French Quarter, SC

Charleston

Waterfront Park showing a park, modern architecture and a marina
Charleston Waterfront Park showing a sunset and a park as well as a small group of people
Waterfront Park
Charleston Historic District which includes performance art, night scenes and music
Waterfront Park featuring views, general coastal views and a sunset

Popular places to visit

Charleston City Market

Charleston City Market

4.5/5(2,986 reviews)

During your trip to Charleston, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Charleston City Market. Discover the area's stunning cathedral, or seek out its local tours.

Charleston City Market
The Dock Street Theatre is Charleston's last surviving hotel from the antebellum period. The silhouette of its wrought iron balcony against the spire of St. Philip's church may be the single most photographed spot in the city. The main portion of the building was constructed around 1809 as Planter's Hotel. The hotel was built by Alexander Calder and his wife, who did so by renovating several pre-existing buildings at the site. The main entrance may not have been built until 1855 by J.W. Gamble. The hotel was used extensively by planters from the midlands of South Carolina, who traveled to Charleston during horse-racing season. It was noted for its wonderful food and drinks during this era, and the South's famous Planter's Punch may have originated here. Guests to the hotel passed through the recessed porch with brownstone columns, into the lobby, and up a grand staircase that ascended to a drawing room. While much of the interior has been altered, these elements of the antebellum hotel remain and were adapted in subsequent uses of the building. A series of additions to the hotel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries can be easily identified by differences in brick coloration. This theater is said to have been the first building built specifically for theatrical performances in America. Planter's Hotel occasionally housed one of the city's theatrical troupes, which performed at the nearby New Theatre during the mid-19th century. The most notable actor of this troupe was Junius Brutus Booth. Booth was the patriarch of an outstanding family of actors, which included John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin. Junius Booth, who stayed at the Planter's Hotel, allegedly tried to kill his manager here in 1838. Today the Dock Street Theatre is home to the Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theater production company, and houses the city's Cultural Affairs office as well as The City Gallery, an exhibition space for local artists.

Dock Street Theater

Enjoy a show at Dock Street Theater, a storied theater in Charleston. Discover the area's churches, or seek out its local tours.

Dock Street Theater
Pink House Gallery featuring a house

Pink House Gallery

You can browse the exhibits at Pink House Gallery, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Charleston. Add the area's shops or churches to your travel plans.

Pink House Gallery
Washington Square featuring a park

Washington Square

You can find out about the history of Charleston with a visit to Washington Square. Discover the area's churches, or seek out its local tours.

Washington Square
Walking tour around Charleston

Old Slave Mart Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Old Slave Mart Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Charleston. Discover the area's stunning cathedral, or seek out its local tours.

Old Slave Mart Museum
St. Philip\'s Church showing heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

St. Philip's Church

After visiting St. Philip's Church, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Charleston. Visit the area's churches or amble around its beautiful beaches.

St. Philip's Church

Things to do

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

$50
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

$50
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

$40
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

$37
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket
Schooner Pride

Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

$55
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

$50
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
See all activities in Charleston

Other neighborhoods around French Quarter

Charleston Historic District showing heritage architecture

Charleston Historic District

Explore this National Historic Landmark District, boasting an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including Charleston "single houses." Nearby Ansonborough features fine Greek Revival houses and historic civic buildings.

Charleston Historic District
Nathaniel Russell House featuring interior views

South of Broad

If you're spending some time in South of Broad, Rainbow Row and Nathaniel Russell House are top sights worth seeing.

South of Broad
Charleston

Harleston Village

If you're spending some time in Harleston Village, Marion Square and Colonial Lake are top sights worth seeing.

Harleston Village
South Carolina Aquarium showing marine life

Ansonborough

If you're spending some time in Ansonborough, Port of Charleston and South Carolina Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.

Ansonborough
Edmonston-Alston House featuring a house

Downtown Charleston

Explore the National Historic Landmark District, boasting an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including Charleston "single houses." Discover fine Greek Revival homes in Ansonborough and historic civic buildings on Broad Street.

Downtown Charleston
South Carolina showing interior views and heritage architecture

Radcliffeborough

While there might not be top attractions in Radcliffeborough, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Port of Charleston and Music Farm.

Radcliffeborough

French Quarter, SC

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