Downtown Walking Routes & Destinations

(See Map Above)

1. King Street Historical District (Orange)

The center of Downtown Charleston shopping with boutique stores, coffee shops, and art galleries. Just under 0.7 miles walking top to bottom from Calhoun Street to Broad Street, there is plenty to see and do in this compact section of the city. One notable place along the route to stop in and grab a bite is 167 Raw Oyster Bar located at 193 King Street. If you venture off King Street just slightly, you’ll find Caviar and Bananas, a sandwich shop and wine bar at 51 George Street, as well as The Bar at Husk, located at 76 Queen Street.

2. South of Broad (Darker Yellow)

One of the most picturesque neighborhood’s on the Peninsula known for the 18th-century Rainbow Row, a short stretch of beautifully restored pastel colored townhouses, the oldest of which dates back to the 1740s. Start your walk around 106 East Bay Street. Once you’ve had your Rainbow Row photos, take a turn down Longitude Lane and weave your way through the garden-lined side streets. The South of Broad area is also where you’ll find White Point Garden and The Charleston Battery which is where the Cooper and Ashley Rivers meet to form Charleston harbor. When you’re ready to make your way back to eating and shopping, take a walk up Church Street and admire the classic Charleston architecture and red brick-lined streets.

3. The French Quarter (Lighter Pink)

Emerging from the intersection of Church Street and Broad Street, you’ll find yourself at the Southwest corner of Charleston’s French Quarter. The name “French Quarter” recognizes the high concentration of French merchants in the area's history. Many of the streets here are cobblestone, and the houses are generally smaller than that which you’ll find South of Broad. “The Pink House” located at 17 Chalmers Street was built by 1712, with construction starting as early as the 1690s. The Pink House remains well preserved to this day, and is an example of some of the earliest structures not only in the city, but in the whole state of South Carolina. Weaving your way through the Quarter, you’ll find plenty more boutique and art galleries. Pearlz Oyster Bar for lunch, Tommy Condon's for lunch and a beer, and The Gin Joint or The Bar at The Spectator if you’re just stopping in for a cocktail. Keep walking east, you’ll emerge in Waterfront park, home of the famous Pineapple fountain.

4. Ansonborough (Light Blue)

Following East Bay Street North brings you to the Charleston City Market bookended by the Market Pavilion Hotel hotel to the East, and the Old Market Hall to the West. The quarter-mile stretch of shopping between North and South Market street separates the The French Quarter from Ansonborough. The architecture of Ansonborough displays more of the Greek Revival style of house with narrow fronts, deep lots and Charleston Esque multi-story piazzas overlooking private gardens. The reason that the architecture of Ansonborough looks so different from the rest of the city is because the Fire of 1838 destroyed many of the buildings in that neighborhood. Since Greek Revival was one of the most popular architectural styles in the 1830's and 1840’s, the majority of new structures were largely built in that style. Walking West on George Street from East Bay Street towards the middle of the Peninsula will bring you past the Charleston Gaillard Center concert hall and performance venue. Our personal recommendation for people looking for fine local cuisine would be Hank's Seafood (one of Charleston's older restaurants) located at 10 Hayne Street.

5. The Harleston Village (Lighter Green)

Continuing on George Street across King Street will bring you to the Northeast corner of the Harleston Village and the center of campus at the College of Charleston. This is one of the most diverse and lively neighborhoods of Downtown Charleston. The college campus is subtly distinguished from the rest of the city by the mostly un-even red brick sidewalks (watch your step). There is plenty to see on campus from the distinguished Live Oak trees in the The Cistern Yard, to the dozens of historical houses and buildings that serve as academic offices, to the Marlene & Nathan Addlestone Library which overlooks Rivers Green Park. As you continue through the Harleston Village admiring the much more diverse architecture, you may stumble upon one of the many neighborhood cafés and eateries tucked away. The Brown Dog Deli at 225 Calhoun Street, 60 Bull Café at 60 Bull Street, Second State Coffee at 70 Beaufain Street and the Queen Street Grocery at 133 Queen Street are all fun spots to stop in for a quick bite. Deeper in the Harleston Village you’ll find Colonial Lake Park. The lake itself is actually a tidal pond, and if you’re looking to get in a few extra steps while taking in the sights and smells, it’s just under half a mile to do one lap around the lake.

6. Mazyck-Wraggborough (Lighter Yellow)

“Wraggborough” for short, is one of the growing neighborhoods in Charleston with a mix of both historic homes, and newer construction. It is home to the famed The Gov. William Aiken House and Museum located at 48 Elizabeth Street, and the Joseph Manigault House located at 350 Meeting Street. It’s also walking distance to Marion Square at the corner of King and Calhoun Street where you’ll find sunbathers, pick-up soccer and frisbee games, street performs and vendors.

7. Radcliffborough (Purple)

Radcliffborough is another one of the growing neighborhoods in Charleston, also with a mix of historic homes, and newer construction largely influenced by the presence of college students living off campus. Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer at 4 Vanderhorst Street, and Stella's Greek at 114 St. Phillip Street are both good spots to stop in to on your way to explore the night life of Upper King Street.

8. Cannonborough/Elliotborough (Darker Green)

Cannonborough and Elliottborough occupy the same space. Similar to Radcliffborough, there has been significant renovation to older homes along with newer construction that is driven by the presence of college students wanting to live off (but still close to) the Downton campus. Prohibition Bar at 547 King Street and Uptown Social at 587 King Street are just a couple of the hot spots for city night life. And if you really want to live like a college student, try and stop at D'Allesandro's Pizza (or D’Al’s for short) 229 St. Phillip Street on your over.

9. Eastside (Darker Pink)

The 9th and final borough that is “under” or “below” the crosstown (also known as Highway 17) is The Eastside of Downtown Charleston. This historic neighborhood used to sit in the shadow of the two older decaying Cooper River bridges, but since the opening of the New Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bride in 2005, the area has been the focus of numerous neighborhood revitalization projects, notably the re-purposing of the Old Cigar Factory. Located at the foot of Columbus Street and East Bay Street, it has been turned into a hub for retail and restaurants. This is also where you’ll find the pedestrian entrance to the walking path on the Ravenel Bridge. If you have the time (and the energy) the 14,310 foot path (2.71 miles) will take you up and over the Cooper River and treat you to unparalleled views of the Charleston Peninsula, and much of the Low Country. Arrange transportation for when you arrive to the other side, or you’ll have to walk the 2.71 miles back the way you came.

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