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Charleston in a Word: Beloved

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Rainbow Row

Last month we asked our Facebook friends to “Pick one word to describe Charleston.” The more than 40 responses ranged from “beautiful” and stunning” to “home” and “elegant.” The response was overwhelmingly positive and a true reflection of just how much people love Charleston.

Some of our other favorites were:

  • Awesome
  • Wish I were there
  • Incomparable
  • My favorite place on earth
  • History
  • Lovely
  • Mystical
  • Classic
  • Yummy
  • Enchanting
  • Southern hospitality

It’s easy to see why Charleston consistently ends up on “best” lists, including Travel & Leisure’s list of the best cities in the U.S. and Canada (No. 4 in 2012; No. 2 in 2011).

So what is it about Charleston that makes it such an ideal city for a vacation? We think it’s because Charleston appeals to everyone. It’s not a city that just has good museums. It’s not a city that only offers exceptional cuisine. It’s not a city that attracts only families.

It may sound cliché but Charleston really does have something for everyone:

  • History: Civil War and American history, colonial life, history of slaves and African-American culture and architectural history. Even our history is diverse.
  • Culture: Museums, theaters, music – both contemporary and classical – and streets lined with art galleries.
  • Food: Restaurants and world-renowned chefs are everywhere in downtown Charleston. Whether you want seafood or a Lowcountry staple like shrimp and grits, it’s available in Charleston. Even the areas beyond downtown have incredible restaurants.
  • Outdoors: Relax on the beach or take an eco-tour for an up close look at our natural eco-systems and habitats.
  • Events: Our calendar is chockablock with festivals and activities celebrating everything from food and music to the arts and history.
  • Ageless: Charleston is ideal for visitors of all ages – couples, families, retirees and even those seeking a second-home retreat.

We could go on, but, hey, we don’t want to seem like we’re bragging. But if you had to describe Charleston in one word, what would it be? What brings you to Charleston – maybe even year after year?

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Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

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