Walking Distance Historical Sights to See During the Spoleto Festival in Charleston
Spoleto takes place in the Historic District in Charleston – which means the most popular and historic spots are just a walk away. While you’re in Charleston for the festival, try out these famous spots in Charleston.
Dock Street Theatre/ Queen Street Playhouse
Waterfront Park Pier
(4-5 minute walk from the event location)
The park is home to two notable fountains. The Pineapple Fountain is a Charleston staple. The fountain not only represents one of Charleston’s most prized symbols, a pineapple which represents the tradition of southern hospitality, but it’s also a great spot to cool off. Visitors are allowed to jump in, and even swim, in the fountain. The other fountain shoots water up in the air, making it a local spot to cool off from the heat.
Charleston City Market
(4-5 minute walk from the event location)
The Charleston City Market is a free market located in the Historic District. It stretches across four city blocks and it’s mostly inside. At the market there’s Charleston classics like woven sweetgrass baskets, rice bead necklaces and biscuit mix. There’s also jewelry, food, artwork, souvenirs and other knick knacks throughout the market.
Washington Square
(3-5 minute walk from the event location)
Washington Square is a public park with grass, benches and monuments dedicated to George Washington. There’s food and history surrounding the park and it’s a spot to rest during the tour of the Historic District.
Rainbow Row
(6-7 minute walk from the event location)
Rainbow Row is another must-see attraction in Charleston. Take a stroll down the street and admire the brightly colored houses. The pink, green, blue and yellow houses create a picturesque scene that can be found on Charleston post cards.
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
(5-6 minute walk from the event location)
This is a landmark where parties and prisoners were held. The building was used as a city hall, post office, exchange center and prison. It’s where the United States Constitution was ratified.
City of Charleston Tours
(4-5 minute walk from the event location)
There’s walking tours and horse drawn carriage tours throughout the historic district. The tours go through historically significant houses, churches and gardens while deep diving into Charleston's past and present. Most of the carriage tours take place right next to the City Market and require reservations beforehand.
Festival Hall
King Street
(4 minute walk from the event location)
The 300 year old street, originally named after King Charles II of England, now holds some of Charleston's trendiest shops. King Street has boutiques, fine dining and nationwide retail stores. It’s a great place for shopping – even if it’s just window shopping.
Old City Jail
(2 minute walk from event location)
In this hot, crowded cell, the life expectancy of prisoners was one to three months. It’s considered one of the most haunted and horrific places in Charleston. The inside is closed for now, but the outside is still intact and Landmark Enterprises plans on renovating it into an office space with the first floor open for tours.
Charleston Gaillard Center
Theodora Park
(1 minute walk from the event location)
Theodora Park is a quiet spot to enjoy coffee or read a book. If you’re looking to relax between Spoleto events, Theodora Park is a beautiful spot that’s accessible to the public. There are benches, plants and a small water feature.
(10 minute walk from the event location)
The aquarium has over 5,000 land and sea creatures.There’s head-to-toe walls filled with aquatic life. It has hands-on experiences where you can interact with some wildlife. It’s especially interesting at night on the back porch when the city is lit up.
Philip Simmons Memorial Gardens
(4 minute walk from the event location)
There’s a hidden garden dedicated to Philip Simmons, an iron worker whose blacksmithing work landed in the Smithsonian. The garden is gated but it’s open to the community. The garden is covered with hearts from the trail through the garden to his blacksmithing work on the gated fence and bench.
(10 minute walk from the event location and a 30 minute ferry ride)
Walk through the site where the American Civil War began. Fort Sumter was originally built in 1829 to defend the coastal seaport. Now, it’s a national monument which attracts visitors to learn about the history of the Civil War and America.
College of Charleston Sottile Theatre/ Charleston Cistern Yard
(9-11 minute walk from the event center)
The Charleston Museum, known as America’s first museum, has been open for over 250 years. The museum takes you through Charleston’s history from the 18th century to today. The museum is known for their historic textiles and clothing collections.
Septima Clark Birthplace
(4-6 minute walk from the event center)
Septima Clark was an instrumental civil rights leader and educated. She helped educate and prepared people to vote. The house has since been turned into a sorority house, but there’s a plaque outside with some facts about Clark’s life.
Marion Square
(4 to 6 minute walk from the event center)
Marion Square is another grassy place to chill between events. It’s in the heart of downtown and it’s surrounded by restaurants and shops. It’s a space where several markets take place, such as the Charleston Farmers Market in the summer. Some of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival is held in Marrion Square until June 10th. There are tents set up in the square that showcase local artists’ works.
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