Charleston Vacations

This open-air market is known for kitschy souvenirs, food and jewelry, but if you're fixing for real authentic goodies – check out the Gullah women's hand-woven sweetgrass baskets.

From the southern point of the peninsula, you can walk along the waterfront to explore the city’s -- and arguably the country’s -- finest antebellum mansions.

Walk cinematic streets lined with pre-Revolutionary War buildings, over 100 from the late 18th century, and 600-plus built before the 1840s.

Cross the salt marsh to this barrier-island beach (just 12 miles from downtown) for an afternoon of surfing, fishing and sunbathing.

Explore the only known slave auction house still standing in South Carolina, now a museum. A collection of personal letters, oral histories and artifacts are on permanent display.

Visit one of America's oldest working plantations just outside Mt. Pleasant. Enjoy both a heady glimpse of Old South plantation life and modern U-pick fields of strawberries, pumpkins and tomatoes.

Relive the late 16th century at this original Lowcountry settlement. Be part of costumed reenactments and view replica sailing ships. Encounter pumas, river otters, bison, white ibis and more in the Animal Forest.

Head to the parade grounds of Charleston’s landmark military college to watch cadets march in uniform. Citadel parades are free, and held most Fridays during the school year.

Take a trolley through America’s only working tea plantation, located on Wadmalaw Island. Learn how tea is made, view acres of tea fields, and enjoy American Classic Tea.

History buffs get their fix here – it's the site of Civil War’s first shots. The ferry ride over offers a picturesque cruise through Charleston Harbor.

Subtropical temperatures, mouth-watering seafood that makes even the finest food connoisseurs drool and candy-colored historic homes and buildings that line cobbled streets make Charleston any vacationer's dream destination. The city is also considered one of the country's most charming, and has recently been named as such by the likes of Southern Living and Travel and Leisure Magazine. Well-mannered denizens and melt-in-your-mouth meals aren't the only alluring attributes this palm-fringed coastal city boasts, though. Charleston offers myriad historic attractions, quirky and independently owned establishments, farmers' markets to write home about and a multitude of art galleries and vintage shops -- all wrapped up in a nineteenth century elegance. Notable must-do's include the South Carolina Aquarium, Fort Sumter National Monument and Magnolia Plantation Gardens. Visitors can also shop 'til they drop at the city's famous King Street Shopping district or at specialty shops nestled along Market and East Bay Street. If you're itching for a little outdoors fun, romp around in the waters and spend your afternoon sun bathing at Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island or Isle of the Palms. Once the sun has gone into hiding for the night, get funky at a local pub, tavern, lounge or nightclub.

AOL Travel’s Charleston Guide

AOL Travel's Best Charleston Hotels