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Charleston is one of the best walking cities in the U.S. and a good place to begin your walk is Charleston’s Waterfront Park. The waves slap gently against the boardwalk while locals and visitors alike enjoy swinging in oversized porch swings and strolling through the breezy park. People can be seen all around the park relaxing on benches, reading books while lying in the cool grass, walking and playing with their dogs, or going for their daily jog.

Cruise ships and naval vessels often dock nearby and there is plenty of fishing to be done off the small pier. Telescopes are available in order to gain a closer look at wildlife and catch a glimpse of Patriot’s Point across the harbor, where out of service naval vessels are available for touring.

Heading east out of Waterfront Park will lead you to the Battery at the tip of the peninsula, where ships with tall masts and sails once docked and Civil War cannons proudly stood, facing the harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.

Take your time as you meander along the streets and past the homes that transport you back into the past with hidden gardens surrounded by decorative wrought iron gates and ancient Spanish moss-laden oaks. The clip-clop of horses’ feet, cemeteries, and some the oldest churches in our country remind you of the beginnings of America. Charleston is often referred to as “The Holy City” because there are so many churches; you are never out of sight of a church steeple.

Toward the end of the tour we were ushered into the Palmer Home, an 1849 mansion located on 5 East Battery It is now operated as a bed and breakfast. This stately home is painted a soft pink with white trim and black shutters. The owners of the pink palace live in what used to be the carriage house and the bottom floor of the home and the other floors are used for the bed and breakfast operations.

The only tea plantation in America is located in Charleston. And all kinds of shopping. Clothing stores, chocolate shops, restaurants and the intoxicating aromas of those cozy little coffee and tobacco shops. So the next time you need a getaway to escape the fast pace of the world and uplift your spirits, consider a walking tour of Charleston’s historic district.

The City of Charleston is a progressive and energetic city and our goal is to provide our citizens with the best service a city can provide and our visitors with the best vacation or business trip that a city can provide.

Charleston is a special and unique city. Rated as the most comprehensive arts festival, Spoleto Festival USA brings an international audience as Charleston and the Festival create an exciting and dramatic event in the spring of each year.

Charleston is also the site of other exciting events such as the Family Circle Tennis tournament. The South Carolina Aquarium provides an opportunity to share the story of the Appalachian watershed. The combination of our unequaled beauty, warm hospitality, and unique public spaces provide a wonderful backdrop for residents and visitors.

Charleston was the first city in the country to enact a preservation ordinance. We have an active and ongoing interest in the protection and restoration of our buildings which tell the story of our past. Through careful conservation, creative and innovative financing, and meticulous planning, Charleston is a city which celebrates a rich history.

Keeping an eye to the future, we have set goals which make the livability and quality of life in Charleston the best in the nation. We work diligently to keep our City the best place in the country to work, live, and play.