Once one of the preeminent cities in the British colonies, Charleston stands today as a living monument to the founding and evolution of our nation. Hundreds of significant and lovingly preserved structures from the colonial and antebellum periods grace the city's narrow streets. Formal gardens magnify the beauty of stately, centuries-old homes.
Church bells toll the hour as history unfolds around each and every corner.
Merchant ships ply the once embattled waters of Charleston Harbor, much as they have since the 1700's. The entire Charleston area is a never-ending feast for the senses, with history serving as the main course. Visit Charles Towne Landing, where the original settlement was founded in 1670. Drive to Fort Moultrie, scene of the first decisive American victory of the Revolution, and a mainstay of shore defense until 1947. Take a scenic boat tour to Fort Sumter, the man-made island fortress where the US Civil War began.