Charleston is Worth Visiting More Than Once

Charleston is Worth Visiting More Than Once

By Scottie Davis

Charleston is like a southern belle. When you think you know her, you turn the corner and learn something new - again and again.

If you're taking a day trip to Charleston, try to focus on one objective or activity, as the city can be overwhelming if you try to do too much in a short time.For example, it's possible to plan day trips shop; to take a walking tour of the historic district and The Citadel; or to see the city dressed in holiday splendor and take in a Christmas show and light display.Carriage rides and walking tours (watch the uneven streets and sidewalks) give you an up close view of Charleston.

There are walking tours that concentrate on specific aspects of Charleston's history -pirates, ghosts, Confederate Charleston, etc. To explore Charleston on your own, you need a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a map and a sense of adventure. Explore the historic district from the antique shops and boutiques on King Street to the museums on Meeting Street and restaurants and galleries on Bay Street. Peer over the garden gates, linger at the Battery. Then, let me know about the discoveries you love the best!

The arts are a source of pride to Charleston. Plays at the Dock Street Theater, productions at Gilliard Auditorium and The Sounds of Charleston in Circular Church, where "Amazing Grace" was born, are among the attractions. The Charleston Ballet, art museums and art galleries all reflect the sophistication of this elegant city.

Excellent restaurants abound in the historic district from quaint Jestine's Kitchen to the Barbados Room in the Mills House Hotel. On Bay Street, Magnolias, Blossoms, High Cotton and Slightly North of the Broad (SNOB) are longtime favorites.

There are a gazillion B&Bs and hotels in the historic district. Choose one where you can walk everywhere your heart desires. Good deals can be found online at www.charlestoncvb.com.

In October, The Mojo Festival is alive with music, dance and art and Preservation Society's Fall House and Gardens Tour featuring architecturally significant private homes and gardens is in full swing. There is no city in America that combines its culture, history, and beauty the way Charleston does.

Like encounters with a southern belle, Charleston is a joy to experience - time and time again.