Charleston Travel Guide

Guidebooks

Photo: Peter Guttman/PeterGuttman.com

Wandering through the city's famous Historic District, you would swear it is a movie set. Dozens of church steeples punctuate the low skyline, and horse-drawn carriages pass centuries-old mansions and town houses, their stately salons offering a crystal-laden and parquet-floored version of Southern comfort. Outside, magnolia-filled gardens overflow with carefully tended heirloom plants. At first glance, the city resembles an 18th-century etching come to life—but look closer and you'll see that block after block of old structures have been restored. Happily, after three centuries of wars, epidemics, fires, and hurricanes, Charleston has prevailed and is now one of the South's best-preserved cities.

Hotels

Charleston Hotels

Charleston has gained a reputation, both nationally and internationally, not only as one of the most historic and beautiful cities in the country but also...read more

Fodor's Choice

Restaurants

Charleston Restaurants

Yes, to eat. Of course, to eat. This is, after all, Charleston, which is blessed with a bevy of Southern-inflected selections, from barbecue parlors to...read more

Fodor's Choice

Things To Do

Things To Do in Charleston

Everyone starts a tour of Charleston in downtown's...read more

Travel Deals in Charleston

View all travel deals
* Some taxes, fees additional
Hotels

Charleston Experiences

  • Welcome to Charleston

    You hear it time and again from people you meet in Charleston: either they have been here for generations upon generations (happily so), or they... Read more

  • If You Like

    Time-travel to the 18th century with Charleston's wealth of markets, historic homes, and churches, and explore the agrarian side to the city... Read more

  • Charleston with Kids

    What kid wouldn't delight in a town that looks like a fairy tale, and has cobblestone streets and secret alleyways, horses pulling carriages... Read more

  • Sweetgrass Baskets

    The purchase of a handwoven Charleston sweetgrass basket is proof to your friends that you've been here. For centuries, African-American (Gullah)... Read more

  • Lowcountry Cuisine

    Although you can find Lowcountry cuisine along most of coastal South Carolina all the way down to Savannah, its foundation feeds off the Holy... Read more

  • Fodor's Interview with Holly Herrick

    Holly Herrick is a classically trained chef, former restaurant critic at Charleston's Post and Courier, and author of the book The Charleston's... Read more

View more experiences

News & Features

View more blog stories

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

· Travel Planner

View more planning tips

·Weather

Weather Underground
partlycloudy

Now

69° F Scattered Clouds 33% Humidity May 25, 2013 at 10:56AM

Check historic weather for your trip dates

Arriving:
Go

 Places To Explore

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas

· Forums Trip Reports

View more trip reports

·

  • Where to stay Charleston SC

    hi-
    I'm running away from my hubby and kids and taking a solo last minute trip to Charleston in a week or two. thinking of staying in the city for two nights to sightsee and then to kiawah island for two Read more

View more travel discussions