5 Reasons to Visit Charleston SC with Kids



There’s something unique about Charleston SC. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple or with kids, Charleston is sure to bring pleasure and comfort – it has a way to get us to appreciate the diversity, history and southern hospitality of a destination.

Charleston was awarded Travel and Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2013. For a city to be considered in the top award’s category, each year Travel and Leisure takes into consideration the votes given to the sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping and value of a destination.

Here are Travelmath’s 5 reasons to visit Charleston SC with kids:

One: Value
Charleston International Airport is only 15 miles from downtown. It is served by seven major airlines. Airfares to Charleston are reasonable and you can always find a good airfare if you do your research and make your reservation in advance.

You may find round trip tickets as low as $250 from Washington DC or New York City to Charleston. The U.S. Department of Transportation said the average airfare in Charleston was $398 in the third quarter of 2013 which is close to the national average of $390. The airfare has dropped 34 percent in recent years because of more flights serving the city. It used to be $602 on average in the third quarter of 2000.

Check out JetBlue Airways.

Charleston has a variety of accommodation to offer for every budget and taste. To get the best for less, get an accommodation just outside the city center. For example Spring Hill Charleston Downtown’s lowest rate is $189 per night for a family of four (at the time of writing). In Spring Hill Suite Charleston North, the rate is $119.

Free parking and breakfast are included in the rate. Charleston North is only 14 minutes from Charleston Historical downtown.

Two: History
History comes alive in Charleston. Kids get to learn about important events in American history at Fort Sumter. The fort is where the Civil War began. It is located in the middle of Charleston Harbor. There are boats that can ferry you to the fort and around the harbor.

Another place with fascinating historical buildings, churches and cobbled streets is in the French Quarter and Historic Charleston City Market.

The Market used to be the city’s fish, meat and fresh produce market in the 19th century. Today it houses hundreds of vendors with unique souvenirs and food stalls. This is the place where you can still find the sweetgrass baskets. Live sweetgrass basket weaving demonstrations are found throughout the market.

Charleston’s history goes beyond downtown. Visit one of Charleston’s plantation and historical homes. If you prefer to stay within the downtown area, check out Calhoun Mansion on 16 Meeting Street. Here you will find Italian designs with 35 fireplaces and 35 rooms. The mansion has a 75-foot tall ceiling with a dome and a Japanese water garden.

Three: The Sweetgrass baskets heritage in the Low Country
The art of sweetgrass basket weaving was brought into the Low Country by West African slaves in the mid-1600s. They are made out of sweetgrass, palmetto, pine needles and bulrush.

The slaves weaved these baskets to store dry goods like herbs, corn, grains and fish. After the Civil War and with freedom these local African Americans began making and selling sweetgrass for income.

You can’t find this unique sweetgrass culture anywhere else in the United States.

Four: Southern Comfort Food
Order shrimp and grits for breakfast and fried green tomatoes, country fried steak and collard greens for lunch. Then get fried flounder with chutney sauce or a combination of shrimp, scallops and oysters with fried hominy square for dinner.

Charleston has southern comfort food for every budget. Hominy Grill on Rutledge Avenue and Magnolias are two restaurants popular for brunch during the weekend.

Hyman’s Seafood on Meeting Street has been serving locals and tourists since 1800s. Today the same Hyman family runs this old establishment.

Five: Waterfront and Park
After a long day of sightseeing or shopping, head over to the Waterfront Park along Charleston Harbor. Here kids can enjoy the pineapple fountain, spray jets and swings. Bring a picnic basket and sit on the spacious lawns. Get the beautiful view of the Ravenal Bridge, harbor and the U.S.S. Yorktown.

Or head over to Battery and White Point Gardens open since 1837. It is located in Charleston’s historic district where you can view the Charleston Harbor.

For more information on Charleston with kids, check out:

1.    Charleston Family Fun
2.    Kid Friendly Attractions in Charleston

Have you been to Charleston? What is your favorite place to visit? Please let us know by commenting below.




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