Yes, vacation rentals are available in the broader downtown Charleston area around Waterfront Park. CHC Vacation Rentals does not have a home in the immediate Waterfront Park area. CHC's homes are farther north on the Charleston peninsula, in ZIP code 29403, while the park sits in 29401.
We would rather make that clear before you book than after. This guide explains what you will find at Waterfront Park, how its location compares with where our homes sit, and what to check when you are choosing where to stay.
Park details below come from the City of Charleston and from the US Army Corps of Engineers, which permitted and documented the original park.
Where Is Waterfront Park and What Is There?
Waterfront Park sits along the Cooper River waterfront in downtown Charleston. The City of Charleston describes it as an eight-acre linear park and pier along the Charleston Harbor entry, with lawns, gardens, fountains, a walking path and a pier with swings.
The US Army Corps of Engineers records that construction broke ground in 1988 and the park opened in May 1990. Hurricane Hugo caused approximately one million dollars of damage to the park in 1989, and it still opened the following May. The park carries the name of Joseph P. Riley Jr., the mayor who called it this generation's gift to the future.
| What is there | Detail |
|---|---|
| The Pineapple Fountain | The park's best known fountain and one of its signature landmarks |
| Walkways along the water | The largest section has about a quarter mile of parallel walkways, per the US Army Corps of Engineers |
| The pier | Extends into the Cooper River, with sheltered picnic tables, benches and swings, plus a floating dock |
| A second fountain | An interactive fountain designed for play |
| Cost | Free. It is a public city park |
What Should You Check Before Booking Near the Park?
Check the address. Vacation rentals are available in the downtown area around Waterfront Park, but the exact location and availability vary by property, so the address on the listing is the only reliable guide to how close you actually are.
Parking is the second thing to check in that part of town. If you are flying in and walking everywhere, it may not matter. If you are driving down with a family, confirm what the property provides before you book.
If being among the older streets is the whole point of your trip, read our guide to staying near the Historic District before you book anything.
Where Do CHC's Homes Sit Compared to the Park?
Farther north on the Charleston peninsula, in and around Cannonborough-Elliottborough. Every CHC home is in ZIP code 29403. Waterfront Park is in 29401.
Plan how you will travel between the two. Walking, biking, the free downtown DASH shuttle and a rideshare are all options, and the section below covers them.
| Home | Bedrooms | Beds | Baths | Off-street parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Charles | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 space, size limits published |
| Pool House | 1 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 space |
| 179 St. Philip D | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 reserved spaces |
| 3 Tully | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 1 space |
| 33 B Cannon | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 space |
| 179 St. Philip E | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | 2 spaces |
| 118 President A | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 spaces |
| 118 President B | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 spaces |
| 118 President, entire home | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 spaces |
Bedrooms, beds, baths and parking come from each property page. Guest numbers are published for the 118 President listings only: eight for unit A, eight for unit B and sixteen for the entire home. For the other homes, ask us for the guest count and we will confirm it against the booking system. You can also see the full collection.
What Are the Trade-Offs of Staying Farther North?
Waterfront Park is one stop on a Charleston itinerary, so the right location depends on what else you plan to visit and which property features matter to you.
CHC's homes are farther north on the peninsula. Depending on the property, that can mean a whole home rather than a room, a kitchen, laundry in the unit, and one or more off-street parking spaces. Check the individual property page for the exact layout and parking arrangement.
The trade-off is straightforward. Staying closer to Waterfront Park prioritizes being near the waterfront. Staying farther north puts you in the part of the peninsula our homes are in. Choose based on the places and the features that matter most for your trip.
How Do You Get to Waterfront Park Without Driving?
Walk, bike or take the free downtown DASH shuttle. CARTA, the regional transit authority, describes DASH as a free way to explore the Charleston peninsula and lists Waterfront Park among the stops it serves.
Our guide to getting around Charleston without a car covers the shuttle, walking routes and when a car earns its keep. If you are coming from the airport first, the airport to downtown guide covers that leg.
Two other stops sit on the same stretch of waterfront. The Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square is at 340 Concord Street, and it is the downtown departure point for ferries to Fort Sumter. The National Park Service lists the visitor center as open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., says the building and exhibits are free to enjoy, and notes that reaching the fort itself needs a ferry ticket. The South Carolina Aquarium is at 100 Aquarium Wharf. Both sit on Charleston's downtown waterfront, so if you are planning several waterfront stops you can group them into the same day.
FAQs
Yes. Vacation rentals are available in the downtown area around Waterfront Park, though location and availability vary by property. CHC Vacation Rentals does not have a home in the immediate Waterfront Park area. Our homes are farther north on the peninsula, in ZIP code 29403.
No. It is a City of Charleston park and free to enter. Published opening hours vary between listing sites, so check the City of Charleston page before you plan an early morning photo or a late evening walk along the water.
Waterfront Park has two major fountains, including an interactive fountain designed for play. If you are planning to use the fountains, check the City of Charleston's current park information for any posted rules or temporary restrictions. The city page is also the place to confirm what is running.
If being close to Waterfront Park is your main priority, compare properties by their address before booking. CHC Vacation Rentals does not have a home in that immediate area. Our homes are farther north on the peninsula, so weigh that against what else you want to reach.
The Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square is at 340 Concord Street and is the departure point for ferries to Fort Sumter. The South Carolina Aquarium is at 100 Aquarium Wharf. Both sit on Charleston's downtown waterfront, so several waterfront stops can be grouped into one day.
Every CHC property page lists at least one off-street parking space, and some list two, three or six. The space at 2 Charles has published size limits, so tell us what you are driving. Parking near the park itself is a separate question.
How Do You Book a CHC Home?
Tell us your dates and how many people are coming. We will tell you which homes are open, how many the home sleeps, where the parking space sits, and how far you will be from the part of town you care about, before you pay anything.
Check availability or call 843.329.2040 or email bookings@chcvacationrentals.com