Key Takeaways
If you’re looking to rent out a property in Charleston, SC, it's important to be aware of the community.
Charleston is full of exciting ways for residents and visitors to spend their time.
If you’d like to learn more about Charleston and its investment scene, reach out to Tide Property Management.
Charleston, South Carolina, is a destination where coastal landscapes, century-old traditions, and meticulously preserved architecture converge to provide a singular visitor experience. This location has long been regarded as one of the most captivating cities in the United States. Charleston is also one of the American South’s most culturally rich and Historic cities. It provides numerous activities that attract tourists seeking deep historical contexts, artistic expression, outdoor recreation, and culinary excellence.
In this article by Tide Property Management, we will explore the most notable activities to perform in Charleston. This will include a detailed look at the city's distinct regional character, attractions, and heritage.
Walk Through the Historic District
Charleston's Historic District is the crown jewel of the city. It is characterized by antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, and intricately designed ironwork. This provides an immersive experience that showcases the history of the city for over three centuries.
Architectural Heritage: Charleston buildings feature influences including Italianate, Greek Revival, Federal, and Georgian styles. It also has the iconic “Single House,” which features street fronts and gracious piazzas that catch coastal breezes.
Battery and White Point Garden: The Battery Promenade is lined with antebellum mansions that overlook Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor. At the southern tip of the Peninsula, White Point Garden offers shaded paths and monuments honoring the city’s military history.
Rainbow Row: This is the most photographed area of the Historic District. The Rainbow Row features pastel-painted Georgian homes that symbolize the city’s preservation efforts.
Explore the Charleston Waterfront
Charleston has a Waterfront area along the harbor’s edge that provides a peaceful escape.
Waterfront Park: Known for its iconic Pineapple Fountain, the Waterfront Park is a symbol of Southern Hospitality. Visitors enjoy shaded green spaces, swings, and panoramic views of passing ships and boats.
The South Carolina Aquarium: The South Carolina Aquarium is located along the harbor. It highlights Lowcountry biodiversity. Exhibits found here include alligators, stingrays, sea turtles, and freshwater ecosystems peculiar to the region.
Harbor Cruises: Across Charleston Harbor, numerous companies offer narrated cruises giving insights into local wildlife, maritime history, and landmark views, including Castle Pinckney, Fort Sumter, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
Visit Fort Sumter National Monument
According to American history, Charleston is known as a site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Ferry to the Fort: Visitors can access Fort Sumter via ferries from Patriot Point or Liberty Square. During this journey, tourists appreciate scenic views of the harbor.
Historic Exhibits: The fort showcases artillery, preserved structures, and museum displays to explain the events that led to the Civil War.
Ranger Programs: The National Park Service Rangers offer interpretive programs that provide deeper context on the military and political dynamics of the era.
Enjoy The Charleston Culinary Scene
Charleston has been recognized for both modern interpretations and classic Lowcountry dishes, making it a major culinary destination.
Lowcountry Staples: this highlights signature dishes including pimento cheese, crab cakes, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, fried oysters, and Hoppin’ John.
Fine Dining and Modern Cuisine: The city also offers numerous chef-driven restaurants where Southern ingredients are used creatively. Menus here include traditional regional spices, seasonal produce, and seafood.
Farmers Markets: In Marion Square, the Charleston Farmers Market features artisan pastries, locally grown vegetables, handmade crafts, and homemade sauces.
Tour Plantations and Gardens
Charleston has surrounding plantations that offer insights into the location's horticultural traditions, architecture, and agricultural history.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: This was founded in 1676. As such, Magnolia plantation houses one of America's oldest public gardens. Here, you can explore a historic house, gardens, a small Zoo, and nature trails through wetlands.
Middleton Place: Middleton Place is the home of the oldest landscape gardens in the United States. It features stableyards, a plantation house, and exhibits that document the lives of both the enslaved individuals and the Middleton family who lived and worked on the property.
Boone Hall Plantation: Renowned for its Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall offers a dramatic approach flanked by century-old live oaks. Exhibits here offer detailed insights into plantation life and Gullah history.
Stroll Through City Market
The Charleston City Market is one of the oldest public markets in the United States. It is an essential stop for visitors.
Historic Open-Air Building: The Open-Air building stretches several blocks. Market buildings here house vendors who sell handmade goods, souvenirs, and local foods.
Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets: This is a market that offers a significant location to observe and purchase sweetgrass baskets. The sweetgrass basket is an art form brought to the Lowcountry by enslaved Africans. It has been passed down through generations.
Local Artisan Products: This is a location where visitors can find specialty gifts, spices, preserves, paintings, and jewelry reflecting Charleston’s cultural identity.
Explore King Street
In Charleston, King Street is a Premier commercial corridor popular for architecture, dining, and shopping.
Boutiques and Fashions: Middle King features historic storefronts and local boutiques, while Upper King hosts designer stores and national retailers.
Antique Shops: Lower Kings is an area for visitors looking for textiles, artworks, furniture, and estate pieces from various periods.
Dining and Nightlife: King Street is lively day and night with lounges, cafes, and restaurants.
Visit Patriot Point Naval And Maritime Museum
Patriots Point is located across the harbor in Mount Pleasant. It houses numerous military exhibits and vessels.
USS Yorktown: This is the World War II aircraft carrier. It is the museum's centerpiece. This location also features wartime exhibits, flight deck tours, and restored aircraft.
USS Laffey: This is a destroyer renowned for surviving intense kamikaze attacks. It provides an insight into naval history and the resilience of its crew.
Vietnam Experience Exhibit: This is a recreated 1960s Vietnam camp. Here, visitors obtain an immense understanding of the sights and sounds of the era.
Walk Across Or View The Ravenel Bridge
One of Charleston's most recognizable modern landmarks is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
Pedestrian and Cycling Paths: Tourists bike or walk along a dedicated lane to have elevated views of the skyline and the harbor.
Photography: One of the popular subjects for photographers here is the bridge’s cables and sweeping structure.
Final Thoughts
Charleston, South Carolina, is a city where modern creativity and centuries-old tradition coexist. Whether you want seaside relaxation, architectural beauty, historical insights, or the flavor of Lowcountry cuisine, Charleston offers an authentic experience.
To learn more, reach out to the experts at Tide Property Management!
