Southern Charm Travel Guide — Charleston Edition 🏛️🌴

Spent 5 days during Christmas break exploring Charleston & Savannah — two cities with unique personalities! 🎄✨ Here’s the Charleston chapter (Savannah coming next!). Founded in 1670, Charleston is one of America’s oldest cities 🏛️. It witnessed the birth of the nation and international trade, and today it remains one of the best-preserved historic cities in the U.S. 🇺🇸 Every step in the old town feels like walking through history — you can literally tread the same stone steps as George Washington! 🚶‍♂️ From Roman columns and intricate ironwork to pineapple motifs (symbols of wealth and hospitality)🍍, the city proudly showcases its legacy. Don’t miss the Lowcountry cuisine — rich, bold, and deeply flavorful! 😋🍤 🛤️ Must-Visit Spots: 1️⃣ Historic Downtown Walking Tour Charleston preserves its past like no other 🏰. Even private homes are strictly regulated (down to paint colors!) to maintain authenticity. We booked a local historian guide via Airbnb — a passionate professor who braved the cold to show us every corner until dark! ❄️ His stories brought the old walls, bustling ports, and pineapple-obsessed aristocracy to life. 📸 Route: Waterfront Park → Rainbow Row → White Point Garden → St. Philip’s Church → City Market 2️⃣ King Street Food and shopping hub! 🛍️ Note: Many places close during Christmas, so check ahead & make reservations. We loved Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar — fresh oysters and no disappointments! 🦪💖 3️⃣ Hampton Park Often overlooked by tourists, but it’s the birthplace of Memorial Day 🇺🇸. Right next to The Citadel, South Carolina’s famous military college. 🎓 4️⃣ USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier Museum Tour a retired aircraft carrier, submarine, and fighter jets! 🚢✈️ A must for military enthusiasts. 5️⃣ Magnolia Plantation The most famous plantation in the area, founded by the Drayton family. Though winter made it look stark, the "Slavery to Freedom" tour was powerful 💬. The guide — who’d even stayed in former slave cabins for research — delivered a moving, deeply educational experience. 📚 6️⃣ Nearby Islands On warmer days, explore Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island! 🏝️☀️ #HistoricArchitecture #TravelGuide #Charleston #SouthernCharm #USHistory #LowcountryCuisine 🍤✨