Charleston, SC

Established in 1670, Charleston is the quintessential southern town. It is a survivor of siege, flood, hurricane and epidemic and the capital of the province until 1786. Today, you will find minimal change in the historic. There are 73 pre-Revolutionary buildings, 136 late 18th century structures and over 600 other homes, businesses, museums, and churches built before the 1840’s. You will want to spend several days touring, either on foot or by horse drawn carriage, the many gardens, plantations, historic sites, lighthouses, museums and other Charleston attractions and amusements.

To truly understand what has made Charleston one of the South’s most well known antebellum tours, you need to begin your visit in the historic district. Start at the Old City Market where you will find souvenirs like handmade baskets, local produce and antiques, or you can hire a horse-drawn carriage tour. Just a few blocks down from The Market, you will see Charleston’s oldest building, the 1713 Powder Magazine which now showcases exhibits from 18th Charleston. You can see 1772 Heyward-Washington House Museum which once provided lodging for George Washington. The Heyward-Washington house has a carriage shed, an 18th century formal garden and a 1740’s kitchen building.

As you continue southwest, you will reach the Neoclassical Nathaniel Russell House where you will find a free-flying staircase, exquisite plasterwork and majestic drawing rooms that have period furnishings and works of art. The 1838 Greek Revival Edmondston-Alston House has historic documents, engravings, and portraits as well as an unblemished view across the harbor.

For a closer look at the lifestyle of the wealthy during the 1800’s, visit the Joseph Manigault House. This Neo-Classical three story town house is listed on the National Historic Landmark. It showcases 19th century American, French, and English antiques, and in the garden you will find a Gate Temple. Other historic homes in Charleston include the Aiken-Rhett House, the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Charleston City Hall, Hampton Plantation, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and the Thomas Elf House. Of esthetic interest, be sure to visit Rainbow Row where all 14 houses ate painted in whatever color-pink, light blue, yellow, etc.- the owner chooses.

Charleston also has a number of historic churches which you can tour. You can visit the 1845 French Huguenot Church which is a National Historic Landmark, the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church St. John’s Lutheran Church with its Italianate steeple, the St. Mary’s Church which displays copies of artwork by the Old Masters, or Unitarian Church. The Unitarian Church is the oldest one of its kind in the South and the second oldest one in Charleston.

Do you love walking garden paths and indulging your senses in beautifully landscaped flowerbeds? Then Charleston has just what you are looking for. At Magnolia Plantation and Gardens you will see America’s oldest gardens. The internationally famous gardens cover 50 acres and are filled with camellias, azaleas, magnolias, and hundreds of other flowers. There is also a 125 acre waterfowl refuge, a 16 century maze, nature trails, a petting zoo, an herb garden, a Biblical garden and topiary garden s well as several other activities and attractions to enjoy on your visit. The Boone Hall Plantation is a 738 acre estate with trees draped in Spanish moss and gardens of antique roses. It is also the site of Civil War reenactments and was used for the television miniseries The North and the South.

The Charleston area has three lighthouses --The 1827 Cape Romain Lighthouse, the 1767 Morris Island and the 1962 Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. All of these can be viewed only from the outside.

Do you find delight in the arts? Then don’t miss the City Hall Art Gallery on Broad Street. While there you will see portraits by Samuel F.B. Morse and John Trumbaull. At the Gibbes Museum of Art you can see displays of Japanese woodblock prints, portraits of South Carolinians, the Renaissance Gallery, and one of the oldest and finest miniature portrait collections in America.

If you love delving into the past, then the Charleston Museum is sure to provide pleasure. The Museum was founded in 1773. It first opened to the public in 1824 and is America’s oldest museum. The Museum is a showcase of Charleston’s natural and cultural history and has an appeal whether you hail from the North or the South. The Museum’s displays contain items like George Washington’s Christening cup, an Egyptian mummy, chairs used by the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession delegates, or firearms from the Civil War. And, especially with children in mind, there are numerous hands-on exhibits.

Other Charleston museums include the Avery Research Center, the Village Museum, the Summerville-Dorchester Museum, and the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Of special interest is the Citadel Archives Museum which features military history exhibits and displays which showcase academic, athletic, military and social aspects of the life of a cadet. You will see military uniforms, photographs, special event memorabilia and over 300 collections that relate to the Citadel’s history or have military significance.

Are you in need of some shopping therapy? If so, then Charleston has you covered. If its books, furniture or jewelry you love, then head to Historic Charleston Foundation Museum Shop (www.historiccharleston.org) or to the Preservation Society of Charleston Book and Gift Shop. At Sweetgrass Baskets you will find spectacular hand-woven baskets crafted in the tradition of West Africa. Looking for antiques? Then visit Terrace Oaks Antiques Mall where you will find more than 20 dealers offering jewelry, glassware, china, furniture and so much more. For shopping the designers of today, visit the Tanger Outlets where you will find shops like Easy Spirit, Tommy Hilfiger, Jones NY, or Anne Taylor, to name just a few.

After a busy day of beach combing, touring or shopping, you can choose to watch a movie at the Charleston IMAX Theatre (www.charlestonimax.com) or watch a drama or musical at the Dock Street Theatre (www.charlestonstage.com) which is the first building in America built specifically for theatrical productions.

So what are you waiting for? Charleston has so much to offer, all that is missing is you!

Banner Picture of Charleston Battery Mansions and Garden Photos by Contessas
Yellow Mansion and Charleston Street by William Ward
Charleston Church Picture by Turketwh
Charleston B&W Picture by Chicago Eye