Charleston - The Don'ts of Visiting Charleston, South Carolina 

As a huge Mario Kart fan, I appreciate your shout out to the Mushroom Kingdom's historic Rainbow Road, but as a former Charlestonian I have to recommend you all visit Rainbow Row.

I'm a native. I got married at the Francis Marion, about 100 yards from where he's talking. 1. Those dudes are rich and turds. 2. Museums are cool, ghost walk are better. 3. Don't buy anything from market street. 4. Rainbow row are prisoners that are millionaires, they can't change the paint of their houses. 5. The churches are awesome, some bars are converted churches. 6. We like to talk, deal with it. 7.if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. 8. I've used a kayak on king street, wasn't even a tropical storm. 9. Have fun walking, stay on main streets when the sun is down. 10. He's right, be rude and find out quick. 11. Go inland if you have a seafood allergy. But it's amazing either way. 12. It's cheaper if you look for a hole in the wall. 13. DONT MISS THE BOAT BACK TO FORT SUMTER, YOULL BE STUCK THERE FOR 4 ADDTIONAL HOURS!!! 14. Folly Beach is nice, isle of palms is expensive but has a great venue for live music. 15. South Carolina aquarium is okay. 16. The irony, people as a whole are cool here as it's a very mixed community. 17. Alligators are the least of your worries, again, don't walk on back streets at dark. Downtown, live music is everywhere on the weekends. Boiled peanuts are amazing. Lots of horse carriages, so it looks romantic, smells like horse pee. Don't wear heels, I've seen them get stuck in cobblestone. And if you drive, expect to make 5 laps around your destination before you find a place to park. That or go inland. West Ashley, summervile are both just as nice.

I was born in Charleston 76 years ago and enjoyed the history of this city all my life. The attraction of Rainbow Row was the musical Porgy and Bess which was performed as a play at the Dock Street Theater and the movie was filmed in partial segments on East Bay St. to include Rainbow Row. Thanks for the “don’ts tips”because courtesy is top priority in Charleston. We follow the “Golden Rule” Treat others the way you want to be treated. Welcome to Charleston SC🤗

Rainbow Row, not Rainbow Road, is a Historic Landmark designated in the 30's by the National Park Service. It wasn't designed to be "instragramable" lol

Im from Wales and been all over the amazing deep south,From Galveston,New Orleans(twice),Biloxi,Mobile,Orange beach,Atlanta and Savanna.We loved all these places but the real stand out memory for me was Charleston,Stunning spires,Great bars and people,A memory that will last me all my life.Thank you for having us the South.

So accurate on the first point you made - I wandered into several private properties accidentally that looked like tourist attractions and had to be embarrassingly kicked out. Never had this comical issue anywhere else.

Love the videos! I am a lifelong South Carolinian and love all the attention Charleston gets. Just an FYI. Rainbow Row is the name not Rainbow Road. Also, Rainbow Row has existed long before Instagram. The string of multicolored houses near the battery have long had that name.

Another tip: It's the south/bible belt- lots of places are closed on Sundays. Most local shops have limited days and hours they're open, too. So research and plan as much ahead as you can so you're not disappointed when you arrive hoping to get in somewhere. If you feel like driving outside of Charleston, there are beautiful places to visit all over the Low Country. One of the best treats to have in Charleston: praline pecans. You can smell it from the bakery all the way up the street, they're making it right there in front of everyone. I've seen adults light up like kids to get this special treat, everyone's happy eating those pralines. The tips about rain was great, keep in mind the wind in Charleston can be brutal, too. I went on a boat ride and the wind was so cutting that everyone else went inside instead of staying on the deck where the best views were. Be prepared for the wind, too.

It's Rainbow Row not road. Another tip to visitors: don't walk out in front of cars. The cobblestone roads are working roads with traffic. Wouldn't seem like anyone would have to say this but a teenager walked right in front of my car on Market Street while looking up rather than at traffic.

I moved to Charleston from Boston, and I love it. When dining downtown though, definitely make reservations; do NOT play games with your trip by not doing this. That's the most important take away.

Great video Wolter! I've lived here since the '80s. We love visitors, but as you mention, downtown isn't a Disney set. People are going to lawyers, doctors, banks etc. and it's tough when drivers get lost and stop or when pedestrians do the same. I once had a couple wander into my garden, sit down and ask when we were serving dinner. I told them I was happy that they liked my private garden and we all had a good laugh. They realized that it's a real town, and not everything is open to the public. Cheers!

My wife and I decided to spend the month of Feb in the Charleston area…specifically Folly Beach. This video is spot on! Charleston is wonderful (history,food,people)…and the beaches are only 25mins away and a different world than the city…makes for a varied experience

Thanks Mark. I visited Charleston a few years back and was surprised by what a fascinating place it was. And surprised how few times I'd heard people talk about it. Thanks for the info.

The City Market used to be so much better. They have really made it super touristy. I’d ditch the market and go to the museum on top of it with great Charleston and Civil War history. Also, wandering through the College of Charleston and the Battery are better options.

My dad was stationed in Charleston when I was growing up. Today, it's still one of my favorite cities. We have a place in nearby Pawleys Island, and we always stop in while we are there. And sometimes I suggest visiting Pawleys Island. It is truly beautiful.

Charleston local here. Concerning plantations and slave life, McLeod Plantation on James Island offers the best interpretive tours focused on the enslaved and their lives. Many other plantations can present a more glamorized idea of plantation life that’s not fully based in reality.

I lived in Charleston for many years, one of the quickest ways to clock yourself as a tourist is to say "City Market" or "Rainbow Road". 😂 We just call it The Market or Market St. and I know others have already addressed Rainbow Row in the comments. People are pretty willing to help if you ask, but doing just a little research on your own (as to locations of various places) beforehand will prepare you well for being Downtown (what locals usually call Historic Charleston). Overall, good list! 😊👍👍

Thank you so much for the information. We are looking forward to our trip soon.😊

We have been to Charleston many, many times + I have to say you hit it spot on. It's so nice to see video of our favorite place to visit. Great job! I'd like to see your versions of Newport, RI, Bar Harbor, Maine, Boston, MA, DC, Richmond, Baltimore, Savannah & Hilton Head.

I enjoyed your video, thank you. I visited Charleston some years ago. I love history, I live in a historic city myself, Chester, England. We still have a Roman city wall and a cathedral with some parts dating back to 1093 etc. I really enjoyed learning about the culture and history of South Carolina. Best of all, the people!

Everything is spot on with the info here. I did not rent a car & just walked everywhere which was perfect and it also allowed me to indulge myself in all the amazing food without any guilt. The locals definitely are chock full of southern hospitality. A truly beautiful city.

Hey man, it was great to meet you at the hotel behind you. Keep up the great work - you help us fellow travelers more than you even know!

I watched so many of your videos to prepare for my first trip to Italy and they were really helpful. So when I found this video here in my hometown, I was very happy. I would recommend getting out of downtown and getting on the water for a real lowcountry experience to any tourist visiting the area. Grazie a te e' spero che la tua esperienza qui era meravigliosa.

My dog and I are visiting Charleston the last week of March. This video was so helpful!

Visited this beautiful city last year. Very walkable, especially the historic district and the waterfront. We stayed at the Ansonborough Inn - not much to look at from the outside, but inside it's really gorgeous and the rooms are incredible.

You always give the best advice!!! Thanks!

These videos are well made and from the places you've done videos on that I know well, your videos are spot on. I'd also say be mindful of when you visit Charleston. Sometimes (like around St Patrick's Day) is packed in the city because not only do you have people partying for St Patrick's but you also have all the college students out for spring break, too.

Visiting in two days. Tks for the info wolter!!!

Finally, a Charleston video! Right after I visited. Unfortunately, couldn't eat much there because I had a stomach virus a lot of the time :/

I grew up in the West Ashley section of Charleston, on Ashley River Road / Highway 61 literally on the river. Just a few miles from Middleton Plantation. Of course Downtown Charleston is absolutely beautiful and historic, but I would suggest that tourists come down Ashley River Road towards the plantations headed towards Summerville. The trees overhang the road most of the way there like a tunnel and it's stunningly beautiful not to mention a lot less crowded.

Watching you is always helpful!

Charleston is practically a second home for us, and I'll say all of this is 100% accurate. If you come anytime from late spring throughout summer, well, it's going to be unbearably hot and humid, but also just expect an afternoon thunderstorm (it's like this in most of the southern US actually, but it's especially true for Charleston). Definitely make reservations if you're planning on eating at any of the "finer" restaurants (High Cotton, Slightly North of Broad, etc). Finally, yes, hotels in downtown Charleston can be pricey, but you can save $$$$ on lodging if you stay across the Ravenal Bridge in Mt. Pleasant.

The "make reservations" tip is so important. I can't tell you how many times I have heard of folks arriving here in the middle of Food & Bev Week or the middle of Spoleto and didn't have reservations and really really struggled to find places to eat.

Great tips, thanks!!!

Thanks for the tips--Charleston is on my list of places to visit so this is helpful.

The Charleston Market, during the day is pretty boring and overwhelming at the same time. However, the market's great reputation is due to the much lesser known and promoted "Night Market" on Friday and Saturday, 630pm-1030pm. The Night Market only allows local artist and craftsmen to sale their HANDMADE goods. At night, the market is full of wonderfully unique, locally made arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, and so much more. I have never seen so many original items in one place. Also, it's more affordable and usually better weather. It's amazing! As a local, whenever I need a great gift, for anyone, I can it there.

Go see the Citadel Military college on Friday afternoon parade. It’s really cool.

As a South Carolinian and an avid kayaker; Charleston is a great place to kayak. Charleston Outdoor Adventures is a good option for kayaking. Also, hoards of fishing guides and restaurants that will cook your catch for you. College of Charleston is also a beautiful walk. Only critique I have is it is "Rainbow Row." Also, technically "Sullivan's Island."

Haven't been to Charleston in a very long time. This was a good reminder to go back. My last visit, spent the night in crew racks of the USS Yorktown, chaperoning a group of Cub Scouts. Meals in the mess hall, then shuttle boat down for a few hours at Sumter. Was a great weekend.

Spot on as usual. I would add don’t visit during hurricane season. You will avoid the storms and also avoid the hottest and most humid times. We went in December a few years ago and the weather was very mild and pleasant. Also don’t skip out on Patriot’s Point and the Mt Pleasant Pier just over the Ravenal Bridge from Charleston. Lots of history there and awesome views of the river and bridge. Also that dog in the background for part of the video was having the time of his life there..

I work in the historic district on homes . I think I'm in everybody's vacation photos. People just come right up on the porches like it's a museum.

Also don't mistake Rainbow Row, which are the colorful houses on East Bay Street, with Rainbow Road, which is on Johns Island.

Wow some of this footage is really old. Marion Square was majorly changed 20 years ago. Still love the video and information. I also recommend the Garden Club of Charleston's Gateway Walk, Archdale Street and Unitarian graveyard.

2/20/23 Viewing; loved it!

i love the history in that city of Charleston

Absolutely live Charleston and Mount Pleasant too!

I've lived in Charleston area most of my life. it's Sullivan's Island not Sullivan. It's Rainbow Row not road, and it's been there a loooong time before Instagram. Something people need to know is traffic can be brutal. There are a lot of people in a small area, so expect to add some time to go from place to place if you leave the peninsula especially if you go inland to Summerville.

If you can't afford to stay in the Historic area don't let it stop you from visiting Charleston, there are places you can stay in North Charleton or Summerville area, etc that are cheaper and you can drive from those places to downtown within 30 minutes or less (most days). Then you find a parking garage, spend a little money for parking the full day and then walk around from there to get to all of the Historic area.

I’m from and live in the lowcountry of SC (Bluffton/Hilton Head Island area). My family and I drive to Charleston for the weekend very often. This man is correct on all accounts!

This video is so cool and awesome

Spot on video

Great video

My grandfather owned that liquor store you mentioned at 3:50 back in the 80's for a while. However, Burn's Tavern is a dive bar located in Burns alley off King St. I think that Liquor store is just called the Tavern. Not sure what it was called when my grandpa owned it. From what my father told me its the oldest liquor store in the country and I believe those buildings are the oldest still standing commercial buildings in the city built around the 1680s.

Thanks for touching on the stopping on the sidewalk thing! I live here, and the #1 thing that drives us crazy (me specifically) about tourists is the stopping on the sidewalk- it's super common and creates a bunch of traffic on the sidewalks because they'll stop right in the middle so everyone behind them has to then stop 😭

One thing I'll add as someone who has driven Uber in Charleston: don't request your Uber to come and pick you up on King or Market Street. As Mark said the streets are narrow and crowded with tourists which made it difficult for his own Uber driver, and it is so problematic on those two streets that it is actually illegal for Uber drivers to pick people up from those streets during late night hours on the weekend. Just walk a block or two away to do submit your trip request and you should be good.

there’s a New Wolters world video?? Best way to wake up!

From a “local”: It’s Rainbow ROW not Rainbow ROAD and it’s not just a row of brightly painted houses as you suggest. There is actually a reason for the houses being painted different colors that is pretty interesting. Please be accurate when giving advice to visitors.

Cool video

From Charleston, great video! Made me want to take a trip home!

I live in Charleston and this is accurate! I would avoid visiting in July/August altogether because of the humidity

This guy is GREAT!

You did an amazing job with this video….

Great advice and I enjoy all of your videos. The one disagreement is Rainbow Row (not road). Its a beautiful historic row of houses that has been around since the 1700's with a very interesting history. Definitely worth the stroll by and has been a historic site since long before Instagram was ever a thought. Everything else is spot on!

So glad he warned about the alligators. People come down south and have no idea about gator danger.

Don't expect to park near where you want to go.Don't be surprised by the outrageous hotel prices.Don't expect a good vacation during hurricane season.Don't expect an easy time navigating the narrow streets because some street signs and markers maybe blocked or obscured by (historic)trees.Don't expect to be able to get to your location on time if traveling between 7-9am or 2:30-6pm because rush hour is a pain in the arse.

Rainbow Row, not Rainbow Road. Too many late night Mario Kart sessions.

The Aiken Rhett home is an example of architectural preservation. I was there last week and the volunteers in the gift shop explained this fact. Restoration is a totally different goal. So think of it as… you can see the as is or the as is now

Bucket list for me!!

Hello from France your first advice is valid in most cities with a historic district

Rainbow Road lol .. Never heard Rainbow Row called that. Walking the battery and waterfront park is a must and I do agree with walking the city, ALOT of walking King and Church St's are my personal favs. and the restaurants. A history, carriage, Ft Sumter and ghost tour should also be on the do list. Maybe a drive to Sullivans and a day on Folly Beach and a plantation tour. One of several. Lodging prices have definitely increased since Covid. A well planned 3 days should be enough for a good taste of the city.

Bie ahí seguimos con fuerza 💪

Ha! Loved the video! I have some questions, migth seem silly, but has I'm not from US: there's Chicken A-filet, Chili's, outlets and nba games in that city?

As someone who visited Charleston five years ago, I could relate to much of what I saw. One thing I have to say...I did miss the food, because I keep kosher - though when I picked up a kosher meal at a non-kosher restaurant downtown (don't remember the name), I saw just how crowded that restaurant was (I've never seen a restaurant that crowded in my life). And I missed Fort Sumter and its cruise; I was set to go on that, but it was raining heavily that day, and I went to the aquarium instead.

Sullivan's Island. It's beautiful and we love to meet y'all ❤️

Hey Mark! Longtime viewer and South Carolina native. Only thing I'd add is don't miss out on the College of Charleston campus. The beautiful architecture and Spanish moss makes for quite the stroll, and it's only a hop and a skip King Street.

Loved the harbor tour and history. Got stuck in the downpour at city market. Never boil peanuts.

Love

Also when you come to Folly Beach, don't think you can park on OUR property because you think it's the right away!!! I not do not hesitate to have your auto towed away!! During tourist season it's become so bad that some of us rope off the property or put cones out.

I am a charleston native and the "friendliness" of locals is very circumstantial and has a lot do with where you are visiting FROM. A lot of us don't care for certain states and their peoples, mostly to do with a lot of midwest, northeast and west coast transplants buying up all the property and driving up the local prices. This place used to be dirt cheap and now a studio apartment is 2k a month.

Rainbow Row has been a thing since well before Instagram. My mother-in-law lived on Rainbow Row in the '80s.

you forgot to mention how god awful the traffic has become with all the snowbirds moving here in drones. i live in west ashley right across the water from downtown and lemme tell ya you used to be able to get anywhere from ravenel to Mt P in 30 mins. now it takes me 45 mins to get from James Island to Bees ferry rd in the afternoons

DON’T head out without navigation. Know where you are going. Lots of one-way streets downtown. This is a VERY crowded town. Our population has outgrown our infrastructure. Be nice to us, and we will be courteous in return. Have a nice stay.

Meet a Gullah story teller

14:46 Puppy teleportation

You should go to Uranus MO… I want to know the donts there. They have cool road side attractions!!!!!

You are a really lucky guy to be able to go to all of these places.

Rainbow Road? What? Lol! But the prettiest streets are the Tradd, Legare areas. The politeness is real...teenagers will treat you with much respect and hold the door for you. The food..phenomenal! My 8 yr old grandson is coming down for his third time this summer and told me that when he grows up he wants to live in the marsh!

Better than the Charleston City Market is the Saturday farmers market in Marion Square (better art and baskets than I find at Charleston Market). Also don't miss Leon's, the best fried chicken and grilled oysters around.

That's a very round overview. Sounds like home. -8^ )

“Dont mess with alligators” 😄😄

Go on a boat tour with Coastal Expedition to Boneyard Beach!

Rainbow Row was 1000% not painted as it is in order to be “instagrammable”. In fact, as someone who has family living in that particular section of East Bay Street, I’m pretty sure that the residents would love it if people would STOP sitting in their windows for their Instagram pics!!

Don't go from July-early September!! Heat and humidity is unbearable!!!

DON'T: Eat at Hymans. No matter what you hear. No locals eat there and there are hundreds of much better seafood options.

When you looking to relocate or buy a home in Charleston or North Charleston go when it rain.

I’m a 7th Gen Charlestonian…. I approve

I was born and raised in the area. We are terrible drivers, lol. It's hot and himid, stay hydrated. And look up festivals and events going on. There is always something happening, and a lot of things just outside of downtown. 😊

South Carolina is a wonderful state and the people are awesome

I've lived in Charleston for 13 years and it gets 103 degrees in the summer. DONT take a carriage tour! Many of the horses pass out during tours.

Also, please don’t refer to the city market as the “slave market”! As a Charleston native AND a tour guide of Charleston I can’t tell you how many tourists have called our city market the “slave market” and it was SOOO cringe! Love your vids Wolter! Always have! Thanks for giving our city some love!❤