5 Best for Shopping Charleston

Why it made the list: Charleston's grand shopping street, running the length of the peninsula through distinct districts, antiques at the bottom, fashion and design at the top. It's one of the most walkable, handsome shopping streets in the South.

Why it made the list: A historic open-air market running for blocks through the heart of downtown, where local vendors sell crafts, art and, most famously, handwoven Gullah sweetgrass baskets. It's touristy but genuinely historic, and the baskets are a true Lowcountry keepsake.

Why it made the list: The bottom stretch of King Street is a dense run of serious antique dealers, estate jewelers and rug shops in historic storefronts. For lovers of old Charleston silver, portraits and furniture, it's the place.

Why it made the list: The top end of King has become the city's fashion-and-design district, mixing national names with local boutiques and homeware shops among buzzy restaurants. It's the modern, stylish counterpoint to the antiques below.

Why it made the list: Broad Street and the surrounding French Quarter hold Charleston's densest cluster of fine-art galleries, from Lowcountry landscapes to contemporary work. It's a free, low-pressure browse in the prettiest part of town.