Sights Around Charleston

The Charleston Visitor Center is located at 375 Meeting Street. They show a 20-minute film "Forever Charleston," highlighting sights in the city. It used to be free but now there is a charge to see the film. It was a boring film and not worth it.

Buses to the Charleston Airport depart from the Visitor Center. Cost is $2/person.

Statue of George Washington in Washington Park (also known as Washington Square), located at the corner of Broad and Meeting Street.

Washington Light Infantry Monument located in Washington Park. It's dedicated to the soldiers of the Washington Light Infantry who fought in the Civil War.

Around town, you'll find carriage blocks, which were used in the 19th century as stepping stones to get into carriages or to mount horses.

Another carriage block

Confederate columbiads (large cannons) that were used in the defense of Fort Sumter, now located in White Point Garden at the southern peninsula of the city. 

Statue of General William Moultrie located in White Garden. He aided in the American War of Independence and was also governor of South Carolina.

Walking along East Battery on the eastern side of the peninsula.

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Dock Street Theatre

The Dock Street Theatre is the first building built in America built for the sole purpose of theatrical performances.

The facade is reminiscent of New Orleans' French Quarter with its wrought-iron balcony.

If there is no rehearsal or show in progress, you can wander through the building. No charge for admission. Shows are performed throughout the year by the Charleston Stage Company.

The theatre incorporates the Old Planter's Hotel and you can wander through the old hotel as well.

Old Planter's Hotel bar.

Beautiful courtyard where you can sit and rest.

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Old Slave Mart Museum

The Old Slave Mart Museum is the last surviving slave auction gallery in South Carolina  At one point during slavery, 35-40% of the slaves entered the US through Charleston. 

Admission is $7. Although it's a small museum, it's packed with information and takes about 1 1/2 hours to go through the museum. It's hard to read and hear some of the stories.

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Four Corners of Law

The Four Corners of Law is located at Broad and Meeting St. and have buildings representing each branch of the secular governments (federal, county and city) and the law of "God."

At the southwest corner is the US Post Office.

Going clockwise, the next corner has the County Probate Court

Charleston City Hall

St. Michael's Episcopal church--the oldest church in the city

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Hominy Grill

After we got off the boat, we walked to Hominy Grill.

Hominy Grill is located at 207 Rutledge Ave.

Their complimentary boiled peanuts were perfect. Just the right amount of toothless.

Cup of She Crab Soup--$6. This had sherry in it and was delicious.

Shrimp & Grits--$19. The shrimp were huge, there was bacon in it and the grits were so creamy. How can anyone not like this dish?

My husband ordered the Sauteed Chicken Livers with Country Ham Gravy and 2 sides--$13. He chose stewed okra and tomatoes over rice and cheese grits. He liked his dish. 

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Fort Sumter

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when the Confederates opened fire on Federal Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.

Fort Sumter is now a National Monument. It's free to visit the monument but the roundtrip boat ride costs $21/person. The boats are operated by Fort Sumter Tours and you should make reservations a few days ahead. 

https://www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/fortsumtertickets.htm

Boats depart from Liberty Square in Charleston. 

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston Harbor. On the 40 minute ride out, we saw dolphins.

You have about an hour to explore the fort.

There's not much on the fort except cannons and a small museum. 1 hour is plenty of time.

Since we were the last tour of the day, there was a flag-lowering ceremony.

The park rangers give a very moving speech about the symbolism of the flag.

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Hyman's Seafood

After our carriage ride, we had lunch at Hyman's Seafood Co.

This is an institution, located at 215 Meeting Street.

There's usually a line and you can sit on the joggling board, also known as a courting bench, while you wait. By bouncing on the bench, people sitting at either end eventually meet in the middle.

The tables have plaques indicating celebrities who have been at the table.

Complimentary boiled peanuts.

She-crab Soup--$6.95 for a bowl. This was very tasty and a huge bowl for the price.

I ordered the special of the day--Fresh Blue Crab. A lot of work, not as good as Maryland's but I would still order it again. It came with a few hush puppies, which were good.

My husband ordered the Fried Flounder--$19.95. It was a huge portion and came with hush puppies, cole slaw and your choice of 1 side. He chose the mac n cheese. It was just okay.

The coleslaw was creamy and just the right tanginess.

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