Charleston, the South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water.

Virtual Tours of Charleston

Take a Virtual Tour of Charleston : This walking tour also has some historic facts and tidbits on it! A great overview of the city of Charleston
Charleston 2019: this has more of an overview of the many different areas of Charleston and talks about some of the best things to do in Charleston. Both videos together showcase so much of Charleston!

Places to Visit:

• Rainbow Row: the name for a series of thirteen colorful historic houses in Charleston, South Carolina. It represents the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. Read more about the Rainbow Row Here.

• The Battery: a landmark defensive seawall and promenade in Charleston, South Carolina. Named for a civil-war coastal defense artillery battery at the site, it stretches along the lower shores of the Charleston peninsula, bordered by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, which meet here to form Charleston harbor.

• Charleston Museum: Fantastic historical exhibits, including one geared towards kids - Kidstory where kids can learn the history of Charleston through a hands-on exhibit

• Dock Street Theatre: Watch a video of the Dock Street Theatre Here

• The Charleston City Market: When you visit the Charleston Market, you’ll see native Charlestonians making beautiful sweetgrass baskets. Be sure to watch this video about basket making!

With so many “firsts,” the city is bursting with history.

The First Shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston

• The First Shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston.Read about the Battle of Fort Sumpter Here.

• The First game of golf played in the US was played in Charleston.

• America’s first museum, The Charleston Museum, was founded in 1773.

• The Dock Street Theater in Charleston was the first American Theater.

Pirate History of Charleston

• Charleston Pirate Tours: Check out this video about Charleston Pirate Tours - a great overview of some Pirate History in Charleston

• Listen to a Silly Pirate Song

Bring a Little Bit of Charleston Into Your Home!

Make Coconut Cake: Coconut Cake is sure to be on every Southern dessert table.  A popular grill in Charleston began serving coconut cakes in 1997 and customers from all over the country paid $130 plus shipping to have these delicious cakes sent to them.  You can make your own delicious coconut cake using this recipe!
Learn How to Draw a Pineapple: Step-by-Step Instructions on how to draw a pineapple, which is considered an expression of “welcome” throughout the South and symbolizes friendship, hospitality, and warmth! Read more here about the pineapple’s history with South Carolina.
Learn how to Dance the Charleston: this fun dance from the 1920s originated near Charleston and by watching this video, anyone can learn to do it!
Make a Woven Bowl: Using a paper plate and yarn, make a paper plate and see just a bit of the work that goes into making the incredible sweetgrass baskets.