"The Definitive Guide to Charleston, SC" Top 5 Page for this destination Charleston by TheTravelingNerd

In a homage to my home town I want to give you the best tips and tricks on what to see and what to do. My fondest memories are of growing up in Charleston (aka Chucktown). I moved back 2 years ago after some time in NYC & LA, so I think I have a unique perspective on my beloved city. Please read, enjoy and come to Charleston!!!

P.S. If there's any way I can make any of my tips more helpful PLEASE let me know :)

carriage tour

Charleston began in 1670 on the Charleston peninsula which is known to us now as Downtown Charleston. It was a favorite of pirates in the early years so to combat this the King of England built as many churches as the then walled city could fit. Charleston then became and is currently known as the "Holy City". Most of these churches are still here today. The most well known is St. Phillips which is the tallest church in the city.

Charleston is home to the first theater in the U.S. the Dock Street Theater. The Dock Street Theater is still an amazing place it is still in its original glory. You can still see plays there just as you would a century ago.

Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Charleston has the very first cultured and also wild garden in the U.S. and almost every historical U.S. figure has visited here (Washington, Franklin, Lincoln).

Most of the original buildings are still here and well preserved. We host the annual Spoleto Arts Festival and the Moja Arts Festival and the food here is amazing so there are alot of food festivals.

Charleston has so much history from pirates to Gullah culture that I can't do it justice in just this one paragraph so please read all of the pages. THANKS!!!!

P.S. We were voted friendliest city more than once and I must say it's very true.

1,000 yr. old oak tree Middleton Place Plantation

Ok I'm going out and taking pics of all my favorite things here. I got some great pics today. I'll go to the beach soon and get some shots there as well. Keep checkin' back in for new stuff.

I took this pic of this old live oak tree last spring. It is in the gardens at Middleton Place Plantation on the banks of the Ashley river and is well over 1,000 years old!!! It's HUGE. amazing.

• Pros:Beautiful Landscapes, Architecture, Culture, Southern Hospitality, Beaches, Weather, Diversity, History, Pirates, Azaleas and FOOD
• Cons:Very conservative (which can be a plus depending on your views)
• In a nutshell:This is the true gem of the South