Attractions
There is no shortage of things to go see in Charleston! There are amazing restaurants, great places to shop and tons of stuff to see. As one of the oldest cities in the country it has a long and rich history for you to explore. Shaun and I spent a lot of time in Charleston and we know some of the best places to go and see. Just let us know if there is something you want to see or have any questions! Here are just a few of the biggies...
The Market
f you want to see Charleston make sure you walk around downtown Charleston.
MARKET ST. - At the beginning of Market St. is The front facade of "the Market" (see pic) it is an amazing grand facade like on an old southern mansion. Behind it are a few indoor shops, but the bulk of the market consists of 3 blocks of open air market. Get there early for parking and the best finds. They pretty much sell everything. The best finds here are the local seagrass baskets weaved by Gullah women (more on that under local customs) and antiques.
Along both sides of the market are North and South Market streets. on both are great restaurants and shops. There's a Ben & Jerry's, The Crab Shack restaurant, a rock shop with gemstones and jewelry, Papillon restaurant, the Peninsula hotel, and many MANY other restaurants, shops and tour companies.
It is a very short walk from Market St. to the St. Phillips church and graveyard. It's absolutely beautiful in this area. I highly recommend losing yourself in this part of town between Market and all the way over to Waterfront Park. The houses are gorgeous and most are mansions or traditional "side houses". There are many small alleyways hiding beautiful courtyards with gardens and statues and cobblestone streets.
Rainbow Row
In 1931 Dorothy Legge purchased 99 and 101 East Bay, beginning the renovation of the area between Tradd and Elliot Streets. Originally these mid-1700 homes had been the center of commerce; merchants had stores on the first floor and lived on the floors above. Neglect over time left these valuable buildings in a state of disrepair. The purchase and restoration by Mrs. Legge inspired others, and today this beautiful array of homes is known as "Rainbow Row".
Explore one of Charleston's most recognizable districts at the vibrant Rainbow Row, a unique stretch of mid-1700s homes and buildings. These unique homes are vibrant shades of pink, yellows, and blues. The homes were once the center of Charleston's commerce and retail district, and underwent significant renovations in the 1930s and 1940s.
The beautiful row of homes is certainly one of the icons for which the city is most famous, and are located just one block inland from the Charleston's Waterfront Park. During the 18th century, Rainbow Row comprised the city's waterfront district, as many merchants ran shops and businesses on the first floor, and lived above their businesses on the second floor. Be sure to take a camera along to photograph your own Charleston post cards along Rainbow Row!
These old row houses are very popular to Charleston. They represent the very first style of Charleston homes and are portrayed in the story of Porgie and Bess. You'll see pictures of Rainbow Row throughout your stay in Charleston.
The Battery
E. BAY STREET- Take E. Bay St. from Market St. down to the Battery. Along this road you will see Rainbow Row (a street of houses painted every color of the rainbow) and The Old Exchange Building. The Old Exchange Building hosts tours and has a dungeon underneath used in the Civil and Revolutionary War. This building is said to be very haunted and is usually a spot on one of the ghosts tours. At the end of E. Bay is the Battery and on your left is Charleston harbor where from its walkway you can see Fort Sumter (1st shots of the Civil War) and on your right are HUGE antebellum mansions. It's a Must SEE.
Charleston Waterfront Park
Conord Street
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston Waterfront Park is a favorite location of visitors and locals alike, offering fantastic views of Charleston Harbor. The park covers more than 1,000 feet along the coasts of Charleston Harbor, and allows visitors a chance to sit and relax after a long day of shopping and sightseeing. Visitors can watch sailboats cruising the waters and large ships heading into and out of harbor.
Old-fashioned park benches dot the park, and family-sized swings offer a fun way to spend a relaxing - and free - afternoon together. Walkways are ideal for strolling along, two large fountains make for fantastic places for children to play, splash, and cool off. The fountains light at night, offering a truly spectacular scene along the Charleston Harbor waterfront. The park is also centrally located near The Market and other great shopping and sightseeing areas.
South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston's aquarium offers unforgettable, panoramic views of the historic harbor, and things only get better from there. Visitors can appreciate nature's magnificence both inside and out, making the place ideal no matter the season. Inside, displays detail SC's major regions: Mountain Forest, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, and Atlantic Coast. A variety of birds, reptiles, and salt- and freshwater fish is included as well. Interactive displays also allow children to experience close encounters with horseshoe crabs and starfish. The two-story shark tank is a sight to behold too!
