I recently took a week off of blogging and went on a fun family vacation to Isle of Palms and Charleston, SC. We had a great time, and I’ll write more about it later. Today, I mostly want to share some eye candy with you from downtown Charleston.
Charleston is one of my favorite cities. My husband and I honeymooned there, and we go back almost every year. It is so full of history and charm, and has been so well-preserved that you literally feel like you are stepping back in time when you visit. Most historic homes, churches and other landmarks look exactly as they did in the 1700s and 1800s. It’s amazing. I love the history, I love the architecture, and the setting couldn’t be more beautiful.
The homes here are amazing, and many of them are enormous. Most of them have porches the size of my entire home! Speaking of porches, WOW is all I have to say. Here are some snapshots from our walk around the city. Enjoy!
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| East Bay Street |
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| Prime location on the Charleston Battery |
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| Lagare Street |
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| Rainbow Row |
You’ll notice that many of the homes have privacy doors, which basically look like a front door but instead of leading into the house, they lead onto a porch. I love them. Historically, if the homeowner’s privacy door was closed, it meant the family wanted privacy. If it was open, it meant guests were welcome. Here’s an example:
Most of the historic homes in Charleston are still private residences, some are museums, and some are both. Many of them have been passed down through generations and the original families still live in them. Some of them have plaques outside describing the historical significance of the home (for example, “George Washington was entertained here.”). My 4 year-old was particularly interested in the fact that Black Beard and the other pirates used to hang out around town, and the buildings where they hung out are still standing. That’s pretty mind-boggling considering there are very few places in the country that have preserved their history so well.
I’ll post more about our trip another time since there is too much to squeeze into one post. Hope you enjoyed the photos!
Have you ever been to Charleston? What is your favorite thing about it?
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I haven’t been to Charleston since I was a kid, but we have just moved to SC, and Charleston would be a great short weekend trip. Beautiful! Thanks!
Oh you definitely have to take a weekend trip there if you’re living in SC! And be sure to take lots of pics!
Beautiful pictures! I love all the huge front porches – so dreamy.
Thanks Emily! I could just set up camp on any one of those porches and live happily ever after.
WOW.. just WOW! … I spent a week back in Dec, 2009 there and it was magical! The most incredible trip I’ve ever been to. I wish I could go back sometime, but I’m Southamerican.. so that’s most likely not going to happen.
Amazing though! Glad you have enjoyed it!
Thanks Noe! I hope you’re able to visit again sometime!
I love Charleston! My husband and I honeymooned there too…well, at Kiawah Island, but we spent the day in Charleston. It’s just a gorgeous city, so full of history!
I’ll have to check out Kiawah Island sometime. We usually stay in Isle of Palms but we love the whole area!
Amazing homes and history… I would love to visit some day, just to look at the houses alone!!
We spent the majority of a day just walking around gawking at the homes. They really are amazing!
I’ve been to Charleston once and I want to go back. It’s a city with lots of character. Very quaint and historic!
It’s definitely one of my favorite cities! Glad you were able to experience it at least once.