Marion Square

Today, December 22, 2024, my wife and I decided to take the short, five-minute walk from our hotel over to Marion Square—and we’re so glad we did. This historic park, named after Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”), has long been a centerpiece of Charleston, once serving as a parade ground for The Citadel. Nowadays, it’s a lively gathering place known for its seasonal festivities and local events. Because it’s the holiday season, Marion Square was decked out in full winter cheer. We were greeted by a towering Christmas tree sparkling with lights, and a giant “JOY” sign complete with a glowing pineapple in the center—an iconic symbol of Southern hospitality. There was also a captivating Christmas light tunnel that would be stunning to see lit up at night. In another corner of the park stood a beautiful fountain adorned with various iron animal sculptures, each intricately crafted like its own work of art. We loved strolling through the park’s pathways and soaking in the festive atmosphere. We can’t wait to return and experience Marion Square all over again—holiday season or not!

We really enjoyed walking through Marion Square and found it extremely well maintained. This large park is crisscrossed with gravel paths and covered in grass. There are several displays, a fountain and a monument on the property. A really beautiful and well landscaped area.

Marion Square was the perfect spot for Micah and me to relax and soak in the Charleston vibe. The local vendors and vibrant atmosphere made it a highlight of our engagement trip. Whether it’s the farmers market or just a sunny day, Marion Square is a Charleston treasure.

Cool outdoor park and plaza, with some good fountains. It was lively on a weekend day with the farmer's and art market. It was tricky to find a public restroom nearby.

We stopped by on a weekday morning for the piccolo spoleto art show. A wonderful collection of painting and photography. Wish we could take some home with us!

We love this park. We have been here several times and love the open area to cool Down during our walks around town. We have had lunch on the grass while taking a break. We loved being able to play with our puppy and give him a break to play a little. We loved having the farmers market on the weekend. It had a ton of options and vendors. It is always a place we go to when we are in town.

Large open park with room to play or relax on the grass. Couple of fountains ⛲️ and some flowers.

It's an annual tradition of our's to always attend the Marion Square tree lighting!

Simple, old-fashioned, and beautiful! That's my impression of this park. Picturesque from many angles and surrounded by elegant historical buildings, this little green park is a joy to stroll along.... Nice break if you are tired from downtown shopping. There's a fountain at the corner of King and Calhoun and some seating areas around in case you are tired to walking; some benches here and there too. Plenty of photo opportunities! Many old and nice buildings and hotels within a few blocks of the park. The Charleston museum is also close by.

It's a mostly open square with a few monuments. It offers no facilities that I can discern, and fairly limited seating. Mostly, it's outdoor green space that serves as a meeting place, and as one of the most overt clashes between the different social classes in Charleston. I hang around and eat something occasionally, but the mosquitos can be a problem. Mostly, it's just nice to walk by.

Whether you're visiting or local, nearly always something happening in the square on the weekends! Today was the Holiday Market until 3pm, we were just walking the dogs and happened to get to see alll the location vendors doing quite the business as things were wrapping up. Pun Fully Intended. During SEWE, a Birds of Prey Exposition takes place here. Charleston Fashion week, hosted by Lexus, also happens here. Saturday Farmers market happens here-- see pictures--- love the bands, lemonade, food trucks, etc. When schools in session and it's sunny, students often gather here to enjoy the lawn. Smack dab in the middle of Charleston, you're bound to be here at some point, and encourage at least a stroll through for the sights and historic markers :)

Marion Square is a fun gathering place in the heart of Downtown Charleston. You can often find events here, such as the Charleston Food and Wine Festival and the Cooper River Bridge Run after party. It's also home to a beautiful light display and Christmas tree in December. On Saturdays when it warm, there's a huge farmer's market as well. The only drawback for Marion Square is convenient parking, especially if you cannot walk long distances. When we go to events there, I usually park in the Gailliard Center garage and walk over. The St. Philip St. garage is another great option.

Home of The "old" Citadel before it was moved and within walking distance of all that is needed. Try to visit during a festival like Spoleto Fest for a whole lotta fun. Great history!

Parked beside MARION SQ on king st. easy to renewer! Picturesque, I didn't love CHARLESTON, but crossing the park meant we were moving on to ATL, so it felt good crossing..

Lovely little park, a bit urban, near Meeting and King streets in Charleston, right in the heart of downtown. If you travel here with your dog, this is a perfect place to bring it. Nearby battery park might feel a bit too pristine for your pet, and you may feel really out of place clutching a poopy bag over by the tony homes by the water over there. Here, there is a nice park, but one where you can still let your hair down.

Wow, I've never thought to review Marion Square before, but it definitely deserves a review! Most of my favorite events in Charleston happen in this wonderful plot of land: the Charleston Farmers Market, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, Fashion Week, The Christmas tree lighting, etc. Plus, it's perfectly situated in the middle of the city to give you a moment to pause and remember that there's more to life than just tourists, terrible traffic, and shrimp & grits.

Marion Square is a nice green space park in the middle of downtown Charleston off Calhoun, King, and Meeting streets. Marion Square hosts a variety of events for the community including my favorites, the Saturday Farmers Market, SEWE, and Charleston Food Exhibition. There are also a few monuments, statues, and a fountain in the park. There is the controversial Calhoun Monument and the Charleston Holocaust Memorial which are the most recognized. When I was working downtown we'd use the park to cut through to restaurants for lunch, as well as checking out the sunbathers; the College of Charleston students don't really show any shame about using the park as their tanning parlor. Overall, Marion Square makes a great space for the community for a variety of reasons.

Marion Square, once the proud home of the Citadel College is now the center piece for all things Charleston. With an aerial view of the Confederate Flag on the grassy field, Marion Square has become home some of the most heralded events in Charleston from Fashion Week to Food and Wine Festival to Movies in the Park to the Farmers Market. Its strategic location in the heart of the peninsula and spacious square framework makes it a perfect home for events, laying out, playing ball, having a picnic or just relaxing. Each holiday season, it becomes the symbol of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Of course thousands seek recovery after the Cooper River Run and Turkey Day Run. No matter what the occasion, expect to find Marion Square at the Center. It has moments of quiet and hectic crowds so you have to plan accordingly. One last high five to the city and the park....Free Wifi.

This is such a beautiful little park. The lights in the trees, the Christmas tree during the winter and the stage they set up for concerts. It's a great place to have a picnic or take a stroll.

I've been to Marion Square numerous times to walk around the farmer's market, attend Charleston Fashion Week or to just hang out and people watch. It is a large green space centrally located between Meeting and King streets on Calhoun. My husband and I were here the other night to check out the Christmas lights. We had never been before and were so impressed with the tree of lights. Great photo opportunities!

I've been to Marion Square for a number of events. My most recent Charleston trip took me there twice; first for the New Belgium CLIPS festival and then for the Farmer's Market. This is a great central point to meet friends or greet strangers, watch street performers (mostly singing and dancing) or to adopt a new pet. I love the mix of the vendors at the Farmer's Market - antique jewelry, fresh pasta, waffles on a stick, organic pet food, spices, and handmade soap all in a row. The people in the Square do their part to keep it clean, picking up after themselves and their pets, which is a rare sight where I'm from.

Like many other parks and green spaces in the downtown area, Marion Square holds historic significance for Charleston and includes a few monuments/structures at which you can gaze if you are so inclined. Others simply go to sunbathe or attend one of many festivals and markets offered throughout the year. Immediately upon arriving, ones eyes are drawn to the tall figure that juts up into the air known as John C. Calhoun. This is actually the second statue of him that was placed in this location. It is told that a cannon ball from the Battle of Fort Moultrie and a lock of his hair, among other things, are contained underneath. The square was also home to The Citadel before it was relocated to its current location. At that time, it was known as the Citadel Green. You can see the original structure (which is now an Embassy Suites hotel) at the back of the square, away from Calhoun Street. A holocaust memorial has also been erected on this site. It is a simple, yet thought-provoking reminder of an era many would like to forget. The square is actually very shady now with its huge oak trees that surround the perimeter of the square. There is also more than one water fountain with concrete seating on this site. Perfect for enjoying our hot summer days or just taking a break on a tour of downtown.

Marion Square is a wonderful park to take a walk or have a picnic. If you need some fresh air this is a great place to breathe. This is also a really good event space and I have enjoyed some fun events here. I like to make my way here on a sunny afternoon and lay on the grass. Marion Square has it all in a park.

Centrally located park, home of the farmers market on applicable weekends and home of many events throughout the year. Tip: If you're only going to the park for a few minutes (under 30), park at the Visitor's Center and walk the few blocks!

Marion Square is one of my favorite parks in Charleston. It is great to have this wide open green space in the middle of everything to find a quiet spot to sit, walk, read, lay out, have a picnic, have a meeting, or get some work done. Marion Square has good wifi that is useful when you need to connect. This is also a great event space several times a year where some of my favorite big events in Charleston are held and it is perfect for that purpose and seems to fit everything just right. There is also a lot of history to this site as you can feel all of the years of Charleston surround you any time of the day. Overall this is a really awesome park that I like to visit and use regularly and enjoy.

Perfect place for the copper river bridge run after party. Clean, beautiful and lots of places to sit and enjoy the view.

A historic park to come relax, enjoy the sun, the shade, people watch, or any number of activities that occur on a weekly basis. The farmers market is the most consistent, occurring every weekend for most of the year, but keep tabs on Charleston events for the latest and greatest activities to bring your family and friends. While you're relaxing, take the time to actually look at the monuments and history of the square and the buildings that surround it.

Marion Square is a great green space in the middle of the city...but not just as an unused space - you'll see live music out there or a farmer's market, depending on the time of year or the weather. The most important part of the square is the looming and proud column on the top of which is a statue of one of our national heroes: John C. Calhoun, former Vice-President, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and Senator of the United States and one of the champions of secession. Yelp is hardly the place to wax poetically about the genius and character of a man, but it was Calhoun's perspicacious (and originalist) insights into the Constitution and his speeches and writings that helped give a contemporary voice (in the 1850s) to the earlier objections of Thomas Jefferson to oppressive Federal rule competently outlined in the Notes on the State of Virginia and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Seeing Calhoun's stern visage looking proudly ahead reminds of Stonewall Jackson's statue at Manassas...firmly facing the enemy...it's a challenge to those of us who *think* we know about our history or what really happened from 1860-1865 in our country to maybe do a bit more reading than the Yankee brainwashing most of us were given in high school.

We decided to come to Marion Square to view the much anticipated eclipse! It was overcast but we could see everything through our special glasses. Frankly,if it weren't for the clouds I think we would of fried! It is the closest venue near our home that has green space so we packed some chairs and a cooler and settled in for the show. It was really nice being around so many excited people sharing the event together. The church bells ringing was a nice touch. The police officers monitoring the area were handing out safety glasses to people who didn't have them. That's good public service! Will I return? Afraid I won't for another eclipse. But I will return for the other events they have at this location!

Charming little square in the heart of Charleston! When we were there, it was set up for the holidays - with a tree of Christmas lights in the center of the park that you can walk through (or spin around in)! I'd love to check out a Farmers Market or other event in the park next time I'm in Charleston!

We're so lucky in Charleston to have this beautiful park right in the middle of downtown. On any given (warm) day, you'll find people laying out, hanging out, and generally enjoying the weather. Most of the year, you'll find the Charleston Farmers Market here on Saturdays. It's the perfect place to have breakfast or lunch and take home some fresh local food for dinner. The square is home to numerous events throughout the year including Fashion Week, SEWE, Wine & Food Festival, and Piccolo Spoleto. There's plenty of smaller events such as holiday markets, movie nights, and more that make this park the place to be all year round.

We love this little park! It is located at a really popular and busy intersection between shopping and night life so it's a great spot to relax amid the day. There are lots of park benches and places to sit, in fact there are benches carved into the fountain! The lawn is well maintained and watered so everything is really lush and green. The walkway cuts the park at an angle, which is really convenient. The park offers lots of shade to get out of the Charleston heat and there are really pretty flowers on the Calhoun side!

Great green space in the center of downtown Charleston. Festival? Farmers market? Free day to lay on a blanket in the sun or toss a frisbee to a dog? Beautiful fountain, and beautiful Holocaust memorial.

Nice park in the center of town. It gets lots of use for sports, hanging out and even sunbathing. The space is large and open and makes for a great getaway for locals and tourists. The farmers market on Saturday is not to be missed.

If you're exploring downtown Charleston, there's a high probability that you'll happen upon Marion Square. And, WHEN you do, stop! Marion Square is not only a divider between King Street and Bay Street, but it's packed with history, perfect for people watching, pets and you might even happen upon a festival or farmers market here on the weekends. Not only does it house a remnant of the city's defensive wall, but also shows tribute to one of our nations heroes: John C. Calhoun. Whether you choose to take a seat at the beautiful fountain on the corner of King and Calhoun Street or gaze up at the beautifully restored, PINK fortress-style building, previously housing a military college, but currently an Embassy Suites. Also, I highly recommend a moment to enjoy the newly renovated St. Matthews Lutheran Church steeple and stain glass! Enjoy a moment of peace as you pass through this central landmark in downtown Charleston. TIP: visit Marion Square during Spoleto Festival (last week of May-first week of June) for an incredible, outdoor art fair, with vendors as far as the eye can see!

This is a beautiful park in the heart of downtown Charleston. Any weekend you can find food trucks along the street which makes an impromptu picnic super convenient

Christmas time in Charleston, you have to stop by and see the spectacle. What a beautiful walkthrough the Christmas tree and all the lights in the trees make it even more fabulous. We were on our way back from Fish Happy Hour and it just made for a great ending of the night. HEck, this park is great all year round for the Farmer's market, different shows, events, etc. but nothing needs to be going on to walk through and enjoy the scenery.

I loved hanging out in this park during college, reading textbooks and sometimes non-textbooks after class, either alone or with my roommates. For a while in the spring, we just knew to meet there after class; Annie would bring her blue blanket to share. Sure, like Rebekah B. noted, there are guys throwing frisbees around that might hit you. There are also sometimes freshman chicks untying their bikini tops, and the occasional random dog who doesn't listen to your owner and comes and gets the blanket slobbery/dirty paw printed, but it's still so fun, right in the middle of the city. It's like Central Park for Charleston.

Lovely down town park close by the Holiday Inn & seemingly well used by residents & tourists alike, we saw sunbathing, soccer, football & Baseball plyed as well as jogging. My one complaint is there are not enough benches for people to sit, eat lunch, read or enjoy city Nature

Stopped here for the farmer's market that they have on Saturdays. Great spot! Very crowded (in a good way), and a beautiful park. Definitely check it out. If we didn't have so much stuff to do and check out, I could have seen myself spending all day here, reading a book, or such.

Sweet little park int he middle of downtown. Lots of college students hang out and sun bathe, play catch, play instruments and just plain hang out. My husband was a little bothered by seeing topless laying women when our kids were walking around. LOL The grass is nice no weeds great to walk barefoot. Parking can be difficult to look for. Not a bad place to relax and enjoy time with the family.

Come on Saturday for the farmers market (during tourist season) and bring the family. You will not regret it. Dogs are welcome and come hungry cause food trucks abound.

Marion Square is a beautiful park in the heart of Charleston. You'll see people walking around, laying out to get some sun, playing a game of quidditch, etc. On Saturdays, the Farmers Market abounds. Quite a few local events are held here, such as the Charleston Wine & Food Festival, SEWE, and Charleston Fashion Week.

Gorgeous day or night. Lit up and decorated for the holidays. A beautiful Christmas tree next to a Hanakuh celebration. Kids had to adjust to a few vagrants but they were harmless but for the occasional shouting. A must see in Charleston.

Lots of cool stuff goes on here, you can find some sort of event here, just about any weekend. Also a great spot to watch people in the summer months.

Marion Square is a nice open space in beautiful downtown Charleston. It's a cool spot to hang out on any given day, but there are always events going on there during the weekends. These include live music, City Paper events, food trucks, the farmers market, and just about anything else that such a space would be needed and utilized for downtown. Stop and sit in the grass for a while.

Living downtown, it's awesome to have such an open, airy space right in the middle of the city. There's so much to love... the Farmer's Market held on Saturdays, the "City Paper" sponsored movies in the spring and fall and the Palmetto trees decorated in white lights during the Holidays. I've even become somewhat fatalistic about the fact that one day (and I know it's going to happen) I'll being walking across the Square and get beaned in the head by a frisbee or football. But, really, it's a small price to pay.

We were there briefly as we walked through town but it's a great open space for those who want to picnic or just relax and read a book, there are also some nice shady spots breaking from the sun; lots to do around the perimeter, including the Charleston Museum.

I pretty much only go to Marion Square for 2 things, eating lunch i got from some nearby restaurant as a to-go, or for Farmer's Market. A lot of college kids go there to lay out in the sun and play frisbee, but that's not really my thing unless im near water, like at a beach or something. I wish there were more benches also; i'd much rather people watch, as long as i dont have to be sitting in the grass for extended periods of time.