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St. Michaels Church and Broad St. in Charleston South Carolina
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Charleston Travel Guide

Folks think of Charleston as a small town, and that’s true if you’re just looking at the numbers. But when you consider history, culture, food, and charm, this city punches like a giant. You’ve heard of the eats scene, no doubt—the city’s biggest draw these days, and one that routinely exceeds the hype. Not only can you get world-class barbecue, seafood, and regional Lowcountry classics; you can get them done extraordinarily well in both traditional and modern interpretations. And in extraordinary settings. Everywhere you look, the city has a gorgeous mansion or cobblestone street to explore—the most elegant version of Southern charm, juxtaposed with contemporary art and snappy street fashion. The city's roots may be its rich Southern history, but Charleston stands fully in the now. 

Plan Your Charleston Trip

An Ethical Guide to Plantation Tours
Plantation tours range widely, from those that do nothing more than celebrate the slave-owners’ opulent house to those that center Black voices. This guide will help travelers find the tours that combat racism through education.
I Drove 300 Miles Through the Low Country for Life-Changing Food
At a low point in life, one writer sets out for Maine in search of a therapeutic lobster roll and instead finds food and friendship in the Low Country of South Carolina and Georgia.
15 Best Hotels in Charleston
The best rooms and suites in the charming Holy City, from King Street to Kiawah Island.
How Charleston's Black Residents Have Shaped the City
The Black residents of Charleston have always shaped the city's identity, and their influence today is as palpable as ever, from food to art.
Exploring Charleston Through Its Hotels
Produced by Condé Nast Traveler for Explore Charleston | From the architectural details at Wentworth Mansion to the golf course at Kiawah Resort and the delicious food at Charleston Place—follow along as we explore the history, hospitality, and uniqueness of Charleston through the places that portray it best—its hotels.

More from Charleston

Places to Stay
17 Charming Airbnbs in Charleston, From Brick Cottages to Light-Filled Lofts
Start planning your next getaway to the South Carolina city with these top vacation rentals on King Street, Spring Street, and in Folly Beach.
Readers' Choice Awards
Charleston Is the Best Small City in the U.S.
As voted by you in the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards.
Readers' Choice Awards
2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: The Top Hotels in Charleston
Nothing beats the pleasure of checking into a great hotel. Here are the top ones in Charleston, as voted by Traveler readers.
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What to Do in Charleston This Spring
Here's what's happening in the city in April, May, and June 2019.
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What Happens When a Hotel Loyalist Tries Airbnb
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Sponsored Content
Five Things You Should Absolutely Eat and Drink in Charleston
Charleston might be considered a small-ish city, but it’s easily one of the most phenomenal food destinations in America right now. Here’s what you can’t miss on that food crawl you should definitely be planning here already.