Dock Street Theatre is an exquisite place to see theater. It has plenty of history – a previous iteration opened in 1736 on the same spot, becoming the first theater in America. The current performing-arts center is also historic; it was built in 1809 and first occupied by the Planter's Hotel.
Today it's the last (former) hotel from the antebellum period. Its Regency-style facade looks like it's straight out of New Orleans, and the wrought-iron balcony and brownstone columns channel the 1800s. There's a lovely grand staircase too.
It's now home to South Carolina's largest professional theater production company (Charleston Stage Company), and also contains the city's Cultural Affairs office and the City Gallery, which exhibits local art.
