| Be a Traveler and Explore - A brief Intro of Charleston and Surrounding Area |
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Downtown Charleston
A survey of Travel + Leisure magazine's readers has rated Charleston
and its surrounding area as one of America's five best cities.
Charlestonians regard that as somewhat incorrect, as there obviously
are no cities better than Charleston.
Almost 300 years old, Charleston wears its age with pride in its history
and a lively willingness to engage the future.
Charleston history is a gloriously colorful tapestry of events that are in
many ways unique. It has been captured and occupied during two
major wars: the Revolution and the Civil War (still known among
graciously firm-minded ladies of a certain age as "The Late
Unpleasantness"). It's been attacked by Pirates, burned to the ground,
destroyed b an earthquake and walloped by several huge hurricanes.
All of these events were generally regarded as irritating interruptions in
the continuation of Charleston's stately lifestyle.
When you visit Charleston, you find yourself in a city that's European in
many aspects. The colorful downtown area is really a walking city, best
seen from the sidewalks. There are shops, antique stores, restaurants,
coffee houses, art galleries, taverns and a wide variety of performing
arts, not to mention festivals. There's event the Market, a covered area
full of little places and stalls where almost anything you didn't know you
wanted can be found for sale. Market Street is composed of small
ships that are equally eclectic in their wares.
In true Charleston juxtaposition, only a block away is King Street, the
main thorughoughfare, with large and small stores featuring everything
from designer clothing to jewelery to antiques. Unique items such as
original sculpture and hand-rolled cigars can be found on King or its
side streets.
Away from the shopping areas are narrow streets with houses that are
up to 250 years ols. Several of these are open for you to tour, and
others have become small inns. A stroll through the old section (south
of Broad Street) is the best way to see what Charleston looked like
back in its first glory period as a major 18th century seaport or get a
feeling for how people lived before the Civil War. The churches are
worth a visit as well. Many of the graveyards are open to visitors, and
the old gravestones tell a vivid story about city residents of centuries
past.
Charleston is also, among many other things, a college town, and
bohemian aspects of some parts of the city reflect the presence of the
College of Charleston in buildings, dormitories and fraternity houses
scattered throughout its heart. Young men and women in uniform are
walking evidence of the Citadel, one of the few remaining state military
colleges. The Citadel has dress parades every Friday afternoon, and
visitors are welcome to tours its beautiful campus at any time. Located
in the hospital section along western Calhoun Street is the Medical
University of South Carolina, another of the major centers of learning
the city hosts.
A wide variety of restaurants cover every aspect of the dining spectrum
too. You can have a sandwich in a fast food shop or dine on expensive
haute cuisine. In between are places that feature down-home
Charleston cooking, excellent seafood or just a good cup of coffee and
a pastry.
West of the Ashley River
(West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Folly Beach)
Cross the Ashley River bridges and you're in one of the major suburbs
of Charleston, but it's more than a residential area. Follow Ashley River
Road (Hwy 61) to Old Town Road to Charles Towne Landing, a state
park located where the first colonists landed. The park has a
brand-new interactive Visitors' Center that graphically portrays early
18th century life in Charles Town. For a different dose of history, travel
Highway 61, where you'll pass several classic plantations, all open for
touring, that give a visitor the feeling of pre Civil War plantation life.
On James Island, follow Folly Road to its end and you're at Folly Beach,
"The Edge of America." It's a laid-back, fun and funky little beach town
that is known for a relaxed lifestyle, sense of humor and some of the
best surfing on the East Coast. Lie on the beach, walk out on the 1,400
foot fishing pier or dine at any of several little restaurants during your
visit. You'll enjoy it all!
Rural Johns Island is pure South Carolina back country within easy
reach of the city. Gorgeous moss-hung oaks line the roads, but the
grandfather of them all is the Angel Oak, nearly 14 centuries old and
massive in stature. It's truly living history.
East of the Cooper River
(Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms)
Cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, an architectural wonder that's the
longest cable-span bridge in America, and you are in chic Mount
Pleasant. Here you'll find exclusive communities surrounding a small
town full of outstanding shopping and dining. Along the Cooper river is
Patriots Point Museum, with its collection of naval ships from the 20th
century, including the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
For the beach lover, Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms both offer
beautiful sand and gentle rolling waves. Sullivan's Island is a classic
small beach community, while the Isle of Palms features upscale
homes, a great resort, golf and exclusive island living.
North Charleston
The city of North Charleston is the area's business, transportation and
manufacturing center, but it also has the North Charleston Coliseum,
with its Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, which feature
national touring entertainment. The Warren Lasch Conservation Center
houses the conservation efforts for the Confederate submarine CSS
Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship - in 1864.
The sub may be viewed on weekends.
Summerville
The bedroom community of Summerville was originally where
Charlestonians went to escape the heat and humidity of Charleston
summers. Nowadays, modern air conditioning makes that effort moot,
but Summerville is worth a visit since it has more than 700 buildings on
the National Historic Register. Every spring, The Flowertown Festival
celebrates the blooming azaleas in public parks and private gardens
that turn the city into a riot of color and natural beauty. Although
growing, Summerville still has its small-town feel.
There's no single color, shape or tone to Charleston and its surrounding
area. Instead, the old cit and its environs have a kaleidoscope of
shifting aspects, so you'd best be prepared for something a little
different everywhere you look. The one constant to Charleston is its
courtesy to everyone. So feel welcome visitor and please enjoy your
stay.
A survey of Travel + Leisure magazine's readers has rated Charleston
and its surrounding area as one of America's five best cities.
Charlestonians regard that as somewhat incorrect, as there obviously
are no cities better than Charleston.
Almost 300 years old, Charleston wears its age with pride in its history
and a lively willingness to engage the future.
Charleston history is a gloriously colorful tapestry of events that are in
many ways unique. It has been captured and occupied during two
major wars: the Revolution and the Civil War (still known among
graciously firm-minded ladies of a certain age as "The Late
Unpleasantness"). It's been attacked by Pirates, burned to the ground,
destroyed b an earthquake and walloped by several huge hurricanes.
All of these events were generally regarded as irritating interruptions in
the continuation of Charleston's stately lifestyle.
When you visit Charleston, you find yourself in a city that's European in
many aspects. The colorful downtown area is really a walking city, best
seen from the sidewalks. There are shops, antique stores, restaurants,
coffee houses, art galleries, taverns and a wide variety of performing
arts, not to mention festivals. There's event the Market, a covered area
full of little places and stalls where almost anything you didn't know you
wanted can be found for sale. Market Street is composed of small
ships that are equally eclectic in their wares.
In true Charleston juxtaposition, only a block away is King Street, the
main thorughoughfare, with large and small stores featuring everything
from designer clothing to jewelery to antiques. Unique items such as
original sculpture and hand-rolled cigars can be found on King or its
side streets.
Away from the shopping areas are narrow streets with houses that are
up to 250 years ols. Several of these are open for you to tour, and
others have become small inns. A stroll through the old section (south
of Broad Street) is the best way to see what Charleston looked like
back in its first glory period as a major 18th century seaport or get a
feeling for how people lived before the Civil War. The churches are
worth a visit as well. Many of the graveyards are open to visitors, and
the old gravestones tell a vivid story about city residents of centuries
past.
Charleston is also, among many other things, a college town, and
bohemian aspects of some parts of the city reflect the presence of the
College of Charleston in buildings, dormitories and fraternity houses
scattered throughout its heart. Young men and women in uniform are
walking evidence of the Citadel, one of the few remaining state military
colleges. The Citadel has dress parades every Friday afternoon, and
visitors are welcome to tours its beautiful campus at any time. Located
in the hospital section along western Calhoun Street is the Medical
University of South Carolina, another of the major centers of learning
the city hosts.
A wide variety of restaurants cover every aspect of the dining spectrum
too. You can have a sandwich in a fast food shop or dine on expensive
haute cuisine. In between are places that feature down-home
Charleston cooking, excellent seafood or just a good cup of coffee and
a pastry.
West of the Ashley River
(West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Folly Beach)
Cross the Ashley River bridges and you're in one of the major suburbs
of Charleston, but it's more than a residential area. Follow Ashley River
Road (Hwy 61) to Old Town Road to Charles Towne Landing, a state
park located where the first colonists landed. The park has a
brand-new interactive Visitors' Center that graphically portrays early
18th century life in Charles Town. For a different dose of history, travel
Highway 61, where you'll pass several classic plantations, all open for
touring, that give a visitor the feeling of pre Civil War plantation life.
On James Island, follow Folly Road to its end and you're at Folly Beach,
"The Edge of America." It's a laid-back, fun and funky little beach town
that is known for a relaxed lifestyle, sense of humor and some of the
best surfing on the East Coast. Lie on the beach, walk out on the 1,400
foot fishing pier or dine at any of several little restaurants during your
visit. You'll enjoy it all!
Rural Johns Island is pure South Carolina back country within easy
reach of the city. Gorgeous moss-hung oaks line the roads, but the
grandfather of them all is the Angel Oak, nearly 14 centuries old and
massive in stature. It's truly living history.
East of the Cooper River
(Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms)
Cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, an architectural wonder that's the
longest cable-span bridge in America, and you are in chic Mount
Pleasant. Here you'll find exclusive communities surrounding a small
town full of outstanding shopping and dining. Along the Cooper river is
Patriots Point Museum, with its collection of naval ships from the 20th
century, including the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
For the beach lover, Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms both offer
beautiful sand and gentle rolling waves. Sullivan's Island is a classic
small beach community, while the Isle of Palms features upscale
homes, a great resort, golf and exclusive island living.
North Charleston
The city of North Charleston is the area's business, transportation and
manufacturing center, but it also has the North Charleston Coliseum,
with its Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, which feature
national touring entertainment. The Warren Lasch Conservation Center
houses the conservation efforts for the Confederate submarine CSS
Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship - in 1864.
The sub may be viewed on weekends.
Summerville
The bedroom community of Summerville was originally where
Charlestonians went to escape the heat and humidity of Charleston
summers. Nowadays, modern air conditioning makes that effort moot,
but Summerville is worth a visit since it has more than 700 buildings on
the National Historic Register. Every spring, The Flowertown Festival
celebrates the blooming azaleas in public parks and private gardens
that turn the city into a riot of color and natural beauty. Although
growing, Summerville still has its small-town feel.
There's no single color, shape or tone to Charleston and its surrounding
area. Instead, the old cit and its environs have a kaleidoscope of
shifting aspects, so you'd best be prepared for something a little
different everywhere you look. The one constant to Charleston is its
courtesy to everyone. So feel welcome visitor and please enjoy your
stay.
Visitor Publication