Historical and Beautiful Charleston Architecture: Photo Tour of America’s Prettiest City

Historical and Beautiful Charleston Architecture

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Charleston, SC is one of the most historically and architecturally rich cities in the United States. The oldest city in South Carolina, founded in 1670, it’s no wonder there is so much history to explore in its beautiful streets set on the Charleston Harbor.

In my Ultimate Guide to Charleston, the first thing I list in the “things to do” section, is to walk around the city and soak up all the charm. There perhaps may be no better walking city in America than in Charleston, for around every corner there is another architectural find, hidden gem, secret garden, narrow alleyway, unique setting.

The residents of Charleston take care of their homes, streets and businesses with the upmost care and attention to detail – the details are everywhere! The southern charm that you see in the movies – in the homes, in the gardens, in the courtyards – this is all no more evident than in Charleston. Honestly, walking around this gorgeous city makes you want to pick up what you’re doing and move there right there and then.

The city is full of antebellum homes, cobblestoned streets, gas-lit lamps, wrought-iron gates and horse-drawn carriages. Charleston boasts several architectural styles, including Colonial, Federal, Regency, Georgian, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Art Deco, Italianate, Victorian and more. It literally is a feast for the eyes and is like one giant museum waiting to be explored.

All of Charleston is beautiful to walk around, but the section of town known as South of Broad is particularly exquisite, as this is where many of the city’s mansions reside. A wealthy area full of big homes and flower-boxed streets, the charm is everywhere as you walk down to White Point Garden and the Battery, overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Home after home is meticulously manicured, and the surrounding area full of grand oak trees set again the sea in the background…it’s stunning.

Grand mansion in the Battery

Beautiful entryway of a stately home in South of Broad

Horse drawn carriage passing by pink mansion in Battery

Beautiful gardens and landscape design in South of Broad

Also in South of Broad is Rainbow Row,a group of Georgian-style row houses, all painted in colorful Caribbean colors. Its colors have attracted tourists from far and wide and is probably the most instagrammable spot in Charleston. In 1932 resident Dorothy Legge came up with the idea to beautify her street and painted her house pink. Soon after, her neighbors followed, creating the most talked about block in Charleston.

Love Rainbow Row with a mini yellow in front!

Wonderful pink door spotted in South of Broad

wrought iron gates

Wrought iron gates

Just north of Rainbow Row, and above South of Broad is the captivating and funky French Quarter district. Here you will find amazing restaurants, quirky hotels, rooftop bars, trendy shops and all things hip. This is a really great area to walk around, for not only are there historical buildings as well, but the energy is alive and kicking and you can’t help but just get lost in the charm and funk of it all.

The historic Dock Street Theatre in the French Quarter

The French Huguenot Church in the French Quarter

The quirky Andrew Pickney Inn

Husk restaurant

These are just some of my photographic finds in Charleston. Of course, if you’d like to see some of the interiors, you may take a house tour at the Nathaniel Russell House (below), the Edmonton-Alston House, and the Aiken-Rhett House, to name a few.

I hope you enjoyed this photo tour, which is just a smidge of what you can discover in Charleston. I highly recommend walking around the city, as that is the best way to see and take in all of the detail. It is such a striking city, if you can find a way to visit, try and do so!

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