The City of Charleston, SC is a jewel, combining a fascinating heritage with contemporary appeal. For more than 300 years, it has survived fires and bombardment, earthquakes and hurricanes, building an enduring heritage that continues to fascinate residents and visitors alike. Overflowing with architectural gems, downtown Charleston is a walking museum and a visual delight with block after block of historic mansions, churches and municipal buildings that date back hundreds of years and have been carefully preserved.
Across the rivers, many antebellum plantations give visitors a glimpse of southern colonial life. Attractions like Fort Sumter and the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley also are popular historic destinations.
unley also are popular historic destinations.
While most people know of Charleston’s famous historic district, there are all kinds of places to explore when looking for Charleston, SC real estate opportunities. From bedroom communities like Mount Pleasant, James Island and West Ashley — and master planned communities like Daniel Island — to beach and resort towns like Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Kiawah and Seabrook, the area offers a variety of lifestyles, neighborhoods and homes. Whether your looking for a new home or a historic property, a suburban townhome or an urban loft, you’ll find diverse options throughout the region.
l find diverse options throughout the region.
Charleston has a long-standing romance with culture and the arts that dates back to its origins. The country’s oldest operating theater is here, along with dozens of other theaters and theater troupes offering a vast array of performances. The Galliard Center, located downtown, recently underwent a $142 million makeover and is now home to dance, music and theatrical performances from artists from around the country, along with performances by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
A center for visual arts in Charleston is the Gibbes Museum of Art, located downtown. Other visual art destinations include the Halsey Gallery for Contemporary Art, Redux Art Center and countless art galleries representing artists and media of all kinds.
The Charleston region is also home to several arts-oriented annual events, including the world-famous Spoleto Festival USA, a three-week festival of the fine and performing arts that takes place each spring and features acclaimed artists and performers from around the world performing in the city’s theaters, churches, parks and public spaces.
theaters, churches, parks and public spaces.
Charleston’s historic streets offer a range of shopping delights, from eclectic boutiques and antique shops to bargaining with local artisans for sweetgrass baskets and other treasures. King Street and the City Market are among the many popular shopping destinations downtown, and favorite local and national shops are also located in the towns and communities surrounding the city. The region has attracted an increasing number of artists and craftsmen, and galleries located downtown and beyond showcase a vast array of artwork for sale.
In the past decade, Charleston has evolved into one of the country’s top culinary destinations, home to several James Beard Award-winning chefs and restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood, traditional southern dishes and avant guard cuisine to fine wines and superb service. From fine to casual dining, the choices for dining out in Charleston are ever-changing and virtually endless.
ston are ever-changing and virtually endless.
Sports fans in Charleston have several home teams to cheer on, from the Charleston Riverdogs (the city’s minor league baseball team), Stingrays professional hockey, and the Charleston Battery (professional soccer), to seasonal sports from the Citadel and College of Charleston. The Volvo Car Open (formerly the Family Circle Cup) is another exciting sports event that brings the top professional female tennis players to Daniel Island for a week-long tournament each spring.
The surrounding rivers, tidal creeks and the Atlantic Ocean that define our coastal region make water activities like boating, fishing, paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking a part of everyday life in Charleston. Golfers have a wide variety of public and resort courses to play, and there are a handful of exceptional private golf and country clubs with membership opportunities. The city is also home to many excellent tennis facilities, including the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island.
Tennis Center on Daniel Island.
Some of the southeast’s most famous beaches are located in the Charleston region, from the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, both northeast of the city, to bohemian Folly Beach and the resort islands of Kiawah and Seabrook. Our area’s temperate climate ensures an extended swimming season each year, and surfing, kiteboarding and paddle boarding are popular pursuits year-round. County parks on Kiawah and the Isle of Palms offer parking, restrooms and outdoor showers, along with lifeguard protection. No matter which beach you choose, it’s easy to spend a day enjoying the sandy shores of the Atlantic but still be close to home.
s of the Atlantic but still be close to home.
From several major hospitals concentrated in a medical district on Charleston’s peninsula, to a growing number of hospitals and medical facilities that have recently opened or expanded in Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston and beyond, Charleston’s medical infrastructure is comprehensive. You won’t find a better spot along the coast in the Carolinas and Florida with easier access to top-quality providers and facilities.
Charleston offers an extraordinary array of special events and festivals throughout the year that take place downtown and at venues throughout the region. The event season kicks off in February with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, which draws wildlife, hunting and fishing enthusiasts from around the country for a weekend of art, activities and events. The Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates the city’s culinary offerings for a long weekend each March. Historic home and garden tours in the spring and fall showcase the city’s historic private homes and gardens.
There are also annual jazz and blues festivals, Charleston Fashion Week, coastal fishing tournaments, sailing regattas and more. No matter what your interest, you’re sure to find a Charleston area event (or two) to keep you entertained.
vent (or two) to keep you entertained.
Ranked the Number One City in the U.S. and Canada in Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards (2013, 2014, 2015 & 2017) and ranked Top City in the World (2012 & 2016).
Ranked the No. 1 Small City in the U.S. seven years in a row (2011-2017) in Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s Readers Choice Poll, and No. 1 City in the World (2012).