The best Charleston bookstores offer a lot for book lovers to discover while visiting this South Carolina city. It was pivotal during the Civil War and is a popular Southern travel destination today, beloved for its charm. Below, you’ll learn what literary travel spots you should check out to grab a book about South Carolina and immerse yourself in the unique culture. Let’s get literary!
The Best Charleston Bookstores
NOTE
This guide to Charleston bookstores is focused on those in central locations for visitors and tourists to easily access.
Buxton Books
160 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Located near the start of all the popular shopping on King Street is Buxton Books, which opened in 2016. It’s a small store offering a nice selection of bestsellers, classics, and Charleston-themed books for kids and adults.
They not only host events, but also tours, including ghost tours and tours about Black Charleston history.
I was thrilled to find Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler there. This book teaches you about Charleston through watercolor illustrations and helpful sketches. It makes learning fun and is a cute keepsake to display on your bookshelf.
TIPS
- In very close proximity is the Charleston Library Society (164 King Street). Established in 1748, it’s one of the oldest libraries in the U.S. It’s member based, but visitors can buy passes to explore its facilities and resources. Special collections include correspondence from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, as well as Dubose Heyward’s manuscripts for Porgy.
- Afterward, take your books and head nearby to the popular wine bar Bin 152 (152 King Street) to read with a glass of vino and some charcuterie.
Blue Bicycle Books
420 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403
The colorful Blue Bicycle Books store is on the other end of King Street. With multiple rainbow-themed book displays (and bikes, of course!), this is the most Instagrammable independent bookshop to visit!
They carry a lot of rare used books, which are fun to see, as well as books by local authors, spanning nonfiction like cookbooks to the best fiction about Charleston to enjoy.
Beyond events, they are known for hosting YALLFest, an annual young adult book festival that draws dozens of YA authors and thousands of readers each November.
TIPS
- Afterward, take your books and head nearby to Camellia’s Champagne and Lounge Bar in Hotel Bennett (404 King Street), to read with some bubbly or afternoon tea in the most pink and sparkly reading spot I’ve ever seen.
- The Citrus Club (334 Meeting Street) at The Dewberry is also nearby and is a popular rooftop bar with the best views of the water I’ve seen in Charleston, as well as some great bites and cocktails.
Gift Shops at Historic Sites
Since Charleston is such a tourist-driven town, you can also find many great books at historical sites. I spotted a ton of popular local fiction by Southern authors like Dorothea Benton Frank and Mary Alice Monroe at the must-visit Charleston City Market (188 Meeting Street). It’s an open-air market known for local crafts, artisanal goods, and traditional Gullah sweetgrass baskets.
I’ve also heard there’s a great collection of books at the Preservation Society of Charleston Book & Gift Shop (147 King Street).
More Charleston, South Carolina Recommendations
As someone who’s visited Charleston twice and researched it thoroughly, I’d love to offer you a few more travel recommendations for your visit, both for reading and relaxing!
Where to Stay:
Mills House (115 Meeting Street) is well-located and reasonably priced, given its luxurious feel. Inside a large pink building, it has an outdoor pool, coffee shop, bar, courtyard, spacious lobby, and clean, modern rooms. It was absolutely perfect for my “girls’ trip.”
Where to Eat:
I’ve been to Basic Kitchen twice for healthy lunches and loved it both times. If you can get there before noon, do it!
You can’t miss Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit for a sweet or savory Southern treat. I’ve had nearly all the flavors, and they are all delicious.
You can grab a cocktail or coffee and the (absolutely delicious) world-famous Ultimate Coconut Cake at Benne’s by Peninsula Grill. It’s always a highlight of my trip.
We had great dinners at the popular new Italian restaurant Sorelle and the award-winning Southern restaurant Husk. (Try the pimento cheese and the melt-in-your-mouth grits.) You should book both several weeks in advance. If you can’t get into Sorelle, visit their next-door market for breakfast or lunch. Their caprese sandwich is the best I’ve ever had.
Where to Shop:
King Street is filled with shopping, from low end to high end, as well as local finds and international brands. My top pick is Croghan’s Jewel Box, a mostly antique jewelry store with estate finds. Everything is so unique that you want to see it all. I stop in a few times each time I visit.
What to Visit:
There is no shortage of things to see in and around Charleston. Besides what I’ve already mentioned, a few staple attractions include the Pineapple Fountain, which symbolizes hospitality, in Waterfront Park and Rainbow Row, a famous stretch of 18th-century homes on East Bay Street known for their pastel facades.
What to Pack:
Sundresses! This town is a sea of sundresses in upscale, feminine brands like Lilly Pulitzer. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes are also a must.
Final Thoughts
These Charleston bookstores are oozing with local books for fun and learning. Pair them with my favorite hotels, restaurants, bars, and things to do in Charleston. They are all excellent, and you can’t go wrong with any or all of them.
As for books, if you want to learn about Charleston in a fun way, check out Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm.
- Hardcover Book
- Gessler, Diana Hollingsworth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 168 Pages – 03/14/2003 (Publication Date) – Algonquin Books (Publisher)
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
