What to do and see in Downtown, South Carolina (SC): The Best Sights & Landmarks

February 11, 2022 Terina Blouin

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. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

95 Hasell St Between Meeting and King sts., Charleston, SC 29401-1417 +1 843-722-7696 http://www.sma.church/
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

A beautiful Catholic church built in 1839.

Reviewed By LiketoeatCincinnati - Cincinnati, United States

This is a very beautiful Catholic Church in downtown Charleston. One is allowed to visit. Though the statues were covered, the stained glass was wonderful.

2. French Huguenot Church

136 Church St At the corner of Church and Queen sts., Charleston, SC 29401-2802 +1 843-722-4385 http://www.huguenot-church.org/tours.html
Excellent
54%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 82 reviews

French Huguenot Church

This beautiful church dates back to 1844 and is the only French Hugenot church in the country that still gives the liturgy in French.

Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75

This is the Must-See Church in Charleston. Interesting exterior architecture and a simple but beautiful interior. Its history is literally written on its walls.Only one that invited people to enter. Docent was helpful in providing a brief history. Particularly note the plaque of the number of Presidents of Huguenot descent Don't forget to leave donations!!!

3. Thomas Elfe House

54 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401-2806 +1 843-722-9162 [email protected] http://www.thomaselfehouse.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Thomas Elfe House

4. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

90 Hasell St, Charleston, SC 29401-1418 +1 843-723-1090 [email protected] http://www.kkbe.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 621 reviews

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

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. St. Philip's Church

142 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-2898 +1 843-722-7734 [email protected] http://www.stphilipschurchsc.org
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

St. Philip's Church

Reviewed By ArizonaTravelers42 - Garden City Beach, United States

This was our first visit to St. Philip's Anglican Church. The sanctuary is beautiful and the spirit of the congregation even more so. Never have we felt so welcome.

6. Marion Square

Charleston, SC http://www.francismarionhotel.com/
Excellent
38%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 433 reviews

Marion Square

A section of Charleston where hotels, restaurants and nightlife are found.

Reviewed By EvanGuthrie - Charleston, United States

Marion Square is one of my favorite parks in Charleston. It is great to have this wide open green space in the middle of everything to find a quiet spot to sit, walk, read, lay out, have a picnic, have a meeting, or get some work done. Marion Square has good wifi that is useful when you need to connect. This is also a great event space several times a year where some of my favorite big events in Charleston are held and it is perfect for that purpose and seems to fit everything just right. There is also a lot of history to this site as you can feel all of the years of Charleston surround you any time of the day. Overall this is a really awesome park that I like to visit and use regularly and enjoy.

7. The Powder Magazine

79 Cumberland St, Charleston, SC 29401-3112 +1 843-722-9350 [email protected] http://www.powdermag.org
Excellent
34%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 125 reviews

The Powder Magazine

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.

17 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401-3006 +1 843-723-3608 [email protected] http://pinkhousegallery.tripod.com/index.html
Excellent
38%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 24 reviews

Pink House Gallery

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.

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