Fodors. - Fodors In Focus Charleston

You hear it time and again from people you meet in Charleston: either they have been here for generations upon generations (happily so), or they came here from somewhere else and never left (happily so). Theres just something about the city and its surrounding Lowcountry landscape that beguiles, from the pastel antebellum homes to the pedestrian-friendly downtown and the sprawling waters that wrap around the peninsula and pristine beaches that hug the outlying islands. Add culture in spades, history, shopping, and a foodie scene thats taken the nation by stormJames Beard Award winners and nominees are commonplaceand its no wonder that Charleston is continually cited as one of Americas top destinations.

Much of the citys appeal is owed to Mayor Joseph Riley Jr., a visionary who transformed Charleston from a provincial and insular town into an energetic, forward-thinking city, one that is a model community for the entire country. First elected in 1975, Riley persuaded composer Gian Carlo Menotti to bring the famous Spoleto Festival to Charleston in 1977. Riley also inaugurated such tourism attractions as downtowns Waterfront Park, the South Carolina Aquarium, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. On the urban planning front, he played a vital role in the construction of the stunning Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, one of the largest single-span bridges in North America, and the Shops at Charleston Place and the hotel itself. He has helped spearhead other major renovations, including the City Market, the White Point Gardens bandstand, the Memminger Auditorium, and the Gaillard Center project. Also on the list, not surprisingly, is an impressively renovated City Hall, where a gallery of famous presidential portraits remains a big draw for sightseers.

Tourism, under Rileys guiding hand, has become the citys main industry. Star-studded hotels and restaurants are as run-of-the-mill as homey dives, both offering their spin on Lowcountry and seafood favorites. Add King Street, where stores range from Rodeo Drive names to mom-and-pop shops, and the city is a perfect mix of small-town charm, Southern grace, and world-class amenities. As popular among celebrities (many of whom wed or honeymoon here), former presidents, and the well-heeled as it is for regular families and couples looking to escape, Charleston has the nice manners to treat every visitor like what they are: guests of the Holy City.

Charleston, in spite of its historic mantle and proper ways, is a youthful town, thanks to the College of Charleston (1770)an institution that has seen booming growth in recent decadesand many grads now stay on after completing their education. As it has expanded, the C of C (to use its local nickname) has revitalized the Calhoun Street corridor. Other local institutions of higher learning are the Citadel Military College, Trident Technical College, and the Art Institute of Charleston. The latter two have culinary programs that have lured even more young people to the citys demographic mix and talent to its restaurants kitchens.

The success the city enjoys today is built upon hundreds of years of effort. As part of The Carolinas, South Carolina was the original Steel Magnolia of the original 13 colonies. No matter that fires, earthquakes, fearsome pirates, hurricanes, political scoundrels, smallpox epidemics, economic downturns, and major wars have all struck mighty blowsthey only fortified the stalwart grande dame. Today, she is like a belle whose beauty has grown quieter but no less lovely with age. Her many historic landmarks and houses bear witness to her long and fascinating history.

After freedom in 1776, Charlestonians waited nearly a century before jumping into another fight, this one with the fledging United States itself. Residents were adamant about defending states rights (and the subsequent right of a state to keep slavery legal). With South Carolina the first state to secede from the Union, Charleston saw the start of the Civil War when Confederate soldiers at Fort Johnson fired upon the Union-occupied Fort Sumter. All that storied history can still be viewed today.

North of Broad. The main part of the Historic District, where youll find the lions share of the Historic Districts homes, bed-and-breakfasts, and restaurants, is the most densely packed area of the city and will be of the greatest interest to tourists. King Street, Charlestons main shopping artery, is also here.

The Battery and South of Broad. The southern part of the Historic District is heavily residential, but it has important sights and B&Bs, though fewer restaurants and shops than North of Broad.

Mount Pleasant and Vicinity. East of Charleston, on the other side of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which spans the Cooper River, is Mount Pleasant, an affluent suburb with some interesting sights (such as Boone Hall Plantation). There are several good hotels in Mount Pleasant itself.

West of the Ashley River. The area outside Charleston west of the Ashley River beckons to visitors with its three major historic plantations on Ashley River Road.