Why should you visit Charleston?
If you've decided to visit this area just because you've heard some great stories about what we have to offer here, I'll help you find something (hopefully) that you find interesting!
A lot of people visit because of our great beaches! If you want a little surfer town with a small-town feel, check out Folly Beach. If you want to hang out with the locals, check out Sullivan's Island. Or, if you want to people-watch or if you are with a large group, head to Isle of Palms!
Another great thing about Charleston is our history here. We are, after all, the oldest city in the Great State of South Carolina. We were officially founded in 1670 when King Charles II was on the throne. We have a plethora of historic sites around here that date back to the colonial period. Charleston and its surrounding areas also played a large role in the American Revolution, and hosted George Washington! Francis Marion is also a well-known officer in these parts. And most obviously, the Civil War began here when cadets from The Citadel fired shots at The Star of the West and Fort Sumter. (Also, for some extra history, check out Old Santee Canal Park to see some great swamps AND the plantation home where the CSS David, aka "the little David" was built in secrecy under the plantation!)
Charleston is also the home of Darius Rucker, and during hurricane season, Jimmy Buffet frequents our beaches to catch a good surf.
If none of that convinces you, the magazine Travel + Leisure named us the "World's Best City" in 2016!
When to visit:
Well, how's your hu-mid-i-tay tolerance? I'm definitely not kidding with that question. Do you want to get some Travel Insurance in case there's a hurricane? Our hurricane season is July - Thanksgiving.
- Prices are generally on the higher end for lodging and attractions from Memorial Day-Labor Day and Holidays. If you're a beach go-er, I recommend mid-late August through September. Remember, the kids down here go back to school in the middle of August so there will be fewer locals. Ideally, the week before Labor Day and the week after are best. Of course, as long as there's no hurricane headed our way!
Where to stay:
Honestly, this totally depends on what you are looking for and if you want to walk everywhere, walk yourself down a boardwalk to the ocean, or if you want to explore this historic. Do you want a beachfront hotel? Do you want bustling Downtown with a great view? Do you need a place to park your car overnight?
To be honest, this would need an entire post to get into what we have here. I will say, though, that Middleton Plantation has an Inn, and you'd stay right on the grounds of the plantation. Or, if you want historic, beautiful, and downtown, check out Two Meeting Street Inn. If you want to feel like you're at the Ritz, check out The Francis Marion Hotel that's right on King Street and Calhoun.
Or, hop on Air BnB for some great finds! Give some serious thought to renting a home on Lake Moultrie or Lake Marion. It's not oceanfront, but it is still pretty amazing, and only an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the ocean. And the prices will be cheaper!
Up Front and Honest: Some of the Bad:
As with everywhere else, there is bound to be some downsides to a city/area.
- First visit south of the Mason Dixon? The lower you get on the map, the more homeless people you'll see. If you think about it, it does make sense. They have to be able to survive outside year-round. Cities offer free hurricane shelters and transportation.
- Not staying downtown and don't have a vehicle? You'll be on a tight schedule - public transportation isn't the greatest. But, we do have Uber! I've heard many positive reviews about using Uber here. Or budget (if you can) for a rental car. I do NOT recommend a taxi. Their prices are kind of ridiculous. If you do stay downtown, their public transportation is pretty regular, and a lot of what we have is walking-distance away.
- If you're on a budget, consider staying just outside of Charleston. Not only are prices cheaper, but you'll be out of Charleston County. Charleston County has a higher tax on tourism-related things, such as hotels.
- The drivers: everyone is either a part of the Daytona 500 or on a Sunday drive. Nothing in between.
Get In The Mood:
A list of some books to get you ready to visit Charleston
- The Lords of Discipline, by Pat Conroy
- North and South, by John Jakes
- Porgy, by DuBose Heyward
- The Notebook (Allie's parent's vacation home is Boone Hall Plantation - also the plantation where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds got married. Also, the famous swamp boat ride is filmed at Cypress Gardens, which has recently re-opened after extensive work from hurricane damage)
- The Patriot (also partly filmed at Boone Hall and the College of Charleston)
- Not a movie, but the television series "Army Wives" was filmed here in Charleston. Take a short drive to visit the actual Hump Bar!
- The Lords of Discipline (based off the novel)
- Forrest Gump
- For a hard dose of reality, try and get through the movie 12 Years a Slave. Remember, Charleston was one of the main ports, and thousands of slaves passed through the old slave mart.
