What to see in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is located in South Carolina Charleston charleston South Carolina

Charleston is a city in the southeastern part of the state of South Carolina, USA, the administrative center of the district of the same name. It is located on a peninsula between the mouths of the Ashley and Cooper rivers (the southern branch of the Santi River), near a deep-water bay, very convenient for mooring ships. Major port on the coast Atlantic Ocean. Population 107,844 inhabitants (2006).

Charleston is the first English settlement in South Carolina. It was founded in 1670 under the name Charles Towne ("city of Charles") - in honor of King Charles II. In 1680, Charleston was moved to its current location and began to grow rich in the rice and indigo trade. In 1722-83. its official name was Charles City and Port. Until 1775, the residence of the governor of South Carolina was located here, and until 1790 it served as the capital of the corresponding state.

During the first half of XIX century Charleston - one of the most prosperous cities in the southern states, the most important cotton port. In December 1860, the people of Charleston announced the secession of South Carolina from the United States. With the capture of Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay, the American Civil War began (now the fort has been declared a national monument). From July 10, 1863 to February 18, 1865, the city was under blockade.

Deprived of its importance as a cotton port, Charleston faced an economic downturn. In the 20th century, the mainstay of the local economy was the US Navy base, which was expanded during both world wars. The closure of a number of defense enterprises in 1993 was a serious blow to the city.

The city enjoys a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with mild winters and hot, humid summers. There is a large amount of precipitation throughout the year. The maximum air temperature was recorded on June 2, 1985 at 40 °C (104 °F), the minimum on January 21, 1985 at 12 °C (10 °F). Hurricanes are a major threat to the area during the summer and early fall; in September 1989, three-quarters of the buildings were hit by Hurricane Hugo; the total amount of damage approached $3 billion.

The city is known for its old houses and churches of the colonial period, picturesque streets and courtyards, as well as gardens. Several planters' estates are open to the public as museums. Among educational institutions- community college (1770, the first in the USA), medical University(1824) and military school(1842). The Charleston Museum (1773) is the oldest museum in the United States.

Charleston from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Charleston.

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Charleston is the second city in terms of size and the first in terms of age in South Carolina. The historic center of the city is located on a peninsula formed by two rivers, Ashley and Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic. During the Civil War, the city was captured without noticeable damage, so the century-old buildings, beautiful churches, the spiers of which rise above the low city buildings, and the colorful harbor have been preserved in old Charleston. With the atmosphere of the good old south, Charleston resembles its neighbor Savannah.

A bit of history

Charles Town, as the city was first called, was founded in 1670 by Anthony Ashley Cooper on the west bank of the river - a few kilometers northwest of present-day Charleston. In the 90s. In the same century, English colonists erected fortified walls around the settlement, and although the walls were destroyed thirty years later, the area bordered by them with cobbled streets and old houses is still preserved in the city. As well as remarkable neighborhoods built in Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Italian, Victorian and Greek styles.

Charleston was nicknamed the holy city due to its many churches, and also due to the fact that it became one of the few places in the first 13 colonies that was tolerant of French Huguenots and Jews.

How to get to Charleston

Charleston International Airport is located about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the city center and is accessible from the city center by shuttle or city bus. The city is located almost in the middle of the Atlantic coast of South Carolina and is easily accessible by highway, Amtrak train or Greyhound bus.

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Entertainment and attractions in Charleston

The Charleston Museum on Meeting Street is located directly across from the visitor center. But perhaps even more interesting is the Gibbs Museum of Art, which was opened in 1905 and has an amazing collection of over 10,000 pieces of fine art. Mostly these are the works of American authors, and a special emphasis in the expositions is placed on the masterpieces of the Charlestonians and southerners in general.

Fort Sumter National Monument is the very place where the Civil War began. The fort is located on an island, and there are ferries from Liberty Square in downtown or from Patriots Point at Mount Pleasant. The ferry goes to the fort for about half an hour. The fort itself is actually in ruins, but there are signs and signs everywhere describing what was located and where. In addition, there is a museum on site.

Patriots Point is to the right of the Ravenel Bridge. Here is located Naval Museum with an impressive display of weapons including the aircraft carrier Yorktown and the submarine Clagamore. In addition, the museum has an airplane and a restored camp from the Vietnam War. And on Sullivan's Island, not far from the city, there is a second old fort - Moultrie, which was actively used during the revolution and the Civil War.

The charming and ancient French Quarter is one of the most ancient and picturesque in the city. It is located between Market and Tradd streets, Meeting and the waterfront. Just here at one time there was a wall built by the English colonists. The French Quarter is home to many art galleries, as well as St. Philips Church, a French Huguenot church and many beautiful historic houses.

3 things to do in Charleston:

Be sure to see the amazing Angel Oak, which is over 1000 years old.
Walk along the cobbled Longitude Lane, an old colonial alley that was laid exactly along the meridian line.
Admire the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, completed in 2005, the longest cable bridge in the United States.

Another interesting city attraction is the fireproof building on Meeting Street. It was built in 1827 and is believed to be the oldest refractory structure in the United States today. The building was designed by Robert Mills, the first native American (Charlestonian) to train as an architect. The building was built predominantly of solid stone in a simple Greek style with Doric columns. Today, the house is home to the South Carolina Historical Society.

White Point Garden is a beautiful park located at the southern tip of the peninsula. There are wonderful views from here, especially the Battery Boardwalk along the Cooper River. The boardwalk was lined with elegant mansions, terribly expensive. Another pretty green place to stay is Waterfront Park, which stretches from Vendue Range to Water Street along the Cooper River. And from the shipyard in Vendue Range opens good view to Ravenel Bridge.

A special place to visit in Charleston is the Market, an old shopping district at the start of Market Street. According to a popular urban legend, slaves were never traded at this market (the remains of a slave market can be seen in the neighborhood, a few blocks away). One way or another, today it is more than a fertile place for tourists, where anything is sold: from sweets and cotton candy to crocodile skin wallets.

The city has several good beaches. The most convenient, simple tourist one is Folly Beach. More sophisticated options are the beaches of Sullivan's Island and Palm Island. warm water and soft surf without wind and waves attract many vacationers here - especially in late spring and early autumn.

Churches of Charleston

While in Charleston, one cannot ignore the numerous city churches. The beautiful whitewashed French Protestant church is one of only two surviving Huguenot churches in the United States. It was built in 1844 in the Gothic Revival style, and a year later a unique organ, made in New York, was bought for the church, in the same tone as the classical baroque instruments. The Lutheran Church of St. Matthew was built in 1840 with the participation of 50 townspeople with German roots who wanted to pray on mother tongue. It is distinguished by a typical Gothic sharp spire 78 m high, wonderful stained glass windows and an organ.

The First Presbyterian Church on Meeting Street is known as the "Silent Church" because during the war its bells were melted down for Confederate cannons. St. Philips Episcopal Church was built in 1836, and acquired a beautiful multi-tiered spire in 1850. The city also has one of the oldest synagogues in the United States: its building in the Greek Revival style was built in the 1740s.

Charleston events

The Spoleto Festival in June is considered one of the best art festivals in the US. It was organized "based on" the festival in the Italian town of the same name by the composer Giancarlo Menotti. The festival also has a "younger brother" - Piccolo Spoleto, which takes place at the same time.

The autumn pumpkin festival of St. James takes place on the eponymous avenue, on Goose Creek. This annual October event features a pumpkin charity sale on weekdays and various festival events on the weekends, with music and street food. Also in October, the Taste of Charleston festival takes place, which is definitely worth a look - the city is known for its excellent cuisine, especially seafood. And in January, the city hosts the Lowcountry Oyster Festival.

Charleston was one of the most unexpectedly interesting points of our route on the way from Key West to. It is located in southeastern South Carolina. Its population is only 128 thousand people, now the city is quiet and inconspicuous. However, in the history of the United States, he played an important role. Charleston was founded in 1670, after which for a long time it was one of the most prosperous cities in the south due to the trade and transport flows of rice, indigo and cotton.

For us, on the one hand, it has become a city that allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of the 18th century, with its colonial architecture, churches, houses of planters and wealthy southerners. On the other hand, it is a city of authentic gastronomy, which primarily amazes seafood lovers (like me).

In general, there is also the oldest museum in the United States, and the fort where Civil War, and gorgeous beaches, and magnificent plantations. All this has long been a sightseeing attraction that attracts millions of Americans and foreign tourists.

How to get there

Before you get directly to Charleston, fly to Washington or. A flight from Moscow to New York or Washington will cost about 200 USD. And there you can by car, and by plane, and by train to Charleston. It should be noted that the city is located on the coast in the middle of the state of South Carolina and at the same time in the middle of the way from New York to Key West. I think that for most travelers it will be just a dot on the map. I still advise you to calculate your time so that you spend at least two days and one night here - it's worth it.

By plane

Planes fly here from New York, Atlanta, Washington and Philadelphia. The distances are short, and a direct flight from New York takes a little over two hours, and from Washington about an hour and a half. If purchased in advance, a ticket will cost about 50–60 USD from Washington and New York, respectively. When buying on the same day, it can be from 160 to 270 USD. You can compare prices and find the most adequate, for example,.

Oddly enough, several carriers fly here: American Airlines, Delta, United, jetBlue. Flights "there" are mostly in the morning, which can be useful for us: arrived at 11 am - walk all day! True, you will also have to fly away in the morning.

How to get from the airport

All passenger arrivals take place at Charleston International Airport, which is located in the northern part of the city.

From the airport by taxi or car to the city center up to 30 minutes and up to 45 USD (meeting by a taxi driver, for example, in Green taxi), bus number XP4 will cost you 2 USD and will drive you about 30 minutes.

By train

For fans of the characteristic knock of wheels and stability on the road at low speeds, Amtrak offers two trains: Silver Meteor and Palmetto. Both depart from Pennsylvania Station in the city. The journey to Charleston Station will take you about 13.5 hours, the ticket will cost at least 126 USD.

You can also jump on the same trains in Washington DC, the trip will be 4 hours shorter and 40 USD cheaper.

How to get from the station

North Charlston Arlestone Station is located a couple of kilometers from the airport in the northern part of the city. Bus number 10 runs to the center from it, a trip on which will cost you 2 USD. The journey itself will take approximately 40 minutes.

By bus

If for some reason it is convenient for you to travel by bus, then Greyhound offers to go from New York: the bus station is located at 625 8th Avenue in Manhattan. You will have to spend on the road from 20 to 27 hours, while you have 2 or 4 transfers in Raleigh and Florence in the first option and in Baltimore, Richmond, Charlotte and Orangeburg in the second.

How to get from the bus station

From the bus station, located, again, in the northern part of the city, bus number 11 will help you get to the center, the journey will cost the same 2 USD, the journey will take about half an hour.

By car

I think this is the best way. There are no schedules and scheduled stops for you - everything is in your hands! You can slow down anywhere and see what would look like a blurry picture from the window of a bus or train at 100 km/h...

In addition, I believe that you are not for one day in and plan to see more than one city. And the best thing to do is to rent a car.

We drove to Charleston from New York, the road without stops takes about 12 hours. Along the way, I recommend not to keep constantly on the I95 route, but from time to time turn off. The cost of such a trip can be different depending on what kind of car you are driving and how often you deviate from the route. Gasoline now costs about 65–70 cents per liter (you can monitor up-to-date information on globalpetrolprices.com). We rode the first part of the route on the Chevrale Suburban at about 20 l/100 km, so it cost us a pretty penny. But if you choose a more economical car, you can reduce fuel costs.

For example, you can drive into Philadelphia, Washington, Georgetown, or even turn east and drive through the state of Delaware and partly Virginia, taste a Salisbury steak in the city of the same name, drive along the Chincoteague tunnel bridge and further along the coast ...

Clue:

Charleston - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 9

Kazan 9

Samara 10

Yekaterinburg 11

Novosibirsk 13

Vladivostok 16

When is the season. When is the best time to go

This area has a subtropical climate, which means that it is almost always warm and humid here. We, by the will of fate, ended up here in May. I think that this is the most favorable time to visit the city: the weather is warm, there are not very many tourists, but there is something to see anyway.

Although May is considered one of the “driest” months here, upon arrival we were caught in a heavy downpour. Luckily it passed fairly quickly and the sun came out.

Charleston in autumn

Autumn is similar to spring: the temperature is +20–25 °С, but rains are not the most frequent occurrence.

Charleston in spring

Spring, in my opinion, is the best time to visit the city. Warm, rains are rare, everything blooms. When we got to Charleston, there were practically no tourists to be seen.

Later, I was very surprised to read somewhere that almost 4.5 million people visit this 120,000-strong town a year.

Charleston in winter

In my opinion, it’s a bit cold: the temperature is kept within + 2-10 ° С

Charleston - monthly weather

Clue:

Charleston - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Formally, there are 6 districts in Charleston:

Peninsula or Downtown;
West Ashley;
John's Island;
James Island;
Daniel Island;
Cainhoy Peninsula.

It seems to me that this is not very convenient for a tourist. Especially given the fact that several extremely useful facilities for us (airport, railway and bus stations) are located, according to this division, in another city - North Charleston.

Therefore, I propose a slightly different scheme (as on the map above), which will also include the surroundings: the center, the north, the area with plantations and Fort Sumter, and the area with an aircraft carrier and the best beach.

On the bottom map you can see the concentration of hotels and hostels in the city. As you might guess, there are plenty to choose from.

North. It is important for us to have intercity transport. It is here that Charleston International Airport (CHS) is located at a short distance from each other, railroad station North Charleston and the Greyhound bus station where buses arrive. And in this magical triangle there are many hotels where you can stay, and cheaper than in the center. A night close to a transport hub can cost as little as $70, but it can be hard to find one for less than $150.
Center. Usually all standard pictures are taken here. It is this part that is the oldest, prettiest and most attractive for tourists, and just from here you will bring a magnet from Rainbow Row and go to Hymans seafood here. The cost of living here varies from 90 to 1500 USD per night, but the average is 150-200 USD. For a tourist, this is the most suitable option, since all the main attractions are located at an equal distance from each other.
Area with plantations and Fort Sumter. It is located a little southwest of the north and center. The name I have given speaks for itself. Here are the Magnolia Plantation and its gardens, a tea plantation, a distillery and the famous Fort Sumter. And on the coast of this area there are sandy beaches - a paradise for surfers and lovers to lie on the sand in one swimsuit. Here, next to the beaches, a huge number of hotels are concentrated. different levels. Accommodation prices here start at about 50 USD per night, while in roadside hotels they are lower, but near the coast they can reach 350 USD.
Area with aircraft carrier and beach is located northeast of the center and north. Formally, most of it is the neighboring Mount Pleasant, where the Navy Museum is located, and on Palm Island and Sullivan Island there is an elite residential area with a gorgeous beach. Here the hotels are concentrated in close proximity to the beach. Depending on their level, prices range from 120 USD per night to 250 USD. At the same time, hotels through Booking need to be booked literally a year before the trip. In addition to hotels and motels, you can also rent a whole house here, if you wish, right on the ocean.

Of course, the area for living should be chosen based on the purpose of your trip. If this is an acquaintance with the history of the city, then it is wiser to settle in the center, if a beach holiday, then on the nearby islands. Well, if you are a middle-class tourist and are looking for a budget vacation, take a closer look at the area with beaches and a fort north of the river.

Wherever you decide to stay, you need to think about housing in advance. In order not to get into a mess, first compare prices. You can do this, for example. And it’s easiest to book the room you like at.

What are the prices for holidays

This is not to say that vacationing in Charleston is a cheap pastime. Finding a room for less than 100 USD is a rather difficult task: usually the cost of living starts from 150 USD, and ends, judging by Booking, at about 5000 USD per night. By the way, in the beach areas, hotels are booked a year in advance, and in the center you can find places almost at any time.

Food prices are very diverse, and given how many restaurants and cafes there are, everyone can find an option to their taste and wallet. In a restaurant with average prices, lunch will cost you 2530 USD for two, if you do not order drinks, but just take ice water.

Excursions usually build around 20 USD. Discount coupons can always be found at hotels and at the Charleston Visitor Center.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub

Main attractions. What to see

In a small town like Charleston, you never expect a lot of attractions. It seems that this is similar to the Portuguese Sintra, where, in addition to the town itself, you can visit several palaces, castles, admire the ocean and Cape Roca. In Charleston, there are palaces, plantations, museums, churches, forts, beaches, the ocean and much more.

Yes, and the streets themselves are saturated with history: only on them you can feel what the colonial style is, and understand why 4.5 million people a year come here from other states and even other countries.

Top 5

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Churches and temples in Chalston, in my opinion, as in Voronezh: literally on every corner. So, I recommend that lovers of religious architecture use Google maps and explore the streets for objects of interest to you. Nevertheless, I will tell about a couple of churches.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Since the city has a rich and eventful history, it is full of museums. Among them are both the oldest museum in the United States and fairly new ones.

Fort Sumter

This fort is one of the main historical attractions of Charleston. It is famous for the fact that it was here that the civil war between the North and the South began in 1861. You can only get here by sea. For example, from Liberty square 2-3 times a day (depending on the season) there is a ferry to the fort. You can also get to the fort from the neighboring town of Mount Pleasant. Water trams run (again, depending on the season) 1 to 3 times a day. The cost of such a tour is about 20 USD.

Moultrie

Another famous fort is located on the opposite side of the bay from Fort Sumter. It can be reached, as I said, by land via Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island.

The Charleston Museum

This museum is located in the heart of Charleston. It, in fact, is a local history exhibition: the exposition tells about the history of the city, how its appearance changed and the population grew. The museum consists of three parts:

The Charleston Museum;
The Heyward-Washington House;
The Joseph Manigault House.

You can buy a ticket in one (for 12 USD) or two (for 18) parts, or a complex ticket for 25 USD. There are significant discounts for children and teenagers. You can buy a ticket either on the spot or online. The main building of the museum is located at 360 Meeting Street - directly opposite the visitor center. Working hours - from 9:00 to 17:00.

Confederate Museum

Mace Brown Museum of Natural History

This museum was created specifically for lovers of natural history. Having received a free ticket, you can get acquainted with the ancient inhabitants of these places. The museum is located at the local college, at 202 Calhoun Street. Opening hours - from 11:00 to 16:00 (every day except Wednesday). with full schedule and additional information can be consulted.

And a few more words so you don't think that Charleston has nothing more to offer you. When you go to the Sullivan Islands, or the Palm Islands, or maybe Fort Moultrie, or the Bunhol plantation, you will definitely use the bridge. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. If you, like us, have traveled all over the East Coast of the United States, then it will hardly surprise you (although the bridge is pretty nice).

plantations

One of the main attractions of Charleston is the plantations. Once they became the basis for creating a settlement, and now they have become one of the sources of income for this city. Most Popular:

Magnolia platation and its gardens;
Boone Hall Plantation;
Middleton Place;
Drayton Hall;
Charleston Tea Plantation.

tourist streets

The main streets that you should definitely walk along are King and Meeting Streets, North and South Market Streets, East Bay Street (part of which is the famous Rainbow Row), passing into the embankment, consisting of East Battery and Murray Boulevard.

What to see in 1 day

nearby islands

It is better to look at the nearby islands in the "beaches" section, since most of them are sand. But in general there are many islands around Charleston. I'll just name the top five:

Sullivan;
Isle of Palms;
Folly Beach;
Seabrook;
Kiava.

Food. What to try

When we drove into Charleston, we still did not know at all what kind of place it was. Therefore, I consider it my duty to introduce you to him not only as a key city of the Confederate South and an excellent beach resort, but also as the capital of coastal cuisine of the East Coast from New York itself to Key West. According to Tripadvisor, the city of 120,000 has 677 restaurants of very different price categories, but in total very high quality. I think that due to the location, most of them offer our brother fish and seafood. However, there are plenty of other dishes as well.

Recommended for fish and seafood lovers. With very average prices (the three of us spent about 45 USD for lunch), it is simply replete with a variety of dishes from everything that is caught in the area and not only. Many author's proposals, excellent design, cozy atmosphere, friendly and professional staff make this place the gem of Meeting Street. And the photos of celebrities who have been here can hardly fit on the walls (although the restaurant has three floors and quite a lot of halls).

By the way, the establishment is owned by the fifth generation of the same family, and it is felt in everything! All seafood is obtained by a ship, which also belongs to the family. And here's what will help you characterize Charleston as a city with an excellent food culture: Hyman's seafood is only 76th in Tripadvisor's ranking.

Among other things, the restaurant has a souvenir shop. So, if you haven't purchased anything yet, you can do it here.

Budget

Brown Dog Deli;
The early bird diner;
Tattooed Moose;
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit;
Griffon.

Intermediate level

R Kitchen;
Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine;
Cru Cafe;
167 Raw;
Five Loaves Cafe.

Expensive

Things to do

Holidays in Charleston can be quite varied. You can either lie on the beach all day or go surfing. You can just wander the streets or, on the contrary, methodically study the contents of museums. You can walk around the plantations all day, admiring their beauty, or you can study the life of planters and slaves at museum expositions and during special performances.

For nature lovers, Charleston also has something to offer. In addition to gorgeous beaches, where, for example, you can watch turtles, I advise you to visit the South Carolina Aquarium. It is located on the above Liberty square (from where the ferry goes to Fort Sumter). A ticket for adults will cost 25 USD, for children from 3 to 12 years old - 18 USD. It can be bought both online and already on the spot from 9:00 to 16:00.

Shopping and shops

I don't think Charleston the best place to buy clothes and shoes, although this stuff can be found here (both in the center and in the area with the Magnolia plantation and the area with an aircraft carrier). But it seems to me that Charleston is ideal for those who want to buy a variety of authentic souvenirs. For this, there is a whole Market, which we wandered into during a one-day visit, souvenir shops of every major attraction, whether it be a plantation or an Aquarium. In addition, there are entire souvenir shops at some restaurants - for example, in Hyman's seafood about which I wrote above.

Bars. Where to go

Actually, I don't know much about the bars in Charleston. According to Google and TripAdvisor, they are. As far as I have noticed, the locals dine in restaurants and cafes in the evenings. But I am sure that there is also a layer that spends leisure time in bars. Their greatest concentration is in the center, but they are also in tourist places on islands. Most often these are not independent establishments, but bars at restaurants.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

The assortment of souvenirs in this city is very large. From the very banal to alcoholic drinks from one of the oldest distilleries in the South and delicious treats from local plantations. We were also very pleased with the souvenirs in the shop of the Himans restaurant, which I wrote about in the food section.

So, do not be lazy to visit gift shops in the sights and run to Market Street if you want to take some cool thing with you besides memories and photos.

How to move around the city

I think that you need to move around the center of the town on your own two feet. He is very small, neat, calm and handsome. If you plan to go to the beaches and plantations (or even move to another city), rent a car. The best option is to just rent a car with a driver.

Taxi. What features exist

Not to say that taxis are cheap here. Boarding and the first 2 miles will cost 5 USD, 50 cents for every next 1/5 mile, waiting - 20 cents per minute, and each additional passenger plus 1 USD. Well, the best part is that your trip at night (from midnight to 5 am) can double its cost. The road to the airport will cost you from 25 USD, to the railway station - 18, and to the bus station - 15. Approximately 25 USD will cost a trip from the center to the beach.

Especially for tourists, three free DASH Shuttle routes are organized around the city, with which you can go around almost all the sights.

Transport rental

If you made it to Charleston public transport You can also rent a car here. All popular global companies have their offices at Charleston International Airport (Avis, Budget, Hertz, etc.). You can compare prices from different distributors and find the best options for the price.

For fans of pedaling, I advise Affordabike or B’s Bikes, where you can rent a bike at a price of 15 USD for 2 hours or from 60 for the whole day. I love cycling - it's a fast and healthy way to get around. In addition, there are not so many cars in the city, and you can ride a bike quite calmly. On the beach islands, which you read about in the corresponding section, you can also find bike rentals.

Traffic in the city is quite calm, and in May we had practically no problems with parking. Maybe they happen during the season. Although in general the distances in the center are scanty: you can leave the car and enjoy walking.

Charleston - holidays with children

In my opinion, children in Charleston can be thoroughly and variedly occupied. Remember yourself: there is a natural history museum here, and a real aircraft carrier, and plantations where you can participate in the production of something like that, and surfing beaches, and boat trips, and a huge aquarium. So, if your children are at least interested in something, they should not be bored.

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Charleston South Carolina is a city of history, an open-air museum, here every street and house is saturated with many years of history, unique architecture that gives Charleston a special touch of charm and a little European character.

Charleston South Carolina

The city is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina between the Cooper and Ashley rivers. All Americans should visit this city to study the history of the country firsthand, so to speak.

Story

The city was founded by English colonists in 1670, and named after King Charles II - Charles Towne, later renamed Charleston (Charlston) which grew from a colonial port into a wealthy city by the middle of the eighteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century, Charleston's economy prospered thanks to its busy seaport, as well as its numerous rice, cotton, and coffee plantations.

In April 1861, Fort Sumter near Charleston was fired on by soldiers, signaling the start of the bloodiest Civil War in history. Charleston was very slow to recover from the destruction of the war, but this became one of the main goals of the city due to the huge list of historically significant monuments of architecture, so Charleston was forced to restore damaged buildings instead of replacing them.

After the war, the city became less and less dependent on the agricultural industry, and gradually rebuilt its economy towards trade and industry. During the first decades of the 1900s, Charleston's industrial and port activities flourished, later tourism, the naval base, and the medical industry became the main sources of capital. Today, about 4,510,000 people visit Charleston annually.

Walk through the historic center or a carriage tour.

Wagon ride through downtown Charleston

Every square meter of Charleston is literally saturated with history? so I would recommend taking a tour? if it is var first visit. After all, you will agree that it is more interesting with a guide. He will show you the most interesting places in the center of Charleston and tell you many informative stories. There are both hiking and horse riding tours. Do you choose? which one is closer to your liking. The wagon tour costs about 40 minutes and costs $22 (be sure to ask for a coupon at the hotel where you are staying and they will give you a $2 discount). As a last resort, get into Wikipedia and print out about the city, so it will be more interesting to walk along the old streets.

ghost tour.

Yes, yes, he is the most ghost tour. The fact is that in Charleston at night it turns into a ghost town. Many residents often encounter unexplained phenomena and often see the silhouettes of ghosts. In one of the hotels there is room 203, where the girl's ghost lives. Believe it or not, this room is booked six months in advance. And the story here is this: The wife of a plantation owner fell in love with the seas and they secretly met in a hotel, in room 203. Once, when a sailor arrived from another business trip, the girl saw him in the arms of another and could not control her feelings and threw herself out of the window of that same room 203. Until now, her ghost lives in this hotel. Many guests of room 203 noticed that someone was rummaging around in their personal belongings, especially women's. One woman staying in that famous room at Christmas could not find her underwear and went down to the reception to complain that someone had stolen her things. What was the surprise of the hotel staff and the guest herself that her bra hung on Rozhdestvenskaya Street in the hotel lobby! Believe it or not, it's up to you! The so-called Gost tours take place every evening and start at 10 pm near the central market of Charleston. It all depends on the guide that you come across and what stories he tells you. We were given special ghost detectors, some even signaled ghosts.

Plantations.

There are several plantations in Charleston:

Magnolia Plantation & Its Gardens(Magnolia plantation and its gardens).

Open 365 days a year from 8am to 5:30pm, please check opening hours if you are visiting between November and February. This 17th century plantation was purchased by the Drayton family in 1676. Here are the old gardens of America (c.1680), which bloom all year round, a house built before the revolution, a biblical garden, slave huts, as well as magnificent nature. Cost $15, tours of the house, boat tour for an additional fee. Official website: http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

Boone Hall Plantation(Boone Hall Plantation).

Belong to the category "You must be here." Boone Hall reflects the history of the US South over the past 300 years and is a working plantation that grows a large amount of vegetables and fruits. Here is one of the longest oak alleys in the world, magnificent flower gardens, an old mansion, as well as a hut in which slaves lived.

Wonderful oak alley:

During the tourist season, there are live performances and bus tours of the plantation.

Representation of Boone Hall Plantation:

Cost $20. The plantation is closed in winter. Official website: http://www.boonehallplantation.com/

Middleton Place(Middleton).

All the charm of America's old gardens is on display here, along with the house museum's collection. Daily activities focus on agriculture 18th-19th centuries, horticulture, African American history. The plantation is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Closed during the winter season from 21 January to 12 February. The cost is $28. Official website: https://www.middletonplace.org/

Drayton Hall(Drayton Hall).

The oldest unrestored manor in America, still open to the public. The visit includes a tour of the house, an African American cemetery, nature walks, a gift shop. Cost $20. Official site: http://www.draytonhall.org/

Charleston Tea Plantation

Visit the Tea Plantation for fun and broadening your horizons at the same time. Here you will see how the second most popular drink in the world is grown and produced! Breathtaking views of the tea plantations and tasting of various tea varieties. Official website: http://www.charlestonteaplantation.com/

Firefly Distillery(Firefly distillery).

South Carolina's first and largest distillery. The famous sweet tea vodka "Firefly" is produced here. Open for visits and tastings Tue-Sat. 11 am to 5 pm, closed in January. Official website: http://fireflyvodka.com

Charleston Church South Carolina

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist) is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. The first cathedral, built of brown stone in 1854, was named after Saint John and Saint Finbar, but in December 1861 it was destroyed by a great fire. After the reconstruction, the church was renamed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and built on the foundations of the previous cathedral. The building seats 720 people and is known for its grandiose hand-painted stained glass windows and neo-Gothic architecture.

Streets of Charleston

Old City Market (City Market, or Central Market) is a historic market complex in downtown Charleston South Carolina. Founded in the 1790s, the market spans four city blocks from Meeting Street to East Bay Street. Throughout the 19th century, the market provided a convenient place for farmers and plantation owners to sell beef and agricultural products, and also acted as a meeting and socializing place for locals. Today, the city market sells souvenirs and other items ranging from jewelry to wicker baskets.

Pedicabs Charleston

South Carolina Aquarium(South Carolina Aquarium) is located in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, opened on May 19, 2000 in the historic part of Charleston - Harbor. The aquarium is home to over ten thousand plants and animals, including North American river otters, sea turtles, alligators, blue herons, hawks, owls, green moray eels, king crabs, starfish, pythons and sharks. The largest exhibit in the aquarium is the Great Ocean Wall, which stretches from the first to the third floor of the aquarium, and contains 1,460,000 liters of water and is home to over three hundred fish. Official site: http://www.scaquarium.org

Live music on the streets of Charleston

Choir on Charleston Street

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge(Cooper Bridge) is a cable-stayed (suspension) bridge over the Cooper River in South Carolina, connecting downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The eight-lane bridge opened in 2005 and replaced two aging cantilever truss bridges. The bridge has a main span of 471 m and is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

Fort Summer (Fort Sumter) is a sea fort located in Charleston South Carolina. The fort is a famous place in the history of the Civil War, it was here that the first shots were fired on April 12, 1861. In 1966, the fort was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Story

Walk through the historic center or a carriage tour.

ghost tour.

Yes, yes, he is the most ghost tour. The fact is that in Charleston at night it turns into a ghost town. Many residents often encounter unexplained phenomena and often see the silhouettes of ghosts. In one of the hotels there is room 203, where the girl's ghost lives. Believe it or not, this room is booked six months in advance. And the story here is this: The wife of a plantation owner fell in love with the seas and they secretly met in a hotel, in room 203. Once, when a sailor arrived from another business trip, the girl saw him in the arms of another and could not control her feelings and threw herself out of the window of that same room 203. Until now, her ghost lives in this hotel. Many guests of room 203 noticed that someone was rummaging around in their personal belongings, especially women's. One woman staying in that famous room at Christmas could not find her underwear and went down to the reception to complain that someone had stolen her things. What was the surprise of the hotel staff and the guest herself that her bra hung on Rozhdestvenskaya Street in the hotel lobby! Believe all this or not - you decide! The so-called Gost tours take place every evening and start at 10 pm near the central market of Charleston. It all depends on the guide that you come across and what stories he tells you. We were given special ghost detectors, some even signaled ghosts.

Plantations.

There are several plantations in Charleston:

Magnolia Plantation & Its Gardens(Magnolia plantation and its gardens).

Boone Hall Plantation(Boone Hall Plantation).

Wonderful oak alley:

During the tourist season, there are live performances and bus tours of the plantation.

Representation of Boone Hall Plantation:

Cost $20. The plantation is closed in winter. Official website: http://www.boonehallplantation.com/

Middleton Place(Middleton).

All the charm of America's old gardens is on display here, along with the house museum's collection. Daily activities focus on 18th and 19th century agriculture, horticulture, African American history. The plantation is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Closed during the winter season from 21 January to 12 February. The cost is $28. Official site: https://www.middletonplace.org/

Drayton Hall(Drayton Hall).

Charleston Tea Plantation

Firefly Distillery(Firefly distillery).

South Carolina Aquarium (South Carolina Aquarium) is located in Charleston, South Carolina, opened May 19, 2000 in the historic part of Charleston - Harbor. The aquarium is home to over ten thousand plants and animals, including North American river otters, sea turtles, alligators, blue herons, hawks, owls, green moray eels, king crabs, starfish, pythons and sharks. The largest exhibit in the aquarium is the Great Ocean Wall, which stretches from the first to the third floor of the aquarium, and contains 1,460,000 liters of water and is home to over three hundred fish. Official site: http://www.scaquarium.org

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (Cooper Bridge) is a cable-stayed (suspension) bridge over the Cooper River in South Carolina, connecting downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The eight-lane bridge opened in 2005 and replaced two aging cantilever truss bridges. The bridge has a main span of 471 m and is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

Since the city has a rich and eventful history, it is full of museums. Among them are both the oldest museum in the United States and fairly new ones.