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TOP 10 REASONS

Why travel to Charleston: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit

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A SNEAK PEAK

A Sneak Peek into Charleston

The most popular southern holiday destination, Charleston, will transport you back in time with its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages.
This beautiful city, known as the cultural capital of the South, is full of museums, delicious food, historic districts, and a romantic atmosphere.
South Carolina's low country has the most scenic and enticing places to stay for a while.
Aside from award-winning gold courses and PGA affiliations, Charleston is a historic town on the beach with many attractions that, in our opinion, make a visit worthwhile.
The beach offers plenty of open space for the entire family to run around and swim.
Alternatively, rent a kayak and paddle through the barrier islands' wetlands and reed beds, spotting birds along the way.
Try the birds of prey centre if that doesn't work, where over 100 birds from 40+ species are part of a massive conservation project.
The USS Yorktown, a massive naval ship, is open to visitors; alternatively, try "museum mile," which has many opportunities to learn about the area's history.
One of the museums is outside and recreates the history of the settlers, complete with native wildlife and working cannons!
The aquarium offers a variety of "animal encounters" that are scheduled daily.
Take a horse-drawn carriage, explore the town to see historic buildings, or take the tram.
Every year, Charleston's restaurant week takes place from the 10th to the 20th of January, with over 140 of the city's restaurants participating.
To have a fantastic experience with the best of this city, check off some of the highlights listed in our top 10 reasons to visit Charleston.
Capital: Charleston
International Airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Population: 421,774
Currency: US Dollar
Time: Charleston, SC, USA (GMT-5)
Driving side: Right
Main Electricity: 277V
Official Language: Gullah
Religion: Roman Catholic congregations

HIGHLIGHTS

Top Tourist Attractions in Charleston

This is more rhythmically inclined; Charleston or Charleston SC refer to it as South Carolina's oldest and largest city.
It was founded in 1760 and thrived as a port city for much of its history.
It is now a city with a rich colonial and post-revolutionary history.
It is known for its well-preserved buildings, historic architecture and is especially welcoming to tourists.
Several magazines and journals have named it "America's Most Friendly City".
Aside from being a treasure trove of American history, it also serves as a venue for numerous festivals, cultural events, and sporting events.
Its southern food legacy is unrivalled, and the city also has a strong reputation for high-end cuisine.
Any visitor planning a trip to Charleston, should create a basic itinerary of spending three or more days here.
The Charleston itinerary we've outlined below encompasses the best of many worlds within the city.
We've included essential historical and cultural must-sees, but we've also included elements of fun and unusual for your Charleston holiday.
Here's what you should do if planning a trip to Charleston.

SEASONS TO TRAVEL

Best Months to Visit Charleston

In the middle of the year, Charleston can get quite hot.
The most critical factor to consider is the humidity, which can approach 100% on some days, especially during the summer.
If you're looking for milder temperatures, the best time to visit Charleston is between March and May and between September and November.
Early in the year is a popular time, especially around Easter.
Another reason for Spring is South Carolina's legendary flora.
Many visitors will praise the beauty of the gardens and flowers in bloom at this time of year.
All of this may mean that lodging is more in demand and slightly more expensive, but the alternative is to visit during the rainy months of June and August.
The hottest months, so Charleston might be the place for you if you're looking for a warm summer rain feel on your holiday.
However, keep in mind that high humidity is a significant comfort factor in the Carolinas.
This month-by-month breakdown of average conditions in Charleston throughout the year will give you a good idea of what to expect when visiting Charleston.

WORTH A VISIT

The Best Places to Visit in Charleston

Old City Market

The most fantastic thing to do in Charleston is to walk through the old market building, a prominent landmark in the historic district.
It's a lively and colourful place that's great for souvenir shopping and just the local atmosphere.
The most popular Charleston souvenirs are the stunning sweetgrass baskets sold by vendors who sell locally made handicrafts and traditional food products such as stone-ground grits.
Gullah artisans weave these intricate works of art from native Lowcountry rushes in open-air "sheds" alongside the market hall, creating treasures among the country's oldest and most highly prized traditional crafts as tourists watch fascinated.
Thanks to the techniques and patterns that originated in West Africa, these baskets have become the quintessential Charleston souvenir.

Fort Sumter National Monument

The American Civil War began when the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
At the end of the war, precisely four years after the attack, raised the American flag over the ruins of Fort Sumpter.
The battered fort's ruins are well preserved, and National Park Rangers tell the story of Fort Sumter and how it shaped history.
Travellers must take a boat to the island, either from the Visitor Education Center downtown at Liberty Square or from Patriots Point, which provides a great view of the city from the water.

USS Yorktown and Patriots Point

Charleston Harbor from the Historic District, Patriots Point is where you can board the USS Yorktown.
This massive ship was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy, earning the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for service in WWII and five battle stars for service in Vietnam.
Chose The USS Yorktown to recover the Apollo 8 astronauts, and it made its film debut in the 1944 documentary The Fighting Lady.
In 1975, the USS Yorktown was decommissioned and moved to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.
Tour aircraft, submarines, and other maritime exhibits at Patriots Point.

The Ravenel Bridge

It connected downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant and became a well-known landmark almost immediately after its completion in 2005.
Its cable-stay design is more than just a pretty bridge: it is built to withstand winds of more than 300 miles, a 7.4-scale earthquake, and even ship collisions.
The bridge features a shared bicycle-pedestrian route known as Wonders' Way that runs alongside the several traffic lanes, and walking or biking across it is a popular pastime due to the spectacular views of Charleston.

The Charleston Museum

Known as "America's First Museum," it was founded in 1773 by the Charleston Library Society.
Its extensive collections are organised in numerous permanent displays, beginning with Native Americans and early settlers in the Lowcountry History Hall, where rare slave emblems and early rice-growing implements can be seen.
Exhibit areas depict early weaponry, Revolutionary War life, and Charleston's role in the Civil War.
The Early Days gallery showcases the eccentric collections of 19th-century world travellers, including an Egyptian mummy and case and Greek and Roman antiquities.
Charleston's Loeblein Gallery, The Silver Gallery, displays southern-made silver from the 18th century to the Victorian era (including George Washington's christening cup).
The Historic Textiles Gallery displays changing examples from the museum's outstanding historical needlework, costumes, and textiles collection.
In hands-on exhibits, Kid storey brings Charleston and the Lowcountry's history to life.

Old Slave Mart Museum

The museum is on the smaller side, yet it packs a powerful emotional punch and offers a grim perspective on history.
It is situated in the same structure used to auction off enslaved people at the start of the Civil War and is close to the French Huguenot Church in the French Quarter.
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, where costumed guides tell the story of pirates and patriots imprisoned here in the past.
The self-guided tour includes historical signage, personal accounts of enslaved people, artefacts, and audio and visual exhibits.

St. John the Baptist and Historic Churches

Charleston is dotted with remarkable historical churches, each telling its own story.
This beautiful brownstone Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, a neo-Gothic architecture built to replace the previous cathedral destroyed in the devastating 1861 fire that destroyed much of the city, is one of the city's most interesting.
The pews are made of Flemish oak, and the original altars are made of white marble. It also has notable stained glass windows.
Other notable churches in Charleston include the Romanesque-style Circular Congregational Church, which has colonial burial grounds dating back to 1695, and the French Huguenot Church, which houses the United States' oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1751 and is famous for its four Tiffany Company of New York stained glass windows and the cedar pew where George Washington sat 1791.

DISCOVER MORE

Charleston Off the Beaten Track

Johns Island

Grimball Gates, a premier South Carolina enclave on Johns Island, is conveniently located near Charleston, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Islands.
Grimball Gates is the ultimate "easy living" neighbourhood.
On the Intracoastal Waterway, about 12 miles south of the Charleston peninsula, this deep water, gated community is located.
It has a communal dock for fishing, crabbing, kayaking, boating, personal boat storage, a 90-acre nature park with miles of walking trails and a community dock for fishing and crabbing kayaking, boating, and private boat storage.
The neighbourhood features stately Lowcountry homes with views of ponds, marshes, rivers, and community amenities.
What about the neighbours? Everyone is a friendly, dog-loving, golf cart-driving, relaxed bunch, from retirees to large and small families.

James Island

While there are several neighbourhoods on James Island to choose from, Stiles Point is my personal favourite.
Stiles Point is a neighbourhood of over 200 homes on over 200 acres, many of which have marsh and harbour views.
The area was named after Benjamin Stiles, the founder of the cotton plantation that was built nearby around 1741.
The Stiles-Hinson House, the original plantation house, is located at the end of Old Plantation Drive.
Stiles Point Plantation is one of Charleston's most desirable neighbourhoods due to its blend of antebellum architectural style with state-of-the-art upgrades, wrap-around porches, in-ground pools, and its proximity to some of the best schools in the city.
These three, four, and five-bedroom single-family homes range from $480,000 to $1.5 million.
A private 5-acre recreation area with children's playground equipment, ball fields, picnic tables, and a tennis court is among the neighbourhood amenities.
This attractive neighbourhood is only a few minutes' drives from downtown Charleston and Folly Beach and has shopping, restaurants, golf courses, public parks, and boat landings.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, directly across the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston, is close to the city, the famous beaches of Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms, and a variety of historic and new developments.
Its award-winning public schools and active recreation program make it an attractive place to raise a family.
Creekside Park, one of Mount Pleasant's hidden gems, offers the feel of a country club living in a pristine waterfront location just minutes from downtown Charleston.
When the US Highway 17 Bypass was built along Shem Creek in the late 1960s, this tranquil area of expansive lots, beautiful four and five-bedroom homes, and mature trees were initially constructed.
It features a tennis club, an extensive shaded park-like setting, and a community dock.
Several Creekside homes have private docks on scenic Shem Creek, and the entire neighbourhood exudes comfort and privacy while being centrally located near Mount Pleasant dining, shopping, and recreational opportunities.

Summerville

Summerville is South Carolina's seventh-largest community, with a population of 48,848 people and 20 constituent neighbourhoods.
Summerville is most known for its superb high school football teams, but it is also the most desired location in South Carolina because of its reputation for having one of the best school districts.
Summerville's convenient location along I-26 also provides a quick commute with proximity to Boeing, Volvo, Google, and many area hospitals.
Downtown
The Charleston peninsula, located between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, has one of the world's most charming and eclectic lifestyles!
Church steeples, cobblestone streets, and hidden alleyways combine to create a European feel with the history of an old American city.
The peninsula, easily walkable and bikeable in size, is home to a diverse population, ranging from "blue-blood" Charlestonians to tattooed college students and everyone in between.
The South of Broad neighbourhood is home to the nation's first historic zoning ordinance and is rich in architectural details such as fine gardens, iron-fenced courtyards, and well-kept window boxes.
From opulent mansions to charming carriage houses, there's something for everyone.
What about the neighbours? There's a mix of locals from different generations and professionals, the wealthy and the well-travelled.

CULTURE & TRADITIONS

Charleston Culture and Traditions

Wanting to soak up the sun on a family-friendly beach or learn more about the history of this Southern treasure, a trip to Charleston is one you won't soon forget.
Take a stroll along Charleston Harbor on the Battery and in White Point Gardens, pay a visit to the Holy City's famed St. Philips churchyard, or explore Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site for a taste of the Lowcountry.
In the historic French Quarter, take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city and sip a cocktail from a rooftop surrounded by stunning architecture.
One of Charleston's most popular attractions, the City Market, can be found on the streets below.
It serves as a hub for shopping, sampling, and socialising.
Charleston is a cultural hotspot, with everything from one-of-a-kind culinary creations to fine art and sophisticated performances available to visitors.
Can find Galleries throughout the historic district for art lovers.
And, if you're in town in late spring, don't miss the Spoleto USA festival, one of Charleston's most prominent art events all year, featuring opera, theatre, dance, and jazz performances throughout the city.
Foodies can savour authentic Southern fare at many award-winning restaurants throughout the city, including Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ and Husk.
At outstanding restaurants such as FIG and Charleston Grill, you can sample the best of the city's cuisine.
Take a holiday to one of the South's most iconic cities, and you'll quickly understand why Charleston is on so many people's bucket lists.

FOOD FUN FASHION

Charleston: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide

Food

#Food

Food and history are inextricably linked in Charleston.
Its distinct culinary style was developed in part by looking back in time and embracing ingredients and meals that have been found in South Carolina's Lowcountry for generations.
Forward-thinking chefs have drawn inspiration from worldwide, combining traditional local fish and cuisine with global techniques and flourishes.
Signature Charleston delicacies like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup were formerly hardly recognised outside of the Lowcountry.
They've now gone well beyond the city, becoming part of the "New Southern" cuisine that can find in restaurants from Louisville to Tampa.
Nonetheless, Charleston's cuisine is unique to the city.
One may trace the lengthy, rich history of one of America's oldest and most lively cities through its hallmark meals.

Fashion

#Fashion

The number of local clothing, book, antique, and food goods stores are diverse.
Our recommendations favour locally-owned businesses such as Blue Bicycle Books, the Vault/Haute Hanger, and Las Olas–all thriving thanks to community support for small businesses and their unique product selection.
Don't worry about your budget; Charleston has a diverse range of shops, from high-end designer stores like Gucci and Louis Vuitton at The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place to antique housewares and vintage furniture at Page's Thieves Market.
There's also plenty of shopping for the little ones in your life, with modern and vintage games and toys on display at Upper King Street's whimsical Magnifilous Toy Emporium.
If you're looking for outlet malls and shopping centres, they're just a short drive away in North Charleston and over the Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant.
The Charleston City Market and Charleston Farmers Market are within easy walking distance of anywhere downtown, making open market shopping centres essential for the Charleston community.

Fun

#Fun

The Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, organised by the Historic Charleston Foundation, includes tours and educational programs geared specifically toward architectural and gardening enthusiasts.
A supernatural ghost tour will give you goosebumps[.Charleston is bright, artsy, and colourful on the surface.
Join a knowledgeable skipper for a trip out to the open ocean, where you'll try your hand at fishing!
While many chartered fishing tours focus on local Lowcountry areas such as Kiawah Island or Folly Beach, the highly experienced captains follow the fish.
Explore the vibrant city streets on an old-fashioned horse-drawn cart to take a step back in time and rest those tired feet.
Carriage rides are available all day, from dawn to dusk, covering approximately 30 blocks of Charleston's most colourful, historical, and tourist-friendly streets.
Take a haunted horse-drawn tour, where the guide will gladly share all of the city's spine-tingling stories.

NATURE & SAFARI

Charleston: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures

Middleton Place is distinguished by America's oldest landscaped gardens and its fully furnished plantation house.
The 12-acre Waterfront Park stretches along over 1,000 feet of waterfront and attracts both tourists and locals who come to relax and take in the views of Charleston Harbor.
The year-round beauty of Magnolia Plantation's extensive gardens will captivate more than just garden enthusiasts.
Boone Hall Plantation the 1681 Boone Hall, one of America's oldest working plantations, is best known for its moss-draped, three-quarter-mile Avenue of Oaks and preserving original slave cabins.
South Carolina Aquarium is one of the most popular things to do in Charleston for families.
Birds, land mammals, plants, and reptiles join the sea creatures in this family-friendly Charleston attraction.

EVENTS & FIESTAS

Charleston Must-Attend Festivals and Events

Spoleto Festival in the USA, the preeminent event that has become a verb, returns in the spring.
Gian Carlo Menotti (and others) founded the event in 1977 as a companion to the Festival of the Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.
It brings internationally renowned and emerging artists and performers to town from Memorial Day weekend through the first whole week of June.
The repertoire includes opera and theatre and dance, chamber, symphonic, and jazz music.
Piccolo Spoleto offers a full schedule of low- to no-cost activities centred on regional artists for the budget-conscious or those looking for family-friendly entertainment.
The second of Charleston's arts festivals descends on the city just as the heat begins to fade.
MOJA, which means "one" in Swahili, is an African and Caribbean arts festival held from the last weekend in September to the first whole week in October.
It features dance, theatre, literary and visual arts, and music performances.
The 5-day Charleston International Film Festival, now in its fifth year, features over 80 new shorts, documentaries, and animation films from some of today's best national and international filmmakers.
The stories elicit a vast range of emotions and transport audiences from the past to the present and future.
Films are shown at the College of Charleston's historic Sottile Theater and Cinebarre, an independent theatre in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Every night, after-parties are held at Charleston's best venues, including the Music Farm.
America's premier women's tennis event over nine days in late March/early April.
The tournament, the longest-running sponsored professional tennis tournament in the United States, brings the circuit's top players to Daniel Island, just 20 minutes outside of Charleston, including Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Martina Hingis, and the Williams sisters.
Aside from singles and doubles matches, spectators can enjoy demonstrations of the latest tennis equipment, personalised video analysis of one's game, and even children's courts for the next generation of tennis stars.
Riding instead of passing the historic homes in Charleston's South of Broad neighbourhood on carriage tours.
Take a stroll down the streets of the historic district during the Preservation Society of Charleston's Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens in September and October.
Tourists can peek inside some of Charleston's oldest, most exquisite addresses and lush hidden gardens that highlight American architecture from the early 1700s to today for five weeks each year.

FAQs to Plan Your Best Charleston Holiday

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