We’ve got it all Charleston was voted “Top City in the U.S.” in 2011 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and we’d like to introduce you to a few of the reasons why. Atmosphere and Ambiance Daytime or nighttime, the Charleston area oozes atmosphere and ambiance. Experience it yourself: Take a carriage ride through the city to learn about its history, take in a scenic sunset at one of the city’s rooftop bars or venture out to a local beach to relax. Charleston gets into your soul and we think you’ll agree there’s nothing quite like it.
Culture and Sites The Charleston area is the home of many firsts. Founded in 1670, you can barely take a step in any direction without setting your sights on a historic building, plantation or other landmark. The historic area downtown does not disappoint, from Rainbow Row to the Market. And surrounding areas have plenty to see as well, from the grand plantations west of the Ashley River, to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island.
Friendliness We’re certainly proud of the many accomplishments of our region, and we count being named the Friendliest City and the Most Mannerly City among them. We do live life a little slower here in Charleston and welcome travelers as well as new residents with the same hospitality and friendliness the city’s founders did. It won’t take long before you too will be saying, “Welcome, y’all!”
Lodging We offer a bevy of options for lodging. Want to stay in a historic inn? No problem. How about a beach resort with a golf course a stone’s throw away? You got it. Historic inn, luxury hotel, bed and breakfast, marsh view, ocean view, harbor view or skyline view? If you can dream it, chances are, we have it.
Restaurants We don’t try to be anyone but ourselves when it comes to cuisine. Chefs focus on using local ingredients, including farm fresh produce and seafood straight from local waters. Charleston has become a hotspot on the gourmet scene and we use every festival and event to feature our local cuisine from spontaneous Food Truck Rodeos to the annual Wine and Food Festival.
Shopping From internationally known Louis Vuitton to locally known Bob Ellis Shoes, Charleston offers a plethora of places to shop. Downtown you can pick up a handmade sweet grass basket in the Market, or shop the latest fashions on King Street. Head out to the Tanger Outlet in North Charleston if you’re looking for a great deal, and swing by Town Centre in Mount Pleasant for trendy shops, as well as a few locally owned boutiques. Jewelry, art, clothing, shoes and more. If you need it or want it, we probably have it. Charleston has proven it can hold its own against major metros like San Fran, Chi-Town and the Big Apple. Charleton has held a top five spot on Conde Nast’s annual list of top cities for 14 consecutive years. In 2010, we worked our way up to the No. 2 spot, and are proud to currently covet the top spot.
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