Charleston South Carolina
Charleston’s traditional southern flair and delectable local fare keep millions of visitors coming back each year. The Historic Downtown District is just one of countless attractions in this gorgeous South Carolina city. It’s widely known as the cultural capital of the South, and understandably so! Places like plantations, dated restaurants, museums, and even Battery Park are portals through time. Horse-drawn carriages and quaint cobblestones streets are remnants of the past. They are but a small part of history, which comes to life once again in Charleston, South Carolina. In the Historic Downtown District, carriage and walking tours are both widely available to the public. The picturesque eighteenth century homes of Rainbow Row are one likely point of interest. Businesses used to line the ground floors on this street, with residences built directly above them. For more centuries-old architecture, visitors should stop by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, which was established way back in 1680! In the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds, a light in its steeple guided ships near the coast, which earned it the epithet “Lighthouse Church”. For those craving to see more National Historic Sites, the name John Drayton is an important one. His prominent abode has been passed down through seven generations. Drayton Hall exhibits astonishing Georgian-Palladian architecture from 1742 and has been kept in impeccable condition. Established much earlier was Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, where visitors come to amble through the oldest public garden in America. Bicycle trails, train tours, and boat rides are available to those who don’t feel like adventuring on foot. The Battery awaits both Civil War buffs and families who will enjoy the open air. Built on the tip of a peninsula, it began as a park in 1837, but eventually became a war fort. Cannons and memorials still stand at nearby White Point Gardens! From there, it’s a short walk to City Market, which has been mistakenly called a flea market. Hundreds of vendors sell there each day. While the variety of merchandise is similar to that of a flea market, product quality is top-notch! Anyone in search of a souvenir (or twelve) will definitely find it at City Market. Another must-see is the Charleston Museum. It’s filled with intriguing memorabilia, from slave badges to dueling pistols. For those with children, another place to learn about the South Carolina coastal region is the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. Eight interactive exhibits allow everyone to get involved. One more place bursting with history is Mount Pleasant, home to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Visitors can walk right onto ships like the destroyer USS Laffey and the USS Yorktown! Charleston is the place to go for an absolutely historic southern experience. |
Charleston Carriage Tour
