What you don't want to miss: Take a Plantation Tour, Visit Ft. Sumter, walk around the Battery and Waterfront, visit Patriots Point, Free Rides on Dash, Sweet Grass Basket weaving, The Aquarium of Charleston, Museums, Kid Friendly Activities, Charleston Beaches, Historic City Walking Tours

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 off" many times around the city while our car stayed safely at the Francis Marion Hotel. We walked through The Battery, White Point Gardens, 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 store decorations inside and out. What a wonderful way tp celebrate Christmas!

Here's our photo gallery from our long Christmas weekend. The following includes Christmas Lights at Johns Island, something we've talked about doing this for several years, and finally our schedual allowed us this opportunity. If you're wondering about a long-weekend get-away, Charleston was the perfect place 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
Spoleto Festival, Piccolo Spoleto, Low Country Oyster Festival, MOJA Arts Festival. And don't miss the islands surrounding Charleston where you will find the Angel Oak on James Island

Photos by Patricia Blackstock
All photos eill enlarge when clicked

CHARLESTON #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 enjoy my selections for the best things to do in Charleston!

Please view the Charleston cam page for webcams and drones in the Holy City.

On April 12, 1861, the Confederate artillery opened fire on Charleston Harbor. 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 asgain raised its flag over Ft. Sumter on Apr. 14, 1865. Fort Sumter became a National Monument in 1948. This large grssy area houses the monuments and historic statues. My friend Bonnie shows off a Platter Magnolia, and I'm standing by 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 sweet grass baskets with amazing designs, real southern candles, craftd, delcious local food items, art work, (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 find the famous hand-made Sweetgrass Baskets (sewn with long leaf pinr straw and leaves of the Palmetto tree) as well as a multitude of crafts souvenirs ,jewelry, local candies, local honey and many other items inside the covered mall area. You'll find the best of Charleston at Belmond Charleston Place If you like shopping in style you will love 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 here for eveyone, including your most discriminating Aunt Tillie. t

Be sure to check Groupon.com for money-saving things to do. of Charleston!

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

Citadel Mall
Northwoods Mall
Earth Fare - The Health Supermarket
Trader Joe's - Mt. Pleasant. Whenever we are in Charlestin, we stop at Trader Joe's
Whole Foods - Mt. Plasant
Freshfields Village Shops and restaurants at the crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Island
Mr. Pleasant Towne Center -check the link for many hourse of happy shopping
Tanger Outlets Charleston, S.C.

I often tell people that one of the best things to do in 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.

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 asnd their patrons. Watching these baskets as they are being made is one of the most interesting things to do. You can watch as the baskets develope new shapes, such as roses and photo frames. The basket weavers can be found in the downtown area of Charleston, along Market, and Meeting Streets, and even on 17 Bus, leading to downtown Charleston. They will even take special personalized requests.

Charleston has so much to offer: Stop by the Visitors' Bureau to see the best things to do in Charleston. Orient yourself and learn about the best tours in Charleston. Or just start walking! We've discovered that one of the best way to get acquainted with Charleston is on foot! It's not only good for your mind, it's also good for your body! You can plot your own course after you pick up a free mp at the Visitor Bureau. This is the best way to learn about the Confederate Homes and how the Civil War affectd Charleston.

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