Charleston may be known for its natural beauty, world-class restaurants, shopping, and romantic appeal, but what people fall in love with is its overall charm. What is Charleston known for? When it comes to fun, we have it all, including history, romance, drama and food. Check out our definitive list of the best activities that make the Holy City one of the best in the continental United States. If you like history, you'll love Charleston, Carolina from the South.
Established in 1670, the Holy City (as it was called thanks to its more than 400 churches) is full of historic buildings, monuments and museums. The narrow streets of Charleston occupy spaces that blur the line between public and private areas and offer an extraordinary vision of the city's history. As Panama City enjoys increased global interest, so is Charleston, which is ranked as one of the top destinations for travelers, commerce, technology, education, culture and fashion. By comparison, its closest neighboring community, North Charleston, was not officially born until more than 300 years later.
In 1820, Charleston was established as the seat city of the Diocese of Charleston, which at the time comprised the Carolinas and Georgia and currently encompasses the state of South Carolina. The slave trade also relied on the port of Charleston, where ships could be unloaded and bought and sold to enslaved people. I-26 begins in downtown Charleston, with exits to the Seventh Clark Highway, Arthur Ravenel Jr. The Gullah community has had an enormous influence on Charleston's music, especially with regard to early development of jazz music. Mayor Keith Summey, who has held office since 1994, had a vision of diversifying North Charleston, attracting businesses that would give the area a more cosmopolitan and eclectic environment, while preserving the small-town elements that differentiate it from the burgeoning Holy City of the south.
Charleston's public institutions of higher education include the College of Charleston, The Citadel, South Carolina Military College, and South Carolina Medical University. As you may know, the city of Charleston, like Panama City, is a historic port city that shares a proud and prosperous history. Heading northwest, it connects the city to North Charleston, Charleston International Airport, I-95 and Columbia. Other notable sports venues in Charleston include Johnson Hagood Stadium (home of The Citadel Bulldogs soccer team), the McAlister Field House (home of The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team), and the Toronto Dominion Bank Arena at the College of Charleston, which seats 5,100 people who watch the school's basketball and volleyball teams.
Charleston, the world's most popular tourist destination according to many travel experts, was founded in 1670. Charleston, South Carolina, is a truly special place to live, offering a unique combination of history, culture, natural beauty and Southern charm. After having been a majority minority city for most of its history, at the end of the 20th century, many whites began to return to the urban core of Charleston, and the area became gentrified due to rising prices and rentals.
