A Visitor’s Guide to Charleston, SC Charleston, SC - WikiTravel Guide

harleston is a seaport city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, Ashley and Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. CCharleston was captured in the Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city’s height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge completed in 2005 over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the US and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.

UNDERSTAND Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Charles Towne, as it was first called, Daily highs (°F) 59 62 68 76 83 88 90 89 85 77 69 61 was established in 1670 by Anthony Ashley Cooper on the west bank of the Nightly lows (°F) 38 40 46 53 62 69 72 72 67 56 46 39 Ashley River, Charles Towne Landing, Precipitation (in) 3.5 3.1 4.4 2.8 4.1 6 7.2 6.9 5.6 3.1 2.5 3.1 a few miles northwest of the present Check Charleston’s 7 day forecast at NOAA. downtown. By 1680, the settlement had grown and moved to its present ordinance. Thus, much of the beautiful however, to at least learn a few key peninsular location. architecture, from early Colonial, English phrases, and perhaps carry a Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, and traveler’s phrasebook. Around 1690, the English colonists Italianate to Victorian, remains for future erected a fortification wall around generations to see and enjoy. TALK the small settlement to aid in its The dialect here varies from standard defense. The wall sheltered the area, Charleston is also known as The Holy American English, having a “Southern in the present French Quarter, from City due to the numerous church Coastal Accent” that contains British Cumberland St. south to Water St., steeples, which dot the city’s low-rise influences. For those who learned from Meeting St. east to East Bay St. skyline, and the fact that it was one of Standard English, some speech may be The wall was destroyed around 1720. the few places in the original thirteen difficult to comprehend here. Generally Cobblestone lanes and one building colonies to provide religious tolerance speaking, one can easily get by with remain from this colonial English Walled to the French as well as to Standard American or British English, Town: the Powder Magazine, where Jews. though. The inhabitants of Charleston the town’s supply of gunpowder was are, to a large degree, transient (due stored. Remnants of the colonial wall Charleston is in general a laid-back, but to several military installations, port were found beneath the Old Exchange sophisticated, city and has an old-South labor, rail labor, and other factors), and Building. feel, just like its neighbor, Savannah. therefore many other languages are Most people in Charleston are helpful inherent in a minority role. Luckily, Charleston was re-captured when approached in a polite manner. in the Civil War without much property If a traveler speaks little English, A minority dialect spoken here is damaged, and it was the first city in the Charlestonians are still generally willing Gullah, a dialect of English almost U.S. to pass a historical preservation to help as best they can. It is advisable, incomprehensible to most English Continued on next page Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Charleston_(South_Carolina) Charleston, SC - WikiTravel Guide

Speakers. If you are familiar with “Porgy hour nonstop from the airport to the Greyhound station and take the #11 and Bess”, you are familiar with Gullah. downtown Visitors Center seven days Airport Bus (away from the airport). Gullah has West-African influences a week, with a fare of $3. In addition, The last stop for this bus is one of mixed with pidjin French and English. CARTA also operates local bus 11 to Charleston’s four visitor’s centers, this The dialect originated around John’s downtown hourly on weekdays. Rental one located downtown. Island. If you travel south of the city cars are available at the airport terminal; (to the islands, or towards Ravenel), Interstate 526 connects the airport with The ACE Basin Express provides the dialect becomes somewhat more Interstate 26, which in turn terminates non-stop service between downtown prevalent (although still in a minority just north of historic downtown at U.S. Charleston and downtown Savannah, context). 17. with departures on most days from the Charleston Visitor Center bus shed on Alternate languages include Spanish By car Meeting Street. It also offers optional and Portuguese, brought to the city and Charleston is located nearly at the pick-ups and drop-offs at area hotels. its outskirts by its large Latin American midpoint of South Carolina’s Atlantic population. One may encounter coastline. It can be easily reached by GET AROUND “Spanglish” here, which is an odd car, from the north or south, via U.S. Charleston is a city that is best explored combination of Spanish and English. Highway 17, which cuts across the by car or on foot. Several rental car Charleston peninsula, or from the west, services are available at the Charleston Place names in and around Charleston via Interstate 26, which terminates just International Airport. Some area hotels are often very Americanized versions northwest of the historic downtown at also provide transportation to and from of French (Legare Street, for example, U.S. 17. The outer beltway Interstate the airport. is pronounced luh-GREE) or other 526 forms a loop from U.S. 17 to the languages. Charleston International Airport. GET IN By train By plane Amtrak has a station Charleston is served by Charleston located 10 miles north International Airport (IATA: CHS), which of downtown. is located about 12 miles northwest of historic downtown, and has a terminal By bus with 2 concourses.. Taxis to downtown The Greyhound station cost about $25; shuttles arranged by is in North Charleston. Airport Ground Transportation cost To get to Charleston/ about $14/person to downtown. CARTA Downtown, cross operates an express bus route 4 every the street from the

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By public transportation in Charleston but are sometimes difficult Charleston), although one might The public transportation system in to find unless they are prearranged prepare oneself for some derisive Charleston consists primarily of a fleet by calling one of the taxi services in comment and exasperation from locals of buses run by the Charleston Area advance or you are in the downtown inconvenienced by such quaint methods Regional Transportation Authority area, where it is easy to flag one down. of transit. (CARTA) and privately run taxi services. If your stay in Charleston does not The bus system is not widely used by regulate you to one given area, then By foot the vast majority of city residents, and renting a car will be the best option. Luckily for visitors to Charleston’s the system would be rated only as fair peninsula, the historic district is by the standards of similar size or larger By tour bus or carriage accessible on foot. If staying in one American cities. Express Bus Route 4 Historic Charleston City Tours is the of the many hotels on the peninsula runs from the airport to the downtown newest addition to the tour bus choices. of Charleston, a visitor could easily Visitors Center every hour, with a fare Using 2015 Sprinter Style vehicles explore most of the city’s major historical of $3. CARTA also operates three allows for a personal approach to the sites without benefit of a car, either by Downtown Area Shuttles (DASH 210, Holy City. This is the ONLY ON/OFF foot or also with the help of the three 211, and 213), which are useful for the tour. 5 small guided walking tours DASH trolley lines. Unfortunately, visitor who does not wish to walk the are included during the fully narrated the plantations--a significant part of historic downtown. Regular fares are city tour. Sprinter vans are available Charleston’s history--are not located $1.75, but downtown DASH services are for private tours and occasions. within walking distance of the peninsula. free of charge. Booking available on website- If you are driving into the historic historiccharlestoncitytours.com or by downtown, the first thing to do is to find Taxis are generally safe and inexpensive phone (843) 732-4577 someplace to park. Garage parking is available at the Visitor Center for $1/hr. Gray Line of Charleston offers a choice of guided The streets in the historic downtown mini-bus tours of the historic, in peninsular Charleston are more or charming city of Charleston, less parallel and perpendicular to the designed to give you a fun Cooper River waterfront, forming a and informative look into the warp grid pattern, with a major shift in city’s well-preserved past. the angle of the grid at the east-west “fault line” of Beaufain/Hasell Street, The best way to tour the just north of the old Market Area near city is by carriage drawn the waterfront. The major east-west by horses or mules (many street, Calhoun Street, was once known vendors available at as the Boundary Street, separating the the Market in downtown then-suburbs north of it from the urban

Continued on next page Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Charleston_(South_Carolina) Charleston, SC - WikiTravel Guide

area south of it. The major north-south a blue and street, King Street, is the main shopping gold macaw, street in downtown, from the Upper King accompanies area north of Calhoun around the Visitor the tour. Center south to the upscale anchor, Charleston Place, at Beaufain/Hasell. SEE A good place Several blocks south is a major east- to start a tour west street, Broad Street, which divides of Charleston two areas in historic downtown, aptly is the Visitor named North of Broad and South of Reception and Broad. Those South of Broad were Transportation nicknamed SOBs, and those Slightly Center (tel: North of Broad were SNOBs. The 1-800-774- French Quarter, founded by the French 0006), located gardens, Revolutionary and Civil Huguenots, is just south of the Market at 375 Meeting St. (and Ann St.), not War sites, secret passageways, Area along the waterfront. The area far from the terminus of I-26 northwest cobblestone streets, slave history, near the southern tip of the peninsula, of downtown. At the Visitor Center, a various locations to capture unique where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers traveler can find maps and guides, photographs, and photographic meet, is known as . Take tour a small museum dedicated to the tips on how to compose the perfect a French Quarter walk with a 12th history of Charleston, book sightseeing shot. $23.50. generation Charlestonian of Huguenot tours, and view an introductory film to descent (843-609-4479). Charleston ($2). Historic Attractions Charleston History Tours, Charleston’s primary attraction to visitors There are many walking tours, which Washington Park (96 Meeting St.), is its historical setting and landmarks. A give you the opportunity to see more 843.901.9283. All Year. Experience list of some sites to visit includes: than just driving past in a bus or Charleston’s incomparable beauty, The Battery and White Point carriage. There is a walking tour for unique history and flourishing Gardens. A park located at the virtually every interest. You will find Pub preservation with your guide southern tip of the Charleston Tours, Civil War tours, culinary tours, whose knowledge of Charleston peninsula with beautiful views, ghost tours, Gulla tours, architecture heritage, culture, and architecture especially along the Battery tours, art tour, and even pirate tours. is unmatched. Your 2 hour walking Promenade by the Cooper River. Some of the walking tour companies tour can be customized to what Don’t miss the elegant historic offer tours with guides in period interests you most, which may mansions along the Promenade, costume. Charleston Pirate Tours even include magnificent mansions, some of which have sold for nearly has a costumed guide whose parrot, mysterious graveyards, graceful $20M. Continued on next page Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Charleston_(South_Carolina) Charleston, SC - WikiTravel Guide

Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting impressive display of warfare by the Admissions Office located in Street, across the street from including the aircraft carrier USS Bond Hall. the Visitor Center. Start with this Yorktown, the submarine USS The . museum to learn of Charleston’s Clagamore, the destroyer USS Founded in 1770, the College of history. Open daily. Adults $10. Laffey and the Coast Guard cutter Charleston is the oldest institution Fort Sumter, the island site of the USCG Ingham. There are also of higher education in the state of start of the Civil War, is a National an aircraft and a reconstructed South Carolina and the thirteenth Monument. One must board a ferry Vietnam era camp. oldest in the United States. for an additional fee at either Liberty Charles Towne Landing State Randolph Hall, at the College of Square in downtown or Patriot’s Historic Site. Off US 171 on Charleston. Built in 1828. Popular Point in Mt. Pleasant. The ferry ride the west bank of the Ashley civil war movie-making site. is about 30 minutes. Fort Sumter River, about 3 miles northwest of Longitude Lane (Longitude Lane), is in ruins, but there are markers downtown. off E Bay St. Colonial cobblestone telling you where things used to be, . Historic military lane built on a longitude line. as well as a museum. college founded in 1842. Full dress Fort Moultrie, Revolutionary and French Quarter between S. parades generally occur every Civil War fort on nearby Sullivan’s Market and Tradd, Meeting and Friday afternoon while school is in Island. the waterfront, where the English session and are free to the public. Gibbes Museum of Art, Since colonial Walled Town once The campus is typically open to 1905, this striking Beaux Arts stood. Known for its art galleries, visitors and tours can be arranged building has housed a premier St. Philips Church, French by calling the school or stopping collection of over 10,000 works of Huguenot Church, and historic fine art, principally American works architecture. with a Charleston or Southern The Market. An old shopping connection. district at the foot of Market Street where vendors still sell Historic Places of Worship wares. Contrary to popular Charleston is known as the Holy legend, the Market was never a City because it provided religious slave exchange. However, the tolerance to many who fled remnants of an old slave market persecution, including the French are located a few blocks away. Huguenots, Church of England Patriots Point Naval & dissenters, and others. The first Maritime Museum. Located places of worship organized in the right off the Ravenel bridge late 17th and early 18th century in Mt. Pleasant, this side were located around the old walled of Charleston houses an town, the present French Quarter .

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As the town grew outward, later places First (Scots) Presbyterian Other Attractions of worship were mainly located towards Church, 53 Meeting St. Organized Arthur Ravenel Bridge. The the upper wards north of Boundary in 1731. longest cable-stay bridge in North Street, the present Calhoun St. Colonial , 90 America was completed in 2005 Charleston was the wealthiest English Hasell St. (near the Old Market). over the Cooper River. town in America, which is reflected in Organized in 1749. The oldest Liberty Square, at the east end the sophisticated religious architecture surviving Reform synagogue in the of Calhoun St. fronting the Cooper dotting the historic peninsula. world. River. Has the South Carolina St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Aquarium and the Fort Sumter Circular Congregational Church, 71 Broad St. Organized in 1751. National Monument Visitor Center, 150 Meeting St. Congregationalists, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 both offers views of the Ravenel Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and Hasell St. Organized in 1789. Bridge. This is also where you may French Huguenots of the original Oldest Catholic church in the take a boat tour to Fort Sumter. settlement of Charles Town founded Carolinas. Waterfront Park, from Vendue this dissenting congregation, Trinity United Methodist Church, Range south to Water St. along the known as the Independent Church, 273 Meeting St. Organized in 1791. Cooper River. The Wharf at Vendue around 1681. They met at the White Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Range offers views of the cruise Meeting House, for which Meeting Meeting St. Organized in 1809. ship terminal and the Ravenel Street is named. Cathedral of Saint John the Bridge. French Huguenot Church, Baptist, 120 Broad St. Organized 44 Queen St. (at Church St.) in 1821. Organized around 1681 by St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Huguenot refugees from the 405 King St. Protestant persecutions in France; Organized in 1840. first church at present site built in Citadel Square 1687. Baptist Church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 328 Meeting St. 146 Church St. Organized around (at Calhoun St.) 1681 at site now occupied by St. Organized in 1854. Michael’s. St. John’s First Baptist Church, 61 Church Lutheran Church, St. Organized around 1683; 5 Clifford St. present site donated in 1699. Organized 1742. Oldest Baptist church in the South, and often referred to as the “mother church of Southern Baptists”.

Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Charleston_(South_Carolina) Hotels / Bed & Breakfasts

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Harbourview Inn 843.853.8439 Planters Inn Charleston 843.722.2345 2 Vendue Range Street www.harbourviewcharleston.com 112 N Market Street www.plantersinn.com

The Restoration on King 843.518.5100 The Spectator Hotel 843.724.2436 75 Wentworth Street www.therestorationhotel.com 67 State Street www.thespectatorhotel.com

Wentworth Mansion 888.466.1886 Zero George Inn (B&B) 843.817.7900 149 Wentworth Street www.wentworthmansion.com 0 George Street www.zerogeorge.com

Andrew Pinckney Inn 843.937.8800 21 East Battery (B&B) 843.779.9170 40 Pinckney Street www.andrewpinckneyinn.com 21 E Battery Street www.21eastbattery.com

Charleston Place 843.722.4900 11 The Governor’s House (B&B) 855.249.7422 205 Meeting Street www.charlestonplace.com 117 Broad Street www.governorshouse.com

Renaissance Charleston 843.534.0300 Jasmine House Inn (B&B) 843.751.4231 68 Wentworth Street www.marriott.com 64 Hasell Street www.jasminehouseinn.com Fine Dining Restaurants

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1 The Ordinary Oyster Hall 843.414.7060 544 King Street www.eatheordinary.com 2 Halls Chophouse 843.727.0090 434 King Street www.hallschophouse.com 3 Fig 843.805.5900 232 Meeting Street www.eatatfig.com 4 Peninsula Grill 843.723.0700 112 North Market Street www.peninsulagrill.com

5 Husk Restaurant 843.577.2500 76 Queen Street www.huskrestaurant.com 6 Zero George 843.817.7900 0 George Street www.zerogeorge.com Family Dining Restaurants

Jim N’ Nicks BBQ 843.577.04060 288 King St www.jimnnicks.com

Mellow Mushroom Pizza 843.723.7374 309 King Street www.mellowmushroom.com

Hank’s Seafood 843.723.3474 10 Hayne Street www.hanksseafoodrestaurant.com

Fleet Landing 843.722.8100 186 Concord Street www.fleetlanding.net Bars / Nightlife

Stars Rooftop 843.577.0100 495 King Street www.starsrestaurant.com

The Cocktail Club 843.724.9411 495 King Street, #200 www.thecocktailclubcharleston.com

East Bay Biergarten 843.266.2437 549 East Bay Street www.baystreetbiergarten.com

Market Pavilion 843.723.0500 225 East Bay Street www.marketpavilion.com

Pearlz Oyster Bar 843.577.5755 153 East Bay Street www.pearlzoysterbar.com