In 1931, Charleston became the first city in the U.S. to establish a historic district to preserve its architectural heritage. It was obviously a good place to start: Of the 2,000 or so buildings in the district, 73 predate the Revolutionary War and 736 were constructed in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
For a quick introduction to the city's historic sites, stop at the visitors center on the north side of the Historic District for brochures and information. If you have a car, consider leaving it at the visitors-center parking garage and taking a DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) to the sights. Parking within the Historic District is difficult and extremely limited.
We think a guided walking tour (either with a group or via a pamphlet) is an excellent way to become familiar with the city. One dominant piece of architecture to look for is the single house—a tall, narrow structure that's just one room wide. Built in various architectural styles, single houses generally have piazzas attached to one side.
Several of the major historic houses function as museums and are open to the public. The Calhoun Mansion has a particularly impressive ballroom with a skylight. Look for the magnificent woodwork in the Heyward-Washington House. You should also plan to take a walk along Rainbow Row—a collection of colorful houses on East Bay Street that show the influence of the West Indies on Charleston's architectural style.
Churches offer more examples of historic architecture—city architectural codes decree that buildings in the Historic District may not rise above the steeples. We also recommend taking the boat tour to Fort Sumter National Monument.
