Special
Attractions in Charleston, SC
Classic Carriage Tours
10 Guignard St
Charleston, SC 29401-2013
+1 843 853 3747
Open Hours Tours: 9am-4pm; call for details
http://www.classiccarriage.com/
An old custom thrives in
Charleston as you tour the city in a horse-drawn carriage. Classic Carriage
Tours offers guided tours in carriages drawn by award-winning Percheron Draft
Horses. Horse-drawn transportation is a tradition in Charleston that the owners
of Classic Carriage Tours make every effort to maintain as authentically as
possible. Group fares are $20 for adults and $12 for children. There are
discounted rates for advance reservations. Private fares are $100 for 2 people,
$115 for 3 and $125 for 4.
Charleston Waterfront Park
Concord St
Charleston, SC 29401
+1 800 868 8118
Open Hours: 6am-midnight daily
http://www.charlestoncity.info/dept/content.aspx?nid=211&cid=430
Don't miss this wonderful park
located in the center of downtown. Spanning over 1,000 feet along Charleston
Harbor, this is a must-see for any walking tour of the city. Sit on one of
several family-sized swings on the pavilion and watch ships come and go. Find
an old-fashioned park bench in a shady spot and watch people stroll by as
children romp on the large green and run along the palm tree-lined walkways.
Two artfully designed enormous fountains invite children to splash and play.
Gullah Tours
43 John St
Charleston, SC 29403-6432
1 843 763 7551
Open Hours: M-F 11a, 1p; Sat 11a, 1p; 3p
http://www.gullahtours.com
Climb
aboard the 21-passenger air-conditioned bus and prepare to be educated and
entertained. This tour offers a two-hour exploration of Charleston like no
other. The owner and tour guide is fluent in the Gullah language and well
versed in Gullah culture and history. Peppered with anecdotes and Gullah speak,
tours are humorous and enlightening. The emphasis is on the influences and
contributions of original black Charlestonians. A highlight: meeting Philip
Simmons, blacksmith and Local National Treasure.
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401-6300
+1 843 720 1990 / +1 800
722 6455
Open Hours: Aug 16-Mar 31: 9a-5p M-Sa, 12p-5p Su
Just entering this museum
is a delight; the structure itself extends out over Charleston Harbor and as
guests draw near the entrance, they enter beneath a beautiful stained glass
wall. Entering the Great Hall, the centerpiece is the breathtaking Carolina
Seas Exhibit. Spend the day walking through a mountain ravine, exploring the
rivers of the Piedmont region, visiting with swamp dwellers and marveling at
the 300,000-gallon Great Ocean Exhibit. General Admission tickets for adults
12-61 are $15, tickets for seniors (62+) are $13, tickets for Youth/child
(3-11) are $8, and tickets for children 2 and under are free.
SpiritLine Dinner Cruise
205 King St
Charleston, SC 29401-3129
843 722 2628 / 1 800 789
3678
Open Hours Cruise: 7pm-10pm daily
http://www.spiritlinecruises.com
Depart the Patriots Point
Military Museum aboard the Spirit of Carolina for a magnificent three-hour
dinner tour of Charleston Harbor. Look out at Rainbow Row at sunset as you
enjoy the beautiful, climate-controlled dining salons and open observation decks
of this well-equipped yacht. A three-course meal, cooked to order, live music
and dancing await for an evening not soon forgotten. The dinner menu includes
she-crab soup, pesto chicken, grilled beef tenderloin and assorted sumptuous
desserts.
Rates: $37.95 Sun-Thu, $40.95 Fri-Sat.
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401-2217
843 722 2706
Open Hours: Tu-Sa 10a-5p; Su 1p-5p
Over 10,000 pieces of art
are featured in this museums permanent collection—one that places a focus
on fine American art with an emphasis on original Charleston works. Over 300
years of Americas history is represented through paintings, prints, drawings,
photographs, portraits and sculpture. A remarkable array of Japanese wood block
prints is on display as well as paintings by such noted artists as Washington
Allston, Gilbert Stuart and AmericaÕs first professional female artist,
Henrietta Johnston.
LowCountry Ghost Walk
58 1/2 Broad St
Charleston, SC 29401-2901
1 800 729 3420
Open Hours: Ticket Office: 8:30am-9:30pm daily. Tours:
5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm daily
http://www.charlestonghosts.com/
Ghost tours are enormously
popular and LowCountry Ghost Walk is one of the best. This is the city's
original year-round tour and it is filled with local ghostly legends and folk
tales. Hear hair-raising stories of Sue Howard's ghost, the ghost in City Hall
and the Gullah Boo Hag. You may want to leave a light on when you go to bed!
Adult tickets are $18; tickets for children ages 8-14 are $10. Save $3 if you
order online.
Old City Market
Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 853-8000
Hours: Daily 10am-dark
The land on which the
market sits was donated by a wealthy Charleston family in the early 1800s to be
used as a marketplace. The main building, Market Hall, was erected in 1841.
Modeled after a Greek temple, the building houses the Daughters of the
Confederacy Museum. Behind Market Hall, four open-air buildings span from
Meeting Street to East Bay Street, near the waterfront. The market originally
sold foodstuffs, including meat, fish and fresh produce grown locally.
Today, more than 100
vendors sell everything from local foods to souvenirs. It's a lively spot,
often teeming with tourists and somewhat difficult to navigate at peak hours.
The most celebrated residents are the ladies who weave and sell sweet-grass
baskets. The craft of basket-weaving, passed down from West African slaves, is considered
one of Charleston's most vibrant traditions.