Take Time Out From Your Myrtle Beach Vacation for a Day Trip to Charleston

Article Thumbnail Image

Make sure to advantage of the trip by exploring other parts of the Carolina coast, the region is rich with nearby destinations offering loads of Southern charm and hospitality. No city in South Carolina offers more history and culture than Charleston, one of Colonial America's earliest settlements that in many ways still looks unchanged by time. Located only 95 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Charleston is the perfect place to take a day trip and experience a true slice of Southern life. If you make it down that way, check out  these attractions:

* The Battery/Waterfront Park: No trip to Charleston is complete without a visit to one of its most recognizable venues. Located on the point of the peninsula, the Battery once served as a strategic military position for defending against British, Union and pirate ships. (Believe it or not, the city was once successfully blockaded by the legendary pirate Blackbeard.) But now the Battery, its White Point Garden and the nearby Waterfront Park serve as popular spots for visitors to relax and enjoy the sea breeze and scenery, such as cannons guarding the city. You can also get a great view of the historic “Rainbow Row” of historic harborfront homes.

* Charleston Harbor: Because it is surrounded on all sides by ocean and rivers, the best way to see the Charleston peninsula is by boat. There are several charter boats located along the waterfront where visitors can take a tour of the historic Charleston Harbor. Sail to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, Morris Island Lighthouse and more unique sites you can only see via boat. There are also dolphin-watching tours and dinner cruises available.

* Dining/Shopping: Charleston is considered by many to be the culinary capital of the South, so make sure to enjoy a lunch or dinner during your day trip. Charleston City Market, a historic open-air shopping center in the heart of the downtown district, is a great place to shop for souvenirs and other unique items, such as handmade sweetgrass baskets that are woven on-site. Elsewhere, the peninsula is buzzing with activity at surrounding bars, cafes and retail shops.

* Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Take a ride back in time and see the city in style with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Charleston. Patrons can choose from a number of routes, all of which offer a unique history lesson while moving through the cobblestone streets lined by Spanish moss-draped live oak trees. This is a nice way to spend some time off your feet and to fill up your photo collection.

* Plantations: Once considered the rice capital of the world, Charleston is surrounded by spacious plantations that have been restored or preserved so that visitors feel as though they have been transported back to another era. Beautiful gardens, blooming wildflowers and antebellum architecture are on full display at places like Boone Hall Plantation, Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation and Drayton Hall.

After an exciting day in Charleston, head back to Myrtle Beach for some rest, relaxation and recovery at The Caribbean Resort & Villas. Take the next day off to enjoy the beach, pools and attractions at the Caribbean Resort in sunny Myrtle Beach.