Welcome to Downtown Charleston
Historic, lively, and vibrant waterfront city — featuring world-class dining and breathtaking views
Immerse yourself in the energy, culture, and history found in Downtown Charleston. Located on the city’s peninsula — encompassed by the Cooper River and Ashley River — there is activity and excitement everywhere you turn. Home to award-winning restaurants, a plethora of historic sites, stately mansions, and ample attractions, this is a highly coveted spot to reside.
Depending on the neighborhood you select, home styles and pricing in Downtown Charleston vary significantly. All residential properties are upscale and elegant and offer their own unique advantages. For those in search of the ultimate luxury home, South of Broad is the place to search. Known as the area’s most exclusive neighborhood, multi-million dollar mansions line historic city streets, such as Legare, East Bay, King, and Tradd Street. Further up the peninsula, new upscale condos have been constructed in the last several years.
What to Love
- Historic buildings and attractions
- Luxurious, sprawling homes
- Highly walkable
- Exceptional dining
- New Brewery District
Local Lifestyle
Over the last several decades, Downtown Charleston has evolved into a world-renowned hub for culture, history, and dining. Founded in 1670, this city has seen it all. Attracting visitors from across the globe, the environment here juxtaposes the new with the old. Dynamic and always growing, local shopping and dining establishments frequently change concepts, ensuring that there’s always something new and exciting to check out. Residential areas boast grand, historic homes that have stood in the same spot since America’s earliest days. Recent developments preserve the charm of the city while infusing new life and enhanced luxury.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Charleston has quickly become a world-class destination for foodies. Upscale experiences featuring one-of-a-kind menu offerings routinely impress the most discerning of critics.
As you get to know the area, the sheer number of restaurants you’ll find is impressive. And while you can’t select a bad eatery, locals recommend certain places time and time again. If your tour of the city has led you to bustling King Street, try the menu items at favorite establishments such as Halls Chophouse, The Darling Oyster Bar, CO Restaurant, 167 Raw Oyster Bar, and Millers All Day. King Street is also the place to go for high-end shopping. Stores such as Brooks Brothers, Louis Vuitton, Lilly Pulitzer, Anthropologie, and Vineyard Vines can be found on this iconic road.
Elsewhere in Downtown Charleston, there are plenty of other bars, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy. Top picks include Neon Tiger (featuring a delicious, fully vegan menu), Wine & Company, Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar, Rodney Scott's BBQ, Daps Breakfast & Imbibe, Leon's, Lewis Barbecue, FIG, and Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar. Although this list may seem sizable, there are dozens of other high-quality restaurants located on the peninsula.
Things to Do
Charleston residents living on the peninsula always have an immense selection of activities and fun in which they can partake.
Enjoy visiting craft breweries? Over the last few years, the craft beer scene in Charleston has exploded. In downtown, you can now visit what is referred to as the Brewery District (situated on the far upper part of the neighborhood). On select weekends, you can even take a trolley to hop between locations. Breweries in this area include Munkle Brewing, Fatty's Beer Works, Edmund's Oast Brewing Co., and Brewlab.
Play tourist for the day by exploring the numerous attractions and historic sights found throughout Downtown Charleston. Every tour through the city isn’t complete without a visit to the Historic Charleston City Market. Spanning four city blocks, local vendors have been selling their items here each day for generations. Additionally, make plans to stop by Rainbow Row, the Pineapple Fountain (located at Joe Riley Waterfront Park), The Battery, Marion Square, and the South Carolina Aquarium.
Schools
Schools in Downtown Charleston rate exceptionally well across grade levels.
