I’d heard a lot about Charleston, and truth be told, I was a bit nervous about going there, given its dark past.
Its harbour was, after all, the place where approximately 40% of all enslaved Africans were herded into America. While its reputation for being the ‘Cradle of the Confederacy’ alludes to deep-seated prejudices and allegiances that still might bubble under the surface today.
But I am happy to say my concerns were groundless.
Located on the central South Carolina coast, modern-day Charleston is a charming city full of character, outstanding architecture, and historic sites. It lies roughly halfway between Myrtle Beach and Savannah, Georgia, and is the largest and oldest city in South Carolina.
It is also home to some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met in the USA, who cook up food so well it tastes like a warm hug.
I had a fabulous time during my four days in ‘Chucktown’. Here are the places I enjoyed visiting the most.
1. Charleston Museum
Charleston Museum is regarded as America’s first museum, so I made it my first port of call when I arrived in the city.
Apparently, it opened in 1773, so I was keen to see some of the artefacts and decorative arts that revealed the history of the area.
Overall, I spent about four hours here learning about everything from antiquated weaponry to ancient fossils. This gave me enough time to visit both the museum and its two landmark Charleston houses, during which time I gained a real sense of the area’s history.
Pro Tip: Tickets are valid for a year after you buy them, and occasionally, they are available at special offer prices. So, it is worth monitoring them well in advance of your visit to see if you can save some money. This is particularly handy if you have a large family.
2. Rainbow Row
If you are looking for the perfect Insta-worthy shot to headline a post about your visit to Charleston, then you should head to East Bay Street. Here, you’ll be able to photograph the iconic Rainbow Row. A collection of 13 adjacent houses that are resplendent in vibrant, pastel colours.
There are several theories about why the houses were painted these colours. One is that it kept them cooler during the stifling heat of summer. Another is that it indicated to merchants where they were allowed to sell their wares. A further school of thought suggests they were purposely painted this way to help drunk sailors find their way back to base.
Whatever the reason for their stunning aesthetic, they are sure to captivate you like they did me.
3. Horse Drawn Carriage Tour
As it was founded way back in 1670, Charleston is a city packed full of stories from over 350 years of existence. These stories resonate from the architecture and landmarks dotted around the city, and while you can explore them on foot, a better way to do it is via a horse-drawn carriage tour.
Offered by the Old South Carriage Company, these guided tours are drawn by either Percheron or Belgian draft horses. As they take you around 30 blocks of this beautiful port city during a one-hour excursion, they are a good way to familiarise yourself with its layout.
Pro Tip: The carriages are shaded and very comfortable to sit in. So, it is a good idea to ride them when you want to give your legs a rest from walking or if the sun gets too hot.
4. Angel Oak
At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking Angel Oak is just a beautiful tree. However, it is one of the oldest trees in South Carolina, believed to be between 400 and 500 years old.
Boasting a canopy of over 17,000 square feet, it also has notoriety for being a place where many African slaves were hung by their masters. A fact that leads some people to believe that it is haunted by their spirits.
Whether this is true is up for debate. However, there is no denying the tree has an ethereal demeanour. To get to it you will have to drive for half an hour outside of the city.
Pro Tip: If you are game enough and don’t spook easily, time your visit to when darkness starts to fall. When this happens, close your eyes and listen to the whispers of the wind.
5. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
For one of the best views of Charleston, make sure you walk across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
This 2.5-mile-long, 8-lane suspension structure connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant as it spans the Cooper River. It features a 12-foot-wide path called Wonders’ Way, which accommodates bikers and pedestrians.
Sadly, the path is named in honour of Garrett Wonders, who tragically died as a result of a car accident that took place on the bridge before it was constructed. However, it provides sweeping and spectacular views of the harbour and impressive skyline, which you would be best off seeing at sunset.
6. Sullivan’s Island Beach
Whenever I visit any destination with a coastline, I love to check out some of the beaches that reside on it. Thankfully, I had a good selection of places to choose from in and around Charleston, including Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms. However, by far and away, my favourite was Sullivan’s Island Beach.
This lovely spot is located just over the Ben Sawyers Bridge, around the mouth of Charleston Harbor, adjacent to the Isle of Palms. It stretches for 2.5 km and is a fantastic beach to walk on. It also offers relatively safe swimming conditions, some interesting tidal pools to explore, and plenty of space to sunbathe.
When you are suffering from sightseeing overload, this is a fabulous destination to come to get some respite.
