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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
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
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
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
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
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.

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A Charleston Place-Inspired Packing List for Touring the Lowcountry in Style
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This perennial Readers' Choice Awards favorite embodies effortless Southern charm.
2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: The Top Hotels in Charleston
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Start planning your next getaway with these top vacation rentals on King Street, Spring Street, and in Folly Beach.
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Including moonlight kayaking, funky cottages, and can't-miss meals.
In Charleston, Leaving Nostalgia Behind
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The Holy City's complicated history has sometimes been eclipsed by its myriad Southern charms. But now, Charleston is taking steps to confront—and honor—the difficult parts of its past.
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What Happens When a Hotel Loyalist Tries Airbnb
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Five Things You Should Absolutely Eat and Drink in Charleston
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.
10 Unmissable Restaurants in the American South
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Matt Lee and Ted Lee are the Charleston-bred hosts of *Southern Uncovered With the Lee Bros.*on Ovation TV. Here, they share their favorite new and classic restaurants in five of the best Southern-food cities in the country.