Location: Downtown
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10 Museums in Downtown That You Shouldn't Miss
Historic Charleston is bursting with Southern charm and hospitality. The city feels a bit like it’s suspended in time, thanks to its antebellum architecture and surrounding plantation landscapes. Take in incredible views of the Battery and the French Quarter as you stroll the Waterfront Park, then become inspired by the cultivated beauty of the gardens at Middleton Place. At night, try a ghost tour for an introduction to the spooky side of the city.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. One Of A Kind
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Celebrating our 19th year in business. We represent Frogman, Satava Art Glass, Storypeople, Rollin Karg Art Glass, Glass Eye Studio, Kitras Glass, Andy Brinkley, as well as 100+ artists from all over the US. We have a great selection of hand crafted jewelry, ornaments, pottery (raku, whimsical and functional), wall art (copper and brass trees), pet prints, gullah dolls, kaleidoscopes, mobiles and wind chimes, tiles, lots of dog and cat art, and much more! Check out our human size copper frogs. We constantly bring in new artists to delight our new customers and returning patrons.
Reviewed By pierce96
We found so many gift ideas here for those who have everything and hard to buy for. The lady working in there is so knowledgeable and friendly, and we consider this shop one of our favorite stores in Charleston. Our group visited twice during our stay and picked up some fantastic gifts for Christmas plus some things for ourselves. You should go check it out.
2. Gibbes Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
The Gibbes Museum enhances lives through art by engaging people of every background and experience with art and artists of enduring quality, by collecting and preserving art that touches Charleston, and by providing opportunities to learn, to discover, to enjoy, and to be inspired by the creative process. Recognized among the oldest arts organizations in the United States, the Gibbes has played a significant role in shaping the careers of American artists for over a century. The Museum connects the city and region's artistic past to a vibrant contemporary art scene.
Reviewed By rmhiester - Charleston, United States
The Gibbes is a fabulous art museum in Charleston that offers something for everyone. It's not overwhelming and easy to see in a couple of hours. The mobile app is great and has a variety of tour themes. The building is beautiful, especially the stained glass dome of the rotunda! From colonial through contemporary art, the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions explore the history of Charleston and the southern region. Their visiting artist series is a fun way to meet working artists in different mediums (I've met a Weaver and a taxidermy artist!) and the program schedule offers fun connections to what's on view. The garden concerts in the spring and fall are particularly fun, and the Gibbes on the Street event in April/May of each year is one of the best events in town.
3. Lime Blue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
4. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 621 reviews
Tours of KKBE include a docent-led tour of the gallery, archival museum, and our newly-renovated our Sanctuary, as well as a professional, 20-minute documentary video about our Sanctuary. We are looking forward to welcoming guests to our historic Sanctuary as soon as we are able to re-open.
Reviewed By fantasticv0yage
Sadly closed due to the pandemic, this is the second oldest synagogue in the US (after Truro in Newport, Rhode Island), the oldest continuous Jewish congregation in the US, and the founders of the American Reform movement in the early 1800s. More Greek temple than Jewish temple, this is an important part of US history whatever your religion.
5. Smith-Killian Fine Art
6. Confederate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 347 reviews
Historic museum with displays of the War Between the States. The collection consists of Uniforms, Flags, Personal Items, Currency, Cannon, Swords, Guns.
Reviewed By jacifus - Palestine, United States
First: Handicapped Friendly, and kind and knowledgeable ladies helped me to take the elevator so that I could enjoy the museum. This museum has some rare flags, and tells the OTHER side of the story regarding Ft.Sumter, and the “War of the Northern Aggression”, from the Confederate point of view. Regarding some of the negative reviews, well, let’s just say that most of them are from Northerners that have little knowledge of Southern History, and the many grey areas that caused the war. It wasn’t black and white only. This is a wonderful museum, and a must if you want a fully rounded history of that terrible war.
7. The Powder Magazine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 125 reviews
The Powder Magazine is South Carolina's oldest public building. It was constructed in 1713 for gunpowder storage and now stands as a colonial military history museum.
Reviewed By natashaj753
Self guided tour with lots of information. If you bought a ticket for something else in the city, for example the Palmetto carriage rides, you can get in for free. This was a very interesting place to visit, very relaxing as well. Would definitely recommend.
8. Pink House Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Pink House, an historic house and art gallery located at 17 Chalmers Street in Charleston, South Carolina, isn't to be confused with the Pinke House restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. Built between 1694 and 1712 of pinkish Bermuda stone by John Breton in the city's French Quarter, is one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina and is the second oldest residence in Charleston after the Colonel William Rhett House. The tile gambrel roof dates to the 18th century. In the 1750s, the building was a tavern. The artist Alice R. Huger Smith used the house as a studio in the early 20th century. Today, it features an art gallery.
9. Nina Liu and Friends
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
10. College of Charleston - Jewish Heritage Collection
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