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Is charleston a good vacation spot.Why Charleston Is The Best City For A Vacation
Covering four city blocks, the market now houses over vendors selling a wide variety of vendors, arts and crafts, including Gullah Sweetgrass baskets, a Charleston staple. In the warm summer months, kids are free to play in the water to cool off. For a bit of history, check out the nearby Old Slave Mart Museum.
The French Quarter is also home to countless art galleries check out the Art Walk held by the Charleston Gallery Association , incredible southern eateries and great bars for the partyers. The French Quarter Inn is a fan-favorite for accommodation and other quaint hotels are scattered throughout the area. With scenic views over the Ashley River, incredible shopping and low-key, unpretentious vibes, West Ashley lies west of Historic Charleston and functions mainly as a residential area.
Vibrantly colored by ancient moss oak trees and dotted with marshes, West Ashely is nothing short of beautiful. Near a busy intersection near Magnolia Road and Savannah Highway is Avondale, a hip neighborhood within West Ashley with colorful restaurants, art murals, boutiques and bars, making it a popular scene with young professionals. West Ashley also has no shortage of greenspaces for those looking to enjoy nature.
The West Ashley Greenway is a rail trail stretching nearly nine miles across the West Ashley neighborhood. A favorite amongst bikers, is a straight, mostly paved trail also popular with roller-skaters and pedestrians. If the kids are looking to run around or toss a ball back and forth, West Ashley Park, St. Andrews Park and Mary Utsey Park all offer sports fields and expansive green spaces. For a bit of history, West Ashley offers several options.
Ashley Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantation Gardens , with vibrant flower displays and great historical significance, are both located here. North Charleston truly is a haven for aficionados of all kinds: foodies, sports enthusiasts, history buffs and more.
A bit slower than downtown Charleston but still packed with excitement and fun, North Charleston is mainly a beautiful residential area for young families and older retirees. For a breath of fresh air, check out Riverfront Park , a public park open year-round and a favorite amongst residents. A memorial honoring the base also stands erected here, and the park really comes alive as a concert venue in the warmer months.
For shopping, check out nearby Centre Pointe and the Tanger Outlets with 90 name-brand retailers and nationally-recognized eateries. If you want heart-pumping live sports action, the 13, seat North Charleston Coliseum is home to the South Carolina Stingrays Hockey team and regularly hosts concerts, performances and sporting events throughout the year. Centre Point also offers multiple hotels and options for accommodation , so look here first if you want to stay in North Charleston.
In addition, many hotels here offer shuttle services to downtown for free. Beautiful, breezy and bustling, Mount Pleasant is an incredible area and a great place where to stay in Charleston. A peaceful refuge from the hectic tourist crowds of downtown, Mount Pleasant is a residential area just over the Cooper River.
If you like to walk, Mount Pleasant has a lot to offer without having to cover a ton of ground. Housed under the stately Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge is a true nautical playground complete with a performance pavilion, gift and snack shops and spots for fishing. History is certainly alive in Mount Pleasant.
You can take self-guided tours across all three vessels. End your day at Mount Pleasant at Shem Creek, a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike. Right before the end of the creek is a hotspot for dining, nightlife and even a little animal watching. Mount Pleasant is quickly becoming a very popular area to stay in Charleston, so prices for accommodation have also raised.
Still, you can find great deals outside of the tourism season and enjoy a quieter pace of life in this area that is defined by southern hospitality. Read also: Where to stay in New York , where to stay in Miami , where to stay in Nashville , where to stay in Savannah , where to stay in Orlando , where to stay in Atlanta , where to stay in Asheville. Known as a premiere luxury beach town , Kiawah Island is truly making a name for itself as a top vacation destination in recent years. It has topped many a best island list, and for good reason.
Families and retirees are flocking here and staying permanently, enchanted by the stunning ocean views, pristine beaches, lush natural environment and wide variety of things to do. The resident of Kiawah have made sure to limit the scope of tourist impact on the island in order to preserve the natural maritime forests and marshes here, but visitors are still well-welcomed. Kiawah is also home to a wide variety of animals , including alligators, bottlenose dolphins, herons, deer, sea turtles and bobcats.
Golfers will love this island. Kiawah is home to one of the most beautifully-designed courses in the U. In fact, many a PGA Championship has taken place here, giving panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and breezy beach winds. Beachwalker Park, located on the west end of the island, has ocean frontage and river views. All beach homes must be located past the second row of dunes, leaving the long stretch of beach undisturbed and usually uncrowded.
For bikers, roller-skaters and walkers, Kiawah also offers 30 miles of nature paths perfect for exploring. As Kiawah is home to many full-time residents, more suburban-type ordinances are in place here than other areas of Charleston. The resort owns more than a dozen restaurants and cafes and offers luxury amenities. In recent years, Folly Beach has become a premiere vacation destination for the young and the old alike , as there is so much to see and do.
Locals carry a laid-back, surfer attitude and ride the waves of the Atlantic, all under painted sunsets and warm temperatures. Folly Beach is definitely for the outdoorsy visitor. Multiple vendors and local eateries are located on Center Street and you can rent a bike here to explore the island. You can rent surf and paddleboards and even get in a lesson from Isla Surf School. Due to Hurricane Hugo, coastal winds now blow uninterrupted across the beach and roll the waves to outstanding heights.
Waterfront Park also has a fantastic view of the harbor and is one of the best places to visit in Charleston for sunset. Find a bench to sit and watch boats sail by.
Bring the kids during the day to play in the awesome splash fountain. The pier has cool bench swings and places to fish. There are also events held at the park throughout the year. Philadelphia Alley runs between Queen and Cumberland Streets.
This is a great place for photos or a stop on a ghost tour. This innocent-looking alley has quite an interesting history. One infamous duel ended in the death of Dr. Joseph Brown Ladd who is said to still haunt the alley under the name of the Whistling Ghost. Whether haunted or not, Philadelphia Alley is a pretty place for a stroll and is usually not crowded.
Shamrock Garden is a little, manicured garden surrounded by historic buildings. This boxwood garden is found on Legare Street and is a hidden gem in Charleston. This is a private garden, but it is easy to snap a photo through the black, iron fence. Along with being one of the best secret tourists attractions, Shamrock Garden should be included as one of the best places to visit in Charleston. It will not be crowded with tourists and you can get a unique photo.
The entirety of Legare Street is pretty as a storybook. There are plenty of overhanging trees, vine-covered walls, and brick buildings. The island has been kept minimally developed to preserve the natural beauty and small-town feel.
There are beautiful, quiet beaches here for relaxing as well as a nature trail. This is a great place to make family memories or have quality time with your significant other. Along with beaches, there are historic districts to explore. Also, did we mention there is a castle here? Mugdock Castle has an interesting history that stretches back to the late s. It started off as a church and though it is not super big, it is still cool to see.
Folly Beach is one of the best beaches in Charleston. You will find the beach on Folly Island just south of the city. This beautiful oasis is one of the best vacation spots in Charleston! The stretch of sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing or swimming.
Kids will have fun building sandcastles and looking for shells. Folly Beach is also known for its great surfing conditions. If you are looking for a place to put your board in the water on the East Coast, this is where you should come. Cypress Gardens is a minute drive north of Charleston and if you get the chance to visit, you will not regret it! This acre swamp garden is absolutely gorgeous and perfectly romantic.
You can recreate the movie scene by hopping in a rowboat and paddling through the tall, cypress trees. You will spot a ton of birds, turtles, and maybe even some alligators. Cypress Gardens also has a Butterfly House and a Swamparium where you can learn about native wildlife. There are also over three miles of walking trails.
This is easily one of the best places to visit near Charleston. Isle of Palms is a great day trip from Charleston. A minute drive will bring you to this upscale, beach resort destination. The Isle of Palms County Park is a family-friendly place to soak in the sun or go for a dip in the water. Kids will have fun climbing on the playground or playing a game of sand volleyball. Bring a picnic to enjoy and grab an ice cream from the snack bar for dessert.
Rent beach chairs and umbrellas so you can rest in peace while your kids play in the surf under the watchful gaze of the lifeguards. There are also a ton of great eateries along the beachfront. There are a ton of beautiful churches in Charleston and the French Huguenot Church is certainly one of the most photogenic. Even if you are not religious, you can appreciate this church for its breathtaking architecture. The original church was built in but was destroyed by a fire in The replacement was built in before it was then dismantled and renovated into the Gothic Revival style between and This beautiful, white building is another of the best places to visit in Charleston for photography.
It makes a wonderful backdrop for an Instagram selfie, especially with the palm trees in front. Camellias is a pretty, premier champagne lounge found inside the Hotel Bennett. If you feel like treating yourself or want to have a romantic outing, this is the place to go in Charleston. Enjoy a fancy, afternoon tea or a snack of caviar, charcuterie, or seafood. The signature Camellias Cake is to die for.
And of course, the champagne and cocktails are amazing! You are sure to want to snap some photos here! FIG is one of the best places to eat in Charleston. This beautiful bistro takes classic Southern dishes and elevates them to the next level while using the best, seasonal ingredients.
- 15 Best Things to Do in Charleston, S.C. | Condé Nast Traveler
Charleston, SC. Where deep south meets vibrant city life. A marriage of usual opposites that genuinely work on collaborative design to bring in tourists from all over the world and from all walks of life. Charleston, South Carolina is an excellent place to visit and explore on vacation. Journey into the downtown historic district, walk the streets of immaculate houses, venture down the street made of stones, and sit in peaceful unity at the Waterfront Park.
And the best part is, all of those things mentioned above are within 2 miles and walking distance between each other. Being adequately prepared for you vacation and impending site seeing adventures is half of the strategic battle. Having a little insight into the city nuances can often make all the difference in level of experiences had. Anytime in March or April, and between September and November. Trust me here. As a matter of fact, I just returned from a quick visit from there last month — in February.
And windy. The type of wind that reminds you of winters in the Appalachian Mountains. The kind of wind that cuts through to your soul. I digress. The long and short of it is, pick the perfect weather seasons to visit Charleston.
The mild weather will make your time in Charleston much more enjoyable. Lavinia would poison guests tea — not to kill them, just to inhibit their motor skills.
Never to be heard from again. Two separate ghosts have been repeatedly spotted at this bed and breakfast that has been around since The first ghost is always seen in Room 8 and is known as the headless torso, believed to be a Civil War soldier. And the other ghost can been found in room A male ghost who likes to pet the head of women in their sleep. Not it. Listen, if a ghost story starts with fires, orphan houses, and dead children…. Back in a horrific fire destroyed the entire building and killed the children who were currently living there.
Do I really need to convince you any further? No Comments. Charleston is geographically flat. If this is your scene, have at it.
Take the bus downtown when you go. Public transportation in Charleston is grossly underutilized by the locals. Riding the bus also saves you time and money when it comes to trying to find a decent parking spot downtown.
Want to know the best place to go see them in their natural habitat without the annoyance of every other tourist who happens to be on vacation the same time as you?
Then sit back and take it all in. Same here. Who else loves free stuff? How about free memories? Botany Bay Plantation. Two words for you. The shoreline is essentially untouched and uninhabited. Reminds me of what it would feel like to have your very own island all to yourself.
Is it the first Friday of the month? Are you on Broad Street? Avoid the sticky traps of typical tourist destinations. Instead plan to head out to the following : Revelry Brewing Co. Yeah, I can tell. Two more words for you: Java Java. Thank me later. Have you ever experience nowhere before? Or taken the bridge there? Well, you should. The Bridge to Nowhere reaches across the water from downtown to Ashley River. It was actually suppose to become a developed and commercial area but is now creepy and abandoned.
Gives me the willies. Battery Carriage House Two separate ghosts have been repeatedly spotted at this bed and breakfast that has been around since The Charleston Orphan House Listen, if a ghost story starts with fires, orphan houses, and dead children….
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