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Charleston Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Charleston
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Charleston Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Charleston - Charleston is one of the loveliest cities in the
country, despite having weathered great fires, earthquakes,
epidemics, civil war and a devastating hurricane. It is
consistently classed among the most elegant and dignified cities
nationwide. Situated on the peninsula at the confluence of the
Cooper and Ashley Rivers on South Carolina's Atlantic coast, the
colonial port of Charleston is the oldest city in the state, filled
with brick and cobblestone streets, and a large downtown district
boasting thousands of carefully preserved and restored buildings
that house old-fashioned inns, antique shops and pubs. The streets
are lined with tall, narrow houses festooned with wrought iron
balconies and wooden shutters, ornate iron gates enclosing pretty
gardens and shaded porches - the timeless features of southern
architecture. Many of its double-storey houses are authentically
furnished museums that once belonged to wealthy colonial merchants,
while many are still the beautiful private homes of wealthy
residents.
The city started as an important
seaport serving the rice and cotton plantations throughout the
region, and it was a major slave-trading centre with a third of
America's slaves being bought and sold at the riverfront market.
The Gullah culture of the islands (people of West African ancestry
speaking a language based on English with elements from several
African dialects) have a tangible presence here, especially at the
Old City Market that vibrates with the humming of traditional
spirituals, as basket ladies sell their hand-woven grass wares
among the local vendors and iron makers, and the distinctive sound
of the Gullah dialect fills the air.
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Charleston
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Fort Sumter
www.nps.gov/fosu |
What is it? Situated on a small man-made island in the
bay guarding the entrance to Charleston Harbour, Fort Sumter
National Monument is one of the most important historic military
sites in the country where the first shots of the American Civil
War were fired in 1861. With the secession of South Carolina, the
Confederates demanded the surrender of the fort, and after 34 hours
of continuous bombardment the Union forces had no choice but to
relinquish their hold. The Union troops became the first prisoners
of the Civil War. The Confederates occupied Fort Sumter, which
became a symbol of Southern resistance until it was retaken by
Union forces in 1865 after nearly four years of almost continual
attack, which reduced most of the fort to rubble. Park rangers
conduct free tours around the restored structure, which includes a
museum with historical displays.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 4pm (March, 7 September to 30 November,
and 26-31 December); 10am to 5.30pm (April to 6 September); 11.30am
to 4pm (December to 28 February, excluding the week of Christmas).
Closed Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving
Phone:(843) 883 3123 |
2. Plantations
www.draytonhall.org |
What is it? Along the Ashley River are a series of
magnificent plantations that can be visited, as well as north along
the highway towards Georgetown, where the grounds of Boone Hall
Plantation are the main attraction. A majestic oak avenue leads to
the estate that has been the model for several films including
Gone With the Wind and North and
South. The original slave quarters and cotton gin house
can be visited along with the classic mansion. Closest to
Charleston along the Ashley River is Drayton Hall, the oldest
preserved plantation house in America, dating from 1742. The
Georgian mansion is a National Historic Landmark and the only
plantation house on the river to have survived the Civil War
intact. Middleton Place was largely destroyed during the Civil War,
but the south wing has been restored and houses an impressive
collection of silver, historic documents, furniture and paintings.
The ornamental lakes are surrounded by the nation's oldest
landscaped gardens dating from 1741 and are home to roaming
peacocks and other farm animals. The stunning decorative gardens at
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens can be viewed by tram tours that
cover the grounds.
Hours of Operation: Plantation opening times vary. Boone Hall is open
from 8.30am to 6.30pm. The others vary from between 9am and 4.30pm.
Most are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Phone:Boone Hall Plantation (843) 884 4371, Drayton Hall (843)
769 2600, Middleton Place (843) 556 6020, Magnolia Plantation and
Gardens (843) 571 1266 |
3. South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf
www.scaquarium.org |
What is it? The South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston's
most visited attraction, features thousands of amazing aquatic
animals from river otters and sharks to loggerhead turtles in over
60 exhibits, which represent the rich biodiversity of South
Carolina from the mountains to the sea. The Aquarium also presents
fabulous views of Charleston harbour like no other found in the
historic downtown area. Daily interactive exhibits and programs are
offered for visitors of all ages. Every visit to the Aquarium
reveals something new - glimpses of new animals in exhibits,
budding plants, baby animals and more. Not only that, the
institution provides a variety of opportunities to learn about
conservation, animal life, endangered species and environmental
issues.
Hours of Operation: 9am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays, 12pm to 5pm Sundays.
Open an hour later in summer. Last ticket sold an hour before
closing time. Closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and open 9am to
1pm December 24
Phone:(843) 720 1990 |
Charleston
holidays - Top Events
1. World Grits Festival
From 2007-04-20
To 2007-04-20
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What is it? Hardly the most popular dish on the planet,
grits, a maize porridge, is nonetheless a staple of Southern
culture and this festival aims to increase its popularity. The town
of St George is proud of its grits and consumes so much of it that
in 1985, this festival began in honour of the tasteless maize dish.
Events at the festival include the obligatory grits eating
competition as well as corn tossing, live music and
DJ's.
Where is it? St. George |
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