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Charleston
Full of old-world charm, Charleston is a window into the nation's tumultuous past but also nourishes your mind, heart and stomach in roughly equal measure.
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Attractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Aiken-Rhett House
Charleston
The only surviving urban town-house complex, this 1820 abode gives a fascinating glimpse into antebellum life on a 45-minute self-guided audio tour. The…
Guardians of Charleston Harbor
Charleston
The first shots of the Civil War rang out at Fort Sumter, on a pentagon-shaped island in the harbor. A Confederate stronghold, this fort was shelled to…
Old Slave Mart Museum
Charleston
Formerly called Ryan's Mart, this building once housed an open-air market that auctioned African American men, women and children in the mid-1800s, the…
Magnolia Plantation
Charleston
This 500-acre plantation, which has been owned by the Drayton family since 1676, is a veritable theme park. Enjoy a tram tour, a petting zoo and a guided…
Drayton Hall
Charleston
This 1738 Palladian brick mansion is the country's oldest preserved plantation house open to the public. Yep, it's older than the nation. Drayton Hall was…
Middleton Place
Charleston
Designed in 1741, this plantation's vast gardens are the oldest in the US. Countless slaves spent years terracing the land and digging the precise…
Rainbow Row
Charleston
With its 13 candy-colored houses, this stretch of Georgian row houses on lower E Bay St is one of the most photographed areas in Charleston. The…
College of Charleston
Charleston
Spread over a few city blocks at the center of Charleston's downtown, this university was founded in 1770 and is the oldest in the state. The campus is…
Planning Toolkit
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Articles
Latest stories from Charleston
History
What to expect when Charleston's International African American Museum opens in 2023Feb 1, 2023 • 4 min read
- Festivals & EventsWhy Charleston is a top destination for the holidays (and other good times to come)
Dec 7, 2021 • 6 min read
- Road TripsThese 5 day trips from Charleston capture the best of South Carolina
Oct 28, 2021 • 6 min read
PhotographyCheap and cheerful Charleston: the best free things to do in ChucktownSep 21, 2021 • 6 min read
- HistoryThis black history museum could change the way the USA sees its past
Feb 26, 2020 • 6 min read
Guidebooks
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