Best Areas to Stay in Charleston, SC
Charleston features 115 miles of habitable land, so deciding on where to stay isn’t always easy! In addition to the Downtown area, there are plenty of neighborhoods to stay in that offer easy access to beaches, plantations, and historic attractions.
Here is a guide to the best areas to stay in Charleston, SC, based on the attractions on your must-do list.
Best Areas to Stay in Charleston
Most travelers flock to Charleston for the food, history, beaches, and culture. Here are the best areas to stay in Charleston, SC, for these attractions.
French Quarter
The French Quarter is one of the best areas to stay in Charleston for history buffs, foodies, and architecture aficionados. One of the most historic areas of the city, the French Quarter features many Charleston attractions and restaurants. Our Alleys and Hidden Passages tour departs from this neighborhood.
Marion Square
Marion Square is in the heart of Downtown Charleston. Although hotels in this neighborhood can be a bit pricey, it’s worth it to stay here if you plan on spending most of your time in Downtown, as most attractions are within walking distance.
Harleston Village
Just north of South of Broad and west of King Street is Harleston Village. This is a very residential area, but it is also home to the College of Charleston.
This is a great area for art aficionados as the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art is located in this neighborhood. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants to do some shopping on King Street but craves a quieter neighborhood.
South of Broad
South of Broad is an area of Downtown Charleston that sits at the southern tip of the peninsula. From here, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the harbor via the promenade that runs along the battery.
At the very southern edge of the neighborhood is Whitepoint Gardens, another area that’s wonderful for enjoying views of the water
It’s easy to reach other areas of Downtown, including the French Quarter and King Street, from South of Broad.
King Street
King Street is a long thoroughfare that runs down the center of Downtown Charleston. This is another ideal neighborhood if you plan to spend most of your time Downtown.
This area is also known for its shopping, so you’ll want to stay on King Street if you plan to peruse one of the many clothing, furniture, or art stores.
Ansonborough
Ansonborough sits on the eastern side of the peninsula, offering wonderful views of Charleston’s harbor.
From here, you’ll have easy access to the water taxi, Waterfront Park, King Street, Marion Square, and the French Quarter. The Charleston City Market sits at the southern edge of the neighborhood.
The International African American Museum is at the northern edge of the neighborhood.
Outer Charleston
If you want to enjoy all that Charleston has to offer but don’t care to stay Downtown, there are plenty of neighborhoods nearby that might interest you.
Just some of the best areas to stay in Charleston outside of Downtown include:
- Mt. Pleasant
- James Island
- Sullivan’s Island
- West Ashley
All of these areas offer easy access to Downtown by car.
Sullivan’s Island is the perfect place for beachgoers, and Mt. Pleasant offers a walkable downtown. James Island and West Ashley are residential areas that offer quieter vibes.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Charleston
Choose Your Activities: Depending on how long you plan to stay in Charleston, you may want to book a hotel or a home as close as possible to your preferred activities.
If you’re headed to the Holy City for fun in the sun, stay near one of our many pristine beaches; if you’re in Charleston for the history, stay Downtown; if you’re here with kids, stay near the waterfront, which offers access to Patriots Point, the aquarium, and Charleston City Market.
Determine How You’ll Get Around: Downtown Charleston is extremely walkable; however, many points of interest, such as the plantations, the beaches, and Mt. Pleasant, aren’t accessible by foot.
If you plan on spending most of your time in Downtown, you may not need to rent a car at all. If you’re planning to spend most of your time at the beach or touring plantations, you’ll almost certainly need a car.
Plan for Day Trips: If this is your first time in Charleston, you’ll be pretty busy spending most of your time in Downtown. Yet, you may want to venture to some of the city’s outer neighborhoods or even take a day trip to Savannah, Beaufort, or Kiawah Island.
Choose More Than One Neighborhood: You don’t need to spend your entire trip in one area of Charleston! You can stay in several different neighborhoods, depending on your itinerary.
For example, you may want to spend three days in Downtown Charleston to learn about the history, wander the French Quarter, and shop on King Street. Then, you may want to rent a house near the beach for a few days.
You’re not limited to just one neighborhood here!
Best Areas of Charleston to Stay By Interest
Once you know which activities interest you the most, you can start looking for a hotel or home rental in the area. Here are the best areas of Charleston to stay in by interest. Our Charleston visitors’ guide offers more information on these areas.
Best Neighborhoods for History Buffs: French Quarter, Marion Square, Harleston Village, South of Broad, King Street & Ansonborough
If you’re visiting Charleston to learn about its history, any neighborhood Downtown would be an ideal place to stay.
The French Quarter, Marion Square, Harleston Village, South of Broad, King Street, and Ansonborough are all very walkable and feature easy access to one another. This is where most of the history tours, such as our Charleston History tour, pass through.
Best Neighborhoods for Beachgoers: Mt. Pleasant & Folly Island
Two of Charleston’s most popular beaches are located on Folly Island and Sullivan’s Island. Mt. Pleasant is only a five-minute drive from Sullivan’s Island.
Best Neighborhoods for Foodies: Any Area of Charleston
Most Charleston neighborhoods are great for foodies, as there are tons of highly rated restaurants in every area of the city.
If you are here to try some of our iconic dishes, you may want to stay Downtown or in Mt. Pleasant.
Best Neighborhoods for Families: King Street, Garden District, Ansonborough & Marion Square
Many families come to Charleston to learn about the city’s history, visit the aquarium, and take the ferry to Patriots Point and Fort Sumter.
King Street, the Garden District, Ansonborough, and Marion Square all offer easy access to these attractions.
Best Neighborhoods for Golfers: Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms & Kiawah Island
Three of the most popular golf courses in Charleston include Patriots Point Links on Charleston Harbor, Kiawah Island Ocean Course, and Wild Dunes Resort Golf.
Depending on which course you’re most interested in, you’ll want to stay in Mt. Pleasant, on the Isle of Palms, or Kiawah Island.