Charleston, SC, USA

Here are the key highlights of Charleston’s history:

• Charleston was founded in 1670 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was established as a colonial port town by settlers from England.

• Charleston became a major port for trade and commerce with England and other parts of the world. It was a hub for the export of goods like rice, indigo, and cotton. This led to wealth and prosperity in the 18th century.

• Charleston was a center of revolutionary fervor in the 1770s. It was the site of the First and Second Continental Congresses and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many important figures of the American Revolution were from Charleston.

• Charleston had a booming plantation economy based on slave labor and agricultural exports like rice and cotton in the early 1800s. This led to further wealth among plantation owners.

• Charleston was one of the first cities to secede from the Union during the Civil War. It was captured by Union forces in 1863 after the devastating Siege of Fort Sumter. 

• In the early 20th century, Charleston’s economy recovered and diversified. Prominent historic preservation also began, helping save much of the architectural heritage. Tourism became an important industry.

• Charleston faced a difficult transition from segregation to integration in the 1950s and 1960s. There were protests, sit-ins, and other acts of civil disobedience to fight racial injustice. Even today, it still grapples with issues of inequality, race, and poverty. While many reforms have been enacted there are still generational wealth gaps that were created by slavery and discriminatory institutions. 

• Today, Charleston is a historic and charming city popular with tourists. It has a thriving cafe, restaurant, and nightlife scene with a distinctive culture, cuisine, architecture, and dialect. It is a iconic and influential city in the Southern United States.

Here are the top tourist attractions in Charleston, SC:

• Fort Sumter – Where the Civil War began. Ferry tour only, open 365 days a year. Tour costs $30 for adults. Website: Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm. Admission fees are $10 for adults. magnoliaplantation.com

• Drayton Hall Plantation – Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Admission is $15 for adults. draytonhall.org

• Charleston City Market – Open Monday-Saturday, 8:30am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm. No admission fee to enter the market. Website:  The Historic Charleston City Market, Charleston, SC (thecharlestoncitymarket.com)

• Old Town Charleston – Walk around downtown Charleston with beautiful antebellum architecture, cobblestone streets, and plantations. No admission fee.

• Rainbow Row – No open hours listed but open daily, always accessible from sidewalk. No admission fee, just photos permitted. rainbowrowcharleston.com

• City Hall and White Point Gardens – City Hall open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm. Gardens open daily, 24 hours. No admission fees. Charleston, SC – Official Website | Official Website (charleston-sc.gov)

• Fort Johnson – Part of Charleston‘s defenses, open Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. Admission is $6 for adults. Website: Marine Marine Resources Research Institute (sc.gov)

• USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum – Open daily, 8am-8pm (6pm in Sep-May). Admission fees are $16 for adults. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum – Charleston Harbor, SC – Patriots Point

• Charles Towne Museum – Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm. Admission fees are $7 for adults. charlestownepreservation.org/muse

•Charleston Museum– Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm. Admission fees are $7 for adults. Website:  Charleston Museum 

Please note that hours of operations might change without notice so it‘s a good idea to check official websites before visiting.

The currency used in the United States is the US dollar. The US dollar is denoted by the symbol $ and the currency code USD.

US dollars paper notes include:

• $1 – One dollar

• $2 – Two dollars

• $5 – Five dollars

• $10 – Ten dollars

• $20 – Twenty dollars

• $50 – Fifty dollars • $100 – One hundred dollars

Coins come in:

• $0.01 (penny),
• $0.05 (nickel),
• $0.10 (dime),
• $0.25 (quarter),
• $0.50 (half–dollar) and
• $1 (dollar) denominations. 

Charleston, South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate. The region’s climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean with the average temperature between 60s-70s F (15-20 C).

• Summers are hot and humid (average high temperatures around 90 F (32 C). Summer season is from May to September.

• Winters are short and mild, with average highs in the mid 50s F (13 C) and lows around 40 the mid 50s F (13 C) and lows rarely dropping below freezing.  Snow is rare.

• Charleston has a lot of rainfall, with the most rain falling in the summer. Average annual rainfall is around 50 inches (1270 mm). Charleston has been influenced by climate change, with gradually rising sea levels, which can cause storm surges and flooding. Flooding is fairly common in certain areas in Charleston.

• Hurricanes can affect Charleston, especially from August to October.  

The major airports in Charleston, SC are:

1. Charleston International Airport (CHS) -Located in North Charleston, about 10 miles from downtown Charleston. Charleston International Airport (iflychs.com)

2. Mount Pleasant Airport (LRO)- serves general aviation and private aircraft. Mount Pleasant Airport (iflychs.com)

Note: There is also a smaller airport in Charleston called the John‘s Island Executive Airport (JZI), but it primarily serves private and charter flights rather than commercial airlines.

Parts of downtown Charleston and historic areas like Rainbow Row are very walkable. However, if you want to venture further, the region is largely reliant on cars.

Car rentals:  multiple rental car companies offer pick-up/drop-off at CHS airport location. Some examples include Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz are readily accessible upon arrival at CHS. Charleston is located along major highways like I-26, I-526, and US 17. Traffic can get heavy, especially during weekends.

• Public transit – Charleston City Bus operates local bus service. Website: charlestoncitybus.com

•Taxi/Ridesharing – There are various taxi companies and ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft available in Charleston.  Uber Website (suggested to check app store on phone): https://www.uber.com/cities/charleston-sc/

Lyft Website (suggested to check app store on phone): https://www.lyft.com/ride-options

Taxi Companies: Co-Op Cab: https://coopcabofcharleston.net/

Green Taxi:  http://greencabofcharlestonsc.com/

• Biking – Charleston has over 70 miles of bike lanes and trails. Bike sharing is available through Citi Bike. Website: Charleston Bike Share

• Rail – Amtrak provides long-distance rail service to Charleston. The nearest Amtrak station is in North Charleston. Website: https://amtrak.com

• Ferry – There is a free passenger ferry that connects downtown Charleston to Fort Sumter and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Website: Official Fort Sumter Tours, Charleston, SC | Visit Ft Sumter

• Cruise – Large cruise ships dock at the Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal along Concord Street. Website: Cruise Terminal – SC Ports Authority (scspa.com) for cruise schedules and info.

Note:  that these details may change over time so please verify information provided above directly from respective sources citing date of access for accuracy purposes