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Downtown Charleston in Charleston

Things to Do in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

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.

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 MarketHistoric Charleston City MarketMarket
  • Waterfront Park & Pineapple FountainWaterfront Park & Pineapple FountainFountain
  • Huguenot ChurchHuguenot ChurchFamous Protestant Church
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By TripSapien · Updated September 3, 2026

Top things to do in Downtown Charleston

  • Historic Charleston City Market in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Historic Charleston City Market

    ★ 4.5 · 28.1k
    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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain

    ★ 4.8 · 6.7k
    Fountain★

    Multi-layered, pineapple-shaped fountain facing the waterfront, popular for photos.

    Every day
    12 AM – 12 AM
    Map ↗
  • Huguenot Church in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Huguenot Church

    ★ 4.7 · 152
    Famous Protestant Church★

    Historic church building in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.

    Website ↗Map ↗
  • International African American Museum in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    International African American Museum

    ★ 4.8 · 1.8k
    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 ↗
  • Christophe Artisan Chocolatier in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Christophe Artisan Chocolatier

    ★ 4.6 · 433
    Chocolate Shop· $$$

    Gourmet sweet shop featuring chocolates, pastries, French-style macarons & coffee in a cozy space.

    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Giant's Causeway Pillar in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 ↗
  • Kissmet in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Kissmet

    ★ 4.8 · 188
    Home Goods
    Every day
    11 AM – 7 PM
    Map ↗
  • East West Gem Co. in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Buxton Books

    ★ 4.7 · 473
    Bookstore

    A local independent bookstore in Charleston that also hosts book events and operates as a tour company.

    Mon–Fri
    10 AM – 9:30 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 9:30 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 9:30 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Downtown Charleston

  • Husk in Downtown Charleston, 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–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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 ↗
  • Bitty and Beau’s Coffee in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    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 in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    Lowland

    ★ 4.7 · 429
    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 ↗
  • 82 Queen in Downtown Charleston, Charleston

    82 Queen

    ★ 4.5 · 3.5k
    Bar· $30-80

    A swanky bar and intimate courtyard help make this refined Southern spot a special occasion favorite.

    Mon–Fri
    11 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
    Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗

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Downtown Charleston map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Downtown Charleston with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1Historic Charleston City Market
  2. 2Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain
  3. 3Huguenot Church
  4. 4Husk
  5. 5International African American Museum
  6. 6Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
  7. 7Giant's Causeway Pillar
  8. 8The Shops at The Charleston Place
  9. 9Haberdash
  10. 10Millers All Day

Other areas in Charleston

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