Charleston, a well-preserved Southern beauty, embodies the romantic image of the Old South, with its aristocratic mansions surrounded by lush greenery and evocative brick alleys. Charleston was named the richest town in the American South in 1773, and it maintains, probably more than any other, the atmosphere of plantation life today.
A stroll around the Historic District, with its veranda-fronted houses and thin church towers, demonstrates why Gone with the Wind's heroine chose to reside in Charleston. Riding around the Historic District transports you back to the golden age of Charleston. The streets are lined with magnificent historic houses, churches, and other structures (Charleston has over 1,400 historic sites), and a carriage ride is one of the most romantic activities in Charleston, particularly at night.
Along with historic houses, plantations, and museums, Charleston's tourist attractions include an aquarium, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, and Fort Sumter, the site of the Civil War's opening gunshot. With this helpful list of things to do in Charleston, you'll be able to discover the finest locations to visit.
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1. Middleton Place Plantation
Nothing evokes the Old South quite like a grand plantation, and Charleston has many. Middleton Place is characterized by America's oldest manicured gardens in addition to its fully furnished plantation home.
The gardens, which have a symmetrical 17th-century European style, are laid out in a beautiful sequence of descending terraces, fenced galleries, and ponds. The gardens are in bloom all year, with rare camellias blooming in the winter and azaleas blooming in the spring.
On a tour of the 1755 mansion, you'll hear about four generations of the Middletons and their slaves while seeing furniture, silver, rare books, china, and paintings that have been in the family for more than three centuries.
The Plantation Stableyards replicate life outside the main house, with costumed interpreters exhibiting blacksmithing, pottery, carpentry, cooperage, and weaving, all of which would have been performed by slaves on a Low Country rice plantation during the Antebellum period.
The official website is located at https://www.middletonplace.org.
2. Waterfront Park
The 12-acre Shoreline Park is a popular gathering spot for visitors and residents alike to unwind and take in the views of Charleston Harbor. It extends along more than 1,000 feet of waterfront. Old-fashioned park seats and twin swings face the water, which is often visited by sailboats and bigger ships.
At night, illuminated fountains, notably the unique Pineapple Fountain, and seasonal flower gardens provide bursts of color. The park's central position near the City Market and historic sites, as well as its free Wi-Fi, contribute to its popularity.
Location: 1 Vendue Street, Charleston, South Carolina
Official Website: http://www.charlestonparksconservancy.org/our parks/view park/waterfront park/
3. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Not only garden enthusiasts will be captivated by Magnolia Plantation's vast gardens' year-round splendor. These are America's first publicly accessible gardens, being opened to the public in 1870, but parts date back two centuries. They are also the nation's only large-scale Romantic-style garden, in contrast to the majority of display gardens, which use formal beds, pathways, and landscaping to control and shape nature.
The gardens, which have been nurtured by several generations of the same family, have expanded in size as each succeeding owner added additional elements. You may take a guided tour of the home, visit an Antebellum cottage, take a boat trip, see exhibitions, or bring younger children to the nature center and petting zoo.
Charleston, South Carolina 3550 Ashley River Road
Magnolia Plantation's official website is located at www.magnoliaplantation.com.
4. Old City Market
The ancient market building, a significant landmark in the historic area, is one of the most popular things to do in Charleston. It's vibrant and colorful, making it an excellent spot for souvenir buying and just soaking up the local vibe.
Vendors offer handcrafted items and traditional culinary goods like stone-ground grits, but the most popular Charleston souvenirs are the stunning sweetgrass baskets. While visitors marvel, Gullah artists weave these complex works of art from native Lowcountry rushes in open-air "sheds" beside the market hall, producing gems that are among the country's oldest and most highly valued traditional crafts. These baskets are the ideal memento of Charleston since the methods and designs originated in West Africa.
Built in 1841 in the Greek Revival style, the red sandstone structure with green ironwork trim, as well as its outbuildings, are among the city's over 100 National Register of Historic Places listings.
Location: Between North and South Market Sts.
The Charleston City Market's official website is located at https://www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com.
5. The National Monument of Fort Sumter
The American Civil War started on April 12, 1861, with the Confederacy's assault on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. At the war's conclusion, the American flag was hoisted above the ruins of Fort Sumpter for the first time in four years.
The damaged fort's remains are in good condition, and National Park Rangers explain the tale of Fort Sumter and how it shaped history.
Visitors must take a boat to the island from either the Visitor Education Center in downtown Liberty Square or Patriots Point, which provides an excellent opportunity to see the city from the sea.
6. The United states Yorktown and Patriots Point
Patriots Point is located just across Charleston Harbor from the Historic District and is where you may board the USS Yorktown. This colossal warship served as the United States Navy's tenth aircraft carrier, earning the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for World War II duty, as well as five battle stars for service in Vietnam.
Additionally, the USS Yorktown was chosen to rescue the Apollo 8 astronauts and made her cinematic debut in 1944's The Fighting Lady. In 1975, the USS Yorktown was decommissioned and transferred to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. You may also visit airplanes, submarines, and other maritime displays while at Patriots Point.
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 40 Patriots Point Road
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