Charleston City Market

I recently visited the Charleston City Market during my trip to Charleston and really enjoyed the experience. The market is surprisingly long and filled with a wide variety of vendors. There’s just about anything you can think of for sale like local crafts, handmade goods, art, souvenirs, and more. It’s a great place to walk through, browse, and find something unique to take home.

A very Charleston-esque spot to visit. It's a decent walk through the stalls; a feeling of old American abounds as you walk from building to building. Classic architecture, convenient to walk to, and quite a few carriage ride options nearby. Easy access to the cruise ship docks so be prepared for heavy tourist traffic while the ships are at port. There's something for everyone here and it's hard not to find something you'd like to purchase.

A good touristy place and well managed in the City of Charleston. A collection of eclectic stuff that does attract your eye. But a bit overpriced in a lot of cases. The variety of vendors could be better appreciated. But that could probably depend on the rent. There were a lot of vendors who were selling the same stuff. But a good place to visit if you are visiting Charleston. Great part about this market. There is a host of great restaurants around the market to whet your appetite after walking around

The waiter was excellent and so attentive and the place was packed. The meal was great as well. My photos will show I was well into the meal before I realized I didn't take the photos😂 I also appreciated that I got to choose how I wanted to tip my server, no automatic gratuity here! Bravo Charleston City Market.🤩

Another world to explore. If you’re into history and knowledge. But of course there’s also different vendors to see or buy totally different items but of course my wife and I took the horse carriage tour of downtown. What an amazing place.

Although I arrived quite late and it felt like closing time, I was completely captivated by the variety of artwork and beautiful accessories in this special place. It’s definitely a must-visit spot!

Charleston City Market is a must-visit! There are so many different vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to local foods. It’s a great place to explore, shop for unique souvenirs, and soak up some local culture. Definitely worth stopping by!

It's busy, but worth visiting. There are lots of vendors selling art, jewelry, candles, and more. Great place to find gifts. Some of the market is air conditioned but some of it is not and it can get hot in the summer months.

I think that this is a great place to check out and I mentioned that in the video that I made when I was there: Episode 5: City market, Pineapple fountain, Rainbow Row, Charleston museum https://youtu.be/Vo_4s1_wMV8

Come for the history! Of course this is where every tourists goes and you can find all the swag here to bring home to mark your visit to Charleston. Like literally every tourist city will have some street or building dedicated to this purpose. What's neat is you're walking through one of the oldest markets in the country and it ends naturally on Bay Street where the shoreline would have been in the 1800s. There are also lots of historical buildings nearby. I think it's worth a stop. I do regret not buying a bag of Carolina Rice - it's so aromatic. Yeah you probably won't find many locals shopping here as it's mostly tourist stuff - find a farmers market for that. There are also lack of food options in the actual market but restaurants seem be on either side of the market so they are not far.

I can see how the city market is enjoyable for some people. There were definitely a couple of great vendors here! And the building is super cool and a fun history spot! But it was so dreadfully packed and the inside is so small! We were getting pushed and shoved constantly so we couldn't hardly stop to look at booths. There was a good variety of vendors though. I got some beautiful rings from an Irish jewelry booth for an amazing price! But unfortunately most booths were tourist traps with not good quality items. This was an experience but I don't think I will be back.

I saw many "not so great" reviews for the Charleston City Market but we had a great time. We lived not too far from Charleston so it was a great "day trip." Of course it's a tourist spot, duh. But there's many cool local vendors that get to display their creations and we love to support local as much as possible. So many different vendors so there's something for everyone or just a great area to browse and check out this part of the city. We also got prints of Charleston, candies, wood creations, dog treats, and jewelry. Everyone here was very kind and friendly and didn't feel the pressure to purchase.

We were here over the weekend and were able to see the daily market one day and then the night market the next day. The market is huge. It was nice to see all the handmade items Charleston had to offer. However as huge as the market was, a lot of selections were repetitive but just from different vendors. The price of some of the items were also more expensive than I thought they would be. For example, small handmade baskets were around $400. Also, I didn't have a good experience getting a mango smoothie at a food vendor. The cashier was very rude when I asked a question regarding a product and the straws provided for the drinks were horrible. I couldn't enjoy my drink because my straw was so flimsy it stopped working correctly after less than 10 mins. If I came next time I would probably not get any drinks or food from here but from one of the other businesses outside of the market. Overall experience was okay, I wouldn't come back unless someone wanted to come.

If you're visiting Charleston, you're going to stop here. You have to. This place was made for tourists. Literally. Like I can't imagine a local person shopping here ever, unless they were getting gifts to send to friends. This place gets crowded. I went on a Friday afternoon, and ohhh weee it was a struggle getting through the sea of people. The market is 4 city blocks long, and I didn't see an empty booth throughout the whole thing. There is a lot of Charleston stuff sold here. I became desensitized about halfway through because there was just so much stuff to look at. I didn't buy anything, but if you're looking for a Charleston souvenir, I'm sure you'll find something here.

Tourist trap. It is a lot of venders saling all types of items. It's not for me unless you like to shop. I don't see the value in going.

We were visiting some friends who live in the area on Labor Day weekend. We decided to do some exploring in downtown Charleston on Sunday and visited the City Market. The market spans four city blocks and stretches from Meeting Street to E Bay Street with North Market Street on one side and South Market Street on the other side. The market is one of the oldest public markets in the nation and home to more than 300 vendors. It is open every day of the year except December 25th. We started at E Bay Street as we were walking from the Waterfront Park. The market is fully covered so that makes it nice regardless of the weather. You do have to go outside from building to building at the cross streets. There are booths on both sides as you walk the center. We saw, jewelery, shirts, pictures, artwork, etc. They even have a few drink and food vendors. We grabbed a fresh squeezed lemonade and some biscuits. On the outside of the market there are also various stores and restaurants that line the one way streets. This is a must do when visiting Charleston, SC

Charleston City Market is a great place to stroll and browse. There are so many shops and great souvenirs you can check out. If you want to be surrounded by southern charm and just bask in the quaintness of Charleston, this is the market to go to.

Charleston is a GREAT example of the American Deep South. The city market has a GREAT selection of vendors for both food, drink, and goods. There are ample free restrooms.

I have been here quite a few times. It is always a good place to go, look at local artist goods, and see the town. The building itself, is a good spot to go and get cool, while shopping, lots of nice things to browse through, definitely a go to place. My only complaint is it does get a little crowded.

As we were walking to a tour, we found this shopping gem for tourist and for local vendors. The market is made of up of several buildings which most of them are open air buildings which means vendors need to set up and take down their areas daily. So the vendors may not be in the same both when you return. The prices are reasonable.... some negotiating is okay. I ended buying three rings from one of the vendors. Some of the vendors are more friendlier than others. There are many types of vendors to choose from. Enjoy shopping....

If you're a shopping kind of tourist but don't want to shop at chain stores that can be found in most malls across the country, then this may be a place you enjoy. Lots of small local merchants, craftsmen/women, and artists here with unique merchandise or their own creations. Prices vary but one can easily find souvenir T shirts at reasonable bargains. Most of the market areas are open air so no AC and can be hot in the summer. However, there is a section that is enclosed with nice AC -- shops inside seem nicer too. An interesting year round Christmas store was inside when I visited in August!

5-25-23 I love city markets. In fact where ever I travel to I seek them out. There is a lot of cities that have great ones San Francisco, New York and New Orleans comes to mind first. This one the only negative is too many vendors with the same stuff. This includes pictures of the city over and over again. However if you don't give up you will find what you are looking for to make your trip memorable. For me it was a Christmas ornament of course bearing the name of Charleston. Also I left and came back for pralines and chocolate turtles. Probably the best in the city. As for the rest at least you get your exercise in with all the steps.

Plenty of local artists and crafts from jewelry (silver, amber, hematite, etc), clothing and woven sweetleaf baskets. Huge tourist trap, only one building was opened out of 5, so just not a lot of variety. Smaller shops on the outskirts from tee shirts and chachkies, cookies, candy and jerky. Again big tourist trap if you're looking for these wares and local artisan crafts. Pretty expensive but many are hand made, some are not - just be careful and aware.

The Charlestown City Market is one of the oldest public markets in the United States. It stretches four buildings over four blocks of Market Street, east of Meetibg Street. Today, it's obviously geared to tourists and selling souvenirs. Vendors are friendly. This is probably the best place to see and buy woven sweetgrass baskets for which the Low Country is famous. We spent about an hour browsing -- retail tourism -- but didn't buy anything

You can find almost anything at Charleston City Market. The night highlight nestled in the center of this historic town offers shopping, food and beverages. You can find unique items, special gifts and local goods. It is sort of an indoor/outdoor setup that made it easy to shop. Long and spread out, we walked along at a leisurely pace. Prices were as expected and not shocking. Everything seemed to be priced right. The fantastic element is the market is the diversity at your fingertips. We had a great day browsing and people watching.

Definitely bring a cool drink and a fan! There's just one little spot that had any air- truly have to admire these artisans. Go and support them!

This place is usually on the list of places to go and see on Trip Advisor and Google. I usually go to these to look for unique souvenirs and shot glasses. Yes, it's a tourist trap and worth walking around to window shop. I didn't buy anything because I didn't see anything that interested me and the prices weren't cheap. People were friendly. You'll see some weaving baskets, jewelry, clothing, etc.

This was my second time visiting the Charleston City Market- the first time was during Covid and didn't have a ton of vendors- this time around they were full of vendors and patrons. It is a very bustling market full of tourist fair- clothing, trinkets, local art. This kind of market is usually right up my alley, but I found most of the vendors offerings were either too expensive or not my thing. This is solely a personal preference thing- it didn't wow me the way other markets have. I will say, the local basket weavers are out in force and if you are looking for local artisan baskets- buy them here, directly from the artist. The baskets are the highlight of this market. It is mostly open air and has one block of indoor market.

Such a cool place and a must visit while here in Charleston! I would also highly recommended getting you Charleston memorabilia from the CCM. It's pretty easy to get to and the walking is a straight shot...literally. I would recommend that this be on the list of places to see! Most vendors accept cash or card.

A lot of great things to buy from Sweet grass baskets to goodies to eat. It went for miles. Jk it was a couple of blocks long. It is a must see! Full of history and culture. Some things were pricey, but what the heck your on vacation and your supporting local artists. The only thing that was a turnoff was that I wanted to take a video of a person making the sweet grass baskets, but she did not want any pics

Sunday Vs. Wednesday Sunday: Bustling! Busy. All vendors are present and accounted for. From jewelry (lots of jewelry), to framed art, to handmade soaps, to baskets, etc... Local artists selling their goods. I love places like this. Open air. Multiple blocks so as you walk through one building you must cross a street and watch out for those horse drawn carriages (no joke!) to the net building. The building lining each side of the market are also little kitchy stores selling souvenirs and art. Love the area. Love the concept. What could be better? A better array of goods. Oversaturation of jewelry and similar art. What did we buy? My daughter and I each got a ring (pictured) from a metal craftsman who worked with beads. We also bought a left handed wooden beer cozy as a gift. Wednesday: Easy to shop and move around inside as there was barely anyone there shopping but also there weren't as many vendors. I just wanted one more look before we left town. I did buy a photo of the pineapple fountain put on metal. The seller had to customize the order but it was still very affordable ($30) and shipped it to my home! I have it hanging in my mudroom.

The Market is where you go to see ladies weaving the beautiful sweetgrass baskets! And peruse the various sweetgrass items. They are pricey, ya'll! As fellow Yelper, Ashley S. said, it is a tourist trap kind of market. The building is historic and they do offer some local products (grits, teas, etc.) but as time went by, it became junkier in terms of the products sold, and it felt like a buyer for Dollar General was their supplier. There are authentic local artisans in some booths, but not each booth. We never ate there, just browsed when in beautiful downtown Charleston.

Must see when your in Charleston! Such a great shopping experience So many stores and food to try! We stayed way longer than expected and bought way too many things lol but def a must see and so many diff little shops- we bought harry potter items, puzzles, wood pieces and crystals- so much variety and alsooo some place have mini donuts!!!

This is a nice market with a lot of vendors. Most of them are indoor so you can go when it's raining or in cooler weather. It's a great place to get local Charleston goods and support small businesses. The one negative is that there are teenage palmetto rose swindlers, who try to hand you a rose so you are then in an awkward conversation to buy it. I avoided them by saying no thank you politely and they yelled obscenities at me. It really took away from the pleasant environment of the market and I wish there was better security to stop them from harassing tourists.

Visited this place many years ago and couldn't wait to come back. I was searching for a print of the historic hotel we were staying in and luckily found a painting of it from a local artist here. We also met a lovely lady in the very last building who had made cute little flower bouquets. She chatted with us for a few minutes and i purchased a bouquet from her as a souvenir.

Very interesting market. They sell many hand craft items and souvenirs. Even at night there are still some vendors out selling their items. Painting, soap, home decors, snacks.... It is a stop if you are in Charleston

We had an awesome day wandering around downtown Charleston! Our taxi driver told us about the cookie shop and 'jerky from around the world' shops nearby that have free samples, so we went to check them out. This outdoor, covered city market is right in the hustle and bustle and looks really cool. When we actually walked around it, it was mostly just junk that you can buy in bulk online from cheap websites. I was really hoping that there would be a lot of local offerings, but there wasn't anything we would've bought or even slowed down to look at. It was packed, so I'm glad it's busy and an attraction for the city, but it could definitely be improved!

This is definitely a must stop, whether during the day or at night. My friend and I loved walking through the market and perusing all the local vendors and shops. We purchased a couple of gifts for ourselves and for others. I loved some of the unique jewelry and basket shops, and other items like the freeze dried skittles I couldn't quite understand. There's a plethora of things to buy!

City market is a tourist trap destination! Just stop gripping and enjoy ? It's a standard Charleston scene! I just love the vendors and the smell of horse crap! lol! Great experience every time! Parking is a challenge and stay away from the lobster place outside the market!

The market was one of the highlights of our quick weekend trip to Charleston. The Saturday farmers market I had originally planned to visit with my crew got rained out. This was the next stop on our agenda so we started our day here instead. We loved the historic head house architecture that a lot of port cities (like Baltimore) are known for and took some photos on the stairs. Its larger than it appears and we were able to spend quite a bit time browsing. It has a variety of vendors with a wide selection of local goods which we love to collect while traveling. We tasted cookies and bought art, jewelry, and geechee seasonings. I did buy some exceptionally overpriced chocolate but otherwise prices seemed reasonable for a tourist area. Once the rain stopped we were able to stroll the businesses lining the adjacent streets. It was a great way to spend the morning.

This was the worst experience we had in charleston by a long shot. There is a large variety of options, but once you've passed through one of the many connected buildings, you've seen them all. There is home decor, jewelry, baskets, artisan food, candles, art, etc - you get it. It's exactly what you'd expect and the shops themselves are interesting albeit overpriced. This is a tourist trap. Only one of the many buildings is indoors, the rest are open air so get ready to be miserably hot if you're here from June-august. The reason our review is so low is because of how terribly the vendors are and how poorly setup this place is. Multiple stalls that we walked past the vendors yelled DONT TOUCH!!! To people who walked in.... Generally everyone seemed to be in a bad mood. The vendors will angrily stare at you for looking around esp if you don't buy anything. There are also multiple grab and go eateries and there is NOWHERE to sit and eat! You'd think they put a small area with tables or something? No. We grabbed food from Callie's little hot biscuits and basically listened to the worker ignore, groan, facepalm, and throw sarcasm at a group of well meaning tourists behind us for asking his opinion on the food.... Sorry you have to do your job? His behavior was obnoxious and will go in a separate review. We walked for 10 minutes with no luck finding ANYWHERE to sit and eat and then pulled off to the side to what we thought was an abandoned wooden table and stood in the corner eating so not to get in the way. 10 mins later one of the vendors came over and verbally berated us for standing next to the empty table (dirty wood table in an open air market with chipping paint, you get it) and made a HUGE fuss about how the table is reserved etc - we had no idea. It was pushed on the wall out of the way. She even threatened to call security on us. What the hell? We said nothing and just sat there shocked while she continued to yell at us, it was so over the top. I felt so horrible, I would've never went over there if I knew it had been that big of a deal but I'm also not an obnoxiously rude person so I was really surprised that we were literally scolded like wild animals for standing in the corner and eating.... We left promptly and I will never be back.

Stepping into the Charleston City Market was like entering a treasure trove of Southern culture and history. This vibrant market exudes a charm that is uniquely Charleston, and it's a destination that truly captures the essence of the city. The market's historic ambiance is a testament to its significance as one of the oldest public markets in the United States. Wandering through its bustling corridors, I was surrounded by a delightful array of artisanal goods, local crafts, and traditional Southern treats. From handwoven baskets to intricate jewelry, every stall tells a story and showcases the skill and creativity of Charleston's artisans. What truly makes the Charleston City Market exceptional is the sense of community it fosters. The interactions with the vendors are warm and welcoming, and they are more than happy to share insights about their crafts and the city's history. The market becomes a place of connection, where visitors and locals alike can engage in meaningful conversations and create lasting memories. The market's location in the heart of historic Charleston adds to its allure. After perusing the stalls, I found myself immersed in the city's charming streets, lined with historic buildings and surrounded by the enchanting scent of blooming flowers. It's a seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy. Whether you're seeking unique souvenirs, delectable treats, or simply a taste of Charleston's rich heritage, the Charleston City Market is an absolute must-visit. It's a captivating destination that embodies the spirit of the city and offers an unforgettable experience for everyone fortunate enough to explore its enchanting offerings

This could have been very cool. The idea is that the market spans across about six city blocks (some indoor, some out) with vendors selling local items/crafts. The reality is that many of the vendors sell the same mass manufactured Charleston-themed items. Would also be nice if there were food vendors but there's just a bakery at the end and some stalls selling sweets, but that's about it. My friends and I came by on a Saturday at around 10:30 am, which is when we thought it opened (apparently it's 9:30) and it was already pretty packed at that time. I bought a cute little Charleston pineapple ornament for $15, which I thought was really unique - until I saw the same one at various souvenir shops on the outskirts of the market for $10. I guess they need to pay their rent somehow since the market is such a prime spot. My advice would be to walk through early, see if there is anything you like, and head to the shops not within the market. You'll likely find it there for cheaper.

The Charleston City Market is an exciting tourist landmark in downtown Charleston. It spans six city blocks and has many items to purchase. There are also a few places to grab a snack. It gets crowded quickly, making you feel you can't thoroughly peruse the items for sale because you're in someone's way. It's a nice place to visit but go early, especially if you prefer to avoid crowds.

Lovely market to check out! If you love street fairs and street markets, where they still take credit cards and it's partially indoors/AC - you'll love it here! Lots of vendors and art, clothing, jewelry, hot sauce, soaps, table cloths. All with special artisans from Charleston/local vendors. Also great lemonade! I got hand painted magnets direct from the artist, handmade soap, mini hot sauce and a $1 tote bag supporting the historic foundation society.

I know this is one of the main things to do in Charleston but I felt like only 10% of the goods were unique and the rest were items that you could find in common areas in beach towns, and probably less expensive on places like Amazon. To me, a city/community market should be a place where the community i.e. locals actually shop to get their goods like produce and meat, but there weren't any actual food vendors here let alone, people selling fresh produce or meat. So, to me, it kind of dampers the idea of a community market. It's great that it's a place for people to sell their wares and trinkets but you can see that this market is obviously geared towards tourists and not something that locals actually go to. There are a few unique handicrafts here that it was interesting to see people making them on site, but a lot of the other stuff was a real miss. I assume historically that people actually went here to buy food to use at home, but this place doesn't haven't that vibe anymore.

Tough call on placing where this review should be. But overall it's a skip if you only have a day in the city in my opinion. It's a treasured landmark in the heart of the city that borders on tourist trap. However I would recommend if time permits. Parking is off street, but you can find garages too! It's easy to find. The market spans a few city blocks and has an eclectic array of merchandise from local artist and artisans. The market was busy with lots of foot traffic on a weekday. Your bound to find items of interest. There are also shops that sell food items. It's really all there and you get a vibe of the city. 3.5 rounding down.

LOVED! Was perfect after a full lunch to casually stroll through this long market. Many items repeat themselves. So don't be afraid to shop around if you find something you like. Website states market closes at 5:30 pm. But some vendors start a slow pack up as early as 4:00 pm (this was on a Friday).

Nice market located in downtown Charleston. All types of vendors from wearables to housewares.

If your in Charleston you need to spend some time in the market! Did we buy anything, nope, did we get a sample of local artists, yes. I was hoping to see more of the local stuff and less of the mass manufactured stuff but I get it, just enjoy the atmosphere. It's not Pike's Place in Seattle, but it's still fun to walk through. My favorite part of the market is simply listening to the people selling their goods and customers haggling for deals...just fun.

I love the market but beware of the Palmetto belt and dog collar vendor,n they are a total rip off! I purchased an item on line with the pick up option since I was going downtown the next day. when I went to get the item the person working the booth refused to give me my purchase even after I showed him my receipt from Square. He accused me of scamming them and that someone in the office told him not to give me my purchase. I used a receipt from a previous purchase which had a link to shop on line. the man working was rude and arrogant and called me a scam artist. This vendor is unethical and a total rip off. Their merchandise is shoddy at best, my previous dog collar purchase began to fray after one week and they won't exchange it because it was worn. I like to support local businesses but this is one vendor I will not support. I ended up buying the same collar at a lower price from Amazon. Worse yet they won't give you your products after you've purchased online from their website. I contacted the main office and they won't answer my inquiry. Stay Away from Palmetto Belts at the City Market!

This was a pretty cool place to visit - so many different things to choose from! I ended up purchasing my first cow(girl) hat: a Bullhide Savage Love distressed cowboy hat! Ahh! I fell in love at first site! Everything else was decently priced! I'd definitely visit again!

This place has something for everyone! Pictures, Charleston items, jewelry, crafts, snacks, etc. The staff is always friendly and everything is unique. This was a fun little activity to do while in Charleston. It can get crowded I assume but it is easy to walk through.

Pretty much a tourist destination, but a fun day to just walk and shop and chat with your friends. All kinds of stores, with souvenirs, crafts, edible treats, carolina baskets, etc. and the middle of it is air conditioned, so that is a major plus. There are also restrooms here. You could do it in 30 mins with just a quick stroll, or you could spend 2 hours, your choice. But fun to see and very conveniently located. Maybe I am a jaded San Franciscan, but to me the parking seems pretty easy to find.

Charleston City Market is a huge market. Building after building full of vendors selling their nice products. I went through in April, so it was open air with plenty of room for people to walk through.If you're looking for something, come to the City Market, and you will find it. Enjoy!

Really enjoyed this place. Nice well organized clean market to spend a good day at. The People are super friendly and the town itself is beautiful.

This was a fun way to pass the time downtown. We had stopped by the pineapple fountain earlier and walked over here. Love the setup of this market: outdoors with 4 or 5 tent-like structures with various vendors. Lots of folks selling handmade items, art, jewelry, foods, etc. We didn't buy anything, but it was enjoyable to walk through. We stopped by one of the cookie shop for samples and I do wish I had bought some, maybe next time.

Really cool I'll town market. Lots of arts and crafts, food and knick knacks. Only downside is traffic but that's the entire low country.