What Is Marion Square In Charleston Known For?
Marion Square is the centerpiece of Downtown Charleston. So much so that there’s little chance you won’t pass by or through it on your trip to the Holy City.
There are plenty of things to see and do near Marion Square, and since it’s so centrally located, there are at least a half-dozen hotels to stay at, too.
Discover the most popular attractions near Marion Square and which hotels to stay at nearby.
What’s Marion Square Known For?
Marion Square is considered by some locals as “Charleston’s Central Park” because it’s located directly in the center of Downtown Charleston.
Today, this public park is where you’ll find a farmer’s market, and it serves as a sort of an unofficial quad for the College of Charleston.
It was named after Francis Marion, a Revolutionary War hero.
History of Marion Square
When Charleston’s city plan was first created in 1672, Marion Square was a forest, as it was situated pretty far north of the city’s center. It was part of a fortification during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.
From 1843 to 1922, the land served as the Citadel Square, when the Citadel occupied this part of the peninsula. Once known as Citadel Green, the park was renamed in 1922 to honor the Revolutionary War hero.
Today, the park is owned by the Washington Light Infantry and the Sumter Guards.
Things to Do Near Marion Square
Since Marion Square is a centerpiece of Downtown Charleston, you’ll certainly pass by or through it on your trip.
If you want to explore the areas surrounding Marion Square, we recommend taking a walking tour, visiting the Charleston Museum, strolling down King Street, and exploring Liberty Square.
Take a Walking Tour
Marion Square is located in the heart of Downtown, and both of our public walking tours start nearby. If you want to learn about the history of Charleston — including Marion Square — a great place to start is our Charleston History Tour.
This historic walking tour covers the main events of Charleston’s history and features most of the city’s most popular attractions.
If you want to see another side of the city, consider taking our Alleys and Hidden Passages Tour, which covers most of the same sites on our history tour — only from a different angle. On this tour, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes view of Downtown Charleston by way of some of the city’s most famous alleyways.
Visit the Charleston Museum
Only a few minutes’ walk from Marion Square is the Charleston Museum, where you can learn about the city’s history through permanent and temporary exhibits.
One such permanent exhibit is the Lowcountry History Hall, which tells the story of Charleston’s first inhabitants, including the Native Americans and European settlers. Of course, you’ll also learn about the enslaved Charlestonians who built the city.
Other permanent exhibits educate about Charleston’s role in the Civil War and Revolutionary War, as well as Charlestonian life during the Antebellum and Reconstruction periods.
You can also learn about Charleston’s prehistoric history in the Natural History Hall.
Walk to Liberty Square
Only a 15-minute walk from Marion Square is Liberty Square. This public park, built in the early 1990s, offers stunning views of the waterfront, an education center, and access to the Fort Sumter ferry.
Pay a visit to the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, which features exhibits educating on the role Charleston played in the transatlantic slave industry. Appreciate the Phillips Simmons iron games, and then walk up to the International African American Museum, where you can learn more about Charleston’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
When you’re finished, hop on the Fort Sumter Ferry to learn about Charleston’s history during the Civil War.
Wander Down King Street
King Street is one of Charleston’s most famous thoroughfares and runs right past Marion Square. This area is known for its Art Deco architecture, Lowcountry restaurants, and small-business shopping.
This street runs all the way down to the southern tip of Downtown Charleston’s peninsula, and you’ll find plenty of the city’s most famous attractions along the way. Enjoy some Lowcountry fare, shop at small businesses, and admire the architecture.
King Street ends at Charleston’s Battery, where you can enjoy more views of the Charleston Harbor and take a stroll along the promenade.
Where to Stay Near Marion Square
Since Marion Square is located in the center of Downtown, it’s one of the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in Charleston. Many of the historic buildings have been transformed into hotels, and there are plenty of hotels that range from budget to high-end in the area.
Francis Marion Hotel
If you want to honor the history of the man whom Marion Square was named after, stay at the Francis Marion Hotel. This four-star hotel was built in 1924 and restored in 1996.
It features 235 guest rooms, a spa, the Swamp Fox Restaurant, and event spaces.
The Dewberry
If you want to splurge on your next trip to Charleston, stay at the Dewberry, a five-star hotel, situated on the northeast corner of Marion Square. Located in what was once the L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building (built in 1964), the Dewberry was transformed into a hotel in 2016.
It features 155 rooms, a spa, and two restaurants, including the Living Room lounge and the Citrus Club, a rooftop restaurant.
Hotel Bennett
Another five-star hotel, Hotel Bennett, sits on the northwest corner of Marion Square. It features 179 rooms and opened in 2019. It was named one of the “14 Best Hotels in the World” by Esquire Magazine and one of the “Best Hotels in America” by Fodor’s Travel.
One of the Bennett’s restaurants, La Pâtisserie, is heralded by Chef Remy Funfrock, who is from Lyon and has worked at Michelin-star restaurants.
Courtyard Marriott
If you want to save some money on your trip to Charleston and you’re planning on staying near Marion Square, the Courtyard Marriott is a good choice. Rooms at this three-star hotel start at around $250 a night.
It’s a good option for anyone who wants to stay in Downtown Charleston but doesn’t want to shell out for a four-star or five-star hotel.