Photos of Charleston, South Carolina

By
Sheridan Alexander
Sheridan Alexander
Sheridan Alexander is a travel writer specializing in tourism, restaurant reviews, hotel information, travel tips, and special events in the southeastern United States.
TripSavvy's editorial guidelines
Updated on 06/06/19

This photo tour of historic, sophisticated and charming Charleston, South Carolina offers a pictorial glimpse of this captivating Southern city.

Listed as a National Historic Landmark, St. Philip's Episcopal Church was the first Anglican church established south of Virginia and is home to the oldest congregation in South Carolina. Because a light that was placed in the steeple guided ships to the Port of Charleston, St. Phillip's became known as The Lighthouse Church.

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Charleston's Rainbow Houses

Charleston's Rainbow Houses
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This group of brightly painted restored houses, known as Rainbow Row, features Caribbean influenced colors.
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Sweetgrass Baskets

Sweetgrass baskets on display at the City Market on Market Street
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The art of Sweetgrass (or Sweet Grass) basketry is passed down through generations of Gullah families in and around Charleston, South Carolina. The baskets pictured above are from Bev's Sweet Grass Baskets & Things, Charleston.
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Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

A popular way to tour the Charleston historic district is by horse-drawn carriage.
Additional Information:
The Charleston Area Convention and Visitor Bureau Website
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View of a Private Garden in Historic Charleston

Private Garden View
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Even in the winter, a walk around Charleston offers charming garden views.
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Charleston's Historic Architecture

The Calhoun Mansion
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Whether having a casual or a serious interest in historic architecture, visitors to Charleston are sure to be fascinated with the array of architectural styles and wonderful restorations to be enjoyed at just about every step. Pictured above, the Calhoun Mansion, an Italianate manor house constructed in 1876, is the largest house in Charleston and one of the nation's finest post-Civil War houses. The Calhoun Mansion, which offers tours, is located at 16 Meeting Street.
Additional Information:
The Calhoun Mansion Website
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Aerial View of the Battery

Aerial View of the Battery in Charleston, South Carolina
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - www.charlestoncvb.com

The Battery, located at the southern end of the Charleston peninsula where the Ashley River and the Cooper River meet, is a popular Charleston tourist destination. Things to enjoy and explore in the Battery area include some of Charleston's grandest historic homes, several statues and informational plaques, displays of Civil War artillery, White Point Gardens shaded by majestic live oak trees, views of Charleston Harbor and more.
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Charleston's Waterfront Park Pier

Waterfront Park Pier with the USS Yorktown, located across the river, in the background
Photo Credit: © 2007 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Located near the corner of Concord Street and Vendue Range (Note: The eastern end of Queen Street changes to Vendue Range at East Bay Street.), the Vendue Wharf pier, located in Waterfront Park, stretches over marsh grasses and the Cooper River. A wonderful place to relax, the pier offers great views across the river of the USS Yorktown at Patriot's Point and large shaded swings, tables and benches.
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The Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park

The Pineapple Fountain in Charleston's Waterfront Park
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - www.charlestoncvb.com

Located in Waterfront Park, a short walk from the Waterfront Park Pier, Charleston's Pineapple Fountain represents the welcoming hospitality for which Charleston is so well known. This fanciful fountain provides a great backdrop for a photo of your visit to Charleston.
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Boone Hall Avenue of Oaks

Boone Hall Plantation's Majestic Avenue of Oaks
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - www.charlestoncvb.com

Located across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Mt. Pleasant, about ten miles from downtown Charleston, antebellum Boone Hall Plantation, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the oldest working, living plantations in the United States. The plantation's Avenue of Oaks, first planted in 1743, is a picturesque three-quarter mile drive lined by majestic live oak trees, forming a tunnel of seemingly sculptural branches embellished with cascading Spanish moss.
Additional Information:
Boone Hall Plantation Website
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The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge - Cooper River Bridge

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the Cooper River Bridge
Photo Credit: © 2007 C. Giffen, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Dedicated and opened on July 16, 2005, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (also called the Cooper River Bridge), connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant via Highway 17. In grand Charleston style a black tie celebration held on the bridge between the diamond towers, fireworks displays and other pre-dedication events took place during the week before the ceremony.

The span of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is the longest cable stay span in North America. The diamond towers were named the John P. Grace Tower and the Silas N. Pearman Tower in remembrance of former bridges that were replaced by the new bridge.
Additional Information:
The SCDOT Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge Website
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The South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium
Photo Credit: © 2007 C. Giffen, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The South Carolina Aquarium, which opened in May of 2000, is located at 100 Aquarium Wharf, located on the historic Charleston Harbor at the end of Calhoun Street.
Additional Information:
South Carolina Aquarium Website
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