Charleston South Carolina

For anyone that loves American history, is a student of the Civil War and loves old historic cities you must visit the beautiful "Old South" city of Charleston South Carolina. Voted the friendliest city in the US in 2011 by Travel and Leisure. This is a city with many buildings dating back to the 1600s  that have been preserved ,thanks to a very conscientious Mayor and historic committees where you really get a feel of what it was like during the Civil War era and before.
Take a short shuttle boat ride out to the nearby Ft.Sumter where the first shots of the war were fired on April 12th 1861by confederate troops. The confederates fired on the fort for two days before Union troops surrendered the fort which they occupied even though South Carolina had already seceded from the Union.
Stop by the nearby Charleston Market built in 1807  that stretches for several blocks in the historic area for some shopping. They have almost any hand made item ever imagined. Stroll down King St the rodeo drive of Charleston with a souther flair.

A city known for Seafood and southern style BBQs there is a large assortment of both. For lunch there is The Noisy Oyster located across from the Market. Try one of their delicious crab sandwiches and maybe a thirst quenching mojito as you watch the horse drawn carriages leisurely going by. if BBQ is what your craving there also are many to choose from. Sticky Fingers Smoke House restaurant located on Meeting St has a large assortment of delicious pulled pork smoked in the back with a variety of sauces. For dinner there are many fine dining restaurants spread all over the city.

After dinner you might want to take in a beautiful sunset. We highly recommend you stop by the Pavillion Hotel on E Bay St where they have an amazing 360 degree view of the Harbor and city. You can sip your cocktail near the rooftop pool while enjoying the view.

on the outskirts of Charleston there are many Southern plantations you can visit which have remained as they were several hundred years before. We attended an out door wedding at the Boone Hall Plantation which is on 760 acres of land. you enter a 3/ mile Oak tree lined driveway with sun glistened moss hanging from their massive limbs. Take a tour of the beautifully landscaped grounds the old slave quarters and the mansion where you get a feel of what life was like on one of these plantations.

Charleston is a town you will fall in love with as we did. We are so glad our good friends son relocated to Charleston several years ago and were married here. We were here several years ago but only for a day when passing thru on our daughters college tours. This gave us an excuse we have been looking for to revisit, this time for a few days to really enjoy and appreciate the history of this magnificent city. 

For mor on Charleston and the Renaissance Hotel we stayed at visit our site usgoldcoasts.blogspot.com 

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