Charleston Visitors Guide
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 district. 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 destinations, 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 as a 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 the 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 as 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 Lighthouse
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, and 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.
If you've come to Charleston to see the Old South make sure to visit some of the South Carolina plantations that are near Charleston and around the state of South Carolina.
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
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