Travelers can visit Charleston in 2024 for a variety of reasons. It has the highest number of people living in the state of South Carolina, making Charleston a thriving hub for business and leisure. The port of Charleston has the best museums, cruises, and historical monuments that you can visit.
Here are a few of the best reasons to take a tour of Charleston in 2024.
Be inspired by the antebellum homes at The Battery
The Battery is a major tourist destination in Charleston. It is a massive promenade that has fascinated people for over a century. Located on the lower shores of the Charleston peninsula, The Battery is surrounded by the rivers Ashley and Cooper.
Antebellum homes found near The Battery are known for their architecture. Houses in East Battery are built to last for ages, giving visitors a glimpse of living standards that are common in Charleston. The Roper House, the William Ravenel House, and Charles Drayton House are beautifully built, allowing travelers to take in the sights of the harbor without any hassles.
Constructed during the pre-war era, antebellum homes have several defining characteristics. Most of these houses have large pillars and a balcony that provides shelter. Residents can sit out on the porch in an antebellum home at any time during the day. You can find a front door and a backdoor in such houses, helping people navigate around their homes in Charleston.
Domes are situated on top of buildings in Charleston that cover the entire house. Bushes in the garden are trimmed to make the antebellum homes more hospitable. These houses are primarily white in color. Staircases are usually found inside the home.
Go on a cruise across South Carolina
Charleston Harbor has the best cruises for entertainment. You can get a closer look at Charleston from a cruise ship that can take you across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in South Carolina. Take a few snaps of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge during the cruise as it was featured in TV series like Reckless that aired in 2014. Tourists can reach Mount Pleasant within a few hours of boarding a cruise ship in Charleston.
Table games like Blackjack and Roulette on cruise ships can help you earn chips on your travels. Visitors in Charleston and Columbia can book a ticket online all year round to start gambling on the Big ‘M’ casino ship. People who want to earn chips on cruises can try their luck at slot machines compared to table games like Baccarat for instant earnings.
Tourist attractions like USS Yorktown, The Battery, and Fort Sumter in Charleston are all visible on cruise ships. You can enjoy a 3-course dinner spread on yachts with cheesecakes and whipped cream for dessert.
See historical monuments at Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was established in 1829 to prevent naval invasions in Charleston. The first Battle of Fort Sumter gave way to the American Civil War. The Mountain Howitzer, cannons, and other historical monuments can be found among the ruins of Fort Sumter. Tour boats are scheduled regularly to Fort Sumter since private boats are not allowed at the fort.
Learn about Gullah culture
The Gullah culture in Charleston has a lasting influence on people. Jazz music has its roots in Charleston. Many of the people belonging to the Gullah community took up jazz to create a new form of culture through music. Famous musicians from the Gullah community include Charles Theodore Pachelbel and Darius Rucker, the lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish.
Jonathan Green is a contemporary painter from the Gullah Community. The Blues Singer, Dance Hall Romance, and Torch Song are the most notable paintings of Jonathan Green. These works of art are exhibited at the Gallery Chuma in Charleston.
The local cuisine of the Gullah community has ingredients such as, gumbo, shrimp, and collard greens. Gullah recipes have been passed down through generations, preserving the taste of each dish. There are dozens of restaurants in Charleston that serve authentic Gullah food to visitors.
Charleston is home to America’s first theatre
Charleston is known for its vibrant plays and lively performances. Dock Street Theatre is a company based in Charleston that became home to America’s first theatre in 1935. It was exclusively focused on performances and plays, hosting opera performances like Flora and plays like The Recruiting Office by George Farquhar.
The Sottile Theatre is owned by the College of Charleston. It was built in 1920 and can hold up to a maximum capacity of 785 people in the audience. The Spoleto Festival USA held at the Sottile Theatre in Charleston, is considered as one of the biggest performing arts festivals in America. It is hosted annually for a duration of 17 days, inviting musicians, artists, and theatre groups to participate in the event. You can also watch sponsored performances at the Sottile Theatre for an amazing experience.
Watch professional sports teams compete
Several sports teams have found a training ground in Charleston, making it highly competitive as a city. The professional soccer team, Charleston Battery, plays a ton of matches in the USL Championship. Visitors can watch rugby matches between Charleston Outlaws RFC and their rivals like Cape Fear and Greenville. Charleston also has home teams for baseball, hockey, and tennis.
