A Charleston, SC Southern Experience

I flew to Charleston, South Carolina for the first time last weekend. I lived in the south for a number of years but South Carolina was a destination along with the southern east coast has been on my bucket list for some time.

I stayed near the convention center in a Home2Suites by Hilton. It’s a mid range priced hotel designed for the business man and families with the accommodations set up like a efficiency apartment. The hotel room had a full refrigerator, microwave, and full dishwasher!! That was a first!!!

Charleston is full of history, antebellum mansions, historic churches, set along in downtown Charleston with cobblestone streets, hidden courtyard gardens. There are homes from the 18th century that have been maintained and restored that are just beautiful.

I found the people to be friendly and helpful. We visited the waterfront park and then walked thru the old downtown parts of Charleston including the city market full of neat quaint shops and the smell of pralines (free samples) coming from the candy shops. The cruise ship terminal is right at the waterfront park so it couldn’t be more convenient to visit Charleston by cruiseship.

There is a huge military presence here. We went to Patriots Point across the causeway in downtown Charleston to visit the USS Yorktown and the Destroyer USS Laffey. “The ship that would not die” The Laffey was hit by five kamikazes and three bombs from a Japanese airstrike April 16 1945. She did not sink thanks to the heroism of the men aboard. The worlds first successful combat submarine Hunley (1864) is there in a 90,0000 conservation tank. Raised in 2000 she was lost for over a century.

We took a day trip to Hilton Head Island (on the bucket list) which did not disappoint! It is absolutely gorgeous and full of beautiful old trees with hanging moss, Hilton Head is known for golfing and tennis as well of course beaches and bike paths, fishing and boating. There are restaurants everywhere with any type of food you want. I was pleasantly surprised to hear they have a world class symphony orchestra!!!. It is a family and a retirees paradise!

They have just come out of having a hurricane come thru but the clean up process was very impressive and business for the most part back up and running. It feels like a homey communities with gorgeous ocean views and stunning sunsets. We stayed well until after dark before heading back to Charleston.

I will go back the South Carolina and continue exploring further down the east coast. I would recommend Charleston and Hilton Head as vacation spots to anyone interested in visiting this area.

If you have any questions please contact me I would be happy to share!!!!

Kim Rubel
Morris Murdock Travel - St. George, UT
(435) 628-3633