Last Updated on March 12, 2024
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Charleston is without a doubt one of the most picturesque and charming cities in America. The oldest city in South Carolina is full of history, pastel-colored houses, sprawling mansions, cobble stone streets and lush gardens. It’s not hard to instantly fall in love with Charleston. As far as cities go, this one is very walkable and many beautiful places to see in Charleston, SC can be found just by strolling around. Here are some of the most picturesque spots in the city.
Most photogenic places to see in Charleston, SC
Philadelphia Alley
While strolling through the streets of Charleston, I discovered a tiny, picturesque alley, that quickly became one of my favorite spots in the city. Philadelphia Alley is not well marked, and for that reason it’s very easy to miss it. This little pathway is located between Queen Street and Cumberland Street.
Much like Savannah, Charleston is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in America. Many dark stories and mysteries are hiding underneath the beauty of the city and Philadelphia Alley is a great example of that. This picturesque little pathway, stretching for just one block, does have a much darker past. Many duels took place there, which is why you’ll often hear people refer to it as Blood Alley. The brick wall even has a door leading straight to a cemetery. If you join one of the popular ghost tours, Philadelphia Alley will most likely be one of the stops.
Where: between Queen St and Cumberland St
Pink house
This historic house, built between 1694 and 1712, is one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina. The house got its name from the naturally pink Bermuda stone, that was used to build it. Over the years, the Pink house was home to various businesses, from brothel to law firm and most recently an art gallery. These days it’s a personal residence, so it can only be viewed from the outside, but do not skip it by any means. This picturesque house set along the cobble stone street is one of the nicest spots in Charleston.
Where: 17 Chalmers St
Rainbow Row
Possibly one of the most photographed and beautiful places in Charleston, SC is Rainbow Row: a cluster of pastel painted houses. There are 13 of them, and you can find them along East Bay Street near the waterfront.
As pretty as they are, that wasn’t always the case. Quite the opposite actually. The houses were run down and in pretty rough shape. That changed in 1931 when new owners decided to give the buildings a much-needed makeover. Now a stroll along the row of the pastel-colored houses is among the must do things while visiting Charleston.
Where: 79-107 East Bay Street
Pineapple fountain
If I was asked for one way to describe Charleston, it would be that this city is a definition of Southern hospitality. It’s honestly one of the most welcoming and friendliest places I’ve been to. For centuries, the biggest symbol of that Southern hospitality has been a pineapple. Many pineapple accents can be spotted throughout the city, with the most recognizable being the Pineapple fountain in Charleston Waterfront Park.
Where: Charleston Waterfront Park
Gardens
As you walk through the streets of Charleston, the beautiful houses and mansions will certainly grab your attention. However, the gardens that you will find behind the gates and fences are no less impressive. Charleston residents take great pride in what their gardens look like and make sure they are perfectly manicured. There is an unspoken competition going on between neighbors, so everyone strives to have the best-looking garden possible.
Boone Hall Plantation
No visit to Charleston is complete without visiting a plantation and there are some beautiful ones near the city. My favorite one is Boone Hall, located about a 30-minute drive from the downtown area. Built back in 1681 by John Boone, it is one of the oldest working plantations in America.
Right as you enter, you are welcomed by a beautiful avenue of the oaks, which is said to have been the inspiration for the entrance to the Twelve Oak plantation in the Gone with the Wind movie. Also, fans of The Notebook will sure recognize Boone Hall, as the Plantation appeared in several scenes in the movie.
There are several things you can do when you visit Boone Hall Plantation. The admission price ($28/ $12 kids) includes a tour of the house and a 40-minute tractor tour of the plantation. You can explore the grounds and the beautiful gardens on your own. There is also a daily live “Exploring the Gullah Culture” presentation, which I highly recommend you attend, if you happen to be there at the right time.
Besides the beautiful grounds, Boone Hall stands out as a plantation, that is committed to presenting the history of slavery in an accurate and respectful way. There are 9 slave cabins with exhibits, which will give you a glimpse into the lives of slaves.
Visiting Boone Hall Plantation makes for a great half day trip from Charleston. If you don’t have a car, you can visit it on this plantation day trip from Charleston.
Where: 1235 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant
Best places to stay in Charleston
As one of the top cities to visit in the South, Charleston has no shortage of places to stay. Accommodations range from chain, budget hotels, to more upscale places and many charming B&Bs. Location wise, the best area to stay in is Historic District. This will allow you to be within walking distance to most attractions. But as you can expect, hotels in this area will be most expensive.
- Indigo Inn – this B&B is my personal favorite. Located right in the heart of historic district, it was a perfect base for exploring the city. The rooms are beautiful and reflect the Southern charm. 4 of their rooms are pet friendly, so it’s a great choice for people traveling with their dogs (note there is an extra pet fee per night).
- Market Pavilion Hotel – if you are looking for a bit of luxury and don’t mind splurging a bit, this hotel is a great choice. It has beautiful rooms, rooftop pool and the location is perfect, just steps away from the waterfront.
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I love Charleston!!!!