Downtown Charleston, Charleston: Things to Do

The 4-block Historic Charleston City Market, the Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park, and the Huguenot Church on Church Street. There are American restaurants, cocktail bars, and independent hotels here.

Historic Charleston City MarketMarket
Waterfront Park & Pineapple FountainFountain
Huguenot ChurchFamous Protestant Church

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By TripSapien · Updated October 20, 2026

Top things to do in Downtown Charleston

Historic Charleston City Market
★ 4.5 · 28.2k
Market★
4-block city market over 200 years old, with vendors of food, art & crafts like sweetgrass baskets.
Mon–Thu
9:30 AM – 5 PM
Fri
9:30 AM – 5 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sat
9:30 AM – 5 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sun
9:30 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain
★ 4.8 · 6.9k
Fountain★
Multi-layered, pineapple-shaped fountain facing the waterfront, popular for photos.
Every day
12 AM – 12 AM
Map ↗
Huguenot Church
★ 4.7 · 151
Famous Protestant Church★
Historic church building in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Website ↗Map ↗
International African American Museum
★ 4.8 · 1.9k
Museum
A museum dedicated to African American history and culture, it features exhibits, artwork, videos, and artifacts, with views of the harbor and resources for learning family history.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Giant's Causeway Pillar
Mountain Peak
A stack of stones steeped in Irish folklore, much like the hero they're connected to, hide in plain sight.
Map ↗
The Shops at The Charleston Place
★ 4.6 · 1.4k
Shopping Mall
The Charleston Place is a hotel in the historic center of Charleston, South Carolina. It was built in a style to fit with the architecture of surrounding 1800s buildings and opened on September 2, 1986. It is the largest hotel in…
Mon–Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
12 PM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
★ 4.6 · 436
Chocolate Shop· $$$
Gourmet sweet shop featuring chocolates, pastries, French-style macarons & coffee in a cozy space.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
9 AM – 6 PM
Sat
9 AM – 6 PM
Sun
9 AM – 6 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Kissmet
★ 4.8 · 196
Home Goods
Every day
11 AM – 7 PM
Map ↗
East West Gem Co.
★ 4.8 · 1.0k
Gem Shop
A premier provider of custom moissanite rings and fine jewelry, crafted by artisans in Orange County.
Mon–Fri
8:30 AM – 5 PM
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗
Buxton Books
★ 4.7 · 477
Bookstore
A local independent bookstore in Charleston that also hosts book events and operates as a tour company.
Mon–Fri
10 AM – 8:30 PM
Sat
10 AM – 8:30 PM
Sun
11 AM – 8:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Downtown Charleston

Husk
★ 4.5 · 4.4k
American· $50–100
Open since 2011, the enduring legacy of this Southern restaurant continues to draw in waves of diners.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
5 PM – 10 PM
Fri
5 PM – 11 PM
Sat
10 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 11 PM
Sun
10 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Haberdash
Lounge
A speak easy themed event lounge in downtown Charleston, offering a space for grooms and groomsmen on wedding days, as well as other events.
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Millers All Day
★ 4.7 · 4.0k
Breakfast· $20–30
Have pie and beer for lunch or grits and biscuits for dinner at this refined bistro, bakery, and bar.
Mon–Fri
8 AM – 3 PM
Sat
8 AM – 4 PM
Sun
8 AM – 4 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Veranda Lounge
Lounge· $20–30
A lounge located within The Loutrel in Charleston, SC.
Mon–Thu
12 PM – 10 PM
Fri
12 PM – 11 PM
Sat
12 PM – 11 PM
Sun
12 PM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
★ 4.7 · 1.4k
Coffee Shop· $1–10
Breakfast sandwiches & burritos, smoothies & sweet treats in a cheery, counter-serve coffee shop.
Every day
9 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Lowland
★ 4.7 · 436
Soul Food· $50-100
Find Lowland just off busy King Street in a two-story brick former residence across from the boutique Pinch hotel.
Every day
5 PM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗