charleston visitors guide
What Area of Charleston is Best to Stay in? Three restored historic homes and two brick carriage homes house 16 luxurious rooms that exude rest and relaxation. If you're only staying for a few days and you want to make do without a car, this is where you should concentrate your time and effort. Thank You! 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. Recently, the property added helicopter tours to the attractions. If you time your trip right, Middleton Place offers the most glorious spectacle of synchronous blooms, notably along the "azalea hillside," a bank rising from the rice mill pond that was planted almost a century ago with around 35,000 bushes. Accompanied by a knowledgeable, local guide, pass by 100 of Charleston's most iconic sights of the past and present whilst listening to amazing tales and anecdotes . There's a gallery devoted to natural history, a Civil War exhibition, a historic textiles gallery, and the interactive "Kidstory" area. It has beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasure, with a rich heritage. Renting a car is optional, as Ubers and Lyfts are readily available, and parking can be tricky particularly if youre headed to the beach or attempting to find a spot downtown. TIME TO SPEND. >> BOOK THE HOLIDAY INN CHARLESTON HERE <<. Guests at the expertly curated boutique inn and tavern born out of the creative minds behind Charleston firm Basic Projects enjoy Southern hospitality in Old Village Mount Pleasant, a 10-minute drive from downtown. PROS: fantastic location across the street from the Market; 1 block from the majority of the shopping on King Street; convenient to both ends of the historic district; there's an onsite pool. Visit Website. Take a relaxing 30-minute boat ride through Charleston Harbor. In the mid-1800s, it served as a private home to the Rodgers family (who had 13 children!). Charleston, South Carolina, abounds with museums, restaurants, beaches and boating excursions. Grab a burger at Poe's Tavern (YUM) and people watch on Middle Street, then head to the Fort Moultrie National Historic Site. If you're feeling brave, attempt to surf in The Washout. 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. The Cottages on Charleston Harbor. Cannonborough/Elliotborough is alight with creativity and delicious treats; pick up a cupcake from Sugar Bakeshop while walking along Cannon Street. A stop at the fountain at Waterfront Park is another great break between historical tours. Take in the Charleston skyline from the water by booking a sunset sail around the harbor. If you're staying in downtown Charleston (aka the historic peninsula), there are plenty of options for every budget. Privacy Policy | Subscribers Freebie Library, Visitor's Guide to Charleston SC Sections. Its Italian menu is spearheaded by Chefs Adam Sobel and Nick Dugan, but it falls under the umbrella of acclaimed Chef Michael Mins award-winning Mina Group. High Season: March to May, September to November. Strolling through Charleston's charming downtown is one of the best free activities. You'll also find a bevy of vacation rental properties here a worthy alternative if you want a little more seclusion than some of downtown Charleston's hotels and bed-and-breakfasts can provide. 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. . You'll learn more about these men and women during the tour. Built in late Federal style by Charles Edmondston, the home changed hands a mere decade later when the Scottish shipping merchant suffered financial woes. Recent visitors welcomed the park as a respite from the sun on a hot summer day, while others felt bewitched by the setting after dusk. They don't take reservations and you might see a line out the door, but don't let that keep you from the fresh seafood at local-favorite hotspot 167 Raw. Read More: The 15 Best Hotels in Charleston. They can be found alongside books from Charleston authors and other unique items that make memorable gifts for loved ones or tokens for yourself. Explore Charleston's Historic Hidden Gardens. Download the guide or request your free copy today and start planning your next adventure in the . Twenty minutes from downtown is Angel Oak, a several-hundred-year-old live oak that shades over 17,200 square feet. Visit Charleston for an unforgettable adventure. The Planters Inn also has the BEST coconut cake ever! 843-724-7311. Visitor Information Station 800 Smith St. Charleston . PROS: great locations within the historic district; visitors can get to know staff and other patrons; cocktail hours offered; beautiful, private-garden like landscaping, CONS: smaller with fewer amenities; bookings go extremely quickly; there are often weddings/wedding parties at these hotels. Originally built in the early 1800s and then expanded . Visitors come to enjoy camellia and azalea season in early spring and wildlife throughout the year. To see a more complete directory of available walking tours,check out our list of the Best Charleston Walking Tours. The best part? This post contains affiliates. <<. 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. In fact, The Nathaniel Russell House has the only 3-story, free-flying cantilever staircase on the Charleston Peninsula. CONS: Its location is near to MUSC on the western side of the historic district, which is fine if you're visiting the hospital, but not so great if you want to walk to the sites. Traditionally celebrated for comfort foods like shrimp and grits or fried green tomatoes, Charleston is evolving with the global shift toward healthier dining. 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. Those trips can be done on the local CARTA bus system, but keep in mind that our public transportation can be slow. Further afield, must-see stops include Magnolia Plantation & Gardens and Middleton Place, especially in early spring when the azaleas pop in hues of fuchsia and the live oaks draped in Spanish moss offer a graceful canopy of shade. South Carolina Aquarium Logistics. Lucky for you, you've got a local as your Charleston SC tour guide to share the real tips on where to . The festival packs dinners, seminars, workshops, brunches, street fairs and interactive experiences (like boat trips to working oyster farms) into five days. Mount Pleasant: Crossing the Ravenel Bridge leads you to Mount Pleasant. 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. 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. The Shipyard area hosts The Hunley Museum as well as several breweries, and there are so many historic things to do in North Charleston! 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! Enjoy this page? The Preservation Society of Charleston brings you the best from local artisans and brands, including Brackish Bow Ties, Smithey Ironware, and J. Stark. Street Address. Archaeological artifacts and objects from the Drayton family are also on display in the on-site Gates Gallery. Restaurants pull their tables outside on the sidewalk, and there are food trucks and buskers. If you want to go to the beaches or the plantations, you need a car anyway. Originally built in 1863 for the Confederate Army, the H.L. Today, the 13 brightly colored homes attract camera-toting tourists from all over the country. Along with the casual beachfront bars and eateries, you'll also find a few hotels near the shore, as well as restrooms and foot showers for cleaning off sandy toes. With its centuries-old mansions and cobblestone streets, Charleston is a living museum. May we send you offers from our partners? Hear the evolving narratives of those who share their ancestral legacies as evidence of their determination to claim their rightful place in the annals of the region. Street Fair: On the second Sunday of each month from 1 to 5 pm, get to King Street. 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. The Ultimate 3-Day Charleston Guide The Blonde Abroad The festival draws its name from the city of Spoleto in Italy where Menotti previously founded an arts festival. City. . Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Mostly a bedroom community of Charleston, James Island is a fun and funky spot on the way out to Folly Beach. >> Explore more great things to do with kids in Charleston SC! 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. Local and international food, wine and cocktail talent host the events. One of Charleston's most iconic points of interest, Rainbow Row comprises more than a dozen brightly painted historic homes perched along The Battery's East Bay Street, near Waterfront Park. Babies 0-2 are free. Lydia Mansel is a freelance writer with over eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publicationswith a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. The Dewberry, which describes itself as "offering old-world charm with a distinctive modern edge," is right downtown, just a block from King Street. That sordid portion of our history did occur elsewhere in our city in private auctions, near the Exchange Building, and in the actual slave market, and you can learn more about it at the Old Slave Mart Museum. Away from the beach sit several casual eateries, including traveler favorites like Taco Boy and Lost Dog Cafe. There are some amazing restaurants, historical homes, and parks within easy walking distance of any of the recommended hotels (see below in this post). Visitors will find one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. Charleston First Time Visitor Guide + Itinerary | Tour Pass If you'd rather take home a painting, head over to East Bay and Broad Streets to the art district. Call it touristy, but taking in Charleston's history from a horse carriage is one of the most popular tours in the area. Have you visited the Holy City? Connected to both Sullivan's Island and Mount Pleasant, IOP is also home to Wild Dunes Resort and Golf Course. The Cigar Factory, which is on the National Historic Register, features a number of shops along East Bay Street, including textiles at Fritz Porter, non-toxic nail salon The Water Room, and gourmet food emporium Mercantile & Mash. Fort Sumter National Monument is perched on a small island in Charleston Harbor several miles southwest of the city. Restaurants like Jackrabbit Filly and EVO Pizza are worth the trek when the peninsula becomes overcrowded by the influx of summer tourists. It's estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet andis between 300 and 400 years old. A reservation for larger parties is advised, but last-minute diners and small groups can usually find space either inside or on the spacious outdoor patio. This issue is currently making its way through the courts, but until it's settled, you can either choose the horse-and-buggy tours or a quick pedicab non-tour. A newly revitalized area with trendy restaurants at Avondale and historical plantations on Highway 61. >> If you want to take a carriage tour, I recommend this one. NOTE: Don't attempt to swim on the southern end of Sullivans Island or near Breach Inlet as the currents are extremely dangerous. Others warned that there are lots of rules to be observed and noted that you'll want to make sure to keep a sharp eye on your kids, who will naturally be tempted to climb the tree. Kiawah and Seabrook Islands: Privacy and quiet are two things you'll find upon venturing further out into the gated communities of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. Therefore, visitors can rest assured that the aquarium's many residents ranging from alligators to eels to otters are treated with the utmost care. Easily visible in the center of the Charleston harbor, Fort Sumter National Monument is not only an interesting tourist attraction, but an important piece of American history. Cost: Tickets are $34.95 for adults. Another bedroom community of Charleston that's quite upscale. According to most Charleston visitors, Fort Sumter is a must-see, especially for kids and history buffs. No matter your vacation style, your travel party size or your ideal itinerary, Charleston is home to alluring accommodations for every visitor. According to many, the Aiken-Rhett House Museum is a unique and educational place to learn about life in Charleston during the 19th century. Throngs of College of Charleston students and bachelor and bachelorette parties frequent establishments like Uptown Social, Prohibition, and The Cocktail Club. 16 Patriots Point Road. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Choose from a personal ride with just your party or join in the larger tours as your guide takes you around the quaint Charleston streets. The Charleston travel guide is full of information and tips to help you get to Charleston and navigate your way around once you arrive. Visit Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The property also boasts a full-service restaurant serving seasonal Lowcountry fare for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
L'occitane Shea Ultra Rich,
What Is Service Layer In Web Application,
Sullivan University Nanny Program,
Articles C