One of our favorite things about the Charleston Coast is the incredible history this area holds. Strolling through the cobblestone streets downtown makes you wonder who has walked there centuries before. For a fun, historical activity to enjoy on your vacation, make sure you visit the Historic Charleston City Market. See a slice of the past while shopping our local goods!
About the Historic Charleston City Market
Not only is the Charleston City Market one of the country’s oldest public markets, it is also the city’s most visited attraction. This market has been one of the crown jewels of the Lowcountry since its founding in 1804. Stroll through the open-air stands as you browse the goods vendors bring, head inside to the enclosed Great Hall to browse some more, then make your way to the shops that line the street the market is on!
Most of the market is located beneath the open-air “sheds,” and this area is very special to our history. These structures have housed vendors for more than 200 years and have miraculously survived fires, earthquakes, and civil war cannonballs.
The Vendors
There are a variety of vendors at the market, and the offerings in the open-air section change daily. These goods make the perfect souvenir to remember your trip by or a great gift for a loved one back home! We always love stopping by the spice vendors– there’s no better way to reminisce about your trip than by cooking a Southern-inspired meal back home. Plus, this is an excellent place to find our famous sweetgrass baskets. These woven baskets are a tradition that has been passed down from generations for more than 300 years.
Local tip: The vendors at the market get their booths on a first-come, first-served basis, so you never know which vendors you’ll see! This means you can go back over and over again.
When Is the Historic Charleston City Market Open?
The Charleston City Market opens daily at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. From April to December, the market reopens on Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Book Your Getaway Today
Experience the Historic Charleston City Market and so much more when you book your getaway with Charleston Coast Vacations. We offer gorgeous vacation rentals on Isle of Palms and Folly Beach– each close enough to downtown Charleston to explore. We have a variety of properties so you can search based on size and location, or you can opt for a home right on the water. Browse our Isle of Palms rentals or our Folly Beach rentals to start planning today!
