Charleston Visitor Center Reviews

The film costs $2 per person, gives an overview of the city, and runs for 38 minutes on the hour. Seems like a Visitor Center should show this for free.

This center is a great place to start in Charleston. Tours start here and the Charleston Museum is just across the street. Parking on site or across the street in the parking garage. Displays are done well and you can follow history in a orderly fashion. Restrooms and well maintained. We took a city tour on the Greyline with driver and guide Bonnie Cooper - FANTASTIC.

Other than the visitors center not much is ADA accessible. Almost all parking is paid, and extremely difficult to get the no cost parking price covered in accordance with local law. I saw no reserved handicap parking spots on the streets themselves. While there were many tour buses and shuttles none allowed access for someone who was unable to do steps

What a marvellous first stop on a visit to Charleston.
The visitor center staff are so helpful and enthusiastic, happy to share their personal knowledge, eager to mark on the (free) street map the points of interest that you inquire about, and also keen to share their preferences for restaurants, strolling routes etc.
But the best way to see Charleston, and get a feel for what you'd like to spend more time doing, is to take the free shuttle buses. There are different routes, but all are driven by chatty drivers who are considerate and proud of their city.
We loved Charleston. It's hard not to. So much variety, so much history, a great place to just get lost in, then find yourself again. Wonderful architecture, nice people, excellent restaurant variety (choose outside peak hours and even the popular, busy places will accommodate you) and an all-round good vibe.
But it all starts at the visitor center in the heart of town.

This is a great place as visitor centers go. It is a modern building in a great location for its purpose. All the staff were friendly and helpful.

ON two visits met two friendly & polite ladies. First woman drew or marked on a map where I intended to visit the Charleston Museum-right across Meeting Street-and nearby restaurants. The restaurant I wanted was closed, with the staff quickly handing me a list of other restaurants. Many brochures & maps & travel guides.

The visitor center is now located in the For The Best Friend Train Museum. For parking the rate is $2.00 an hour or $18.00 for a full day. A visit is recommended.

The Visitor Center is set up so visitors have access to all sorts of Charleston information, tours, and maps. We scheduled a city bus tour that was so easy to buy tickets. Boarding was right at the visitor center and we enjoyed the tour very much. My only concern was the restrooms are for both male and female. I was very uncomfortable when I realized that when I entered. I don’t like that set up at all and couldn’t get out of the restroom fast enough. I’m not sure why the city would create such a set up that not only causes visitors to be uncomfortable but puts visitors at risk.

Plenty of brochures available and in several different places so people weren't in your way browsing. The staff honestly wasn't as friendly or as knowledgeable as I had hoped and expected. The restrooms were clean; there were drinks and souvenirs available to purchase. The best thing, though, by far, were the videos that played continuously outside the building itself. Locals shared their wonderful stories.

My wife and I went for a walk and it started to rain so we ducked in here for cover. This is an interesting place, full of exhibits, souvenirs, restrooms and many friendly well informed staff members. After a short conversation we had a number of brochures and directions to all the events. Great stop.

So neat how they can answer all your questions & hand out correct pamphlets. Location is great for busses & transfers, close to our hotel on King St in historic district, 10min walk. Liked it!

We needed to determine how best to use our limited time. We chose a walking tour, purchased a guide book from the center, followed directions and had an excellent site seeing day.

Modern, clean and bright with very helpful staff. Place to catch one of the free buses that will generally get you to most places you want. Only thing bad about busses was you had to mask up, which at this point for vaccinated people is not very relevant.

Visited the center a few times and each time we were there, the gentleman who helped us was so informative and great, I wish I could remember his name to acknowledge him!

This is where you can catch one of the tour buses. They also have maps and other information. They also have a public restroom.

Convenient location--nice folks--a good place to begin your activity planning. Not too crowded with lots of info you do not need while on vacation.

This center is a wonderful resource for things to do in Charleston. The staff is very friendly and knowlegable and gives all sorts of information. Different tours start right outside the building, so its very convenient. A great place to start!

So many informative employees/volunteers with great ideas, information and discounts! Don't buy any tickets our tours without stopping here first! For example, even discounted aquarium tickets! Very nice visitors center with air conditioning, clean bathrooms, free wifi and loads of brochures/sample itineraries.

A nice convenient place to start your Charleston experience. Can get lots of info and help with restaurants , hotels and tours. Can catch all three free bus lines from here. Parking ,cost but handy. Nice restrooms too.

This is a good starting point for first-time visitors. There are lots of pamphlets and booklets to look through and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

interesting and helpful. bought carriage ride tickets here for less. friendly and informative staff . glad we stopped here

The city of Charleston has made your visit as easy as a piece of pecan pie. You drive to the visitors center (GPS is godsend because there are a lot of one-way streets) and park either in the outdoor lot (was full most of the time we pulled in) or the parking garage that on Wragg Square (between Mary and Ann Streets). It's about $15 for all day.
At the Visitors Center, grab a map for the FREE hop on, hop off DASH bus. 211, 212, 213 will take you to all the touristy things. Buses are clean, efficient, drivers are helpful. Beats trying to find parking in the old city.
There are people very willing to help and guide you on your trip so be sure and ask at the reception desk.

This visitor center has everything you need to explore the city and the surrounding area. First it's across the street from a large parking garage. It's right off the main highway Rt 17 and I-26. It's also a bus station and is a stop on the DASH - a free hop on-hop off bus loop that stops at all the attractions in downtown Charleston. This also where you can purchase tickets for walking & local bus tours. Also it is across the street from our recommended second stop, The Charleston Museum.
Highly recommended for first time visitors. Plenty of helpful staff on hand. Free walking maps available. We park here whenever we visit Charleston.

The best friends railroad museum serving as visitors center until renovations are complete. Parking locate in convenient parking garage adjacent to Visitors Center

This is by far the nicest visitor center I have ever seen. It's cool, informative, large, ample seating while waiting on tours...

Best place to stop if you want information about Charleston and only have a few days to explore. The staff can help you book reservations for tours, give you "local" favorite ideas and information for parking as well as attraction time frames and what to expect. We enjoyed the film and being able to get a snap shot of each attraction with looking at the pamphlets etc.

The center is clean the bathrooms are clean and there’s a neat in floor map of Charleston as you enter. Wasn’t our greatest visit to a city’s visitor center. We were greeted by a few homeless hanging around in front of the parking garage. However we were not greeted by any of the staff inside the Visitor Center, weird.

My advice is to skip the garage on Mary st and park in the open air lot on Meeting st. The price is the same $18 for all day.
The free Dash trolley has a stop right at the end of the parking lot so it’s wicked convenient.

There is plenty of information here to get you started on your sightseeing of Charleston and the surrounding area. It is close to the downtown Charleston area, so is very convenient.
The center is clean, and there is parking and restrooms as well.

You can't go wrong by beginning your visit here!

Wonder to go here at the beginning of your trip to get a feel for what you'd like to do. They have discounted prices on most tours and are very knowledgeable.

Well stocked and full of all the information you will need to plan your tour, whether walking or biking around the city. This is the place to start your memories from

The staff at the center were very helpful. The man, whom I talked was excellent in helping me with choices which would work for my husband who has mobility problems. Clean facility with plenty of bathroom space. Good location, good parking.

Picked up a walking tour guide of Charleston. It was really great and useful. Nice place to cool off too!

Stopping at the visitors center was a great help in planning our three days in Charleston. We had the opportunity to ask questions and select information about the areas we decided to visit.

I am a licensed tour guide in NYC. Although I don't travel that much, I make it a point to check out the Visitors Center in any new town I am visiting. They had a lot of information-they gave me good ideas where to find vegetarian food that is gluten free, ideas on horse drawn trolley rides and they have info with schedules of free buses that I used to get around the city. staff was very helpful.

This should be your first visit upon visiting Charleston!

Excellent secure reasonable all day parking (important as we have a huge truck). All tours start from the center. All employees are helpful and efficient! Although there is no hop on/hop off tour, city buses are free, well marked, frequent and clean! Maps are easy to follow.

Great tour with live tour guide who lived in the city 20 yrs and knew a lot of great facts that you'd not learn from a web search. I was on my own for business and didn't feel awkward or singled out. Nice view to decide where to go back and spend more time. It connected the dots for me. I got a ticket for the Charleston museum across the street. Nice AC and really good, small, museum with good write-ups. Well done.

Great place to book tours and other things to do while in Charleston. Located in an old train station.

I had done a great deal of reading prior to my arrival in Charleston, but with so much info I did not know were to start. I stopped by the office and was glad I did. The staff was very informative, helped with my plan and I bought tickets at a discount. A must first stop for any visitor.

Very helpful information. Beautiful large building. Two blocks from our Courtyard hotel. We walked 7 milbs after visiting thffe center. Never needed a car.

Disappointing welcome. No one acknowledged us - the staff was talking to each other when we walked in and had no interest what so ever in assisting us. And we were the only ones there! Not helpful at all and seemed annoyed when we asked a question.

We made this our first stop. Their parking garage is the most beautiful I've ever been to. So much green vegetation everywhere. Fountains, plenty of info, snack and a gift shop too

This place is opposite the Museum of Charleston and right near the several levels of car park as their own car park, however big it was packed.

Due to the heat we could not bother to wait so simply parked in the nearby car park where you have to pay unfortunately if you want to come here to ask for several bit of information or simply to visit around.

A sleepy part of the town maybe because of the heat, as we found more tourists to be further down some 1 mile where everything seems to be located.

We stopped in the visitor center just because we were in the area. Very nice place. Friendly folks. Too many vendors nearby. They have gorgeous merchandise but pricey.

It is a visitor center, so nothing over the top. The location is sort of out of the way. Nice, but nothing special.

We stopped by the VC to get a good review of the city and its history and we were not disappointed. The movie was well done and the maps were extremely helpful.

Very nice building with a gift shop, restrooms, tour guides and pamphlets. The complaint we had was that in using the free shuttle, no one said that you couldn't bring drinks on board! We had just purchased a $6 drink at the City Market, and then 10 minutes later we tried to board the shuttle and were told not to bring the drink on the bus. Our choices were to wait for another shuttle or throw the almost full drink away (there was NO waste container at the bus stop)!! What's really interesting is that our city tour ALLOWED drinks on the bus!! Go figure that one!

Easy to find. It took a minute to figure out the QR code and parking. I signed up for 2 hours and couldn't sign up for more.
There's one restroom that's for both men and women-that's a first for me.
The gentlemen working were helpful about the "trolleys" and a narrated bus tour. I took that (although where to catch it wasn't clear). He was very knowledgeable and encouraged questions. 90-minutes well spent.

Nice facilities. Cleanest bathrooms in town.
Nicest thing about this place is they offer RV parking in their parking deck. $18. Day.
The workers are not very friendly or helpful. They need a lesson in Southern Hospitality

We stopped here and purchased the book of the self-guided walking tours. It is well written and worth the small price. It took us two days to complete the tour. Charleston is a lovely city for walking. There is also a room with displays and information. Also, there is a small gift store. You can book tours there also.

This was a nice spot to see what tours are available if you can’t book online. My tour group met here and employees were helpful. We came here an other day to get carriage ride tours tickets. The employee was helpful got us a great deal and tour.

The Charleston Visitor Center is a great source of information. Each of the customer service representatives were nice and friendly. They answered all of my questions and gave great information. This is also the location where you will meet to take a bus tour. I would highly recommend stopping here first before exploring the city.

This visitor center is the central hub for the free DASH bus. You can get maps for all of the routes, the 211 route will get you all around downtown...East Bay, Market, King streets, etc. You can also catch a bus to the airport (3.50). They have a lot of information inside regarding sights and stuff to do.

This visitor center has very friendly and informative people working there. They can help you find any tour you want and more. If you are not sure which tour you want to take, they can help you find one.

Randy was incredibly helpful, he saw that we had two teenage boys and gave us suggestions on other things to do that would keep them intrigued. His recommendations were spot on. I did do research prior to our trip and he went through each item with me

Bernie T
NJ

Nice building with helpful staff. Able to buy tickets for Pioneer Point, and get information on our self walking tour.

One of the BEST visitor centers ever...walked up and everyone was super friendly and helpful. Randy and Jenna were awesome, they went above and beyond to assist us during our! Then we met Chris in the gift, he offered my husband coffee just we had bad coffee at our hotel. We were made to feel like family of cherished guests..what a face(s) to portray Charleston, Southern Hospitality at it's finest!!! Highly recommend

We did not start our Charleston tour here but should have. We went the second day and found them in temporary quarters due to remodeling.

The staff was friendly, helpful and good at what they did.

It is in the train museum so you get a close up look at soemearly trains

We have traveled a lot and often stop in at the visotrs center in the city we are visiting. There are often knowledgeable people working there and sometimes they are passionate about their city or about being helpful. Not in Charleston! In the Holy City, the young woman at the counter could barely be bothered to look up from her cell phone when we walked in on a miserably hot day, just looking for a map and a helpful point in the right direction. This particular employee could not be bothered to offer either. I had to first wait for her to look up from her phone, then ask her for a map. She reluctantly pulled one out, handed it to me and stared. My whole family noticed, even my chill teenage son who said, "Wow, she was rude." Why put people like that in those positions. It was just one person on one day, but this kind of experience leaves a bad impression about the otherwise delightful city.

this is a good starting point for getting not only information, maps , and tour tickets.Its also the meeting place where most of the city and plantation tours start. We came here first thing after arriving in april of 2025.

Our main goal , was to purchase tickets for the tours we wanted to do wile here visiting. this was nice because we were able to get all but one of our tour tickets here. We could not get the fort sumpter ones, we had to go online or go the fort sumpter visitor center ( strange but ok ) There are clean public bathrooms here. a small gift shop. employees that were helpful with our questions got us useful maps of the city and showed us how and where to use the city free bus.

Lots of information, helpful and friendly staff, lovely gift shop. Adjacent Savannah History Museum is very interesting and so is the Jazz exhibit.
Worth a visit!

Free 30 minute parking on site and up to a max of $18 day if you stay longer. This is a great home base to explore Charleston from. The guides are helpful, and you can buy several tickets inside at a discount. We took a bus tour which originated here and enjoyed that as well. There is a small gift shop inside that has some souvenirs as well as some things you may have forgotten - for us, that was an umbrella!

The visitor's center is currently under a major renovation and the services have been moved next door. Still a useful stop and the location where all bus tours depart. That's beneficial because the busses are under cover and should you choose to do more than one tour, you can easily transfer from one to the other.

While waiting to leave on a tour, we stopped into the visitor center. It had great pictures of the area, maps and people who could answer our questions. Very nice. Would definitely would go in again!

Staff was very friendly,,able to get some maps free. It was centrally located near other attractions and hotels

Well laid out with friendly, helpful staff and lots of free literature as well as sales of tickets/passes to individual sites and package deals. This is your best bet for unbiased information about what to see and do in Charleston and the environs.

We asked the question "if you have one day in Charleston, what's a must-see or must-do? The answer was City Market, which we came to judge to be honest and accurate. Lots of brochures and such here too, as one would expect.

Definitely a stop that everybody should make upon your arrival into Charleston. This will give you all the information that you need to have a very useful and efficient visit to Charleston, especially if you have limited time in the city

I highly also recommend one of the bus tours. It gives you a huge amount of information in a 90-minute period of time (their many different tours to select from and they have a kiosk board with active times listed). I would do this on your first day of arrival that way you can be most productive.

Full of maps , a desk for questions and drinking water fountains, good to tell you what;s where and how the free travel systems work.

When asking the young man at the Charleston SC Visitors Center about places for lunch on two different days he gave us places that weren’t opened until 5:30. Disappointing. Was there no training? Useless waste of time and energy.

Not too busy and you would expect more but at least the agent attempted to answer our questions. 30 minutes free parking to decide... Not a lot of suggestions or interest in finding out what we wanted to do or see. Maybe just an off day.

Very nice facility to learn about all the things to do in Charleston. Bus tours pick up right from there and there is nice parking.

Good location. Very well planned. Good starting point for bus tours. Interesting displays of Charleston’s history.

When planning a visit to a large city, such as Chicago, New York, Denver, San Francisco, Washington DC, Atlanta or even Savannah or Charleston or Richmond, be advised to do research in advance. Plan your trip to correspond with what you want to see and where you want to stay and where you want to eat with the amount of time you have to do it all. But even when you have your trip planned to the minute, it's a good idea to make your first stop in town at the local visitor center. Have you ever made plans to eat at a restaurant, then discover it is closed? Or find out the visiting hours at a historic site have changed? A visit to the local visitor center could avoid such issues. One of the best visitor centers we have experienced is the Charleston Visitor Center in South Carolina. Located in an old warehouse that was constructed in stages between 1840 and 1856 at 375 Meeting Street, between Ann and John Streets, in Charleston's Historic District, it is open daily from 8:30 to 5:30. See the 36-minute movie, Forever Charleston, that orients the viewer with an overview of the history and diverse culture of the Charleston lowcountry and offers suggestions on sights and sites to see. Plan your visit with information and brochures on tours, attractions, lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment. A gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs and postcards. There is so much to see and do in Charleston. Maybe you will be persuaded to change your itinerary to accommodate a visit to Belmond Charleston Square or Patriots Point or Hunley Submarine or Freshfields Village or a plantation tour to Boone Hall or Drayton Hall or Middleton Place or Magnolia. Arrange for a horse-drawn carriage tour. How much time will you be spending in Charleston? Which historic houses should I see? Which restaurants require reservations? The staff at the Charleston Visitor Center will help you to maximize your visit.

We weren't going to the Visitor Center but the heat was beating down on us and we went in for the air conditioning! Before we knew it, we were nicely cooled but we didn't leave because of the help they were giving us. They saved us $5 for the aquarium and had discount tickets for the house tours, too. It's clean and neat and the exhibits present an honest view of Charleston.

They answered all of our questions with spot on answers. All the buses have a stop here too which makes getting around super easy.

RV parking in tourist centre parking garage at $18/day is a great deal. (No services)
Can be a bit noisy at times but didn’t keep us awake.
A bus stop out front with several benches inside the parking area kept us entertained with workers coming & going. A few harmless homeless people in the area but don’t bother anyone.
Within walking distance to downtown, didn’t use our car in 3 days!
Our 31 foot rig & car fit fine. We simply unhooked it & pulled it up tight to back of RV. (Small Chevy Spark)
Best boondocking so far!
Thanks Charleston, beautiful city!

Has maps and brochures of sites you might want to see. It also sells a pass (the Charleston Heritage Passport) which enables you to visit multiple sites in one week for one price.

This is a must stop. The docents really know how to help you get the most from your time here. They are very happy to help. They also have help available in several languages.

Convenient parking, easily accessible. Lots of good information to help plan your trip. Staff was helpful and friendly.

One of the best visitor centers I've ever been. A very helpful gentleman booked me a tour with a lower rate, provided info. about restaurants and local activities. I appreciate his kindness :-)

Location for the Ft. Sumter tours and the Magnolia Plantation tours. Lots of info for days in the city

Spacious visitor center. Lots of resources available. Staff friendly and informative. Clean rest rooms. Gift shop. Spacious parking lot - pay by the 1/2 hour. Tour pick up here. Location in walking distance to Kung Street - shops and restaurants, etc.

Needs more signposting on the main road. Staff was pretty bored. Didn't know much beyond Charleston's downtown.

First stop on our trip to Charleston. A young man Jermain, was full of great knowledge. He answered every question with a smile on his face. He is an asset to the Charleston Visitor Center.

Jenna, at the main desk, suggested a great bus / harbor tour combo. It was New Year's Eve, so she made sure none of the tours were cancelled, and that we would have ample time to make them. She also recommended the movie showing in the visitor center. She did not steer us wrong!

Whether you're visiting Charleston for the first time or 100th time the Visitors Center is a great place to start. There's so much to read about and great history shared. There's brochures for many of the places to visit as well as coupons for discounts in the area. I love taking first time visitors here

Friends told us to stop here first which we did. Very helpful on providing information about tours and getting around town. We only stayed about 30 minutes but it was worth the time.

Building easy to find with lots of parking just outside the door. Warm and welcome feel upon entry. Staff very knowledgeable. Lots of literature available from tours to dining.

Great place to start. Can obtain tickets for the Charleston walking tour (have two choices). Staff very helpful and there is a short movie to watch. I started my visit in Charleston here and would recommend that new travelers to the city do the same. Enjoy your trip!

The Visitors Center apparently was under renovation & was moved up the street & around the rear down a street w/very poor signage or directions. Upon arrival into the center it was very small & very crowded. It was No help at all!

Based on her recent positive experiences with a friend & travel partner, my sister recommended we begin our exploration of Charleston by stopping at the Visitor Center for assistance in planning our destinations for the day. First, the adjacent parking garage is VERY convenient and surprisingly affordable. Second, the modernized Visitor Center is clean & attractive (including the public restrooms) and has informative displays that are well worth perusing before you set off on your personal itinerary. Third, the staff on duty were all very cordial & helpful in providing key information to make our touring activities easier & more fruitful. And finally, the Center is a focal point for Historic Charleston ground transportation options including the free bus system called DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle). The Charleston Visitor Center is one of the top tourism assistance centers we've encountered in our travels around the U.S., and we highly recommend you make it your starting point for any visit to this beautiful historic city.

Love the location of the visitors center. so convenient to all the history. Since we stayed at Embassy it was so easy to walk to and from bus station. Charleston definitely has it together for their tourists. Will be returning in March 2020. So looking forward to it as we had a rainy 4 days last time we visited. Love the gift shop in the visitors center.

Very helpful centre. Parking next door for $1 per hour and a this is where the free trolley leaves. You can also get for the month of January a pass that covers 15 museums for $25 which is a bargain!

Nice visitor center. Movie good to see for perspective of area. Really neat pieces in museum. Within walking distance of ton of businesses, several restaurants, etc.

The staff was friendly and knowledgable. Check it out before you hit the streets and plan your tours. It is comfortable enough to sit and peruse the literature then step over to a staff member and book your visit. They will make suggestions and offer packages that might interest you and your group or family.

We arrived early for a bus tour, so we walked thru the Visitor Center. There are many pamphlets from most of the local attractions available here. Also, people to answer questions. The gift shop has many items that are requiren to bring back home with you.

They provide tourist information, you can book tours as well. All historic tours start from here and there has to be a few going each hour. We bought a historic tour ticket, went on a very comfortable bus from Charm of Charleston company, only 5 on this tour made it very personable. Many other tour companies leave from here.

Parking is either out from of the visitor Center or in the parking building across the street.

We found this center very organized and extremely helpful.

Beautiful facility! Lots of good information. Suggest stopping at the beginning of a visit! We started a bus tour from here.

Hey everyone the Charleston visitor center of the main one that’s in the picture is under construction. You can still park in the parking lot but it gets pretty full as a lot of construction trucks are in there. There are clear signs leading you are around to the back which is and Ally but bricked over with shops and things. There is a clear instructions to where the temporary Charleston visitor center is located. Be aware that maps does not tell you that it is closed or it didn’t when we visited in January.

I had contact with the Visitor Center while planning our trip and that helped me a lot. Upon arrival, we made that our first stop. Have great street maps showing attractions. Staff is so helpful and efficient. They also have maps for the free bus routes that get you around the peninsula to all the major attractions. It is called DASH, and it is FREE!

Excellent place to go if you want to purchase Charleston tours and adventures. Staff is very helpful and made recommendations based on what we wanted to do for the day.

This is my first review of a parking garage but we were so impressed with Thelma at the Charleston Place City Garage that we just wanted to say thanks. She was friendly and informative and meeting her was a great start to our Charleston visit! She’s definitely an asset to the city!

The employees are a great resource for booking tours and providing information. Discounts are available on most bookings through them. They also have a great selection of printed information.

Although we had done a great deal of research before we came to Charleston, we found that it ws supplemented very nicely by the information at the Visitors' Center. Also, there's a great old full sized train right in the lobby that's worth a look. Very helpful staff - good recommendations.

I started visiting the city at the visitor center, which I arrived on bus 11 from the Charleston Grand hotel. The place is nice, spacious, with shop and very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Nice place to visitor very convenient to get to. Parking was kinda tight in the spaces, but overall good.

The visitor center is absolutely beautiful and a whole lot of money was dumped into it to make it that way! There are lots of brochures all around the walls. Upon arrival in Charleston, following the recommendation of a friend, we went here to get information and to plan what we would do while in Charleston. There were 2 employees working at the time we arrived. One, a man was completely engaged with providing a couple with information, assisting them in making arrangements and providing lots of guidance. Really, he was like a concierge! The employee that we got was not helpful at all. Whatever I asked about, she would pull out a brochure for me to take. When I asked about the trolley service she said she didn't know and said the maps were in reprint, so we couldn't have a map to assist us. Another traveler who was from California actually offered me 1000 times more assistance than the employee did--explaining the trolley service and showing me her map that she got from elsewhere!

My recommendation: if you can get the helpful dude, I bet it would be awesome. Otherwise, you are on your own.

The practical:
1. There is a paid parking deck right next to the Visitor Center. Use it! All the tours leave from the visitor center.
2. At the end of the Visitor Center building, you can catch the free trolley. You can hop on and off. To stay in the downtown area, look for the 211 signs at the bus stops and on the bus.
3. There is a "Southern Accent" tour by Gray Line that will give you a good overview of the city. It is about 90 minutes and gives some history and tips on that free trolley service and even includes a brief stop along the battery.

This was our first stop on our girls trip to Charleston. We were hoping to pick up information and suggestions on places to go. We were so disappointed. We certainly did not feel welcome. The facility was very nice. However, the three people hanging on the desk were too busy visiting among themselves and looking at their phones to help us. One of them said “decide what you want to do, and then let us know”. That was the whole purpose of us stopping! No one said is there anything we can do to help you or what are you interested in doing… It was a waste of a stop as we can pick up brochures anywhere and look online .

Dry knowledgeable staff about how to get around the city of Charleston. Make sure to take one of the three free buses to get around the city.

Our original intent was to go to the vistiors center to grab a city tour. There is so much more to the center. Parking is so hard to find/expensive in Charleston that taking the tours and the DASH bus made it so much easier to see and enjoy this beautiful city!

The Charleston Visitor Center is conveniently located, across from the Charleston Museum. Trolley service and informational services available.

If you plan to visit Charleston, be sure to stop here early during your visit. The staff was beyond helpful. We worked with Randy and he was exceptional. We received great guidance and saved money, too.

Easy to find, clean restrooms, first 30 minutes free to park. Many signs to find the center Loads of info and brochures. Nice gift shop

We stayed at the Hampton Inn. The Hampton Inn is right across the street from the Visitor Center. That was our first stop in Charleston - would highly recommend it Staff is great. Lots of info given, plus a discounted ticket for our horse and Carriage ride.

If you only have a short trip, the best decision to start with is a visit here. So much to see and so little time so ask the experts before you wander aimlessly around. Although I had been to Charleston before, the advice I got helped me to see things and places I would not have thought about.

These folks offer much info, interesting displays and bathrooms!!! The best thing there are the smiling faces!

Barbara and Jessica in the gift shop were excellent. Answered all of our questions was very friendly and polite. Worked very well together

We walked the museum, stopped by the cafe and shopped the store. Was ok. Nothing really big that stands out.

This is a newer building and is nicely located in the center of town. We found loads of information regarding the city, and decided that the DASH busses made the most sense for a first-time visitor: it is a free ride and you can hop on or hop off at any of the stops. The busses are clean and air-conditioned, and the drivers are tolerant of us visitors and experts at navigating the horrible traffic.

We were in town for the Charleston Half Marathon. Having retired from the travel industry, I know how helpful visitor centers can be to those needing information on a new destination. We had booked a sightseeing tour on the day after the race and wanted to do a 'dry run' from the hotel to the Charleston Visitor Center where our tour departed.

The building is housed in an old railroad depot dating to 1856 and underwent a $13 million renovation. It is a spacious building open from 8:30-5 p.m. daily at 375 Meeting St. Any type of brochure is available here in addition to maps and displays. Comfortable seating areas are available for foot-weary tourists and those waiting for any of the bus tours departing from the adjacent bus shed. Helpful staff members are on hand to make arrangements, ask questions and provide suggestions.

A replica of the "Charleston Single Home," an interesting architectural structure unique to Charleston is in the center. These homes were one-room wide to save on taxes based on a home's street frontage and number of windows. You will see many of them on tour or walking around. Clean restrooms and a gift shop offer souvenirs unique to Charleston. The center is situated perfectly for walking around in the historic area with access to the shopping on King St. The Hampton Inn and the outstanding Charleston Museum are across the street. You need to pay to park in the parking lot. The first half hour is free; $1.00 per half hour after that. An attendant is on duty to accept cash or a credit card. After our tour, the parking lot was 'full.' Additional parking is available across the street from the visitor center in the Visitor Center Garage. A couple of restaurants are next to this garage. Menus are posted outside.

If this is your first trip to Charleston, this is a great first stop. The staff is very helpful and many of the area tours start from here. Get a map of the area and soak up the wealth of information that is offered to help make your time in Charleston more enjoyable!

This is the best place to start your visit into Charleston. It's full of brochures obviously but it's centrally located with free half hour parking. A lot of the tours in town start here. Large clean restrooms. The attendants helped us with all of our questions from parking systems, tours, hours and much more. The only thing we heard wrong here was that the main market closes at 10pm. Most venders were packed an out of there by 5pm. Too pricey there anyway.

The Visitor Center is the place to begin your visit to this historic city. Housed in a converted train station, the center offers brochures on local attractions. The well trained staff will answer questions and offer helpful information.

If you are new to Charleston, your first stop should be at this place. The staff are super helpful. Aside from handing out maps, they would give you recommendations on things to see and do.

I would highly recommend starting any trip to Charleston at this center. There are many helpful people who can direct you to places of interests, restaurants, tours. There are also so many brochures, booklets and maps available for free. Don't pass this by. It is also a great place to park and begin walking around town.

This was our very first trip to Charleston and we went here to get some direction re: best places to visit. The building is a restored train cargo depot. There are racks of helpful brochures and TV monitors showcasing sites. We dealt with two different staff members whose enthusiasm for Charleston was genuine and useful ! Go !!

We used the parking garage at the Charleston Visitor Center.
It was convenient and gave us access to the visitor center to plan our day. There's lots of information and people to help you. It was clean and air conditioned and a nice place to cool off .

Staff was helpful w/lunch suggestions and places to visit w/out being pushing. Interesting, but very clean restroom.

I didn't spend too much time in the visitor center, but it was bright, well staffed and seemed to be a hub of activity.

One of our tours originated from the Visitor Center. We had the opportunity to visit the center and speak with the folks who help visitors decide what to visit, where to stay and where to eat. They were friendly and knowledgeable and gave us excellent advice. It was well worth the visit. There is also a small gift shop in the Visitor Center which sold some interesting items.

We used this place so often, a mine of information,and cheaper to book tours there.Free trolleys stop outside.

We, and our friends, really enjoyed having this Visitor's Center, as the starting point for our exploration of Charleston.
The architecture is appealing, the exhibits engaging, the information plentiful/relevant, and the staff friendly & helpful. (Though at first a bit suprising; the unisex restrooms were very clean, and provided private cubicles.)
It was quite easy to purchase tickets for a bus tour of the City; conveniently leaving from this location. It was also a comfortable and interesting place in which to wait before departure.
Note: if one has a handicap parking permit, payment is not required in the adjacent parking lot.
If one is new to Charleston, or like us, not having visited here for several decades; this is a great location to begin one's exploration.

The visitor center is set in the site of the old railroad and bus station and the tracks are still there. This modern well lit center houses a host of readily accessible information about Charleston's history, helping you prepare for what lies ahead out in the city.

If you are downtown, pop in and check it out. Very clean, interesting old railroad building. Clean restrooms. We took an air conditioned bus tour that left from here. Lots of pamphlets and information available here about the area.

We picked up a tour there, which worked well. However, it was a bit scary when we couldn't find it right away. Signs are good; it's just we wished we had been told.

You drive downtown, pay to park, the sign in the elevator directs you to exit left and walk across the street. If you are lucky enough to try walking behind the building and walk along the boardwalk (and enter the right door) you finall get to the VC, where there are lots of brochures and nice people to help you out... but sheesh!!

This is a great place to get oriented to start a visit to Charleston. Though I lived in the area, I often went here for information on activities, places to visit and the like, This visitor's center will make your visit very pleasent. Great staff.

I was traveling alone at the time and found the Visitor Center. The woman at the desk was very helpful and even gave me some discounts. Thank you!

This isn't our first trip to Charleston, South Carolina, so we didn't need to take advantage of the information and helpful tips available at the Charleston Visitor Center. But if this is the first time that you have visited Charleston, you are encouraged to make the Charleston Visitor Center your first stop. Located at 375 Meeting Street, in the heart of downtown Charleston, it is one one of the most helpful and efficient visitor centers we have encountered in our coast-to-coast travels. Open from 8:30 to 5 daily, it is one of four visitors centers in the Charleston area. Others are at Kiawah Island, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. Be sure to take advantage of all of the center's services...videos, brochures, tours, ticketing, where to go, what to see, what to do, best restaurants, best bed-and-breakfasts, best hotels. The Charleston Visitor Reception and Transportation Center is located in the old Deans Warehouse between Ann and John Streets. Constructed in stages from 1840 to 1856, it is one of five railroad buildings known collectively as the William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures and is listed as a National Historic Landmark District. A very knowledgable and friendly staff will be only too happy to inform you about historic antebellum mansions, Civil War sites, year-round festivals, shopping, accommodations, plantations, museums, pristine beaches, barrier islands and elite restaurants that offer exquisite lowcountry cuisine. Charleston is a restaurant town with many nationally known eateries noted for steaks, seafood and barbecue. But Charleston also is a diverse southern city which blends French, English, West African and traditional Southern American cultures into the music, art, food and lifestyle. Arrange to see everything from a Civil War submarine to a World War II aircraft carrier. But be sure to allow for three days at a minimum. There is so much to see and do. And you don't want to miss a thing.

This is a fantastic place with plenty of information for you. Recently upgraded and so easy to navigate and found plenty of people to assist us.

If you are in Chalreston, stop in! It is clean and spacious, has details on pubic transportation, sites, etc. Staff seems helpful, though I have never asked for in-depth help. They have a historical film available for viewing near the gift shop (I think there may be a small fee, but I don't recall). Gift shop is fun to look around in.

Not entirely sure of the best way to see Charleston we stopped here first. Best decision of our trip. All the information about the area you could want and a friendly helpful staff greeted us. Parking was free and easy if you didn't stay too long. Due to the aid of the staff we found a discounted Bed and Breakfast to stay at that alone made the trip worth while. The knowledgeable staff also ensured we had tickets to see the Huntley at a day and time that worked for us and helped us navigate the city. Our time in Charleston was definitely better for having started at the Visitor's Center.

We stumbled across this visitor center when we were walking. It was a life saver when we needed to find a public restroom.

While the visitor center is under renovation, they are in a much smaller place until the renovation is done. We were seeking las minute hotel accommodations for two nights and had not had success using the internet websites for a special rate. Mary, was able to give us an special rate for the Meeting Street Inn, that met our needs for the two nights. While the special rate was for one night it was sufficient to make the average night stayvery good for an Inn in the Historic District.

I visited Downtown Charleston and the Visitor's Center in late Feburary, 2020. The visitor center was hidden behind buildings on the main street due to renovations. The staff was pleasant, but their help just added to the confusion. Fortunately, they did have a printed bus schedule which I eventually used to take the trip back to my hotel in North Charleston.
Yes, it was a cloudy, drizzly Monday, which just added to the overall feeling of disappointment. Waiting for the bus to go back to my hotel led to more confusion. The bus route stated that I should board the bus (Route 11) at the intersection of St.Mary's Street, and Meeting St. Wrong. I had to walk 1/2 way up the block to a different bus stop where the Route 11 bus actually stopped.
Fortunately the bus rides were nice, and most people pleasant, but I personally never felt welcome in downtown Charleston. Maybe it's all the history of the area, maybe just a bad day. It was very different feel than North Charleston with its' newer Convention Center, Arena, and my Hyatt Hotel home for 4 days.

If you want to know where and what you want to discover in Charleston...stop here...it is a walk to everything else in the area...so pleasant and beautiful...the pictures of history on walls are a plus.

The people were friendly and very informed. They provided maps and useful information as to where to walk, restaurants to try and sites to see as we only had one day. Exhibits at the Center were informative. There was so much to do that we will hope to be back to spend more time. Also makes a good bathroom stop or a place to relax in the air conditioning.

This visitor center has a little something for everyone. Good location and great information about tours, golf, restaurants and everything that makes Charleton special.

Walked around the entire building until we saw a sign... Crazy they cannot put good signs up telling you where you should go! People inside were friendly and helpful.

We were helped to get our carriage tour set up and told where to catch the free city shuttle to the market area and the rides. They have information on all of Charleston.

This is not a museum. It's an answer shop for tourists (like me). You can also get your ticket for a bus tour or a carriage ride. The staff there seem to know exactly what's going on at all times and they want to help. Ask them about the DASH bus routes. It's the best deal ever. This place is close to the museum and only a few blocks from the Ft. Sumpter ferry and the aquarium.

This is more a general review of Charleston itself. Visited for 5 days from NJ. was surprised at the northern section. Boarded up storefronts. Empty weedy lots, broken sidewalks. And trash everywhere.not very inviting. We stayed by visitors center and museum. It seemed the city catered to the cruise ship trade as far as they could walk. 2 to 3 blocks. Took a bus tour. Well done. We ate in two excellent restaurants. But underwhelmed. Sorry Charleston I recommend Savannah.
PS Visitor center nice but not overly informative.

I was walking in the area and ran across this beautifully restored building. It is well worth the visit and it has lots of photographs of Charleston from the past and has great displays. It was very interesting to see what Charleston looked like during the Civil War era and how the town was re-built after a massive fire in 1838 and how they recovered from hurricane Hugo. It also has a nice gift shop. I had not purchased anything for friends and was able to make some fun purchases including local rice and foods.

The staff there was very knowledgeable of the area and provided my wife and I with some great recommendations. They also offer great discounts on local sightseeing activities.

This place is a great break from the hear. Also very informative. Bathrooms are clean. The parking garage was right next door and easy to get in and then walk town.

This is the best visitor center! It is huge with knowledgable, helpful staff, tons of maps and brochures, and clean restrooms. You can catch the free DASH shuttle outside the center. It is also the meeting place for dozens of tours. There is a small gift shop for any last minute souvenirs.

Stopped in just to get recommendations during a quick visit. He was head over heels for the Calhoun mansion, touting it as the home of John C. Calhoun. It wasn't. But we didn't find that out until after the rather exorbitant entrance fee was paid. It's just a huge collection of "stuff" that the current resident has collected over the years and needs a place to display it. The Visitor Center guy did us a wrong.

we went in to get our baring's but came out with a Miracle Mile ticket that allowed 17 site visits for the cost of 2

Got some information about carriage rides and fort Sumter tour, but other than a lot a pamphlets and bathrooms, save you parking money and just Google for needed guidance. A large, what looks like a former terminal, but blocks away from most attractions.

This was my husband's and my first visit to Charleston. Our initial stop was the Visitor's Center. When we arrived, we were greeted immediately by a very friendly and what appeared to be informative agent. The first thing we asked was if it was ok to park in the Visitor's Center lot next door. He replied, "Yes, that's the best place to park because it is free on Sundays." Then he proceeded to tell us what first time tourists should see, provided us with maps, and sent us on our way. What a surprise we got when we returned to the car at the end of the day when the attendant in the parking lot (who was not there when we parked) said, "That will be $14.00 please." After a lengthy conversation, we grudgingly paid and left. Apparently the Visitor's Center and the city need to get their facts straight.

Make this your first stop when visiting Charleston. We went there to get some information before starting our walking tours.

After arriving Charleston from Savannah in the middle of the afternoon and checking into the hotel, we headed straight for the Visitors Center which was closing soon at 5:00pm. We were not disappointed.

We were staying at the Hyatt House and could either take the free trolley (every 15 minutes interval) or walk (10 minutes) to the Visitor’s Center. We decided to walk the 0.5 mile along King Street so we can preview the many restaurants along the street.

At the Center, there were racks and racks of brochures, leaflets, and postcard flyers for the attractions, tours, and rides for parks, landmarks, museums, plantations, carriage rides, and harbor cruises as well as combinations packages.

Information on many of the restaurant were also available. With so many restaurants in Charleston with every types of cuisine including Halal, Kosher, Vegetarian, and Gluten-free, not all restaurants had information at the Center. We also asked our hotel staff for their recommendations.

At the Information Counter, they asked what we were interested in doing. Since we were 3 couples, each couple met with different customer advisor. We received many suggestions that suited our interests. Afterwards, we gather all the suggestions to plan our adventure for the next several days. (The guys want to see Fort Sumter tour and the gals want to see the plantation tour. We picked a mutual day when everyone could enjoy themselves.) ((No one was interested in golfing, fishing, sailing, or swimming.))

For our 2-day stay, here are the many consolidated recommendations:
Charleston Harbor Cruise - combo package w/carriage ride
Palmetto Carriage Works - combo package w/harbor cruise
City Market - free
Fort Sumter Tour - admission fee
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center - free
Meeting Place - free
Nathaniel Russell House - combo package with Aiken Rhett House
Aiken Rhett House - combo package with Nathaniel Russell House
Slave Museum - admission fee
Plantation Tour - admission fee
Historical District Trolley - free.

TIP: Ask for a MAP of the PUBLIC TOILETS in the Charleston Historic District from the Customer Advisor. All the toilets in commercial establishments were for customers only. Of course, you can patronize the store and use their toilet. The map of the public toilets helped me several times during my stay.

With the wealth of information and friendly staff, I am glad that I made my FIRST STOP... at the Visitor's Center in the Charleston Historical District.

We stopped by the Visitor Center our first day in Charleston. We had already purchased the carriage tour but wanted more information on what to do while we were there. The guy in the Visitor Center tried to sell us a package of a boat tour and another tour. We had to go to a presentation by a travel agency the following morning at 9am. When we told him we were not interested, he refused to provide us with any information on any other venues. We asked for recommendations of nearby restaurants; he said he didn't recommend the sports bar next door (we went there and had a great meal) and basically refused to help us because we didn't take his offer from the travel agency. I assume he was receiving a commission from the agency. I would not return to that site.

Walked to the visitor's center, immediately greeted with a smile and information. Their tours are the fee that's listed and no extra charges are incurred. And each tour begins & ends on time.

Great older bldg with tons of discount coupons for local attractions. Parking was decent even with with large number of people.

Stopped by to get information on parking and other tourist information, at the visitor center that everyone has commented on how helpful and friendly the staff was.. Andrew was the attendant that morning, we simply asked about parking and things to do.. he did share a map and circled a few things on the map..
but didn’t seem to be enthusiastic about sharing even the simple questions we did have.. we were disappointed.. not the right person for “ welcoming center”

Beautiful facility. All tour buses as well as the free hop on/hop off busses stop here. The staff was very helpful and you can purchase all your tickets.

I visited the visitor's center twice on my week trip and found the staff a wealth of information and very nice.

Adorable visitor center with great local merchants. Offered clean and air-conditioned public bathrooms.

Not very interesting. Nothing really special to offer travelers.
Gift shop, restrooms, place for buses to load and unload their passengers

Charleston has not changed. The first time there was in 1966...and it is the same in disorganization.

Charleston Visitors Center web site provides public but paying parking yet when one leaves the parking, impossible to find the Center as it is located in a temporary building (The Visitors Center is being renovated). We were 5 couples looking for the Visitors Center.

The ABOVE picture is not accurate.

There are a number of free buses within Charleston that may be used but the information is skimpy. Finally, aboard a CARTA 211 bus from the Visitors Center to downtown, was approached by a lady who asked us where we were from, whether we were looking for something..We did say a seafood restaurant. Gave us the name of such a restaurant. It was excellent...but the lady asked us for a few dollars for the information. I remember that having occurred in 1966..

We tried returning to the Visitors Center with the 211 CARTA bus. We waited for 45 minutes and we finally ordered a taxi.

King Street is an open mall with the same stores found in any Simon's Mall.

Beautiful mansions downtown towards the battery. View on Forst Sumter...

We had no idea where to start planning our visit to Charleston. We did the usual, picking out brochures. We were fortunate enough to have the incredible opportunity to work with Nicki. She not only answered all of our many questions but arranged special transportation accommodations for me as I have mobility issues. The end result was the arrangement of several tours. Many thanks Nicki for going beyond “your job”. You actually created our vacation!

We were disappointed that they closed at 5 pm, even before the last bus tours returned. So we couldn't go in after our tour to purchase anything, or use their restrooms.

This large, well designed and helpful welcome center has a great deal of information on Charleston sites to visit, hotels and restaurants and geopgraphy to make the most of your time here. I strongly recommend that you drop in at the begiing of your visit.

We parked in the parking garage and rode the free trolley to the various stops we wanted to see. It was very convenient and avoided trying to fin parking places at the sites. The staff was very knowledgable and friendly. He mapped our schedule for us and gave us a trolley map and schedule.

Very helpful. A lot of information in one handy spot. Purchased Boone Hall tickets and they made it easy.

They were helpful but missed the fact that the boat/taxi to Patriots Point had stopped running for the year. It was mid-December. Told us it was a short walk to the pier. Not so, and we had to also walk back to town. Overall a long walk through some construction areas requiring a detour as well.

There is only one restroom at this location. It is for both men and women. There is absolutely zero safety for unaccompanied minors or solo adult women in this space as there are men coming and going freely. I didn’t enter this restroom without other women already in there. I would NOT go in unaccompanied nor would I let my child go in unaccompanied. There is no way to distinguish between a guy just needing to pee or a sex offender seeking opportunity.

Get your bus map and anything else you need to know at the center. Using the bus is the best way to get around. It's free, clean and lots of AC. But you need a map to figure out what bus you need to go where.

If you want to see the bench that Forrest Gump sat on in the movie you have to go through the museum. This is also where you get on the trolly.

We parked at the facility for a minimal fee. The folks inside were extremely helpful and got us lined up with our tour. We got back and left our car parked and went on our own walking tour and for lunch. I suggest you get there early as parking will fill up fast.

Great place to begin your trip. Great information plus you can park there and take the free bus around town.

This was a very expensive disappointment. First, this was a brand new unveiling (a few weeks old) with no handicap access to either gender of restrooms. Most modern interiors try to accommodate reasonable and common handicaps - but not in Charleston. The bathrooms were nice if you can get in. Second, the models of the house types on display could have been a great exhibit - if they were cutaways that showed the interior rooms unfurnished (just what does "single" mean?), where the interior stairs were, how they sided up to each other with piazzas and gardens spacing the houses. What was shown and the scant information provided was pretty useless and took up a large volume of exhibit to show relatively few details. Third, in the process of juggling pamphlets we lost our garage-parking ticket and upon leaving we had to pay $30 for one hour of parking! $30!! Pointing out that it was only 12-noon so we could not possibly have been parked there "all day" was a higher level of logic than could be comprehended by those who purport to serve Charleston visitors.

Great building, lots of information , friendly staff. Opportunities to book attractions at this central location. Central hub for buses, walking tours. Bike rental location.

We’d read up about this visitor centre in our guidebook. However the 20 minute film was no longer available, the parking was not free as we’d been led to believe, and the lady we spoke with … on two separate occasions … looked like she’d swallowed a wasp. Not a great first impression of a wonderful city! However it was nice and cool, and the restrooms were clean and, well, restful.

We purchased tickets here for a Charleston bus tour and the lady who helped us was wonderful. The visitor center was VERY clean and had a lot of pamphlets/flyers to help people make decisions.

My sister and I stopped by to get information on the public bus routes. We were in line behind another couple also looking for information on how to get around the downtown area. After overhearing the gentleman behind the counter making a sales pitch for his book on how to get around Charleston, we walked out and found a bus driver who explained how to ride the buses, givng us the route numbers for the free tourist buses. Shame on him for trying to sell a book instead of helping out travelers with free information.

The Charleston Visitor Center is a great first stop in Charleston. When we were visiting it was in a temporary building next door due to renovations; however, the staff were all very friendly and helpful. We were able to receive information about what to do on our own and various tours, purchase tickets and even pick up the tour buses right outside. There are plenty of brochures and maps available including maps of the city's free bus routes and times.

Very helpful staff, tickets for sights, like the Aquarium are discounted and it is the terminal for the free(!) buses that take you to all the top downtown sights. Great place to find lodging. There is a small display area.

They have a nice visitor center where you can buy discounts on attractions and also get the free bus that runs thru town

The large Visitor's Center pictured seems to be under construction. What is available now is a couple of desks and some literature racks located in the building with the train behind it on John Street. I am sure that the staff is helpful, but there is really nothing to see (other than that train.)

The Charleston visitor center is very helpful and informative. Their recommendations are very helpful in getting around the city and visiting places.

Beautiful building. Lots of Parking. Great information. Easy walking from our hotel. You can book lots of tours there

This was our first stop when we arrived in Charleston. The workers were extremely informative, and I think they saved us a ton of money.

Neat historic railroad building - good exhibits, nice outdoor seating, and super nice employees who were very helpful

Good place to start your trip. It was very nice and clean. It had plenty of souvenirs to buy and lots free maps/information.

Good source of information....catch the free on/off bus...it was a little difficult to find in traffic. It is kind of tucked back in there. Plenty of parking ramps in the area

Nice stop. Restrooms were always clean. Always stocked with toilet paper, soap and paper towels. Thank you

Really. This is a truly engrossing, vital stop for folks visiting Charleston's visitors center. It provides the predictable services, like schedules and reservations for tours. But what drew trapped us there was the shop. Not a single tacky souvenier in there. It's as classy as the best stores on King Street, this city's Rodeo Drive. All kinds of gifts with Charleston portraying or celebrating the city and its culture and origins. Among other things, it sells all great books, treating Charleston and the South, the best of Charleston's writers'. I hadn't read Pat Conroy's South of Broad and The Water Is Wide. There they were.

We've been twice to the visitor center. While it is large, there are several displays giving you the chance to start exploring history before getting to the center area of Charleston. Friendly and helpful staff to answer questions/concerns. Even a person making sweet grass baskets.

Our first visit to Charleston, and it seemed logical to seek out information at this site. Staff quite friendly and helpful. Pamphlets available for an enormous number and variety of activities and venues. Books and souvenirs available as well. Free DASH shuttle has stop right outside. Figure spending thirty to sixty minutes, depending on what you are looking for.

As we entered Charleston! We stopped and got booklets, maps, and discounted tickets for the carriage ride.

Loads of informational brochures, videos, knowledgeable staff, and the ideal place to catch the tour buses.

This facility is a governent unit. All visitors must show I.D., empty their pockets and be scaned.In the center visitors MUST wear a mask.

At the beginning are seven wall posters about the yard's opening & closing which are:
1.0 The Marine Barracks.
2.) Coming To Charlestown.
3.) Seeking a Permanent Home.
4.) The Marines In Boston.
5.) Duties And Drill.
6.) Expanansion And Leadership.
7.) Closure Of The Yard.
The posters have paintings, drawings & photographs from the 1850's to the closing of 1974. Each poster if is very detailed.

Further into the center are posters from WW 1 & WW 2.A large info stand is about supplying European Front. Photos about the WW 11's women working in the yard, along with the navy yard's boom. Ships being built in the dry docks. One stand is about the making of the chains, forge & foundry. Another stand is about the yard's use during the civil war.

There was much more to view, read & photograph, excellent lighting. I had only so mush time before leaving the center to tour the USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument & Bunker Hill Museum.

I am not sure, yet access to the Constitution may only from the visitor center. The center has a small yet interesting gift shop.

A visit is recommended.

When we visited it seemed the center was doing some remodeling, so it didn't appear very large. We did pickup a map of the area (same map we got from our hotel) along with several different brochures for the local attractions. The staff was very helpful on explaining the differences between the various Plantations in the area. Located right across from the Charleston Museum.

If you don't have a plan for seeing this wonderful city, stop here first. The staff is most willing to help you formulate an agenda.

Good place to get oriented before seeing the city. Tours leave from there and it is in a good location. Some good history displays.

I came to the visitors centre to check out where it was for my Grayline tour. It actually features many historical displays about Charleston’s history. There are also bathrooms, snacks, water, brochures, and bus schedules. The Grayline tours operate out of the visitors centre on meeting street.

First stop: park and get advice. This long building is chock full of information about Charleston and helpful staff. Props to Cal, who checked on our tour for which we had mislaid the tickets. Great unisex bathrooms. The VC is missing a real opportunity with the gift shop: more goods and more coffees and croissant would help. You can walk from here to the Market if you are so inclined and pass many historic spots.

Very helpful people here. Excellent bathroom facilities. This is a great location to catch one of the many tour buses.

great place to book tours through out Charleston. Beautiful setting, vendors very friendly and supportive of any questions or recommendations.

Large visitor center currently undergoing extensive renovation, but a great place to start your vacation in Charleston nevertheless. Many tour operators start their tours from here. The center is on Meeting Street, about a $ 6.00 Uber ride from the Charleston Market area.

I did not discover the center until the day I was leaving. The lady working their told me about the express bus to the airport. It pick you up at the visitor center and it only costs $3.50. My Uber was $26 when I arrived. The bus was on time, only stopped three other times and got me to the airport fast. The center has other great information and coupons.

She answered our questions, gave us discounts and made additional suggestions. No waiting. Great support. Since the free bus goes here, use this valuable place.

Took a 90 minute bus tour, grayline, around the town and it was an excellent overview of Charleston, history, architecture, culture.

Spent 3 hours in the Museum of Charleston which was outstanding.

Lots of helpful information and friendly knowledgeable employees. Clean bathrooms. spacious and airy and Lots of history of Charleston all around.

Charleston Visitor Center bathrooms are not provide safe as they are open to both sexes ( male & females). As a woman, I am not only not comfortable but terrified. I do not want a men to walk on me or peep through gaps between doors and wall. This arrangement as a heaven for peeping toms. rapists and child molesters. I hope children are always escorted by a parent into this Sodomah and Gomorrah. This woke stupidity should be closed and separate bathrooms for women and men should be created.

and a great place to start a Charleston visit. The staff is helpful, the free buses are great and are frequently available, and the building is clean and in the shade...

Stop by the Visitor center for good information on what Charleston has to offer. It is also a central point for transportation in and around the Charleston area.

My wife and I spent 3 days in Charleston. We stopped at the visitor center to gather information about things to do during our stay. The staff was fantastic. They assisted us with booking a downtown tour. The building appears to be an old train station. it was clean and very charming.

Visiting Charleston for the 1st time in years with a friend who has not been before, picked up some good maps etc. Worth calling into on the way into the City.

Good place to start your trip. Brochures on everything. Clean restrooms. Information desks. You can park here as long as you like per half hour charge. Which is nice rather than 2 hour parking meters. Catch trolley to go down town

What a great place. The free buses go there and tours leave from there. A staff member, Jennifer, sold me several tour tickets, one stop shopping. She also gave some good dining recommendations.

It was a very pleasant surprise to find that the center was right across the street all the free tour busses stop there so make it very easy to get around town.

If you are new in the area and want to get the lay of the land, check out the visitor center. They have a train inside the building and they offer brochures and maps of the city.

The visitor's center in Charleston provides great information with helpful staff. It'a also a wonderful place to park your car -- and in Charleston, parking is not a joking matter. Close to restaurants on middle King Street.

If you are in Charleston, the visitors center is a must. The wood floors look amazing and the staff was very pleasant and helpful with questions. The bathrooms are in immaculate condition. Very clean.

The Visitor Center is under remodeling so is now located down the block at the Best Friend Train Museum. We went there just to buy our Passport Tickets. You can get 2, 3, or 7 day passes. In 2.5 days we were able to see everything included except for the Charleston Museum. It was still a money saver for us. We saw 5 homes, 2 plantations, and the Art Museum.

Most tour buses start and stop here. This is the old train station that is now the Visitor center. You can safely park your car in a secure area (pay parking).They provide info phamplets, a small visitor shop, a conciege to provide info, a place to purchase excursion tours and restrooms. My brother lost his IPhone and a good samaritan turned it in to the Lost and Found. We were so grateful as this was the 1st day of our 2 week vacation and it could have been disastrous. So to the Good Sam out there thanks and to the Visitor Center thanks for all the help providing us with good info for the rest of our stay in Charleston including places to eat!

You can book rooms, get driving instructions, map out drives in the country, get advice on where to eat, etc. We found the advice given to us very helpful.

Stop here first got so much information and advice. Told us about FREE BUS. We left our car at parking lot n took the bus everywhere, much more convenient and they know where to go lol.

Arriving in Charleston for 4 day visit and no "major plans" this is a good place to start. Lots of brochures and help from the guide.

Glad we discovered this visitor centre. Well designed, lots of info, friendly staff and could book and commence tours from there too.

Great place to get info about Charleston. Especially the wonderful shuttle system, free in the historic district.

I travel a lot and have seen a lot of visitors centers. I appreciated this one for its efficiency and its practical advice. The staff had personally experienced the sights in Charleston and helped give you tips specific to your own group and interests. If you have spent a lot of time researching and planning before your trip, this may not be helpful to you. But if you were like us and just have a couple days in the city without too much advance planning, this was a good way to get a crash course in the city to be more efficient with time. (For example, I had no idea the bus system downtown was free!) Plus, it's air conditioned and has bathrooms!

The visitor center is well designed and useful. Go to the ticket counter to get advice and guidance. The Charleston museum and several historical house are within a few blocks. Public transportation stops at the visitor center as well. Can be very, very busy when tour groups show up.

If you are visiting Charleston, this is a great place to start. They have great people who will guide you on whatever you would like to see or do in Charleston. This is also where you go to pay for any tours. They have a gift shop and amazing artwork.

Save yourself some time and get expert advice, brochures and buy tour tickets. The guided tour is very worthwhile and educational. Charleston is a very historic place and thus will help to maximize any visit.

The antiquity of Charleston was well documented and represented in the history of the town. Visual representation and displays were inside a former merchant warehouse. Historic renovations made this viewing memorable. It is located near the 🚌 stops for different tours offered in Charleston. Well done and worth the trip.

Somehow we found out that the parking garage could handle small RVs (ours is 23 feet long) so this was a given as our starting point for our visit to Charleston. Parking was $16 for the day. We parked here on two consecutive days.

Plenty of information and help from the staff. We booked a historic walking tour through them with a licensed guide, Dennis, from Walks of Charleston.

The first day we walked about a mile from here to the Market. The second day we used DASH to get around.

My wife and I did a 1 1/2 bus tour of this city from this location. It houses a gift shop, tourist info and displays on different points of view of Charlestown, SC. Be prepared to pay for parking. Centrally location to museums as well.

This is a really cool building, and I think so much more could be done here. There is some interesting exhibits in one section, but it is a massive building that feels like not much is in it. The gift shop is very high-end, which seemed out of place for a visitor center. I've seen other reviews say the same, but ALL of the staff seemed were too busy talking to each other and looking at their phones to even say hi. WE had to plan our visit ourselves.

The visitor center is in a great setting, really beautifully renovated station. Bobby was extremely helpful: he spent time with me to understand my interests and recommended and booked four excellent tours. He is a pro, knows Charleston inside and out, and was so friendly. A pleasure!

The employees were very helpful and friendly. Lots of information to check out. And, a little railroad history, as well.

This visitors center is well laid out. There is a great deal of info available. The staff is very helpful, knowledgeble and nice. Good place to get started from when visitin Charleston.

Parking can be complicated in town, but you can park here free and ride the bus free.You can also purchase tickets to various attractions like Harbor cruises, Carriage tours, walking tours etc.

My wife and I had signed up for a bus tour. First, we were told that the one we wanted (1:30) to take wasn't available, so we could take the next one in an hour (2:30). The hour came and went, but there was no bus, except for one that showed up as a 3:00 bus. Frankly, the ticket seller and the bus driver while nice, were clueless.
So, the CVC Manager showed up, made some calls and soon, we were boarded on the 3:00 bus. I think a group of 4 volunteered to come back the next day (free), but the point was that the CVC Manager went above and beyond his job to pull a vendor's irons out of the fire and provide a great impression of his center and Charleston.

The people that work here were knowledgeable about the area and places to go. They also have a train museum that was interesting.

Great place to start your visit to Charleston. Mixer air conditioned building with loads of fee information available and helpful staff on site. Trips can be booked there if you wish.

We really enjoyed the exhibits and the information about places to visit that were available. It is a good place to start, and was a help in planning our time in Charleston. It is easily accessible and there is parking available. Many of the places we wanted to see were within walking distance from the visitors center. There was a great film about Charleston history which was a good orientation to the city. There is a small charge to see the film, but it was cool and a nice place to sit and rest for a few minutes, as well as being very informative.

This modern looking building has several self service displays regarding the history of Charleston, as well as buy tickets for the many tours that are offered.

The staff is outstanding with their suggestions and knowledge of the city. We stopped on our first day to get an idea of what we should visit. We took home the various pamphlets and planned our stay that first night. Reservations could have been made directly at the visitor center but we chose to make them ourselves.

The visitors center is in the historic district very convenient to many hotels. Ours was just a half a block away and the place is filled with every type of information a clueless traveler could need. Friendly staff and the tour buses are all right there.

Very attractive set up...you can obtain all the information you need to see and experience the 'Old South'

If you have some time to kill and are close by, make a quick stop at the Visitor center. You'll learn a bit about Charleston. They have a few places to sit down for a bit shielded from whatever the weather might be doing that day. They have clean public bathrooms. They have a cute giftshop should you be in the mood. Nothing crazy to write home about. You can be in and out in 5-10 minutes if you are truly just 'checking it out'... you can just go, use the restroom, and leave without judgement if that is all you need.

Easy to find and very helpful staff. Need to stop here if you do not know what to do in Charleston. They have a viewing board wherein all the tours are listed including how long each tour will take. Very useful.

The people were so nice in making sure that you find exactly what you're looking for. By the time you leave, a smile will be on your face.

It is a great place to start getting familiar with Charleston, get a map of the city, read some information and talk to the very helpful staff. The Visitor Center is new and meticulously organized. We parked at the Visitor Center Garage on Mary Street rather than on more expensive parking lot adjacent to it.

We arrived early and were the only visitors along with two employees. They were helpful, friendly, humorous, and chatty. Had a very enjoyable conversation and got our day in Charleston started off on the right foot.

We tried to go before they closed but the time online were not correct or they closed early so we visited some things before we got to go there. It was a great place for information and worth going first.

Went to the Charleston Visitors Center for information regarding home tour directions and restaurant info. Both desk attendants did not seem eager or happy to help us. If you want brochures & maps just bypass the desk and pick them up yourself at the kiosk.

This center was very nice and clean. Friendly staff and offered options for day sightseeing. We parked in this area and the tour buses picked up from here. Small coffee and gift shop and nice clean restrooms.

Right in the middle of town. Near great restaurants, all the tour buses, markets. Staff people there can route you to whatever you want. One lady was unbelievable with maps and brochures with coupons.

On trips to the US we have found visitor centres well worth visiting, however the Charleston one did not seem to live up to the same high standard. It was very busy but most of the information seemed to be focused on particular trips/tours which could be booked through them. We wanted some information about the ferries to Fort Sumter which wasn’t on any of the stands. There was a leaflet which we were given from behind the counter, once we queued to see a member of staff. Although we had planned to ask some further questions about the area we didn’t feel that the member of staff was particularly interested in helping - it was easier to look online.

One of the guys working there was VERY helpful. He helped us out two days in a row. I wish I would have gotten his name.

Park here and ride the free bus, Daily price is so worth it!
You can catch tours here, find maps, get coupons! A wealth of information!

Easy parking, very clean, and easy access to bus tours. Brochures to view and take away. Walking distance to several historic places and museum.

Enjoyed our stop at the visitor center. Stopped in as our (bus) tour met here. Nice display, good resources and gift shop. Center has clean bathrooms and easy parking.

We had visited here before and it is lovely, but it is currently under renovation. They have set up a small visitor center in the train museum next door. The museum is interesting and you can still receive some helpful services and brochures. Restrooms are also located here.

I think this is the best Visitor Center I have ever visited. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. They really seemed to want to share their city with us. The information was presented so well! Wonderful little gift shop with great variety and very accessable pricing.

Great staff and excellent information. We found them very helpful and we were also able to but discounted tour tickets.

We were looking for tours of Charleston and this is the best place to start. Grayline operates out of the adjacent garage area so we were able to find great options.

The nicest visitors center we have ever seen. Lots of information and assistance. Would be of special value to first time visitors to Charleston.

The people were very courteous and helpful. We appreciated all the help we could get, trying to navigate thru the city.

Our first stop in town was at the Visitor's Centre, where we picked up information on tours, restaurants and events happening. The staff were most helpful.

The hostess was extremely knowledgeable and went out of her way to help me. The new location will be a big plus

A modern building adjacent to the bus station. Very helpful staff and free booklets. Very clean public toilet.

This is by far one of the biggest, cleanest, most friendly visitors centers ever. They are well staffed with very knowledgeable people. IMMACULATE RESTROOMS! All the public restrooms were spotless. Someone deserves a "gold star" for that little brochure that list where all the public and handicapped restrooms and parking garages are located. It is a great piece of information.

Small but nice visitor center. You can book everything from hotels, tours,trolleys, carriages, all in one spot. Don't forget to get maps and coupons as well.

Great resource for info about the DASH busses. There are 3 routes (several maps I saw only show the orange and green but the purple is quite handy, too!!)

If you are hands on still becasue you are not tech savvy this place is for you. Lots and lots or tours and pamphlets available. If you are this side of town, it is air conditioned and has great bathrooms.

Be sure to make this your first stop when you get into town. Everyone is super nice plus it is one of the nicest Visitor Center's I have been in. You will find everything you need to make the most of your time in Charleston.

We happened upon the visitor center our second day in town and wish we had stopped here first. What a wealth of information... plus comfy seating if you need a rest. It's the largest visitors center I've seen!

The person helping us at the visitor center was extremely rude - we were buying tickets for a bus tour and we could not believe how rude the person helping us was.

We stopped in several times- to get information, make reservations for tours, buy nice souvenirs and to use the clean restrooms! You can get the DASH buses just outside, and I noticed some tour buses leaving from there too.

We arrived late and they never rushed us and gave us lots of good local information. Very clean restrooms.

Staff was very friendly and knowledgable. We asked them for the difference between the Plantation bays, and they even took consideration that we had kids, and also suggested to bring bug sprays.

I liked that their ticket prices to various activities are cheaper than if you bought them at the actual place.

free parking all day because the machines were broken made our day !
as visitors to this beautiful and historic city, there were a few TUFF things, like a dearth of washrooms in the auld part of town. Even in a nice restaurant 30 bucks a head for a small lunch, ONE small room for everyone, parking tuff in a place built for horde n carriages, so it was refreshing and much appreciated from the visitor's centre to give us a BREAK

A beautiful facility! Make sure you check out the free bus line that comes in and out if here. Staff is friendly and we even bought a beautiful sweetgrass basket from a vendor there.

This is an excellent visitors center. Parking is convenient and inexpensive. The staff are helpful and friendly. There are 3 free city bus routes that have stops at the visitors center. Maps of the routes as well as time at each stop are available at the there too. Most guided bus tours of the city start at this location and you can book them from the visitors center. There are plenty of restrooms and the indoor spaces offer a break from the heat and humidity in the summer.

The only thing that was difficult here was the height of things in the restrooms. The hooks for purses on the stall doors were at the very top of the door (and the tops of the doors were not more than 6 inches from the ceiling). There were also shelves behind the toilet that packages or purses could be placed upon, but they were also pretty high (maybe 4.5 feet?) The functioning soap dispensers were also high on the wall over the sinks. My taller than average 8-year old could not reach them, and there were no step stools. (Many museums have step stools at the sinks for kids and others who are not at least 5 feet tall.) I hope the visitors center looks into fixing this in the future.

We made this our first stop during our five days of vacation and they gave us plenty of great info and tips, along with a very useful map. The building itself is amazing, in a former railroad station. The only drawback, as with ALL of downtown Charleston, is that you can't even park free at the visitor center. Parking seems to be a major financial base of the town.

Kudos to the city of Charleston for having such a magnificent visitor center. Located next to a municipal parking lot, with buses of all varieties stopping there, it is easy to access and a treasure trove of information to maximize any visit to the Holy City. In addition to providing maps and flyers for all the city has to offer, there are agents on hand who will answer all your questions and offer suggestions to fit your interests and time constraints during your visit. My wife and I both highly recommend including a stop here at the beginning of any explorations of the city and its environs!

A very nice and well-staffed Visitor Center. We got plenty of free information, including routes for the free buses, which stop right out front

We stopped here first. they were absolutely great to work with. They're patient and very accommodating when taking their time helping us. Top notch staff and facility. The tour bus pick up and drop off were right next door. Parking garage nearby.

It is located in the free trolly bus routes, and the staff seems nice and knowledgeable. Visit this first may save you a lot time

Due to my inability to walk long distances, we could not find a parking space downtown near the restaurant of our choice. Charleston is a very difficult city to park in if your are unable to walk. It is not uncommon to walk 2 or three blocks from your destination. If you are limited, I recommend you visit a different city.

Stopped by the Visitor Center on our first day in Charleston. We received some basic information about getting around on the bus system and things to do.

Mike gave us a lot of info. Then told us about Low country TRAVEL across from Vendue hotel. Cruise tours 229 meeting 30 Vendue Range >> Worldwide tTavel 184 East Bay , 75 South Market . We was there at desinated time as was others who paid their 20 dollar bill to Mike. We got angie. We along with all 5 other couples, were bombarded with a high pressure film, and told first one who holds hand up gets only special deal of $1000.00 off $6,995.00, asking everyone for $5994.00 for 20% off future Travel deals. When Angie came back to talk to us and saw we were not going to buy as no one did, she told my wife and I Quote: Get out of here. You're not going to buy anything> unquote. We hadn't got our $20.00 bill back or our vouchers yet, and i asked for what we were promised. She turned away sneering at me and wrote us a check for $20.00 of which we had trouble cashing.the others were dissatisfied also, and left with us. It is a Charleston Scam presented to all who visit the center. some DON'T GET THEIR MONEY BACK AS SOME DO. don't stop at the visitors center in any SOUTH CAROLINA CENTERS, AS YOU WILL PROBABLY BE CAUGHT UP IN IT AS WELL. Angie was most hateful to us and rude as were the others since none paid their fee.WILL N E V E R GO BACK TO CHARLESTON S.C. AGAIN, AND URGE OTHERS NOT TO ALSO.

Close to a lot of stuff downtown. Light snacks, bottled water and restrooms. Clean. Located in an old passenger railroad station. Good place to regroup and get going again. Lots of bus trips go out of the center.

We were so pleased to find that the visitor center is so complete and that first time visitors can easily plan a great visit with the help of the staff and printed materials of the many things to do in Charleston. Parking is available in the visitor center garage. That was tremendously helpful.

Modern facility where you can book/wait for your tour bus, find out more about Charleston, use the bathroom, buy snacks, or just sit in the air conditioning to plan your next adventure. This is a very well run, attractive, clean, and safe facility.