About this guide
Charleston, generously shared.
Charleston 1857 is an independent guide to the restaurants, public places, cultural institutions, shops, beaches, and gathering spaces that make historic Charleston worth knowing.
Created and curated by Tim Waldron.
This guide began with a stay in Harleston Village and grew from a simple wish: to make it easier for guests and neighbors to discover the parts of Charleston that reward a little curiosity—whether that means a quiet garden, a great dinner, a historic theatre, or an afternoon on the water.
Food and travel editorial input by Erin Perkins.
Erin Perkins ↗ is a Charleston-based food journalist and former editor of Eater’s South region. Her perspective helped shape Charleston 1857’s dining and travel recommendations.
Charleston 1857 is independently curated. Listings are editorial selections, not paid placements, affiliate recommendations, or a resale marketplace. When possible, the guide links directly to each restaurant, venue, shop, or institution so readers can confirm the details and make their own plans.
The goal is practical usefulness. Every recommendation should give visitors a clearer next step: where a place is, how it fits into a day, and where to find current information directly from the source.
Independent by design.
Charleston changes often, so hours, availability, reservations, prices, accessibility, and policies should always be confirmed directly with each place. Approximate walk times are planning aids, not guarantees.