A Visitor’s Guide to Charleston, South Carolina
Tucked away on the coast of South Carolina, Charleston offers much, from colonial plantations, naval museums, Civil War history, a world class aquarium, fine dining and friendly locals, all against the relaxing backdrop of coastal South Carolina, Charleston is a great destination for the weekend traveler. The city is both visually and personally appealing. Ordinances limit the height of buildings, making for a cityscape that is free from vertical clutter. From the top of the many accessible rooftops and parking structures, you can see the entirety of the downtown area and waterways that surround it.
Charleston was settled in 1680 at a site slightly inland from the present day location. The site of the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina, Charles Towne Landing is now operated as a state park. Here you can find miles of trails, a zoo with a collection of animals indigenous to 17th century South Carolina and an archeological site on the location of the original settlement complete with a replica of a ship of the style used to travel from Europe to the settlement. Charlestown Landing (1500 Old Towne Road – (843) 852-4200) provides an enjoyable destination for the traveler seeking to learn more about the history of Charleston.
Travel to Charleston is easy by air or ground. It is serviced by the Charleston InternationalAirport and, being located around the intersections of Interstate 26 and South Carolina Highway 17; it is less than an hour drive from Interstate 95.
To make the most of your weekend, plan to arrive on a Thursday evening and plan to make your base in historic downtown Charleston. The downtown area is located on a peninsula bordered by the AshleyRiver to the south and the CooperRiver to the immediate north. These rivers and a third form the CharlestonHarbor, the mainstay of Charleston’s historic shipping industry continues even today as the city remains one of the busiest ports in the . The layout of the historic downtown is very conducive to strolling around and taking in the sights in a leisurely fashion. As to the time of year to visit, try the spring or fall as the mercury tends to stay down a bit.
Charleston offers a variety of lodging options in the downtown area from chain hotels to the quaint bed and breakfasts style inns. The BestWestern KingCharles Inn (237 Meeting Street – 866-546-4700) offers easy access to the central downtown area located only a couple of blocks away. The Planter’s Inn (112 North Market Street – 843-722-2345) offers exquisitely appointed rooms, an uncompromising concierge service and the Peninsula Grill, an award winning restaurant. While the inn is not priced for the budget traveler, it offers an experience not soon to be forgotten and its door opens onto the historic downtown market area. For a wonderful room a bit off the beaten path, but still within walking distance of everything downtown Charleston has to offer, try the Ansonborough Inn (21 Hasell Street – 843-723-1655). The Ansonborough Inn is a historic building that has been redesigned, offering 37 guest rooms that are double to three times the size of the average room in Charleston. The Inn also has a roof top terrace that provides sweeping views of the Harbor just a few hundred yards away.
After you get settled in your room, you’ll no doubt be hungry and Charleston is famous for its numerous dining options, having some of the finest cuisine you will find anywhere. Being a coastal city, seafood is aplenty. For excellent seafood try Fish (442 King Street – 843-722-3474). Fish, located in a former 19th century single family residence, offers a wide variety of fresh local seafood prepared in a minimalist fashion. They also offer an excellent wine list, all at affordable prices. Service is outstanding and the setting, the same as the food, is quite memorable. Call ahead for reservations. For a quick lunch or dinner in a relaxed setting, try Olde Towne Grill & Seafood (229 King Street – 843-723-8170). Olde Towne offers contemporary Greek and American fare in a convenient location that has been operating under the same roof for more than 30 years. If you’re in the mood for fine dining, try Grill 225 (225 East Bay Street – 843-266-4222). Grill 225 offers some of the best steak in Charleston together with a wonderful selection of other entrees for those not in the mood for steak. As you would expect, an extensive wine list is also available. With dining in Charleston, the problem, and a good one at that, is there is no shortage of fine restaurants. In addition to the scores of dining options in walking distance of the downtown area, there are a number of options with in driving distance of the city. If you don’t mind a short drive, a few option that won’t disappoint are – The Ocean Room at the Sanctuary at Kiawah (1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah – 843-768-6000) – The Old Post Office (1442 Highway 174, Edisto Island – 843-869-2339) or the Old Firehouse (6350 Highway 162, Hollywood – 843-889-9512). Charleston, like any city, offers a lot of chain food options that will tempt, but do yourself a favor and avoid these options in favor of the wealth of the local offerings.
After a great dinner, you’ll want to go out and enjoy some of the local nightlife. If you like live music, check out the Music Farm (32 Ann Street – 843-722-8904). For a hip and energetic nightlife spot, head to the Trio Club (139 Calhoun Street – 843-965-5333). Charleston has a number of rooftop bars with spectacular views of the city and the harbor. Try the Rooftop at Vendue (19 Vendue Range – 843-577-7970) or the Rooftop at the Market Pavilion (225 East Bay – 843-266-4222). Both places are accessible via elevator through the lobby of the respective hotels, offering drinks and a number of light food options. Both offer covered areas in the event of rain or inclement weather.
Aside from a number of appealing restaurants and nightlife spots, Charleston has a treasure of historic offerings for the curious traveler. Just a short drive from the city you will find a number of colonial plantations offering a glimpse of what Charleston life was like in the 17th and 18th century. Middle Place (4300 Ashley River Road – 843-556-6020) has historic gardens, a working stable, ruins and outbuildings of the original plantation, as well as, historic interpreters that stay in 18th century character and provide instructions into plantation life. Drayton Hall (3380 Ashley River Road – 843-769-2600) provides the visitor another experience in plantation colonial living.
Charleston also offers a number of beaches if you want to relax in the surf. Head north from town up Highway 17 through the village of Mount Pleasant to the Isle of Palms Connector, turn right and head down to the Isle of Palms for miles of sweeping beaches. The beach extends after a break at Breech Inlet and continues on Sullivan’s Island. South of town just beyond the AshleyRiver Bridge is Folly Beach Boulevard. Turn right off Highway 17 and head straight to FollyBeach for more beaches to enjoy. On the north end of FollyBeach is the old Coast Guard Station beyond where the road ends. After a short walk you’ll find the ruins of the Morris Island Lighthouse beyond the beach. The lighthouse was abandoned in the 1800’s and later jetty work in the harbor caused the island that once surrounded it to be washed away. At high tide, the light house emerges from the waves, surrounded only by water creating a sight you won’t find anywhere else. Any of the beaches offers a variety of parking options and numerous public beach access points which are clearly marked.
If you want to stay downtown and leave your car parked, then you can take to the street for a stroll around the downtown. Between Meeting and EastBay streets you’ll find some of the most well preserved southern mansions in the country. Many of the homes date back to the early 18th century and are open for tours to visitors. If you want to take in a wealth of information and have a good laugh along the way, take a carriage tour of the downtown area. In the central part of the downtown Market area, on Market Street, you will find several carriage companies that offer group and private tours. Most of the tours are about an hour long, but arrangements can be made for private tours of a longer or shorter duration. Charleston also offers several walking tours that provide an up close glimpse of some of the more interesting aspects of the city. Several are offered in the evening, quite enjoyable in the summer months when the days can be quite warm. Try Bull Dog Tours, Inc (40 Market Street – 843-722-TOUR) for a ghost tour.
Charleston also offers a variety of shopping options from upscale boutiques, name brand chain stores, to antique and eclectic local shops. Head up Market Street to King Street, the heart of the shopping district and spend some time exploring the store fronts.
Finally, Charleston is known as the HolyCity. Following the city’s founding in the late 17th century, religious tolerance was the reign of the day. As a result of this, the city skyline is full of the church steeples and spires that mark the scores of churches that were founded by the initial settlers. The architecture of the churches is amazing and there are historic graveyards all over the city. Spend some time wandering around and you’ll find that a number of historic figures are buried in the city, including signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Charleston has much to offer and more than enough to fill up a weekend. A word of caution, it is easy to become overwhelmed and try to do everything in just a few days. Do a little research before you come and decide on a few things that you want to do, but plan on spending some time wandering around just getting a feel for the city. You’ll quickly find that you’re already planning your next trip to Charleston.
