By Sandra Marsian
Former Vice President, Travel, Marketing & Membership for AAA Pioneer Valley
harleston, South Carolina, established in 1670 by English colonists from Bermuda, is a beautiful port city. The “Holy City” showcases over 400 churches of varying religions, one dating back to 1670. Charleston’s cobblestone streets, adorned with pretty homes from eight different architectural styles, are nestled beneath a canopy of trees laced with Spanish moss. Charleston isn’t just a pretty face. She is rich in history and her unique blend of culture influences architecture, food, music and art. It won’t be a challenge to weave a bit of history into every experience when you explore Charleston.
Lighten your wallet
The Market Hall and Sheds comprising the Charleston City Market span four blocks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark. This handsome building is one of the nation’s oldest public markets where sellers offer authentic Charleston art, handicrafts, and foodstuffs. Purchase a keepsake, enjoy musical performances and learn about local culture. Witness Gullah artisans making the nation’s oldest, most beautiful handicraft of African origin, the sweetgrass basket. For 300 years, these baskets of Lowcountry marsh grass were woven to separate rice seed from its chaff. Today the basket is celebrated for its workmanship, aesthetic and tradition. Learn more at www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com.
Understand slavery’s origins
The Old Slave Mart Museum opened in 1938 as the first museum of domestic slave trade history in the United States. The former sales and showroom of Ryan’s Mart consisted of four buildings: kitchen, infirmary, four-story jail and slave pen. The City of Charleston’s somber museum brings this difficult past into focus allowing for deeper understanding of the pains suffered by all who passed through there less than 170 years ago. Visit https://theoldslavemartmuseum.org for details.
The horse won’t scare, but you might
Take an evening horse-drawn carriage ride through narrow streets while listening to eerie tales of Charleston’s haunted spots: the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and Provost Dungeon. Looking to enjoy a really spirited cocktail? Afterward head to the Blind Tiger Pub, formerly a prohibition era speakeasy and one of Charleston’s most haunted spots. Ghosts like to make themselves known.
Capture Charleston’s essence through food
Charleston’s food scene is serious. Whether sampling traditional southern fare such as shrimp po’ boy sandwiches, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits or more elevated fare, Charleston will not disappoint. We savored local delicacies at Fleet Landing, HUSK, Magnolia’s and Slightly North of Broad. Our personal dining highlight was at the James Beard Award winning restaurant, FIG. Owned by my former East Longmeadow, Massachusetts classmate, Chef Mike Lata, this acclaimed restaurant opened 20 years ago and is worthy of all its praise. Delicious, and created with local, fresh ingredients, everything was wonderful, including the service. The Ricotta Gnocchi plus Lamb Bolognese was sublime. Knowing Chef Mike has a second restaurant, The Ordinary, means a return trip is in order! Check out www.eatatfig.com for reservations in advance.
Rest your feet, whet your whistle
Sip a whimsical cocktail while your eye’s feast on a spectacular view from the rooftop of The Citrus Club. Grab a table under an umbrella, beside a fire pit and if it is a cooler day be sure to ask for a blanket. This spot is swank and a perfect place to recharge. Located at the top of The Dewberry, this building was once a 1960s Federal Building and an example of the city’s late 20th century modern design.
Then hit up the Palmetto Hotel Lobby Bar for a “Reveler”, quite possibly the very best espresso martini ever made. The Reveler combines local espresso, aged rum, amaro, and cacao. The dulce de leche foam topping is the icing on the cake.
Rest in the shade of The Angel Oak
Estimated to be over 400 years old, the 65-foot-tall and 31½-foot-wide Live Oak tree provides over 17,000 square feet of shade at Angel Oak Park on Johns Island. Named for the previous landowners, Martha and Justus Angel, the tree’s life expectancy is 700 plus years. Native to the Lowcountry of the coastal Carolinas, these trees only grow along the Eastern coast. Why is The Angle Oak worthy of a visit? Beyond its beautiful and welcoming canopy, it is also considered the largest tree east of the Mississippi. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/153/Angel-Oak
Escape the city, but not the history
Folly Beach is 11 miles from Charleston and home to the sixth oldest lighthouse in the US, Morris Island Lighthouse. A quarter mile long walk along a sandy path leads to an excellent view of the candy stripe lighthouse. Folly Beach fishing pier is home to one of the first amusement parks in the 1940s, offering shopping, dining and relaxation. Or visit Sullivan’s Island to see the ugliest lighthouse in America, Sullivan’s Island lighthouse. While there, visit Fort Moultrie, originally constructed of palmetto logs and sand. It remained incomplete when attacked in 1776 by the Royal Navy. The nine-hour battle forced out the British, delaying Charleston’s occupation until 1780. The Fort was named for its then Commander, William Moultrie.
Explore Pre-Civil War mansions
Charleston has grand plantations to explore, each with its own appeal. Drayton Hall is the only remaining original plantation house on Ashley River, surviving both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Magnolia Plantation is known for its beautiful gardens and livestock. Middleton Place’s proximity to both Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation, makes a visit to all three an easy feat. Boone Hall Plantation is a top choice as it still cultivates crops after three centuries. McLeod Plantation is best for learning more about the Gullah and Geechee heritages. Pick your own favorite at https://www.charlestoncvb.com.
Charleston’s blend of culture and history flavors everything you will encounter on your visit, making it one of America’s favorite vacation destinations. With direct, affordable flights from Tweed New Haven airport, you have little excuse not to pay Charleston a visit.
