Last summer, readers of Travel + Leisure voted Charleston the number one city in America. It was the seventh year in a row that Charleston earned top honors. With so much to love about the Holy City, visitors and locals alike are positively enchanted by a charming row of homes found on East Bay Street.
Rainbow Row is a row of 13 homes that date back to the 1700s. It’s also the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. Known and named for the colorful facades and historic architecture, it’s one of the most recognizable blocks of homes in America.
Bryan T Boyle / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
That’s because any visit to historic Charleston just wouldn’t be complete without photographing its most famous street. Social media is ablaze with Rainbow Row photographs.
Flickr/Allison Richards
It’s the perfect locale for capturing all the feels of historic Charleston, and sending them out into the world via Instagram, Facebook, and text messages that say, “Look where I am!”
Martina Birnbaum / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Rainbow Row was first constructed in the late 1700s and was among the few buildings on East Bay that were spared by a devastating fire in 1778. At that time, the ground floors of each of the present-day homes were retail shops.
Google Local/Basic Bird Travel
Living quarters for the shop owners were located upstairs and accessed via an exterior set of steps that were located behind the building.
Google Local/Maria Cody
The actual Rainbow Row extends from 79 to 107 East Bay Street. Visitors are intrigued by the many entrances, both grand and humble.
Flickr/Spencer Means
And there are plenty of details and mystery that make you lean in for a closer look.
Flickr/Spencer Means
It’s easy to dream about what may be behind the gate.
Flickr/Spencer Means
Or beyond the door. But most, if not all, of the buildings that make up Rainbow Row are private residences.
Flickr/Andrew Chipley
It’s easy to get drawn in by the charm of Rainbow Row. No wonder it’s the most photographed row of homes in America!
Bryan T Boyle / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Flickr/Allison Richards
Martina Birnbaum / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Google Local/Basic Bird Travel
Google Local/Maria Cody
Flickr/Spencer Means
Flickr/Andrew Chipley
When was the last time you visited Rainbow Row? We’d love to see your photos so feel free to share them and join the discussion.
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Address: 107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
