Charleston Life

What Is Charleston Most Known For?

When it comes to what Charleston is most known for, we’d say it depends on who you ask. If you read most travel publications, they will tell you that Charleston is most famous for its historic downtown, which includes King Street, Charleston City Market, the Battery, and Rainbow Row. Others will tell you that Charleston is most known for its beaches, while others still will point to Fort Sumter or the area’s first-class golf courses and world-class restaurants. Ultimately, visiting or living in Charleston is what you make it. Whether you want history, culture, cuisine, nature, or time on the water, you can find it in the Holy City.

Is Charleston Worth Visiting?

Yes, without a doubt. There is a reason why Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure have both named Charleston the best small city in the U.S. for travelers several times over. While Charleston is growing, getting around is still very easy, and you can pack enough into one weekend that you will be ready for a break when your vacation is over. Once you arrive via I-26, CHS, or the Port of Charleston, you have the world-renowned historic district and world-class restaurants, beaches, boating, watersports, golf, historic sites, and natural beauty all well within an hour’s drive.

Should You Move to Charleston?

We absolutely think you should move to Charleston if you are ready for a change of pace. Whether you want to slow down and relax or you want to move to a place where you can be outside and on the water most days of the year, Charleston is a great place to be. If you want to live downtown, you can. If you want to live at the beach (but still be close to “normal” life), you can do that too. If you want to live in a family-friendly neighborhood with quiet streets lined with palmettos, there are more than enough options for this lifestyle as well.

How Big is Charleston?

Charleston is classified as a small city, with a full-time population of a little over 150,000 as of 2022 according to the City of Charleston's official data. Nearly half of Charleston's population is in West Ashley, with about one-fifth of the city's population (roughly 35,000 residents) living downtown on the peninsula. The remainder is spread out between Daniel Island, James Island, and Johns Island. The greater Charleston area's population recently surpassed 400,000 according to Census.gov, which includes residents of Mount Pleasant and other surrounding areas.

Is Charleston Walkable?

One of the great things about Charleston is that nearly all areas of the city are walkable. If you drive downtown (or arrive on a cruise ship), you can tour most of the city’s famous landmarks within a few hours on foot. If you go to Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, or Folly Beach, you can park your car for the entire day. Neighborhoods on both sides of the peninsula (across the Ashley and Cooper Rivers) have miles of sidewalks, and trails, greenways, and bridges provide more walking opportunities as well.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Charleston?

The best time to visit Charleston depends on why you are coming to town. If you are coming to Charleston to go to the beach, then we’d recommend any time between late spring and fall—although it gets hot in the peak of summer. If you aren’t as interested in Charleston’s beaches, then consider coming during the off season. Travel will be slightly easier (though it’s never hard to get into or out of Charleston), and there are events downtown and in the surrounding neighborhoods all times of year.

What is the Best Beach in Charleston?

This is another question where it depends on who you ask. Charleston has five main public beaches—Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Beach, and Edisto Beach—and they all have their own unique characteristics. Isle of Palms is the closest thing Charleston has to a traditional beach town, while Folly Beach is known for its more laid back atmosphere. Sullivan’s Island has restaurants and beachgoers have views of Charleston Harbor, while Edisto Beach is still somewhat off the beaten path. Kiawah Beach is most well-known for its wide and smooth sands, and visitors can stop into Freshfields Village for supplies on the way in or a nice dinner on the way home.

Where Can You Boat in Charleston?

Charleston is a boater’s paradise. The area truly has endless boating destinations. There are marinas and public boat landings throughout the city and its surrounding neighborhoods, and from most launching points you can be at the Atlantic Ocean in under an hour (if not under 15 minutes). Visitors can rent boats or take tours in Charleston Harbor, and residents who own their own boats can explore the area’s rivers and backwaters endlessly. It doesn’t take too much luck to spot a dolphin, and you can expect to see egrets, herons, pelicans, and even bald eagles flying overhead. For more information, read our articles on 12 Inshore Boating Destinations and 10 Uninhabited Islands You Can Visit By Boat in Charleston.

What are the Best Things to Do in Charleston?

Charleston has so much to offer, you can truly make your time in the city your own. Whether you want to go boating or kayaking, try Charleston's world-class restaurants, see a live show in a historic theater on the peninsula, run or bike across the Ravenel Bridge, or make memories at the beach, you can do as much--or as little--as you want. Our guide on Things to Do in Charleston is a good place to start, and you will find more ideas on our Outdoor Life and Local Events pages.

Where Can I Find Out About Local Events in Charleston?

Our Local Events page includes a feed of the articles we publish about events taking place in and around the Holy City. This includes articles about specific events as well as lists focused on different types of events and different times of year. To see what local events are upcoming, you can check out our Events Calendar as well.

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