African American History Sites Near the Old Slave Mart Museum: A Charleston Itinerary

Charleston’s historic district makes it easy to spend a day learning African American history on foot. Several of the city’s most important sites are within walking distance of the Old Slave Mart Museum, and together they tell a fuller story than any one of them can alone. This itinerary suggests an order, explains what each stop offers, and includes planning tips. Hours, ticketing, and admission change, so confirm details with each site before you go.

Stop 1: Old Slave Mart Museum

Where: 6 Chalmers Street. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Sundays.

Begin here. The museum occupies the last surviving building of Ryan’s Mart, where enslaved people were sold in the years before the Civil War, and it provides the historical foundation for the rest of the day. Plan on at least an hour. Our visitor guide covers admission, what to expect, and tips.

Stop 2: The Old Exchange and the waterfront

Where: 122 East Bay Street.

The Old Exchange building stands at the center of the waterfront area where enslaved people were sold publicly until the city banned public auctions in 1856. After that, sales moved indoors to marts like Ryan’s Mart. Walking from Chalmers Street to the Old Exchange follows, in a sense, the path of that change. The Old Exchange operates as a museum with its own tours; check its website for current hours and admission. To understand the larger context, read Charleston and the slave trade: why the port mattered.

Stop 3: Charleston City Market

Where: Market Street, in the historic district.

The City Market is a good place for a lunch break and a chance to see the sweetgrass baskets and crafts sold there. It is also a place with a history that is often misunderstood, because it is sometimes wrongly called a slave market. We explain the difference in Old Slave Mart Museum vs. Charleston City Market, and you can read more on our City Market page.

Stop 4: International African American Museum

Where: 14 Wharfside Street, on the site of Gadsden’s Wharf. Hours at the time of writing: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.; closed Monday; last entry at 4:00 p.m.

The International African American Museum stands at Gadsden’s Wharf, where ships carrying enslaved Africans docked in the final years of the Atlantic trade to Charleston. The museum tells the story of African American history from the Atlantic crossing through the present, with attention to the Lowcountry and its Gullah Geechee communities. Timed-entry tickets are required and the museum recommends buying them online in advance, so book before your trip. The museum is roughly a mile from the Old Slave Mart; you can walk if the weather is good or take a short ride. Give it generous time, since it is a full museum and not a quick stop.

Optional: Avery Research Center

The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, part of the College of Charleston, preserves and interprets the history and culture of African Americans in Charleston and the Lowcountry through archives, exhibitions, and public programs. Visiting hours and events vary, so check the Avery Research Center website before you plan a stop there.

A suggested day

9:00 a.m.: Old Slave Mart Museum, about an hour.
10:30 a.m.: Walk to the Old Exchange and waterfront.
Noon: Lunch at or near the City Market.
2:00 p.m.: International African American Museum with a timed ticket reserved in advance.
Late afternoon: Time to rest, reflect, or visit the Avery Research Center if it is open.

Tips for planning

Reserve first. Because the International African American Museum uses timed tickets, book it first and build the rest of the day around it.
Beat the heat. Charleston summers are hot and humid. Start early, carry water, and use the museums as air-conditioned breaks.
Wear comfortable shoes. Many historic streets are cobblestone.
Leave room for reflection. These sites deal with difficult history. Do not pack the day so tightly that there is no time to absorb it.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best African American history sites in Charleston?

The Old Slave Mart Museum and the International African American Museum are the two most visited, and they complement each other well: one focuses on the trade and the building where sales took place, the other on the arrival of enslaved Africans and the history that followed. The Old Exchange, the Avery Research Center, and the City Market add further layers.

Can I do all of this in one day?

Yes, with planning. The itinerary above fits a full day, but many visitors prefer to split the sites across two days so that each gets its due.

How far is the International African American Museum from the Old Slave Mart?

Roughly a mile. It is walkable, or a short drive or ride away.

Sources and further reading

oldslavemartmuseum.com is an independent informational guide and is not operated by the City of Charleston or by any of the sites listed above.