Discovering Charleston's History & Hospitality
My experience through Charleston's rich history and hospitality with a Fort Sumter tour, exploring the Charleston Museum, and walking through the famous market.
Charleston is an intriguing colonial coastal city with a vibrant and diverse history. According to Charleston.com, this port city on the Atlantic Ocean was established in the late 1600s as "Charles Town," named after the then-reigning King of England. What began as a modest port quickly grew into a bustling hub with thousands of residents, becoming the primary center for trade in the southern American colonies, but that’s just the beginning. The city’s history is packed with dramatic moments, from pirates attacking its shores to British troops seizing control during the Revolutionary War, and even the first shots of the Civil War being fired at Fort Sumter. And we can’t overlook the earthquake that caused major destruction—all of this occurred before the 20th century! Despite its rocky past, Charleston has a relaxed atmosphere. The city proudly showcases its heritage with colorful buildings, one of America’s oldest museums, a charming city market, and a Civil War battlefield that is now a National Park. Let’s find out if Charleston really lives up to its reputation.
Walk and Wander through Charleston's French Quarter
On the first day of any city I visit, I like to “walk and wander”, starting with a particular stop in the city and going from there. It's a bit risky because you might accidentally wander into a sketchy area, but it's still an exciting way to discover a place for the first time. Before embarking on this adventure, I usually check Google Maps to find interesting places to visit. While moving through, I came across the Charleston City Market and the Charleston Museum, which caught my attention. I checked the distance between the two on the map and realized it was just a short walk away. So, I decided to use this opportunity to wander around and soak up the city's atmosphere.
What really caught my attention was the city's character and architecture. It has this charming old-fashioned vibe, yet it feels so laid-back. Even though I visited during the "offseason" between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the town was still bustling with activity. The sidewalks are mostly made of stone and the streets are narrow, but surprisingly, it doesn't feel overcrowded or too touristy. They've done a remarkable job preserving the city's overall character while ensuring smooth traffic flow. The layout and colors of the buildings left me in awe, as they transport you to a different era while still maintaining a modern touch. Just by strolling through the streets, you can sense the rich history that has been beautifully preserved.
Charleston has an relaxed vibe, but also has character in its streets and architecture. If you do intend to "walk and wander", be sure to use Google Maps and your judgment!
Explore The Charleston Museum
This spot is located near the Visitors Center on Meeting St. It's conveniently close to the bustling city center, yet it maintains its own unique charm. Being the oldest natural history museum in North America, it has gone through several relocations before settling in its current spot. Nevertheless, it's still fascinating to witness the city's transformation into what it is today. What struck me was the stark contrast between the city's violent history during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and subsequent periods, and its current relaxed atmosphere. The museum showcases the early days of Charleston as a port city for the Spanish, British, and eventually the Americans. Additionally, there's an impressive exhibit that delves into the city's involvement in the Civil War, from South Carolina's secession to its eventual readmission into the Union. Lastly, there's a captivating natural history exhibit that highlights the diverse fauna and animals that have thrived in this region up to the present day. They've got some exciting plans for the future, including exhibits on Reconstruction and the 20th century. It's impressive how well they've written these exhibits. Although the museum may not be in its prime, it's definitely worth a visit. Supporting museums like this by visiting and showing your patronage is the best way to ensure their growth and development.
The Charleston Museum is one of 3 museums you can visit. You can see just the museum, but there are discounted packages for 2 museums, or all 3 museums. The other museums that could be packaged include the Heyward-Washington House and the Joseph Manigault House. The museum is open 7 days a week, and closed on major holidays (Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving)
Walk Through The Charleston City Market
During my first two days in the city, I made sure to visit this marketplace. It became almost a tradition for me to start my day here, exploring the vibrant atmosphere. Spanning four city blocks, this market is a unique blend of open-air and closed-air sections. Local artisans showcase their craftsmanship, offering a diverse range of products from jewelry and shirts to art prints. As I walked through the open-air area, I appreciated the absence of pushy salespeople. However, they were always ready to answer any questions I had. The market is brimming with creativity, even boasting a cigar merchant who infuses Dominican-made cigars with bourbon and moonshine. Inside the enclosed section, I discovered a mini general store and a cozy coffee shop, all run by local merchants. Some of them even sell delicious food. It's truly a wonderful place to walk around, and I made sure to collect business cards from a few merchants, planning to order some of their incredible art prints in the future for my home. This marketplace also serves as a fantastic introduction to the city of Charleston.
Charleston City Market is free to visit and walk through, and boasts numerous merchants selling goods including paintings, photography, clothing and other goods. It's a great place to stop if you want to take something home, or get a thoughtful gift for someone you love.
Join a Gray Line Bus Tour of Charleston
On the second day, I took tour of the city using the Gray Line Tour Bus. This tour was quite comprehensive as it went beyond the downtown area and showcased the rest of the city. The tour guide providing a synopsis of the history of the city (wars and even earthquakes galore!), with some interesting facts that you may not know about Charleston (it is the second most bombarded in war besides the nearby Fort Sumter, and did I mention they had a bad earthquake too?). In addition, most of the land is filled, similar to another colonial type city - Boston. The tour lasted for about 90 minutes and was definitely worth it, although I was surprised they didn't offer "hop on/hop off" tours. If you prefer a carriage tour, there are plenty of options available too.
Take a Tour of Fort Sumter National Park
Part of the package that I purchased for the tour also included a tour of the Fort Sumter National Park. At the conclusion of the city tour, I was dropped off at Liberty Square. Some people on the tour were also touring the site as well, so it was nice to see some semi-familiar faces. After listening to a brief explanation of the history of Fort Sumter’s historical significance to the city and the nation at the time of the American Civil War, we proceeded to get in line to enter the ferry. The ferry had plenty of seating on the lower and upper deck. As the upper deck was fairly packed, I proceeded to move to the lower deck where I found a seat I liked near one of the windows. I opened the windows to let the fresh air in. After a 30 minute boat ride, we landed at Fort Sumter.
What amazed me about Fort Sumter was how much of it still stands after all these years. I'm sure they've reinforced some parts, but it's mostly in ruins. However, it's perfectly safe to explore. This particular tour is managed by the National Park Service, and there’s usually a park ranger that gives a talk on the existence of the fort, with the build up and eventual destruction. There’s also a museum that gives an explanation of the history of the fort in case you miss anything (like I did!). I was on the last tour of the day, so I got to see the flag lowering. You have an hour on the island, which is plenty of time to hold your interest and you leave wanting to learn more. It was fascinating to see in person, and well worth a visit.
Keep in mind that Fort Sumter is only accessible during the day, and through one of the cruises. While it is considered a National Park, there is no other way to get there. With that being said, you can purchase just the Fort Sumter admission and cruise, or you can purchase as part of the Charleston Mobile Pass that includes all major attractions in Charleston for one low price.
Is Charleston Worth the Visit?
Charleston is a very charming, relaxing city that is perfect for just about everyone. If you're looking to save some money, consider visiting during the "offseason" months (May-December) when hotel and activity prices are generally more reasonable. I enjoyed learning about the city's violent history at the Charleston Museum, and interacting with local merchants at the Charleston City Market. The city tour through Gray Line Tours was informative and entertaining, and there are many options for packaging and bundling your experiences, including visiting the great Fort Sumter National Park. Whatever you decide, it is a fantastic place to visit for any traveler.
Want food and hotel recommendations? Check out my companion guide on Charleston’s Food and Booze!
We’re eyeing Charleston to visit next year!! It looks so charming and interesting!