Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, with a rich history that dates all the way back to 1670. If you’re interested in history, Charleston has it in spades. The Southern city sustained minimal damage during the Civil War, so it’s managed to preserve a lot of historic buildings and sites that other Southern cities lost. In addition to its numerous historic attractions, Charleston also offers beaches, upscale shopping, and the unique Old City Market, as well as excellent seafood and Southern cuisine. If you’re going to be visiting Charleston, South Carolina, in the near future, here are a few of the can’t-miss sites and activities of the city.
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Charleston Museum. If you’re visiting for the first time and you want to learn about the local history, the Charleston Museum makes a terrific starting point. The museum, founded in 1773, is a bit of interesting history in and of itself, as it’s America’s very first museum. Permanent exhibits include the Lowcountry History Hall that focuses on the native people who first inhabited the area and how the incoming settlers changed the local culture and landscape, as well as exhibits that explore Charleston’s role in the American Revolution and the Civil War. The museum host frequent events and offers programs and exhibits aimed at children as well as adults.
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Charleston Tours. There are too many excellent tours of Charleston to narrow it down to one best tour. It all depends on what you want to see. Are you hungry? Then take a tour from Culinary Tours of Charleston. Their Flavors Tour lasts two and half hours and will take you through the history of the city as well as letting you experience the evolution of Charleston area food. Expect to try stone ground grits, Southern pralines, and lowcountry barbecue, all while sipping on sweet tea, of course. For a good overall look at the city accompanied by historic information presented with humor and accuracy, consider Palmetto Carriage’s guided carriage tours.
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Charleston’s Old City Market. You cannot leave Charleston without making a stop at the Old City Market. If nothing else, it’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs for the people back home. The current Market Hall that houses the Old City market was built in the 1840s to replace the previous one that burned in 1796. It served as a recruiting hall during the Civil War and a Confederate museum run by the United Daughters of the Confederacy well into the 1900s. Today you can find any number of shops and independent vendors and merchants on Market street selling everything from cooking spices to Gullah sweetgrass baskets.
The city of Charleston, South Carolina, offers many opportunities to have fun while learning about the historic city. Take the time to really explore Charleston in depth, and you’ll find a fascinating and unique culture within the city.
