Charleston Holiday Attractions: Picturesque Historical Sites
The United States is a nation chalk full of exciting vacation
destinations to choose from. When couples and families are looking
for a holiday location that offers scenic beauty, recreation
and live entertainment there are literally hundreds of top holiday
locales to choose from. Within this list there are a few elite
vacation destinations that offer all of the above as well as
a rich and diverse testament to history. Charleston, SC is a
popular family holiday location that definitely qualifies in
this latter list.
In addition to being located on the beautiful southeast coast
of the United States and offering exciting modern attractions
and famous down-south hospitality, Charleston is also one of
the nation's premier historic locations; featuring numerous
picturesque and historic monuments that speak of a rich and
varied history. Charleston is in many ways a living testament
to the history of the nation. Charleston vacationers can take
part in guided tours or meander at their own leisurely pace
through historic museums, original mansions, plantations, historic
battle sites and more.
It was in the year 1670 that British settlers first arrived
in what is today the greater Charleston, SC area. It was approximately
two years after initial settlement that the population of had
been designated "Charles Town" had reached a population of just
under 400. From the beginning Charleston was known as a town
that enjoyed leisure and celebration. This legacy was likely
originally established by immigrating families from Barbados
and the West Indies. These original Charleston settlers also
brought a tradition of building beautifully constructed, lavishly
furnished homes. Many of these original homes are still on display
today; serving as one of the most popular holiday attractions
for contemporary Charleston vacationers.
Unlike many quickly settled cities, early Charleston residents
focused on building a city that was (unlike many European cities)
well-thought out in its urban planning. Rather than haphazardly
setting up buildings here and there, whole streets are areas
were planned ahead of time to ensure a seamless architectural
beauty was maintained throughout the city. By the time the year
1680 rolled around there were already 1000 residents calling
Charleston, SC home. And yes, by that time, less than 10 years
after its founding "Charles Town" had officially become known
as Charleston.
Fast forward 3 centuries or so and its no surprise that Charleston
is today one of the most popular East Coast vacation destinations
in the country. Many of the early monuments and structures of
Charles Town and later Charleston are still available for viewing
by South Carolina tourists. These historic structures range
from museums to plantations, from mansions to civil war monuments.
Many Charleston vacationers so enjoy their time in Charleston
that they return at a future date to enjoy the sites that weren't
able to take in first time around. That's a testament to just
how much history is attested to in and around the Charleston
region.
As mentioned one of the most popular forms of historic attractions
available in and around Charleston, SC is the many colonial
homes. Some of the most popular of these magnificent homes (which
look more like mansions by most people's standards) include:
the Aiken-Rhett House (the 19th century residence of former
SC governor, William Aiken, Jr.), the Edmondston - Alston House
(a Greek Revival mansion dating to all the back to 1825), the
Nathaniel Russell House (famous for its extravagant design and
its free-floating circular staircase), the Heyward - Washington
House (one of the former residences of President Washington
and of Thomas Heyward Jr.; a signer of the Declaration of Independence),
and the Thomas Elfe House (dating all the way back to the middle
18th century, this magnificent home was the residence of Charleston's
most famous cabinet-maker.)
Beyond the stunning period homes on display in historic sections
of Charleston, vacationers also enjoy the cities war museums.
The most popular of the Charleston area museums include: the
Confederate Museum, the Citadel Museum, the Patriots Point Naval
& Maritime Museum, and the all-purpose Charleston Museum. Besides
an impressive collection of museums Charleston is also home
to several original plantations. These impressive, sprawling
estates include Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, and the Boone
Hall Plantation.
With so many exciting, and educational historic structures and
sites to choose from its no surprise that Charleston has consistently
ranked as one of America's top East Coast travel hot spots.
And the city has a lot more than just a rich historical tradition
to show off to Charleston vacationers. The city is popular today
for many of the same reasons that drew settlers here several
hundred years ago. The climate is temperate, the natural scenery
is spectacular, and the Atlantic Ocean is on the doorstep of
this picturesque city that lies just north of Hilton Head and
just south of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Charleston
Vacation Packages can be requested here.
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