A Charleston family vacation allows you to take a step back in time to explore beautiful beaches, stately mansions, historic landmarks and sprawling plantations. If you are looking to escape from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect in a place where the pace is slow and living is easy, then the popular South Carolina coastal city should be at the top of your travel wish list.
Get a taste of true southern charm by visiting Charleston’s top tourist attractions. The city has something for everyone in the family:
History buffs young and old will enjoy navigating their way around the massive aircraft carrier. In addition to aiding during World War II and in Vietnam, the legendary vessel served as the recovery ship for the Apollo 8 space mission. Today, visitors can tour the Yorktown to view hundreds of historic mementos and learn more about its storied past. Hands-on learning has never been so much fun.
Parents looking to treat their children to an educational vacation should make a beeline to Fort Sumter. The floating landmark is where the Civil War began. The island is located at the entrance of Charleston Harbor and is accessible via regular scheduled ferries. If you are traveling with older children, then consider taking a Fort Sumter tour which includes dinner and a ferry ride around Charleston Harbor.
Architectural buffs will have a hard time keeping their jaws shut while touring the historic Edmondston-Alston House located on Charleston’s High Battery. The stunning mansion allows visitors to take a trip back to the early 19th century when elegance and style were as important as the creature comforts that fill the house. Completed in 1825, the towering structure offers breathtaking views of Charleston Harbor. In fact, in 1861, General Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter from the Edmondston-Alston House.
To get a real taste of life down south, be sure to make a pit stop at Boone Hall. The magnificent working plantation has been around for more than 300 years and is still going strong. A visit to the estate includes tours of the house, gardens and slave cabins. Plus, you can take in live entertainment and dine at the on-site cafe.
Given how pedestrian-friendly Charleston is, and the fact that there are so many unique aspects of the city, it’s no wonder that tour companies are located on practically every corner:
The Original Charleston Walk: This tour is ideal if you want to get a general overview of the city’s lineage. Educated tour guides take you on a stroll through Charleston's history from its infancy as a burgeoning colony, through the American Revolution and Civil War. Highlights include visiting the city's oldest church, the harbor, Fort Sumter, and John C. Calhoun's grave.Charleston’s Pirates and Buccaneers: Kids will love the energy and intrigue of this excursion which bears the nickname: “The War Against the Pirates Tour.” You will be transported back to the18th century, when the people of Charleston were near war with Native Americans on the land and pirate scavengers on the sea. The tour includes stops at The Walled City, Pirate Tavern and buried treasure.Slavery and Freedom Walk: This educational tour schools visitors about Charleston’s role in slavery and how freedom came about for millions of indentured servants. Tour guides lead strolls to notable sites and provide lessons about Catfish Row, slave revolts and more.Summer is high season in Charleston, so if you are planning a family vacation to the popular city in June, July or August, expect a lot of company. Charleston beaches are a tourist magnet in the spring as well. When the weather warms up, visitors flock to outdoor recreation areas such as Beach-walker Park and Folly Beach County Park. Both spots are ideal for fishing, picnicking, canoeing, camping and hiking.? To view a complete schedule of seasonal events, so you can plan your family vacation accordingly, visit the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
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