Southeast Coast Road Trip: History and Southern Charm

Architecture – the French Quarter, Rainbow Row, the historic district, and the Battery areas have most of the ornate architecture people associate with Charleston. There are also many gorgeous historic churches and mansions spread throughout the historic district to explore. At least once a year the Charleston Historic Foundation hosts a home and garden tour of private homes in the historic district – the tours are quite pricey but it's amazing to get a glimpse into how present-day owners have restored and decorated these beauties. We recommend booking a walking, bus, or carriage tour through one of the many private tour companies to learn about the history and architecture of Charleston. They also offer ghost tours!

Middleton Place – is an enthralling former plantation turned historic site. While the main house is gone, there are stunning gardens, trails, and smaller structures still present, lovingly restored by the Middleton family. Consider visiting on your own or taking one of the many available tours.

Joe Riley Waterfront Park – this 15 -acre waterfront pedestrian park in the historic city center hosts many curated gardens, walking paths, and the iconic Pineapple Fountain which symbolizes the hospitality of this friendly city.

King Street – shop, dine and stroll King Street, which is at the center of Charleston’s historic district. Retail offerings range from t-shirt and souvenir shops to luxury boutiques, high-end antique stores and galleries, and everything in between. It can be fun to just window-shop. There is something for everyone.

South Carolina Aquarium – this very manageable aquarium, which often ranks among the best in the USA, will please young and older visitors alike.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Monuments – these two forts are where the Confederacy fired the first shots of the Civil War on the garrison at Fort Sumter. Take a ferry tour to the middle of Charleston Harbor to learn more about the origins of the Civil War and these two forts.

Charleston Beaches – just east of the historic city center are many wonderful beach communities on windswept barrier islands. Check out Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Seabrook Island, John’s Island, and Kiawah Island – though there are many more. The beaches are mostly wide and flat, and are perfect for beach walks.

Public Squares – there are 22 small historic squares (or parks) plus the 30-acre Forsyth Park to stroll, picnic in and enjoy. These beautiful parks and squares are one Savannah's distinguishing features. There are many walking, biking, bus, carriage, and ghost tours as well.

Bull Street – start at City Hall (near the old U.S. Customs House) and walk along Bull Street to see many historic buildings and squares, as well as quaint eateries and shops.

River Street Waterfront Area – for dining, nightlife, entertainment, and to see container ships and tour boats, check out the Savannah Waterfront and the higher-end Plant Riverside.

Art Museums – Savannah is home to the prestigious Telfair and SCAD (Savannah College of Arts and Design) museums. The Telfair is actually three museums containing a vast collection of European and American art. It also owns the historic and grand Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters which helps visitors understand the complicated relationship of enslaved people and their “owners,” and provides a glimpse into life in the Antebellum South. The Telfair hosts wonderful events throughout the year open to the public. SCAD, whose 10,000 art and design students bring a young artsy flair to Savannah, also has a wonderful contemporary art museum open to the public.

Bonaventure Cemetery – this famous, beautiful cemetery has 14 acres of history with Spanish Moss draped trees and beautiful sculpture monuments. It contains remains from as early as 1846 and includes grave sites from the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The Bonaventure Historical Society offers wonderful (and free!) guided tours. If the cemetery sounds familiar, that's because it was featured in the best-selling book and movie set in Savannah: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist – located on Lafayette Square, this restored French Gothic Catholic church is steeped in history. It survived a period when Catholicism was outlawed in Georgia.

Mercer-Williams House Museum – this historic and stunningly restored mansion combines Greek, Italianate, and Renaissance Revival architecture. It was built but never completed for General Hugh W. Mercer (the great grandfather of celebrated Savannah songwriter Johnny Mercer). After the Civil War, it was sold to John R. Wilder. Later abandoned and then restored by famed local preservationist James A. Williams, pieces from his private collection adorn the home.

Historic District – St. George Street boasts historic sites such as the Old City Gates and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. Check out the Colonial Quarter, a living museum, divided into 4 sections: 16th Century Spanish First City, 17th Century Fortified Town, 18th Century Spanish Garrison Town, and 18th Century British, The 14th Colony. In town check out the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum. Consider taking an historic walking, biking, or carriage tour (or even a ghost tour!).

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – this centuries old fort is the oldest masonry fortification in the U.S. and was built and controlled by the Spanish for 200 years to protect their trade routes in the “New World”. It was occupied by the British during the American Revolution and by the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park – named after explorer Ponce de Leon, this 15-acre park is the 1565 birthplace of St. Augustine and Colonial America. See wonderful artifacts from Native Americans, Spanish Explorers, and more.

Museums – two museums worth seeing are the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum (with 500 years of artifacts) and the Lightner Museum. The Lightner resides in a former Gilded Age resort hotel and features a jaw-dropping array of art, architecture, history and design.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park – Animal and alligator enthusiasts should stop here to see hundreds of alligators and birds.

Anastasia State Park – nature lovers, stop or camp at this lovely 1,600-acre beachfront park where you can enjoy swimming, hiking, beach combing, birdwatching and more. The wetlands, dunes, beaches, birds, and wildlife should not be missed.

St. Augustine Distillery – adults will enjoy this popular attraction boasting free guided tours. A group of 20 families preserved an old ice plant and transformed it into America’s most visited craft distillery.