USA Travel: Sights from King Street, Broad Street & Rainbow Row Charleston, South Carolina

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In this post we share photos from well-known streets in Charleston, South Carolina, each of which marry rich history and beautiful architecture.

The places noted below include the main throughput to the shore (King Street), historical homes and commerce buildings (Broad Street) and the largest intact row of Georgian homes (East Bay Street).

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Walk down King Street

Broad Street to Rainbow Row

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East Bay Rainbow Row & North Adgers Street, Charleston

The houses in this area were constructed in 1774 and were primarily used by merchants who ran the operations on the ground floor and lived in the home on the top floor. Over time the area became neglected but in 1931, the Legges family purchased the homes for historical restoration.

The Legges painted the row of homes pastel pink and over time the owners used similar pastel hues to decorate the exterior of their homes. This coordination of colors and architecture are a few reasons why visitors flock here to take photos.

Broad Street, Charleston

Though this stretch was originally named “Cooper Street,” Charlestonians renamed it to more closely reflect its place as a 72-foot wide, “broad” street.

King Street, Charleston

This street is historically and architecturally significant, with its history spanning 300 years.

King Street served as the main throughput of the city until the mid-1700s when commercial activity moved towards the ports. In the early-19th centuries, a railroad terminus was completed in the area, and King Street evolved into the thriving retail corridor we see today.

Following the Civil War and the economic downturn, the city turned into disrepair, and it was only in the 1950s did Charleston see urban revitalization whereby King Street was restored to its place as a commercial hub.

U.S. News and World Report named King Street one of the country’s “Top 10 Shopping Streets” and the stretch from Broad to Market was voted the “Best Antique Shopping in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure magazine.