Rainbow Row

Situated in near Waterfront Park in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, Rainbow Row features on just about every Charleston walking tour and carriage ride, along with other popular points of interest like the Dock Street Theatre, White Point Gardens, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and the Waterfront Battery. Once commercial buildings, the houses today have all been converted to private residences—meaning you can only gawk at them from the outside.

• Rainbow Row is a must-see for architecture lovers and first-time visitors.

• Don’t forget your camera; Rainbow Row make for one of Charleston’s best photo ops.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you’re visiting as part of a walking tour.

• Guided tours that stop at Rainbow Row last anywhere from 80 minutes to three hours, depending which you’ve chosen.

Rainbow Row is located on the stretch of East Bay Street between Tradd and Elliot streets in Charleston. It’s located a short walk from Waterfront Park, and it’s easily accessible on foot from just about anywhere in the historic district.

For the best light for your photo—and sparser crowds to interfere with shot—plan to visit early in the morning or around sunset. In summer, expect hot, humid weather with highs in the upper 80s.

No one’s sure just why the Rainbow Row houses got their signature sherbet-hued paint job. One theory posits that the houses were painted like this so drunken sailors returning from the port could easily find the right one. Another suggests the colors once indicated the type of goods sold within each house, making it easier to attract illiterate shoppers.

Rainbow Row is located on East Bay Street in Charleston, between the cross streets of Elliott Street and Tradd Street, one block west of the Public Pier in the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. House numbers 83 through 107 are the official Rainbow Row homes.

Despite being designated historic landmarks by the National Park Service, the houses on Rainbow Row are privately owned and are not open to the public. It’s common for tourists to take photographs of the homes, but please be sensitive and don’t disturb those who live there.

There are multiple attractions and landmarks near Rainbow Row, including the Deas-Tunno House, John Fabre Jr. House, and the Walled City of Charles Town. Within walking distance are the Heyward-Washington House, Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Edmondston-Alston House, and Pineapple Fountain.

Yes, Rainbow Row guided tours are available. Look for guided walking tours of historic Charleston, including architecture tours. There are also bus tours that pass by the colorful houses, but there are no hop-on hop-off bus services in the city.

Yes, Rainbow Row is part of East Bay Street, which has a wide sidewalk that wheelchair users can safely access and navigate. There are dedicated pedestrian crosswalks at the corner of East Bay Street and Tradd Street, located just south of the houses.

Rainbow Row is a row of 13 Georgian townhouses that were built in the 1700s,but fell into dilapidated disrepair by the 1900s. In 1931, these colorful houses became national historic landmarks after a local preservationist purchased and restored some of them. Today, Rainbow Row is considered a keystone in Charleston culture and history.