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A visit to the Historic District of Charleston is like eavesdropping on all of the quirky characters in a lengthy family tree. Here, centuries-old buildings have as many stories as the people who live and work in them. Local residents and tour operators alike can describe layers of dramas that have unfolded behind elegant iron gates and flower covered walls. Just ask.
From sailboats to dinner cruise ships, boat tours of the Charleston Harbor offer stunning views of the seaport city. Some tours stop at Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, while others cruise the shoreline near Patriots Point, Fort Moultrie and White Point Gardens, also known as the Battery.
A stop at the Charleston Visitor Center, located at 375 Meeting Street, will connect you with a variety of tours to meet your interests. In addition the Center provides information on the attractions, shops, art galleries and services in Historic Charleston.
Swings, benches and fountains await you at Waterfront Park, located off East Bay Street at Vendue Range. This popular park is a relaxing spot for a picnic before exploring the architecture, art and artifacts of the Historic District. The Charleston Museum, the oldest museum in the country, introduces you to the social and natural history of the city, while the Gibbes Museum of Art displays one of the finest collections of American art in the Southeast. In addition the lovingly preserved museum homes of the Historic District are open year round.
Shopping and dining can be an art form in Charleston's Historic District. Dozens of specialty boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and restaurants line King , East Bay, Meeting, Broad and Market streets.
Charleston's widespread appeal captivates kids as well as adults. It's no wonder that Family Fun magazine has ranked Charleston as a leading destination for family travel. Start your day at Aquarium Wharf, where in one location you can come face to face with 10,000 creatures, including stingrays and sharks, watch a 3D movie on a five story IMAX screen and launch an adventure to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began and National Park Rangers are on hand to bring the stories to life. Just across Charleston Harbor, the family can climb aboard the World War II aircraft carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, where from the flight decks to the onboard simulator, only your imagination can limit your fun at this gigantic floating museum.
Area plantations such as Middleton Place, Boone Hall and Drayton Hall demonstrate life on a working plantation, complete with grazing sheep, potters, craftsmen and carpenters. And for children of all ages, be sure to include a visit to of Charleston's newest attractions, the Lowcountry Children's Museum.
Few American cities can capture the history of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War in the way that Charleston does. The site of so many significant events for both wars, Charleston has cared for the well-preserved landmarks in order to tell the history with uncompromised authenticity. Wartime attractions in Charleston include Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter, the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, the Powder Magazine, the Old City Market the Charleston Museum and the homes in the Historic District, some dating back to the pre-Revolutionary War period.
To enjoy all that Historic Charleston has to offer, please refer to our What to See & Do Page. In addition our Map Page will provide you with directions. Most of the attractions, shops, art galleries and restaurants are only a short walk from the Anchorage Inn. |
