Rainbow Row - Patriot's Point - Battery Park-
Fort Sumter - Folly Beach - Charleston History -
Sweet Grass Baskets - The Aquarium of S.C.

Very Best Things to do in Charleston: Restaurants, Plantations
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides... and don't forget FREE RIDES on DASH. It will take you to most of the attractions you don't want to miss when you visit Charleston!

12/23 - 12/25 - 2017: Over the Christmas holiday we stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel, took the Old South Horse Carriage ride, ate excellent meals at Coast Bar & Grill, Hall's Chophouse, and the Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar. Our transportation to "all things Charleston" was the FREE DASH Trolley. We hopped on and hopped off many times all over the city, while our car remained safely at the Francis Marion Hotel. We walked through The Battery, White Point Gardens, and the waterfront, and Charleston City Market. We visited the Apple Store where I bought a new band for my Apple Watch. We also spent time at Belmond Charleston Place with beautiful inside and out. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas Holidays!

Here's our photo gallery from our long Christmas weekend. The photos include the Christmas Lights at Johns Island, something we had talked about doing for a long time. We finally had the opportunity! If you're wondering about a long-weekend getaway, Charleston was the perfect spot for us.

More Best things to do in Charleston:
Best Charleston Restaurants, Plantations, Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Folly Beach, Shopping in the Historic District, Patriots Point - Sweet Grass Basket Weaving - Ft. Sumter- South Carolina Aquarium - Charleston History - Charleston Culinary Tours and more historic views of Charleston

Spoleto Festival, Piccolo Spoleto, LowCountry Oyster Festival, MOJA Arts Festival..and don't miss the islands surrounding Charleston where you'll find the Angel Oak on James Island.

All photos and Copy by Patricia Blackstock
All photos enlarge when clicked

Charleston voted #2 of 15 "Cities of the World"
by Readers' Choice Awards Condé Naste Traveler

* Map of the Historic District, Charleston S.C.*

I hope you will enjoy our suggestions for
best things to do in Charleston, S.C.

Please view the Charleston cam page for webcams, videos and drones of the Holy City

On April 12, 1861, the Confederate artillery opened fire in Ft. Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. Ft. Sumter was the scene of the opening engagement of the Civil War. (Photos above.) After Sherman forced the evacuation of Charleston, the United States once again raised over Ft. Sumter on Apr. 14, 1865 Fort Sumter became a National Monument in 1948. This large grassy area houses the monuments and historic statues. My friend Bonnie shows off a huge Platter Magnolia, and I'm standing near the monument, Charleston City Market / Daughters of the Confederacy Museum. The City Market is a must for anyone visiting Charleston. You will find hundreds of vendors selling baskets and other sweetgrass designs, southern-style candies, crafts, food items , local jewelry, painting, photography and much more.

Best of Charleston Shopping - The Historic District
For your best shopping experience in Charleston, be sure to spend some time at the City Market located in the Historic District. This is where you'll find the famous hand-made Sweetgrass Baskets sewn with long leaf pine needles and strips of Palmetto leaves as well as a multitude of crafts souvenirs, jewelry, local candies, wafers and more on display inside the covered Charleston Market.

You'll find the best of Charleston at Belmond Charleston Place. If you like shopping in style, visit the Shops at Charleston Place! Even if you don't purchase anything, you'll love the polished marble floors, columns, grand staircase and the mammoth chandelier.  There is something for everyone, including your discriminating Aunt Tillie!

Be sure to check Groupon.com to save some money in Charleston!harleston!

Guide to Shopping! It is still one of the best things to do in Charleston. After you leave the Historic area, you'll find plenty of great shopping in Charleston!

Citadel Mall
Northwoods Mall
Earth Fare - The Healthy Supermarket
Trader Joe's -Mt. Pleasant. Sometimes we drive from Myrtle Beach just to shop at Trader Joes.
Whole Foods - Mt. Pleasant
Freshfields Village Shops and restaurants crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Island
Mr. Pleasant Towne Center - check the link for hours of of happy shopping!
Tanger Outlets Charleston, S.C.

I often tell people that one of the best things to do while visiting Charleston is to check out the Islands of Charleston. Kiawah, Isle of Palms, Seabrook, James Island and Johns Island are all an easy drive - and in many cases just a few minutes from Charleston. Each island has something beautiful and unique to offer visitors and is one of the best things to do in the Charleston area.

The art of basket weaving was introduced to the Carolina Lowcountry in the 17th Century. Today, Sweet Grass basket making is centered in the Mt. Pleasant community area. you'll see basket stands along Hwy 17 North, allowing basket makers to compete with retail markets and establish direct contact between themselves and their patrons. Watching how these baskets are made is one of the most interesting things to do. You can watch baskets as they develope new shapes, such as roses and picture frames. The basket weavers can be found in the historic City Market, along Market and Meeting Streets, and even on 17 Bus. heading into Charleston.

Charleston in has so many things to do! Stop by the Visitors' Bureau to see the best things to do in Charleston. Orient yourself and learn about the best tours of Charleston that are available to you. Or just start walking! We have discovered that one of the best ways to get acquainted with Charleston is on foot! It's not only good for your mind, it's good for your body. It's one of the the best things to do in Charleston! You can plot your own course on our own feet with a free city map. This is the best way to learn about the Confederate Homes and how the Civil War affected Charleston.

Click on the Sea Turtle to view my photos of The Aquarium of SC