Charmed by Charleston
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
A view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that spans the Cooper River over to Mount Pleasant in Charleston, S.C.
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
Charleston City Market hosts artwork and crafts, including sweetgrass baskets.
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
An exterior shot of City Market
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
The view from Waterfront Park includes the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant.
The first thing we noticed on our drive into this coastal city was being surrounded by Spanish moss dripping from the trees. It was everywhere, lending a romantic yet slightly spooky feel to this historical port city.
Charleston, South Carolina, was founded in 1670 and remains an important commercial shipping port. History is important here, but so is progress as Charleston is now known as not only a tourism mecca but also is experiencing rapid growth of technology firms based here. This city, which embraces its past while looking to the future, will easily charm you as soon as you step foot on its cobblestone streets or spend a lazy afternoon under that Spanish moss.
Haven of history
Back in December 1860, the state General Assembly voted to secede from the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected president. By April, the first battle of the Civil War erupted at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The fort still stands with ammunition in its walls.
Ferries leave from downtown next to the aquarium and from Mount Pleasant across the river. Back in downtown Charleston, stop by the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, which is a prison relic from the colonial era. Here you’ll see the room where state delegates ratified the U.S. Constitution.
Another Civil War era relic to see is the H.L. Hunley Submarine which torpedoed and sank the biggest warship in the Union Navy. The sub sank but was later discovered and brought back to the surface.
Going to market
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One historical spot still teeming with daily activity is the Charleston City Market on Meeting Street. This public marketplace dates back to the 1800s and still hosts shoppers browsing for local artwork and handmade crafts, like the unique sweetgrass baskets. The baskets are handwoven from bulrush or palm fronds. If you want to see even more of the basketmakers at work, head to Mt. Pleasant across the river where Highway 17 North boasts many basket stands.
Just outside the market, horse-drawn carriages offer rides along the cobblestone streets and shops, restaurants and watering holes offer tourists everything from local libations to tasty low-country treats.
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
The rooftop pool of the Market Pavilion Hotel is for hotel guests only, but you can sip a cool drink, dine and take in the stunning view of town.
Taking in the sights
As you exit the market, hang a right onto East Bay Street and grab the elevator to the rooftop of the luxurious Market Pavilion Hotel. The rooftop pool is for hotel guests only, but you can sip a cool drink, dine and take in the stunning view of town and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that spans the Cooper River over to Mount Pleasant. It’s 13,000 feet long, and you can even walk or bicycle across it if you feel energetic.
Continue on East Bay Street over to the iconic photo spot of Charleston – Rainbow Row. This group of 13 colorful historic houses is the longest row of Georgian row homes in the country. They were dubbed “Rainbow Row” due to the pretty pastel hue of paint added during restoration in the 1930s and ’40s.
Keep strolling to (or drive along) the Battery, which is a promenade and seawall along the peninsula where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet to form Charleston Harbor. Gorgeous mansions and antebellum homes stretch around the peninsula here and overlook the water.
For one last impressive vista, walk back to Waterfront Park near the giant pineapple water fountain and look across the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant.
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
Rainbow Row is a group of 13 colorful historic houses – the longest row of Georgian row homes in the country.
After all of that walking, you may want to cool off with a dip in the ocean at one of the beautiful nearby beaches on Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach or Isle of Palms. You’ll likely also be hungry.
There’s something for every palate here with one of the favorites being delicious she-crab soup (a bisque blend of sherry, crab and heavy cream). Fresh seafood is abundant in Charleston and low-country cuisine includes mouthwatering oyster stew, okra soup, shrimp and grits and crabcakes. The pralines and Huguenot Torte filled with apples and pecans and topped with whipped cream are just as sweet as the temperament of the people of Charleston. There’s a reason tourists consistently vote it the top small city for travelers. Charming, to be sure.
For travel information, visit the Charleston Convention Visitors Bureau at www.charlestoncvb.com/.