Heyward-Washington House, Charleston (must see)

This early Charleston “dwelling house” goes by two names—because, apparently, one wasn’t enough. The first part of it comes from Daniel Heyward, a wealthy rice planter, who built it in 1772. The other comes from a rather overqualified houseguest: President George Washington. Heyward’s son, Thomas Heyward Jr.—yes, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence—lived here until 1794, which already gives the place a strong historical résumé.

Now, picture this: it’s 1791, and Washington is on his grand tour of the brand-new United States, doing a sort of presidential road trip before road trips were a thing. Charleston wants to impress, so the city rents Heyward’s house for him—politely relocating Heyward himself to the countryside. Washington, ever the gentleman reviewer, noted in his diary that the lodgings were “very good,” essentially giving it an 18th-century five-star rating.

Today, the house leans fully into its past, filled with period antiques that look like they’ve never heard of modern furniture. One standout is the 1770 Chippendale-style Holmes bookcase—praised as one of the finest pieces of American-made furniture. It even carries scars from a British mortar strike, which is about as close as furniture gets to having a war story.

What also sets this place apart is what’s still standing outside. It’s the only 18th-century house museum in Charleston with its original outbuildings intact—think carriage shed and a kitchen building dating back to the 1740s. Inside the garden, you’ll find a neat arrangement of plants typical of the Lowcountry in the late 1700s—less decorative flourish, more practical elegance.

And if you’re planning to explore more of Charleston’s historic homes, here’s a useful move: the Charleston Heritage Passport. It bundles access to several houses, museums, and plantations into one tidy ticket, available at the Visitors Center on John Street.