CHARLESTON
For all its eye-catching aesthetics, the history of Charleston and the conspicuous wealth evident in its architecture is inseparable from the origins of slavery and subsequent plight of the former enslaved African American community. Multiple cultural sites within the city, whether its many museums or mansions where slave quarters remain intact, offer an authentic insight into this period. The legacy of this generation is still tangible in the rich culinary heritage of Gullah cuisine, offering soulful recipes blended with local ingredients, like the signature dish of okra gumbo. Elsewhere, savour Southern classics, including mac ‘n’ cheese or shrimp and grits.
CHARLESTONhospitality.LadenwithAmericanheritage,historicaltreasures,andarichculinarylegacy,discovertheculturalheartlandoftheDeepSouthWriter:PhoebeHarper|ProjectManager:KrishaCanlas
From the devastating fires and major earthquakes that wreaked havoc on Charleston in the 19th century to the onslaught of the Civil War, Charleston has a legacy of resiliency and enduring conflict. Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s tourism sector is no different. Come to Charleston for a taste of classic Southern
n the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the city of Charleston is a true gem. Imbued with Southern charm, the second largest – and arguably best preserved –historic district in North America boasts antiquated mansions flanked with palm trees lining cobblestone streets where horse and carriage rides await.
Few destinations in the US can surpass Charleston in terms of its historical legacy since its settlement as ‘Charles Towne’ by British colonists in 1670. The city combines many rich and varied layers of history, from the evocative Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon – an underground prison once stormed by Blackbeard himself - to the birthplace of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter. Meanwhile, the many steeples piercing the Charleston skyline testify to its namesake ‘The Holy City’. Beyond Charleston, discover inviting stretches of coastline that are ideal for a longer stay, combining city and beach.
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CHARLESTON TRAVEL GUIDE
DW: To increase the economic foot print of visitors within our community
AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
FOR THE PAST 30 years, the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Charleston CVB) has been committed to sharing the charm of one of America’s top travel destinations. Supporting the long-term development of communities through sustainable tourism marketing and management strategies, Charleston CVB repre sents municipalities within Charleston and Berkeley Counties in South Carolina. We peel back the layers of historic Charleston as an overnight destination with Vice President of Media and Innovation at Charleston CVB, Douglas Warner.
Douglas Warner
Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the Bureau’s inception and its initial vision?
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a 30-year-old destination manage ment organisation (DMO). We exist to market our region, which covers 10 different municipalities, including the city of Charleston and the wider area.
and its businesses. It’s not neces sarily about increasing the number of visitors but rather the economic footprint of those who do.
DW: The trends that we are seeing are more infrastructure based. Our
OT: What trends are currently re-shaping tourism in Charleston?
OT: What are the organisation’s current goals?
CHARLESTONWe’re
OT: How do you market Charleston and the wider region as a destination for business and leisure travel?
DW: We focus on several key pillars that make Charleston attractive to visitors. History is always top of the list – we’re the most European of American cities, and it’s hard to find more American history than exists in Charleston. Aside from this, we focus on the culinary scene, arts and culture, our beaches and outdoor activities, and shopping.
Douglas Warner, Vice President of Media and Innovation (DW):
- DOUGLAS WARNER, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA AND INNOVATION, CHARLESTON CVB
TO VISITORS”
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African American experience – it begins with the arrival of the first enslaved people, and the museum is being built on the actual docks where 60 percent of the enslaved African people landed on this continent. We’ve also got some major infrastructural developments that will come online within the next two years, including the construction of the Cooper Hotel, the renovation of The Charleston Place Hotel, and the completion of the Daniel Island Tennis Center, home of the Volvo Car Open women’s tennis www.explorecharleston.cominfor@explorecharleston.comtournament.
with our base closure in 1991, and we are seeing the same thing again. But our demand is higher now than it was pre-COVID-19. A lot of it is because of the increase in air services. Airlines pulled their assets, from business travel markets and reassigned them to leisure travel markets like Charleston. We were a beneficiary of that.
DW: We’re extremely optimistic. Our numbers already show that for Charleston, each time our community has seen a major crisis, we have found a way to elevate ourselves. It hap pened with Hurricane Hugo in 1989,
airport has seen tremendous growth in seat availability and direct fly markets. We had a direct route to Heathrow with British Airways up until the COVID-19 pandemic, which is unusual for a non-island city of our size, and we hope it will come back soon. Despite being a city with just under one million population, we serve 60 direct-fly cities out of Charleston.
There are several taking place in our community that are of interest to the visiting public. The first is the opening of the International African American Museum (IAAM) in January 2023. IAAM will be this country’s most comprehensive museum on the
OT: Are there any projects ongoing in Charleston that you would like to DW:highlight?
- DOUGLAS WARNER, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA AND INNOVATION, CHARLESTON CVB
“WE’RE THE MOST EUROPEAN OF AMERICAN CITIES, AND IT’S HARD TO FIND MORE AMERICAN HISTORY THAN WHAT EXISTS IN CHARLESTON”
DW: There were originally three walled cities in North America; St. Augustin, which was Spanish, Quebec City, which was French; and Charleston, which was the original English walled city. King Charles gave this property to the Lord’s Propri etors, so our connection is strong. Our earliest settlers were the English colonists from Barbados, and our number one international visiting partner has always been the UK, fol lowed by Germany. We are seeing a huge economic investment here from Northern European companies, like Volvo North America, and our travel business follows that model.
OT: Could you tell us more about your appeal to Northern Europe and the UK markets?
CHARLESTON TRAVEL GUIDE
OT: Are you optimistic about tourism’s recovery in Charleston following the COVID-19 pandemic?
From Gospel to Gershwin
Charleston’s longest running musical production
Bill Perry, co-founder and producer | 843 270 4903 | billperry829@aol.com | www.soundofcharleston.com
The Sound of Charleston, now in our 12th season, presents the music of Charleston, South Carolina’s rich history during live, 75 minute concerts. Audiences will hear gospel spirituals, music of George Gershwin, jazz, songs of the Civil War, and light classics, all presented in the historic Circular Congregational Church by the area’s finest professional musicians. Group rates and special performances can be arranged by contacting the box office. Additional concert and ticket information can be found on our website.
The Sound of Charleston
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The Sound of Charleston – Music has defined the past 350 years in Charleston. An unmissable destination, experiencing a live performance in this circular congregational church – through gospel, Gershwin, Civil War songs, and jazz – will bring that history to life through a rich and diverse musical heritage. Book tickets in advance so you don’t miss out.
– This noble hotel is a Charleston classic. Expect modern detailing combined with elegant design in a tasteful setting, where one may wake to the sound of horse hooves on the cobblestone streets outside. Offering the finest southern hospitality, the on-site café Clerks Coffee is a coffee and culinary destination in its own right.
FORDO:BRINGING
FORSLEEP:LOCAL CHARACTER IN THE HISTORIC HotelDISTRICT...Emeline
HISTORY TO LIFE...
Emeline’s courtyard and greenhouse offer expansive outdoor spaces that are ideal settings for receptions or social gatherings.
/hotelemeline
Located in Charleston’s historic district, Emeline is a clever and thoughtfully designed retreat crafted with the curious traveler in mind. The experienced team embodies the persona of a consummate host, always focused on the vibrant days of Emeline’shospitality.accommodations
843-577-2644 | www.hotelemeline.com
Suite Dreams
provide a warm welcome after a busy day exploring all the notable points of interest that lie just outside its doors. This captivating refuge with 212 all-king bed guest rooms includes 128 luxury suites and 16 double king bed Amenitiesaccommodations.include
Value up to $50 per https://hotelemeline.com/offer/breakfast-please-offerday.
Breakfasthttps://hotelemeline.com/offer/suite-dreams-fallPlease
Wake up with Emeline and start every morning during your stay with breakfast for two. Enjoy breakfast from the luxury of Frannie & The Fox or Clerks Coffee to sit and sip while enjoying breakfast favourites.
For the traveller who enjoys long strolls along the picturesque Waterfront Park and enchanting cobblestone streets, autumn is the best time of year to experience downtown Charleston. Choose from our spacious one-bedroom suites to our more luxurious premium and exclusive two-bedroom suites with enhanced views. Perfect for entertaining, our suites all feature a separate living space equipped with Crosley turntable and custom Emeline vinyl. Reserve our Suite Dreams package and enjoy a welcome drink at checkin, along with a welcome bottle of bubbles and an artisan cheese plate. Suite dreams!
Frannie & The Fox, Clerks Coffee Company and Keep Shop. The property boasts over 13,000 square feet of flexible event space and 10 private occasion spaces, with the Hayne Street Gallery accommodating events up to 250 and for receptions up to 350 guests.
The city’s historic district occupies the peninsula’s tip, where careful restoration efforts continue to preserve its unique cultural identity. Here, tall and narrow houses are packed cheek-by-jowl, elegantly decorated with wroughtiron balconies, broad piazzas (or porches), characterful shutters, and flanked with leafy courtyards.
CHARLESTON
CHARLESTON IS A city renowned for its architecture. With over 2,500 historic buildings in the downtown area, eight different schools of architecture prevail: Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco.
FOCUS ON
ARCHITECTURE
Each is intrinsically linked to a historical period and a direct reflection of Charleston’s cultural evolution - from the Neoclassical charm of Manigault House to the historic Edmondston-Alston House, which has stood on the
Arguably the most iconic buildings here are the
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harbourside since the great earthquake of 1886 and on through the American Civil War.
Many of the homes throughout downtown Charleston have plaques that explain their architectural origins, and resident Charlestonians are well-used to passers-by pausing to admire their dwellings. For architecture enthusiasts, a walking tour or carriage ride is highly recommended.
ST. MICHAEL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH (shown in the background), built in the 1750s by order of the South Carolina Assembly, is located at Broad and Meeting streets on one of the Four Corners of Law, and represents ecclesiastical law. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
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pastel-hued mansions built in the ‘Charleston Style’ typical of the 18th century. This distinctive fashion is derived from the West Indies, where early British colonists were inspired by high-ceilinged houses designed to stay cool and sprawling piazzas on every level.
The picture-perfect Rainbow Row shows that colour is a significant element in Charleston’s aesthetic appeal. These merchant houses were given a colorful revamp in the aftermath of the Civil War, when the area had become
rather downtrodden and dreary.
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One of the country,townhousebest-preservedcomplexesinthethishistorichomeis a poignant reminder of urban life in antebellum Charleston. A house built on the wealth of chattel slavery in 1820, you can still visit the virtually untouched quarters of the enslaved Africans that once lived here alongside its powerful owners. The audio tour is recommended for real historical insight.
Open to visitors since 1870, these are the oldest public gardens in the US. Just a half-hour drive from Charleston, parts of these gardens have continued to flower since before the American Revolution. Originating as a rice plantation owned by the Drayton family, tour the house for insight into plantation life, or stroll along picturesque pathways that look fresh out of a Monet painting.
This historic spot marks where, on April 12th 1861, the first shot of the American Civil War rang out. Fort Sumter became a Confederate stronghold and symbol of Southern resistance, receiving significant shelling from Union forces in the years that followed. Located on a manmade island in the waters of Charleston’s harbour, the monument is accessible only by boat tour.
MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS
AIKEN RHETT HOUSE
ATTRACTIONSLANDMARK
ATTRACTIONSLANDMARKFORTSUMTERNATIONALMONUMENT
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CHARLESTON IS JUST a two-hour plane ride from the major US airports of JFK and LaGuardia. Daily non-stop flights are available from 37 US and UK cities to the recently renovated and expanded Charleston International Airport (CHS). CHS is located roughly 11 miles from downtown Charleston and is easily accessible by car, taxi and shuttle. For taking in the sights of the downtown area, the DASH Shuttle is a quick, easy, and (best of all) free, option.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
www.outlooktravelmag.com 375 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Ph: infor@explorecharleston.com001-843-224-6888www.explorecharleston.com