The Most Photographed Row Of Houses In America: Rainbow Row

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 known as Rainbow Row found on East Bay Street, Charleston, S.C.

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.

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 photos, and you can find artists' renditions of the scene in many shops in Charleston.

East Bay Street's Rainbow Row is 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!"

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.

Living quarters for the shop owners of these East Bay Street Charleston houses were located upstairs and accessed via an exterior set of steps that were located behind the building.

The actual Rainbow Row extends from 79 to 107 East Bay Street. Visitors are intrigued by the many entrances, both grand and humble.

And there are plenty of details and mystery that make you lean in for a closer look.

It's easy to dream about what may be behind the gate.

Or beyond the door. But most, if not all, of the buildings that make up Rainbow Row are private residences.

I used to live in Charleston and have visited Rainbow Row a few times. It's one of those places that's truly even prettier in person.

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!

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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Rainbow Row Charleston, S.C. & Related Info

AnneMarie | February 23, 2024

Where should I go to take photos of South Carolina?

South Carolina has long been known for its biodiversity, and as such, you can find many different types of breathtaking landscapes to photograph. A few of our top recommendations for you to check out are:

Botany Bay at Edisto Island
Waterfalls – You can take your pick from many different types of waterfalls peppering the upstate region of South Carolina.
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet
Campbells Covered Bridge in Landrum
The ACE Basin – ACE stands for Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto, and this Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

Find more incredible places to take photos capturing the enchanting beauty of South Carolina.

What are the best little-known attractions in South Carolina?

It’s nice to visit the popular spots such as Rainbow Row, but when you’d rather explore the hidden gems, consider checking these out:

McLeod Plantation in Charleston
Glencairn Garden in Rock Hill
Fish Haul Creek Park in Hilton Head

Discover more little-known attractions in South Carolina.

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107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

The Most-Photographed Row Of Houses In The Country Is Right Here On The South Carolina Coast

Robin Jarvis

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