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3 Day Charleston, SC Itinerary | U.S. News Travel Many felt White Point Park provided a focal point for their walking tours downtown and a good place to rest or have a picnic after walking all afternoon. This plantation was established in 1851, and by 1860, it was home to 74 enslaved people housed in 23 cabins. Of the three, I believe that Magnolia Plantation is the best plantation in Charleston since there's a great petting zoo, extensive gardens, a butterfly house, and restored slave quarters in addition to a tour of the main house. Travel Guide. What Area of Charleston is Best to Stay in? One of the best ways to learn about its history (and its ghosts) and the significance of its best-known landmarks is on awalking tour. Another bedroom community of Charleston that's quite upscale. If you're planning a trip to the Holy City, you need this visitors guide to Charleston, SC! In fact, Drayton Hall was America's first and best example of the style. Archaeological artifacts and objects from the Drayton family are also on display in the on-site Gates Gallery. The Ordinary (downtown): oysters on the half shell, Red's Ice House (Mt. Sitting at the mouth of the Charleston harbor a little less than 10 miles east of the downtown area Sullivan's Island boasts beaches, tasty restaurants and unique shops. The Ultimate Charleston Travel Guide This is the insider's guide to the charming Southern city. Ask for a room away from Meeting Street. Modeled after traditional English and European gardens, the 65-acre grounds are peppered with camellias, azaleas, magnolias and myrtle throughout the year. After a 20-minute overview, visitors can explore on their own. While some areas like Park Circle are adorable and safe, other parts of North Charleston are less so. Popular tour companies include Undiscovered Charleston, Bulldog Tours, Secret Food Tours Charleston and Charleston Culinary Tours. City of Georgetown. Get a PDF packed with all of the things you need to do across Charleston, exclusive to Cosmos Mariners subscribers. Originally, the park was used as a fortification during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and several cannons from both eras remain o-site as a reminder of the city's military past. In both situations, you'd never run out of things to do.
CWV | Charleston, West Virginia - Events, Hotels & Things To Do They also complimented the knowledgeable staff members who were on hand to bring the house's history to life. ", With Great Eateries, Watersports, Rentals, & County Park, IOP is Charleston's Preferred Beachside Community, West Ashley Pizzeria Owner Bringing Authentic NY Style Pizza To The Lowcountry. Charleston is a capital city with small town charm. Oyster season begins in early October; and historic house tours return after a long, hot summer. Some would say Charleston tastes as good as it looks. Cruise insurance can protect your investment in the event of cancellations, delays, lost luggage and more. Mount Pleasant: Crossing the Ravenel Bridge leads you to Mount Pleasant. It houses the U.S.S. The homes are also easy to spot by car, if you'd prefer to drive by for a quick peek. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Course, a five-star hotel with unbeatable ocean views, is pure luxury and relaxationa must-stay for special occasions and celebrations. It has been a shopping hub since the 1800s and is one of the country's oldest city markets. I've broken down some of my favorite Charleston restaurants into a few different categories, and then suggested favorite dishes at each. Explore Charleston's Historic Hidden Gardens. The outside space is great for a picnic on a sunny day. Take in the Charleston skyline from the water by booking a sunset sail around the harbor.
2023 Vacation Guide | South Carolina Tourism Official Site Recent travelers agreed that the Wildlife Center and nature center make this a great place to bring the kids. Babies 0-2 are free. Visit Website. This email address is being protected from spambots. The French Quarter is a classic stop for Charleston first-timers; Charleston City Market, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and the South Carolina Historical Society are all in the area. This beautiful hotel has been here since the 1920s and underwent a renovation a few years ago to keep it fresh. Published annually, the official Charleston Visitors Guide is full of gorgeous photography, insider tips, maps, and resources to help you plan your Charleston vacation. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. A popular county park offers showers, picnic tables, and volleyball nets for a fee, but be prepared to wait for a spot on summer weekends. The smaller of the two barrier islands on the Mount Pleasant side. A favorite happy hour meeting spot for both locals and visitors alike. This attractionsguide was updatedby Lauren Mowery, a Charleston resident and travel expert, in collaborationwithU.S. News & World Report editors. It's estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet andis between 300 and 400 years old. Reservations and outdoor dining options? If most of your excursions and explorations are downtown, bring walking shoes or keep an eye out for pedicabsan enjoyable way to get back to your hotel after dinner or a round of drinks. The Ryder Inn used to be the Best Western King Charles Inn, but recently underwent a major renovation and name change. It's a sprawling place connected by two major highways (I-26 and I-526). Since the downtown area is home to some of the best hotels, top restaurants and top attractions, it's constantly bustling with tourists and patrolled by local police. This clutch of Georgian-style row houses overlooking Charleston Harbor was formerly the heart and soul of the city's merchant and maritime activity. Yes, please! Start just above Marion Square and work your way towards Lower King, where you'll pass all sorts of shops: J. After watching the orientation video, guests can opt for a 45-minute audio tour at no additional cost that helps explain the role enslaved people played on the plantation. Find fun things to do, best places to visit, unusual things to do, and more for couples, adults, and kids. If you're willing to drive further away from downtown, Hampton Plantationin McClellanville is never crowded. Low Season: December (excluding the holidays) to February. But this beachfront town proves that good things come in small packages. Heyward, a Revolutionary War officer and South Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776, is best known for contributing his signature to the Declaration of Independence. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning it must pass a rigorous animal welfare check annually. Namely, the citys access to sand and salt water. PROS: the most centrally located of all hotels on the peninsula; shopping on the first floor of the hotel; multiple hotel restaurants to choose from, CONS: bordered by 2 major busy streets (King and Meeting); lots of non-hotel foot traffic throughout the day as visitors explore the hotel. In the 1930s, Dorothy and her husband, Judge Lionel Legge, bought a section of the houses and painted them pastel pink to attract people back to the area. With its wide front porch and classical architecture, Hampton Plantation looks more like a stereotypical antebellum plantation than Magnolia Plantation does. Choose from a menu of Charleston's best historic inns, beachside resorts, hotels, beach rentals and more. She started Cosmos Mariners in 2014 as a way to bridge the gap between her love of travel and her career as an English professor, and she hopes that the sites content will help you to truly travel smarter! If you'd like to see more of the Charleston area, I highly recommend renting a car or taking a cab out to one of the beaches. In this post, I'll cover everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Charleston, including my favorite time to visit, the rundown on all the top tourist attractions, and my personal picks for some of the best restaurants. <<.
To add value to your time here, some recommend walking by at sunset to enjoy views along the water after or stopping for a drink in one of Charleston's oldest bars: the Tavern at Rainbow Row which dates to 1686. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. <<. A mix of beach gear, walking-appropriate clothing and shoes, and a few elevated pieces should make it in your suitcase before heading to Charleston. It is home to one of the city's most photographed sites: the pineapple fountain. They said American history buffs will love seeing the warships, submarines and aircraft, and many highly recommended taking the captain's tour aboard the USS Yorktown for a more in-depth experience. Folly Beach's friendly atmosphere attracts a variety of travelers: most of the families stick to the shore, while adults traveling sans kids tend to congregate in the many bars nearby.
Charleston, SC, Travel Guide & Tips | Cond Nast Traveler You can't get on either island without a pass, but Kiawah's Beachwalker Park is open to the public. Originally built in the early 1800s and then expanded by Gov. >> BOOK THE HOLIDAY INN CHARLESTON HERE <<. Though the ferry ride is not the main attraction, most enjoyed it, calling it relaxing and a great way to see some of the area's dolphins. Reviewers appreciated that the tour guides didn't shy away from the grim realities of slavery nor try to cover up the difficult details; they also said the guides were open to answering their questions. Originally built in 1863 for the Confederate Army, the H.L.
27 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC | U.S. News Travel Past visitors said the stories they heard on the audio tour, as well as the information from the knowledgeable staff members, helped paint a picture of the day-to-day realities enslaved workers faced on the plantation. Call it touristy, but taking in Charleston's history from a horse carriage is one of the most popular tours in the area. Whether you're a longtime resident or returning visitor, we're here to show you the best places to eat, places to stay, and the best things to do while you're in town.
There's a lot of military history in the Charleston area as well. Mostly a bedroom community of Charleston, James Island is a fun and funky spot on the way out to Folly Beach. While the Slave Mart Museum provides a detailed look at this horrific chapter in Charleston, the City Market sells souvenirs, t-shirts, pictures, and sweetgrass basket. The Hunley Museum is dedicated to the restoration of the first submarine shot down in the Civil War. Along the way, you'll likely see some of Charleston's top landmarks, including The Battery, Waterfront Park, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge andFort Sumter. You can unsubscribe at any time. PROS: Less expensive than downtown hotels; outdoor pools; ample parking, CONS: Have to rent a car; have to then fight downtown Charleston parking while sightseeing. Visitors come to enjoy camellia and azalea season in early spring and wildlife throughout the year. As you explore this picturesque neighborhood, save time for a break beneath the old live oaks in nearby White Point Garden where several Civil War relics and memorials commemorate the city's role in the battle. The former bank building, which sits smack dab in the middle of King Street, can only be described as buzzing, with guests excitedly devouring local peel-and-eat shrimp, raw oysters, and other concoctions born from the sheer genius of The Ordinarys chefs. To get a better view of the Charleston harbor (and maybe even spot some dolphins), consider signing up for a boat tour. NOTE: I'm allergic to shellfish, but all recommendations for seafood have come from family and friends who have vetted them for me! We showcase the best hotels, restaurants, attractions, local businesses, and events to help Charlestons visitors make better buying decisions. The Cottages on Charleston Harbor. There is no better way to sightsee in the historic and captivating Holy City than on Adventure Sightseeing's Charleston bus tours. Visit Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
The 21 Best Things to Do in Charleston - Cond Nast Traveler The City Site, LLC334 East Bay Street #201 Charleston, South Carolina 29401.
Best Things to Do in Charleston SC | Charleston.com If several days in Charleston proper have you longing for a do-nothing day at the beach, Isle of Palms might be just the ticket. Today, these homes mostly serve as an ideal Instagram opportunity for Charleston vacationers. The best part? Visiting Fort Sumter circa 1994. Social media listings are your best tool for finding local oyster roasts, but you'll need to purchase tickets in advance for the Preservation Society of Charleston's Fall Tours. Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is said to be the country's first museum, and with a focus on the South Carolina Lowcountry, it's a perfect place to learn about the area. Recently, the property added helicopter tours to the attractions. All of these are local restaurants, so you'll be supporting small business owners in this area. My favorite has to be Planters Inn, which is located at the heart of the historic district for maximum walkability. Bachelor/bachelorette parties on King Street, cultural based family travel, a family beach reunion, or a couple's romantic getaway are all equally possible here! They can be found alongside books from Charleston authors and other unique items that make memorable gifts for loved ones or tokens for yourself. A stop at the fountain at Waterfront Park is another great break between historical tours. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the artifacts on display from the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Crew, Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Louis Vuitton, Anthropologie, and Gucci are just the start! Access Your Favorites from any Device and Get Suggestions for Upcoming Events. However, if youre planning a longer trip with excursions to the beaches, plantations, and more, you could stay in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, or North Charleston to be more centrally located to your chosen destinations. While the Southern port city is known for centuries-old cobblestones and horse-drawn carriages, its dynamism and forward momentum are apparent across all facets of the city from its top-tier culinary feats to its ever-evolving roster of shops, museums, and must-see attractions. For added security, consider a basic and affordable travel insurance policy. The kitchen and carriage shed are relics from the Milner family who developed the lot before Heyward purchased it in 1770. Considerably larger than Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, this 738-acre property is best known for its Avenue of the Oaks: a lengthy corridor of 1700s-era live oak trees that form a picturesque canopy over the path leading up to the historic mansion. With shorter, warmer winters, however, flowers peak earlier in spring. Most locals prefer Sullivan's Island, with its access to a variety of restaurants and bars just a few blocks back from the beachfront, while the neighboring Isle of Palms is ideal for families). Breathable fabrics, like linen and cotton, help make the heat and humidity a bit more tolerable. Family-owned jewelry store Croghan's appears on just about every Charleston list you'll read, and for good reason. Yes, they sound alike, but they are very different places. The bridge has an awesome biking and walking path, and you can access it from downtown or Mount Pleasant. There's a feeling of "shabby chic" as these beach cottages grow larger each year: even the shabbiest are worth upwards of $1 million. However, it's still a busy city and visitors should use common sense when exploring . Many of the rich planters also had fashionable "city" homes in downtown Charleston, so you can get the full story by visiting both the plantations and the houses in historic Charleston SC. This food tour is unique, creative, and perfectly local!
White Point Garden, Charleston - Book Tickets & Tours - GetYourGuide The cabins have been preserved, and each illustrates a significant period in history. Lower King, East Bay, and Meeting Streets are all safe no matter the time of day, so strap on those walking shoes, grab your guidebook, and head out the door! Designer names run rampant at Hampden Clothing, a luxury store flanked by its sister shops, James and Small, on King Street. For Caribbean vibes, try The Longboard; for local seafood, catch Sullivan's Fish Camp; and for wine slushies and kid-friendly bites, stop by Co-Op Fros and Eatery. These Gullah artisanshave been weaving baskets for centuries this craft originated in West Africa and has been passed down through the generations using local materials, such as sweetgrass and palmetto leaves. Other notable artifacts and exhibits at this Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, museum include two historic ships, a Medal of Honor Museum, 28 aircraft and a 2.5-acre "Vietnam Experience," which recreates a Navy base complete with a mess hall, a fire control bunker and a river patrol boat to simulate what it was like for soldiers during the Vietnam War. Join us as we celebrate the arts, embrace great food and enjoy our heritage of outdoor recreation. There's a large shopping center, Towne Center, for last minute souvenir shopping, and Mount Pleasant offers bridge access to both Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms. Charleston, South Carolina, abounds with museums, restaurants, beaches and boating excursions. According to many, the Aiken-Rhett House Museum is a unique and educational place to learn about life in Charleston during the 19th century. <<. You will find exciting and educational amusements, museums, great dining, luxurious accommodations, golf, and outdoor recreation second to none. Charleston, South Carolina, fondly known as "The Holy City," boasts a rich and diverse culinary scene. ), and get ready to feel like a local with these Charleston travel tips. If you're willing to drive over the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant or the Ashley River Bridge to West Ashley, you can get some great deals on hotels. 80 Broad Street. If you're feeling brave, attempt to surf in The Washout. Shoulder Season: June to August . Keep in mind that the South Carolina Aquarium does not house any dolphins, whales or manatees in accordance with the Marine Resources Act of 2000, which bans facilities from placing marine mammals on display in South and North Carolina. Observe the gators, herons and turtles in the Audubon Swamp Garden, look for local birds at the waterfowl refuge, don your helmet and bike one of the several trails, or stroll the Ashley river path shaded by graceful live oak trees. The City Site, LLC. There are plenty of activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating on the many waterways that surround the city. Charleston attracts international and domestic tourists all year round, but youll find different weather, events, and downtown decor depending on the month you choose to visit. In West Ashley, the Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview is an iconic round hotel overlooking the Charleston Marina. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and arts, indulge in mouth-watering Southern cuisine, explore the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path spots, and unwind in the breathtaking beaches and waterways.
16th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition - Charleston Area CVB Grab a burger at Poe's Tavern (YUM) and people watch on Middle Street, then head to the Fort Moultrie National Historic Site. The Post House Inn is the definition of a bright, photogenic escapeand its only a block away from the waterfront. From the Battery and Rainbow Row to Queen Street, Charleston is best enjoyed on foot. Founded in 1670, Charleston's rich history has left it with a vibrant culture, a welcoming attitude, and countless crazy stories. Event Details. We've been members of the museum for years, and it has remained one of my children's favorite places to visit since they've been little. There are plenty of locally made products for sale at the market, which you can distinguish by a "Certified Authentic: Handmade in Charleston" tile displayed on vendor stations. (The tour guides LOVE to get this wrong!). Fans of Charleston's 19th historical homes will enjoy visiting the Edmonston-Alston House. Many visitors say the beach is ideal for families. >> Grab your tickets to Magnolia Plantation here. Today, White Point Garden attracts both locals and tourists to its historic monuments and markers, shaded benches and its gazebo, which hosts weddings and other events. If you're having trouble deciding between Charleston's two closest shorelines (don't forget about Folly Beach), your fellow beach bums might help you decide: Isle of Palms is known to attract more families than Folly Beach. The park entrances visitors with its beautiful water views, graceful live oak trees, and historic monuments. It has beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasure, with a rich heritage. Read More: 28 Best Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina. Johns Island: The largest island in South Carolina, Johns Island is flanked by James Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Many recent travelers say a trip to the quaint South Carolina city would be incomplete without a visit to Rainbow Row, but others felt underwhelmed by a visit and wondered what all the hype was about. Guided tours aren't available at Fort Sumter, but you can listen to a 10-minute, ranger-led history discussion before heading out on your own self-guided tour; rangers and volunteers are available to answer any questions you may have. Today, Middleton Place houses an impressive collection of historic furniture and portraits (all originally owned by the Middleton family), plus a stable with heritage-bred animals. The park was also used as a public garden during the 19th century and was the site of many social events and gatherings. Plus, the tour is included in the cost of a general admission ticket. You can leave your wallet at home; it's free for all guests. Read More: The 15 Best Hotels in Charleston. Its rooftop restaurant and bar, Citrus Club, offers unparalleled views of Charleston and equally-as-photogenic tropical drinks. Integral to the story of the home and the fortunes of the Alstons is the story of the enslaved people who lived and labored in the home. Restaurants pull their tables outside on the sidewalk, and there are food trucks and buskers. After touring, you can wander along the walking trails that follow the Ashley River and the marsh, or pay your respects at the on-site African American Cemetery. Charleston, South Carolina 29401-0304. Strolling through Charleston's charming downtown is one of the best free activities. Traditionally celebrated for comfort foods like shrimp and grits or fried green tomatoes, Charleston is evolving with the global shift toward healthier dining. Where to the Locals Eat in Charleston SC? If you want to go to the beaches or the plantations, you need a car anyway. Many travelers say you can't leave Charleston without strolling this historic seawall along the city's southern tip, which they call both beautiful and what makes Charleston special. Street Fair: On the second Sunday of each month from 1 to 5 pm, get to King Street. Fort Sumter National Monument is perched on a small island in Charleston Harbor several miles southwest of the city.
Charleston - South Carolina Tourism The 15 Best Charleston Tours - U.S. News Travel Hampton Plantation was also the home of South Carolinas first Poet Laureate, Archibald Rutledge. d = document; Founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Charleston's annual Spoleto Festival USA showcases music, theater, dance and opera performances. Charleston restaurateur and entrepreneur Brooks Reitz is the mastermind behind Leon's (as well as Little Jack's Tavern, Monza Pizza Bar, Melfi's, and Jack Rudy Cocktail Company).
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