Top 10 Tips for Visiting Charleston from Nat’l Geographic Travel

“Discover the Best of Charleston” National Geographic TRAVEL

On May 11th, 2018 National Geographic TRAVEL posted “Discover the Best of Charleston: Make the most of your trip with these top ten tips for the “Holy City.” Nancy Gupton wrote:

One of the United States’ oldest cities, Charleston—nicknamed the Holy City for its abundance of churches—offers visitors plenty to experience and explore. Don’t be overwhelmed: These are our top ten tips for making the most of your time…”

Examples:

1 – SEE THE BIRDS

2- WANDER THE GARDENS

Read the article for the other eight hints and to read her elaboration on each.

Very useful!

Weather is right for Charleston Water Taxi!

Beginning in Mid March the Charleston Water Taxi’s schedule expanded to daily from 9 am to 8 pm. Prior to that they were mostly open on Saturdays.

There are four departure points with different departing times.  The four points are:

  • Aquarium Wharf/MaritimeCenter
  • Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
  • Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
  • Waterfront Park/Market St/Historic District

Visit their Website  |   Visit their Facebook page

Click here to see their excellent TripAdvisor reviews.

The Exchange and Provost – a Landmark

A  National Historic Landmark

The Exchange and Provost - a Landmark

Picture Source – National Park Service

122 East Bay Street,
Charleston, SC 29401
843-722-2165 
oldexchange.org/

‘The Exchange and Provost, a National Historic Landmark, was a pivotal building in colonial Charleston, where many significant events of the American Revolution and early Federal period occurred.

As Charleston became the South’s largest port, the Exchange and Custom House was built from 1767 to 1771 for the expanding shipping industry, but also served as a public market and meeting place.

After a protest meeting against the Tea Act, confiscated tea was stored here in 1774.

The Provincial Congress of South Carolina met here the following year.

During the Revolutionary War, the British used the building for barracks and the basement as a military prison.

The State Legislature met here in 1788, after the Statehousewas destroyed.

When George Washington visited Charleston on his southern tour of 1791, a grand ball was held for him on the second floor.’

Source – National Park Service 

To learn more about the architectural style of the builiding, how it originally fronted the harbor, its original purpose, damage to the building due to the Civil War and the 1886 earthquake AND the builiding’s relationship to the DAR see the National Park Service Website OR Wikipedia.

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Morris Island and Morris Island Light

Morris Island Lighthouse, Charleston, S.C,

Picture and Text Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Island

Morris Island is an 840 acre (3.4 km²) uninhabited island in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina, accessible only by boat. The island lies in the outer reaches of the harbor and was thus a strategic location in the American Civil War.

Morris Island was heavily fortified to defend Charleston harbor…It was the scene of heavy fighting during the Union Army‘s campaign to captureCharleston, and is perhaps best known today as the scene of the ill-fated assault by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an African-American regiment. The regiment and this assault, where it suffered over 50% casualties, was immortalized in the film Glory.”

After the Confederates abandoned Morris Island in 1863, the Union occupied it and transferred 520 Confederate officers from Fort Delaware to Morris Island… They were used as Human Shields…”   Be sure to read on! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Island and the article on the Morris Island Light 

Morris Island Light - Wikipedia

Picture Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Island_Light

 

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Old Jail – Charleston, S.C.

Old Jail - Charleston, S.C.

Picture and Text below source – http://1.usa.gov/r0A2rr

21 Magazine Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-5245

‘Now occupied by the American College of the Building Arts.’

‘Tours are available by appointment.’

‘The Old Jail building served as the Charleston County Jail from its construction in 1802 until 1939. In 1680, as the city of Charleston was being laid out, a four-acre square of land was set aside at this location for public use. In time a hospital, poor house, workhouse for runaway slaves, and this jail were built on the square…Increased restrictions were placed on slaves and free blacks in Charleston as a result of the Vesey plot (explained on the Website), and law required that all black seaman be kept here while they were in port. During the Civil War, Confederate and Federal prisoners of war were incarcerated here. It is one of more than 1400 historically significant buildings within the Charleston Old and Historic District.’

 

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Preservation Society of Charleston – Charleston, S.C.

Preservation Society of Charleston - Charleston, S.C.

147 King Street

Charleston, SC
29403

843-722-4630

www.preservationsociety.org/

“Founded in 1920, the Preservation Society of Charleston is the oldest community based historic preservation organization in America. Our mission is to inspire the involvement of all who dwell in the Lowcountry to honor and respect our material and cultural heritage.”

Featuring:

  • Preservation Programs
  • Perservation Education
  • Fall Tours
  • Events
  • and more.

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Fort Sumter – Charleston, S.C.

Fort Sumter is a federal fort in Charleston Harbor with a museum that tells the story of the fort’s role in the Civil War.

Ft. Sumter

‘Where The American Civil War Began

Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.’

Source – Fort Sumter National Monument – U.S. Natonal Park Service Website

Fort Sumter - Charleston, S.C.

Picture Source – U.S. Natonal Park Service Website

The fort is constructed of over 70,000 tons and granite and rock.

There are three sites within the Fort Sumter National Monument – Charleston: the original Fort Sumter, Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center and Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island.

To visit Fort Sumter by RV or bus, we recommend taking the 30 minute ferry from the visitor center or Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. ‘Their parking area can easily accommodate large vehicles. Parking for large vehicles in downtown Charleston is extremely limited, and the public parking garage has a clearance of 7’.

To visit Fort Moultrie by RV or bus, the parking area at the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center can accommodate your vehicle.’

‘You cannot get to Fort Sumter from Sullivan’s Island and Fort Moultrie.

Sullivans Island is the mailing address of the park and the location of Fort Moultrie and Park Headquarters.

Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston harbor and is only accessible by boat.

If you do not have access to a private boat, a concession-operated ferry is available.

The primary departure site is from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center located in downtown Charleston.

For departure schedules and fees, visit the concessioner page.

(SpiritLine Cruises is the concessioner – Their address is 360 Concord Street, Suite 201. – See Fort Sumter Tours – SpiritLine Cruises on CharlestonShines.com for more info)

The secondary departure site is located at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Visitors with large vehicles such as buses and RVs should plan on using the Patriots Point departure site.

Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
340 Concord Street
Charleston, South Carolina
843-722-2628

www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm

Source – U.S. Natonal Park Service Website

Fort Sumter Tours

Picture Source – U.S. Natonal Park Service Website

Fort Sumter Area Map

Fort Sumpter Area Map

Picture Source – U.S. Natonal Park Service Website

Drayton Hall – Southern Plantation in Charleston, S.C.

Drayton Hall - Southern plantation in Charleston, S.C.

Picture Source – http://www.draytonhall.org

‘Drayton Hall is the closet plantation to Charleston. It is the only plantation home in Charleston not destroyed in the Civil War. The owners fled leaving the property to the slaves. The slaves saw smoke near Magnolia Plantation and put put yellow quarantine flags at the gate to make Union soldiers think there was malaria present.’  Adapted from article about Charleston by Judith Evans. 

‘Drayton Halls story spans three centuries of American History. It is the oldest surviving example of Georgian Palladian architecture in the U.S. and one of the only pre-Revolutionary houses that remain in close to original condition today.’ See DraytonHall.org for more. 

Open 7 days a week except major holidays.

Monday through Saturday: Main Gates: 9:00 a.m.-3:20 p.m. (Exit gate closes at 5 p.m.)

Museum Shop: 9:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

First Tour: 9:30 a.m.

Last Tour: 3:30 p.m.

House Tours: Starting on the half hour at 9:30am. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the tour.

  • Connections:  From Africa to America: 10:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 2:45 p.m.
  • Voices of Drayton Hall:  An Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD: Available for complimentary rental throughout the day; enjoy at your own pace.

Sundays: Main Gates: 11:00 a.m.-3:20 p.m. (Exit gate closes at 5 p.m.)

Museum Shop: 11:00 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.

First Tour: 11:30 a.m.

Last Tour: 3:30 p.m.

House Tours: Starting on the half hour at 11:30am. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the tour.

‘To help ensure a thoroughly enjoyable experience:

Visitors wishing to take a house tour should arrive at the front gate at least 20 minutes before the start of the tour to allow for ticket transaction, parking, and check-in.

If a house tour is sold out, you will be offered the next available tour of your choice.In addition to the house tour, there are other daily activities and programs available, and all are included in the price of regular adult admission-just click on Things To Do in the right hand column.

You can also save time by purchasing your tickets here. Please note that all visitors must first stop at the front gate before entering the site.’

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CSS Hunley – Submarine – Warren Lasch Conservatory Center – Charleston, S.C

CSS Hunley - Submarine - Warren Lasch Conservatory Center - Charleston, S.C.

Picture source – Hunley.org

1250 Supply Street,
Charleston,
SC – 29405

843-743-4865

www.hunley.org

The CSS Hunley or L.L. Hunley is a previously sunken Confederate submarine which was finally found in 1995 off of Sullivans Island. It was found by the National Underwater Marine Agency team of best selling author Clive Cussler.

Stories on Hunley.org –

– The Historic Mission (and Sinking) 

– Finding the Hundley 

Wikipedia.com article on the L.L. Hunley 

‘Weekend Tours of the Hunley

Hunley tours are available every Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM and Sunday Noon-5 PM. Last tour begins at 4:40 PM. Tours are not available on weekdays so scientists can continue their work preserving the Hunley for future generations. Tours are not available on Easter Sunday.

Tickets ordered in advance are $12.00 plus a service charge and can be purchased by either calling toll-free 1-877-448-6539 (1-877-4HUNLEY) or at www.etix.com (links to specific dates listed below). Children under 5 are free.

Walk-up tickets are also available on a first come, first serve basis. These tickets do not have a service charge. Tickets for Friends of the Hunley members, senior citizens, and military are discounted to $10.00. If you are eligible for this discount, please purchase your ticket at the door.

The Hunley is located at:

Warren Lasch Conservation Center

1250 Supply Street (on the old Charleston Navy Base), North Charleston, S.C.

Tour Inquiries

– For questions about Hunley tours, please call the Friends of the Hunley directly at 843.743.4865 ext. 10.

– If you have questions about pre-reserved tickets, please contact Etix.com at support@etix.com.

– Group tours (20+ guests) can be scheduled for weekdays with advance notice. For more information, contact Josephine Starnes at 843.743.4865 ext. 28 or email herjstarnes@hunley.org

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