KPS's Charleston Guidebook

One of Charleston’s main attractions, the city market was established in the 1790’s as the main location for commerce. Today, vendors sell souvenirs and other items ranging from jewelry to sweetgrass baskets. Market Street is a great place to pick up an authentic Charleston gift while you’re in town.

Stroll down Charleston’s version of Fifth Avenue. King Street is the busiest strip in Charleston and boasts high-end stores. Instead of browsing in H&M, Banana Republic, or Lululemon, walk further north and pop your head in local stores like Dumas Brothers or Peyton William.

Walk back in time as you meander through the streets South of Broad. As its name suggests, South of Broad is located south of Broad Street, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula. The neighborhood is largely residential and hands-down Charleston’s most photogenic area. South of Broad is also home to Rainbow Row, one of the most famous streets in all of Charleston.

Stroll around the Charleston Battery and ogle at the waterfront mansions. The battery overlooks where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers intersect at the tip of Charleston (much like the Hudson and East rivers meet at the tip of Manhattan).

If you’d like to hear the fascinating history of Charleston, then sign up for the Tommy Dew tour. Tommy will walk you through the fascinating history of Charleston, starting with its founding in 1670. Some words of warning: Tommy pulls no punches when talking about Charleston’s ugly history with slavery and the Civil War. Some people appreciate Tommy’s direct style, while others may find him insensitive. Either way, you’ll learn a ton.

Charleston boasts some of the best golf in the country. The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island hosted the 2012 PGA Championship and is just a 40-minute drive. If you’re not PGA-tour ready, don’t worry. Kiawah Island has 5 other (easier) courses on the island that are all excellent quality. There are also great courses closer to downtown: Wild Dunes, Patriots Point, Stono Ferry and Oak Point.

We are a baseball family. While we don’t go often in Charleston, when we do, the Riverdogs don’t disappoint. Charleston plays host to the single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Players like Aaron Judge, Bret Gardner, and Gary Sanchez have all spent seasons in Charleston in recent years.

Every Saturday in Marion Square, over 100 local Charleston vendors open pop-up stores. Peruse the aisles, where you will enjoy a wide variety tents, including: Farmers & Growers, Sweet & Savory Food Concessions, Artisans & Crafters, and Live Music.