The Riviera Theater

Popular places to visit

One of the many gates throughout Charleston, South Carolina. This one is called the Lyre.

Circular Congregational Church

After visiting Circular Congregational Church, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Charleston. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or seek out the local tours.

Circular Congregational Church
Gibbes Museum of Art showing heritage elements and interior views

Gibbes Museum of Art

You can study the exhibits at Gibbes Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Charleston. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its lively bars.

Gibbes Museum of Art
St. Philip\'s Church showing heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

St. Philip's Church

After visiting St. Philip's Church, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Charleston. Visit the area's churches or amble around its beautiful beaches.

St. Philip's Church
College of Charleston which includes heritage architecture and street scenes

College of Charleston

Explore the campus of College of Charleston during your trip to Charleston. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the churches in the area.

College of Charleston
The Dock Street Theatre is Charleston's last surviving hotel from the antebellum period. The silhouette of its wrought iron balcony against the spire of St. Philip's church may be the single most photographed spot in the city. The main portion of the building was constructed around 1809 as Planter's Hotel. The hotel was built by Alexander Calder and his wife, who did so by renovating several pre-existing buildings at the site. The main entrance may not have been built until 1855 by J.W. Gamble. The hotel was used extensively by planters from the midlands of South Carolina, who traveled to Charleston during horse-racing season. It was noted for its wonderful food and drinks during this era, and the South's famous Planter's Punch may have originated here. Guests to the hotel passed through the recessed porch with brownstone columns, into the lobby, and up a grand staircase that ascended to a drawing room. While much of the interior has been altered, these elements of the antebellum hotel remain and were adapted in subsequent uses of the building. A series of additions to the hotel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries can be easily identified by differences in brick coloration. This theater is said to have been the first building built specifically for theatrical performances in America. Planter's Hotel occasionally housed one of the city's theatrical troupes, which performed at the nearby New Theatre during the mid-19th century. The most notable actor of this troupe was Junius Brutus Booth. Booth was the patriarch of an outstanding family of actors, which included John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin. Junius Booth, who stayed at the Planter's Hotel, allegedly tried to kill his manager here in 1838. Today the Dock Street Theatre is home to the Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theater production company, and houses the city's Cultural Affairs office as well as The City Gallery, an exhibition space for local artists.

Dock Street Theater

Enjoy a show at Dock Street Theater, a popular theatre in Charleston. Discover the area's churches or seek out its local tours.

Dock Street Theater

Shops at Charleston Place

During your trip to Charleston, you can do some window-shopping at Shops at Charleston Place. Make time to visit the area's stunning cathedral or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Shops at Charleston Place

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