Charleston Insider Guide to Historic Downtown Charleston

Historic Downtown Charleston is framed by the Wando, Cooper, and Ashley Rivers is the region’s urban hub and harbor, which includes the deep water Port of Charleston. Home to historic churches and synagogues, museums, galleries and award-winning restaurants, the peninsula is also one of the Southeast’s best shopping districts noted for local boutiques, fine art and antiques. Campuses of the College of Charleston, The Citadel and the Medical University of South Carolina are interwoven among walkable, bike-able neighborhoods, parks and “boroughs.”

Things to Do

Downtown is one of the primary attractions in and of itself. The historic streets, museums, historic homes, fantastic restaurants and unique shopping offer something for everyone. Our complete Charleston Attraction guide outlines all of what we have outlined here but it also includes things to do outside downtown.

If you are visiting or looking to move downtown here are some of our favorite activities in downtown:

This is just a small sampling of the activities, events and attractions available in Charleston.

(Insider tip: Check our Insider Now page or Holy City Sinner’s Event page for the most current events and activities.)

Dining in Downtown Charleston

Charleston is a foodie town with many award winning restaurants all over town. Our Insiders have outlined our favorite places downtown in the Downtown Charleston Dining guide.

(Insider tip: Install Resy on your iPhone or Andriod. Most of the best restaurants use Resy and you can often find a last minute spot at your next restaurant.)

Schools

Charleston is served by both Charleston County School District. There are over a dozen schools in town outlined on GreatSchools.com with a lot of diversity and performance.

(Insider tip: Check with the State of South Carolina Department of Education’s website for yearly report cards.)

Homes and Builders

Housing options range from multi-million dollar historic mansions and luxury condominiums South of Broad Street, to apartments and smaller old homes loaded with character in Radcliffeborough, to a mix of 19th century Charleston single homes and contemporary townhomes in the Cannonborough/Elliottborough neighborhoods, to quaint bungalows and fixer-uppers in Wagener Terrace and the upper peninsula area.