - The Downtown Charleston Peninsula is about 17 square miles and home to antebellum mansions, museums, restaurants, shopping and quaint b&bs. 

Charleston SC Maps

Below you will find some useful maps that will help you navigate around this historic city. Whether you are searching for nearby plantations, trying to locate public parking garages, or trying to locate the nearest public restroom, you will find the maps here.

Charleston SC Area Maps

  • The  Charleston Area Map  gives an overview of the greater Charleston area, including the airport, nearby attractions, islands, beaches, and plantations. 
  • The  Peninsula Map  is useful because it focuses on the historic district, and highlights plenty of helpful information, including public parking garages and the routes for the free downtown area shuttle (DASH). 
  • Explore the islands in the area with the Charleston Islands Map .
  • One of the most important maps is the  Public Restrooms Map . Not all public restrooms in the downtown area are visibly marked or easy to find, so this map will help you locate them

Points of Interest Maps

  • The  Attractions map  highlights the fun and exciting things you can see and do in Charleston, including museums, plantations, and historic homes. 
  • The beaches map will help you find all the nearby beaches, including Folly Beach and Isle of Palms.
  • The Charleston  parks map will help you locate all nearby parks, including the famous Waterfront Park and the bustling Marion Square Park.
  • The historic churches   map will help you locate all the historic houses of worship  in downtown Charleston including  The Circular Congregational Church and The Unitarian Church.
  • The s hopping map highlights the different shopping districts in downtown Charleston, and the a rt galleries map will help you locate the local art galleries in Charleston.
  • The free things to do in Charleston map highlights 20 free places to visit and things to do in Charleston.
  • The top 10 things to do in Charleston map will help you find something fun to see and do while visiting Charleston 

Maps of Places to Stay in Charleston SC

  • Find a romantic Bed and Breakfast in Charleston, SC with our b ed and breakfast map .
  • Find a charming inn or cozy boutique hotel with our historic  inns   map .
  • Find first class service and luxurious accommodations with our map of luxury hotels .
  • Find a convenient and affordable place to stay with our map of full-service hotels . 
  • Find a budget-friendly place to stay with our cheap hotels map. 
  • Find a place to pitch a tent or park your RV with our map of campgrounds  in Charleston, SC.

Charleston SC Restaurants Map

  • Find the Best Restaurants in Charleston
  • Find the best " cheap eats " in Charleston
  • Locate moderately priced restaurants in Charleston
  • Locate fine dining restaurants in Charleston

Charleston SC Transportation Maps

  • The  DASH map  highlights the routes of the Free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH)
  • The  parking garage map  highlights all the parking garages in downtown Charleston.

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Map of Charleston — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

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We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Charleston, South Carolina for travelers! Check out Charleston’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Charleston? See our Charleston Trip Planner.

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Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Charleston. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Charleston map:

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Top 20 attractions in Charleston

Fort sumter national monument, aiken-rhett house museum.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

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Joe Riley Waterfront Park

White point garden, nathaniel russell house.

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Old Slave Mart Museum

Arthur ravenel jr. bridge, saint michael's church, charles towne landing state historic site, rainbow row, old exchange and provost dungeon, charleston city market, patriots point naval & maritime museum, magnolia plantation and gardens, middleton place.

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Boone hall plantation & gardens, south carolina aquarium, 20 south battery, 34 west theater company, top 10 restaurants in charleston.

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  • Interstate 26
  • US Route 17
  • SC Route 61 (Ashley River Road)
  • SC Route 171 (Folly Road)
  • SC Route 700 (Mark Clark Expressway)
  • SC Route 171 Connector (Savannah Highway)
  • US Route 52 (Rivers Avenue)
  • US Route 78 (Meeting Street Road)
  • SC Route 700A (Glen McConnell Parkway)
  • SC Route 642 (Dorchester Road)

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Popular road trips from charleston, what's the weather like in charleston.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Charleston for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

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All road trips from Charleston

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Explore nearby places

  • Sullivan's Island
  • Daniel Island
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Johns Island
  • North Charleston
  • Folly Beach
  • the Isle of Palms
  • Kiawah Island
  • Goose Creek
  • Wadmalaw Island
  • Seabrook Island
  • Summerville
  • Moncks Corner
  • Jacksonboro
  • Edisto Beach
  • Cottageville
  • McClellanville
  • Harbor Island

All related maps of Charleston

  • Map of Sullivan's Island
  • Map of Daniel Island
  • Map of Mount Pleasant
  • Map of Johns Island
  • Map of North Charleston
  • Map of Folly Beach
  • Map of the Isle of Palms
  • Map of Hanahan
  • Map of Kiawah Island
  • Map of Goose Creek
  • Map of Ravenel
  • Map of Hollywood
  • Map of Meggett
  • Map of Wadmalaw Island
  • Map of Ladson
  • Map of Seabrook Island
  • Map of Summerville
  • Map of Huger
  • Map of Awendaw
  • Map of Moncks Corner
  • Map of Jacksonboro
  • Map of Ridgeville
  • Map of Edisto Beach
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  • Map of Bonneau
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  • Map of Jamestown
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Charleston throughout the year

  • Charleston in January
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Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Charleston?

Get inspired for your trip to Charleston with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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Charleston, SC   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Sam Antonio Photography | Getty Images

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Charleston, SC Neighborhoods

Laid out on a grid pattern, Charleston is an easy city to get one's bearings. The Southern end of the city is constricted by the Charleston Harbor while King Street runs the length of the city, through the most northern ends of the historic district. For an overview of the city's neighborhoods, sign up for a  walking tour .

Visitors will probably spend most of their time in Charleston's downtown. Packed with most of the city's historic attractions, Charleston's past has been well-preserved with stunning architecture that's not to be missed. Downtown is split into two halves, separated by Broad Street, with a large number of  hotels  and restaurants scattered throughout the area.

South of Broad

South of Broad Street is more residential and generally quieter than the rest of the city. Located on the tip of a peninsula, the area consists of a large collection of historic mansions and churches. Be sure to spend some time visiting the  Nathaniel Russell House  and the Edmondston-Alston House. St. Michael's Episcopal Church, built in 1752 and still standing as the city's oldest church, is also in this area.

At the most southern edge is the Battery, a promenade that provides fantastic views of the rest of the city and the Charleston Harbor.

North of Broad

North of Broad Street is known as Charleston's Historic District since it contains many of the attractions from the city's antebellum days. Many Charleston  hotels  and restaurants are situated in the North of Broad area, and some of the best shopping spots are located here as well, concentrated around King Street. 

The area shelters the  Aiken-Rhett House  and the Joseph Manigault House, both of which are available to tour. North of Broad is also where you will find the city's collection of museums; from the Charleston Museum to the interactive Children's Museum of the Lowcountry to the Old Slave Mart Museum, housed in a building once used for slave auctions.

Mount Pleasant

Located east of downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant is an entirely different city. Although it does not have as many places of interest for tourists, it makes for a nice trip if you have the time. The Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, where parts of "The Notebook" were filmed, is located here. The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site sits less than a mile from the plantation. It was the former estate of Charles Pinckney, whose signature is on the U.S. Constitution.

The area's best beaches are less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Charleston.  Folly Beach , south of downtown, is home to a range of accommodations and wildlife, including loggerhead turtles and bald eagles, as well as a fishing pier. A bit south of Folly Beach is Kiawah Island, whose main feature is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Northeast of downtown Charleston is the  Isle of Palms , which is more residential and mainly filled with shopping spots and paths for walking and biking. You'll find  Sullivan's Island  a little less than 10 miles east of the downtown area. The town's beaches, local restaurants and shops and pre-Civil War-era fort beckon to travelers looking for a relaxing day away from Charleston's bustling downtown.

Downtown Charleston near the Historic District is generally safe and best known for its Southern hospitality. However, it's still a busy city and visitors should use common sense when exploring. Avoid walking alone at night (especially in the city's many alleyways) and keep valuables close to you.

Explore More of Charleston, SC

Charleston Walking Tours

Things To Do

The Charleston Place

Best Hotels

The Battery

When To Visit

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a beautiful, historic town in South Carolina that sits on the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s a must-visit city when traveling to the southern US. This ultimate travel guide to downtown Charleston, South Carolina , has everything you need to know to have fun when you visit the city.

First, there’s a detailed self-guided walking tour that will take you to all the coolest and most historical places in town. Plus there is a list of the best bars so you can enjoy the nightlife and a list of the restaurants with the best food. And, there’s a map that has everything on it so you can easily get around the city!

Some links on this page are affiliate links , meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you. This compensation may impact how and where links are placed on this site.

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Table of Contents

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina Self-Guided Walking Tour

If you want to see the best parts of downtown Charleston in one day , follow this walking tour. This is the order I highly recommend you go in if you want to minimize your walking while still seeing everything. 

The walking tour is at least 1 mile long if you end it at White Point Garden. But you will end up walking 2 to 3 miles if you go up King Street. 

Historic Charleston Market

Historic Charleston Market in downtown Charleston South Carolina

The Historic Charleston Market is the perfect place to start your day! The market stretches across four blocks and is the  top attraction in Charleston .

Many local artisans sell handmade goods, food, and souvenirs here. You can grab a coffee and a snack while you shop. 

Waterfront Park

Downtown Charleston South Carolina's Waterfront Park & Pier

The Waterfront Park is a great place to spend a nice day or take a walk.

The pier has a great view of the Cooper River, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and some swings and benches for relaxing. 

There is also plenty of green space for picnics and relaxing and palm tree-lined paths for walking . 

And the Pineapple Fountain is in the park!

Pineapple Fountain

Charleston's Pineapple Fountain in downtown

The Pineapple Fountain is a cute and unique part of Charleston. It’s in the Waterfront Park right between the river and the City Gallery. 

So why a pineapple?

The Pineapple Fountain is a way to welcome people to Charleston and signals hospitality. A couple of centuries ago, people would place pineapples on their doorsteps to signal that they were home and ready to welcome visitors. This act was common by sailors and their wives to signal to neighbors that their husband was home safe.

Now Charleston has a giant pineapple ready to welcome you to the city 🙂 

Hotels.com: $99 or Less

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston South Carolina

Rainbow Row is one of the most  recognizable and instagrammable spots  in Charleston. 

These 13 houses were the only ones that survived a 1778 fire in the neighborhood. They were finally renovated in the early 1900s, and a few were painted pink to match a colonial Caribbean color scheme.

The other owners painted their houses different pastel colors to keep the pattern and aesthetic. The light colors also keep the homes cool on the inside.

The rainbow of colors is how the street got its name, and it’s one of my favorite places in Charleston.

The Battery

The Battery in downtown Charleston South Carolina

The Battery is an old defensive seawall that is now a pedestrian walkway. 

On one side of the Battery, you’ll have great views of the water , and the other side has some of Charleston’s most beautiful homes.  

White Point Garden

White Point Garden in downtown Charleston South Carolina

Across the street from part of the Battery is the beautiful White Point Garden. This park sits on the most southern tip of Charleston’s downtown peninsula. 

The park has many of Charleston’s historical monuments and military relics like cannons used in the Civil War. The park is almost 6 acres, and it’s an excellent place for anyone who enjoys learning about the city’s history. You can spend a decent amount of time here learning and admiring all the park’s historic features. 

If you don’t care too much about food, bars, and passing by beautiful historic houses, you can end your tour here , which will keep you from walking too much.

But, if you want to see some beautiful houses and grab some food and drinks or do some shopping, I would continue on, which I will detail next 🙂

Meeting St. 

Meeting St. is one of Charleston’s main streets that runs north to south. It has a lot of beautiful churches and old houses lining it. 

You can walk up on Meeting St. if you want to end up back where you started at the Historic Market. Otherwise, I would cut over one block west to King St.

King St. – Eat, Drink, and Shop!

King St. is one street west of Meeting St., and it has plenty of things to do to fill the rest of your day downtown. It’s a great place to end your walking tour, and you can spend as much or as little time as you want walking around here. 

On King St., you’ll find all of Charleston’s best restaurants, shops, and bars . Most of the bars I recommend below are close together on King St.

The shops on King vary from popular stores like Sephora, Gucci, and H&M to small boutique stores that sell clothes, candles, jewelry, and much more. 

You’ll also find Marion Square, a vast green space surrounded by beautiful churches and buildings. There is a Christmas tree here during the holiday season, and lots of people relaxing or playing sports here when the weather is nice.

Downtown Charleston Walking Tour Map

Here is the map of the Downtown Charleston Walking tour. King St. and Meeting St. run north from White Point Garden if you choose to continue the tour. 

And, enter your email below to get a PDF with a walking tour map , a step-by-step walking guide, and information on all the bars and restaurants below. It’ll be sent directly to your inbox!

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina Restaurants

Downtown Charleston has a great selection of restaurants!

The restaurants on this list include ones I loved and ones that I haven’t been to (yet!) but were recommended by multiple locals. (Mostly in Ubers, which is seriously the best way to get recommendations when you travel!!)

Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar

Carmella’s is a  must-visit place in Charleston . They are a dessert bar with some of the best treats in the city. 

All of their desserts look amazing, but I had the Cannoli Cake, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. 

They also have sandwiches, cocktails, wine, charcuterie, and more. 

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Henry’s On The Market

Henry’s is another upscale pub with rooftop seating and live music . 

They were renovating when I visited, so they didn’t have a full menu, but it was highly recommended by all the locals. 

It is at the top of my list for when I visit again!

Blind Tiger Pub

The Blind Tiger Pub has a typical bar/pub vibe, but they have the cutest patio in the back with its own bar. 

Their food is delicious, especially their appetizers to pair with a drink. And, they have fun specialty drinks that change with the seasons. 

Food at the Blind Tiger Pub

Frannie & The Fox

Frannie & The Fox is in the Emeline Hotel. They serve breakfast and dinner throughout the week and brunch on weekends. 

They have indoor and outdoor seating , and it’s all so cute. I had brunch here and tried a few different dishes, including the Blue Crab Fritters, the Bunch Sandwich, and the Wood Oven Baked Eggs. 

It was all delicious!

The Griffon

The Griffon is another restaurant that was often recommended by locals. It’s an English Pub-style bar , and the walls are covered in dollar bills.

It’s another one I will definitely be visiting on my next trip to Charleston 🙂

Bay Street Biergarten

My final restaurant recommendation is the Bay Street Biergarten. They have a great outdoor patio with its own bar and a massive indoor area with southern decor. 

The food is an excellent mix of German and southern. And, the bar has trivia on Wednesday nights!

Bay Street Biergarten in downtown Charleston South Carolina

Bars & Breweries in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

The bars in downtown Charleston, South Carolina are a lot of fun, and there is a great variety for people of all ages and different bar styles and vibes. 

Charleston would be a great bachelor or bachelorette destination , or bar-hopping because there are so many bars all together on King St., which runs through downtown. 

Everything on this list is on King St. except for The Citrus Club, which is one block east on Meeting Street and well worth the detour. 

INK Rooftop & Lounge

INK is a fantastic lounge and bar with a fun vibe no matter what day or time you visit. The decorations here are bright and vibrant , and it’s a great place to grab a drink before visiting other bars or grabbing some dinner. 

INK Rooftop & Lounge in downtown Charleston South Carolina

Prohibition

Drinks at Prohibition

When it comes to decor and vibe, Prohibition is completely the opposite of INK in the best way. Prohibition is very dark, but it makes you feel like you are in a modern-day speakeasy . The bartenders all dress in an old-fashioned way, and the drink menu is very diverse. 

Prohibition has a DJ on weekends with a great dance floor in the back, so if you want something unique and fun, this is the place to go.

Also, their bathroom is super cute!

Vintage Lounge

Drinks at Vintage Lounge

Vintage is another classy bar and lounge that I would recommend if you want something quiet. They have a great selection of wine and small plates that pair well with wine. They also have a great selection of mixed drinks.

Republic Garden & Lounge

Republic is similar to INK in that its vibe is bright and low-key . There is an outdoor garden/patio with its own bar, and the inside has another bar and more seating. 

The patio is popular when the weather is nice, but even in the colder weather, you can enjoy the patio since they have heaters.

Chucktown Brewery

As always, I had to try at least one brewery in Charleston . Chucktown has a smaller beer menu, but the vibe was chill. They also have a great food selection and a full bar, which is great when you’re traveling with non-beer drinkers.

Inside Chucktown Brewery

Uncork Charleston 

Inside Uncork Charleston

Uncork is Charleston’s pour your own wine bar. They have 40 wines available, and you pay by the ounce, so you can try as much or as little wine as you want. 

They also have brunch, lunch, and dinner menus with delicious food!

The Citrus Club

The Citrus Club rooftop bar

The Citrus Club is the Dewberry Hotel’s rooftop bar on their 8th floor. It’s the highest rooftop in the city and has the best views of Charleston and the surrounding rivers. 

The drinks here are more expensive than most bars on the list ($15-20+ for a specialty cocktail), but the views are worth it. Plus, the vibe is great, especially when the weather is nice. You can also order food like seafood, wings, and dessert.

Enjoy Downtown Charleston, South Carolina!

The view of downtown Charleston South Carolina from The Citrus Club rooftop bar

Remember to download the PDF walking tour map ! You can see the historical sites, the bars, and restaurants, plus addresses and step-by-step directions. 

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina, is a lovely place to visit year-round. You should enjoy the sites, eat some good food, and get some drinks at one of the unique bars!

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  1. Printable Map Of Charleston Sc Historic District

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  2. Printable Map Of Charleston Sc Historic District

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  3. One Day In Charleston SC

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  4. Downtown Charleston SC Printable Map

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  5. Charleston Map

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  6. Charleston Printable Tourist Map

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VIDEO

  1. A look around Charleston Harbor

COMMENTS

  1. Charleston Attractions Map | Visit A City">Charleston Attractions Map | Visit A City

    Interactive map of Charleston with all popular attractions - City Market, Waterfront Park, The Battery & White Point Garden and more. Take a look at our detailed itineraries, guides and maps to help you plan your trip to Charleston.

  2. Charleston | Charleston, SC">Visitor Guide | Explore Charleston | Charleston, SC

    Explore the rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture of Charleston with our comprehensive guide. From must-see attractions and hidden gems to top-rated restaurants and lively events, we've got you covered.

  3. Charleston SC Maps">Public Restroom and Public Parking - Charleston SC Maps

    Find helpful Charleston SC Maps including points of interest maps, public restroom map, public parking garage map and restaurant maps. The greater Charleston area is comprised of five regions: Mt Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, The Islands, and Downtown Charleston.

  4. Map of Restrooms, Parks, Parking, Hospitals, and GPS ... - Charleston, SC">Map of Restrooms, Parks, Parking, Hospitals, and GPS ... - ...

    Official, interactive Charleston Visitor's Bureau Map. Landmarks, historical sites, parks, transportation & parking info, nearby restrooms & more here.

  5. Charleston, South Carolina">20 BEST Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina

    In Charleston, the must-see sights include the Charleston City Market, the Pineapple Fountain in the Joe Riley Waterfront Park, touring a historic house in Charleston, taking a plantation tour, seeing the Angel Oak Tree, shopping on King Street, and visiting Fort Sumter.

  6. Map of Charleston — Best attractions, restaurants, and ... - Wanderlog">Map of Charleston — Best attractions, restaurants, and ... -...

    We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Charleston, South Carolina for travelers! Check out Charleston’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

  7. Charleston, SC Area Map | U.S. News Travel">Charleston, SC Area Map | U.S. News Travel

    Map of Charleston, SC area, showing travelers where the best hotels and attractions are located.

  8. Map of downtown Charleston, South Carolina - Google">Walking Map of downtown Charleston, South Carolina - Google

    This map was created by a user. Learn how to create your own. Walking Map of downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

  9. Downtown Charleston, SC – Southeast Area Map - SCIWAY">Downtown Charleston, SC – Southeast Area Map - SCIWAY

    Helpful map of Charleston's historic downtown peninsula - Enlarged southeast quadrant view features White Point Gardens, The Battery, Waterfront Park, City Market, and many other popular tourist attractions

  10. Charleston, South Carolina">The Ultimate Travel Guide to Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

    Charleston is a beautiful, historic town in South Carolina that sits on the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s a must-visit city when traveling to the southern US. This ultimate travel guide to downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has everything you need to know to have fun when you visit the city.