Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fort Sumter
HISTORIC SITE
The first shots of the Civil War rang out at Fort Sumter, on a pentagon-shaped island in
the harbor. A Confederate stronghold, the fort was shelled to bits by Union forces from
1863 to 1865. A few original guns and fortifications give a feel for the momentous his-
tory. The only way to get here is by
boat tours
( boat tour 843-722-2628, park
843-883-3123;
www.nps.gov/fosu
;
adult/child $18/11)
, which depart from 340 Concord St at
9:30am, noon and 2:30pm in summer (less often in winter) and from Patriot's Point in Mt
Pleasant, across the river, at 10:45am, 1:30pm and 4pm from mid-March to late August
(less in winter).
South Carolina Aquarium
AQUARIUM
(
www.scaquarium.org
;
100 Aquarium Wharf; adult/child $25/15; 9am-5pm Mar-Aug, to 4pm
Sep-Feb; )
Ticket prices are steep, so this riverside aquarium is best for a rainy day. Ex-
hibits showcase the state's diverse aquatic life. The highlight is the 42ft Great Ocean
Tank, which teems with sharks and alien-looking puffer fish.
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
BRIDGE
Stretching across the Cooper River like some massive stringed instrument, the 3-mile-
long Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge is a triumph of contemporary engineering. Cycling or jog-
ging across the protected no-car lane is one of active Charlestonians' go-to weekend
activities. There are parking lots on either side of the bridge. Rent a cruiser at
Afford-
abike
(
843-789-3281;
www.affordabike.com
;
534 King St; bikes per day from $20)
.
Tours
Listing all of Charleston's walking, horse-carriage, bus and boat tours could take up this
entire book. Ask at the visitor center for the gamut.
Culinary Tours of Charleston
CULINARY
( 843-722-8687;
www.culinarytoursofcharleston.com
; 2½hr tour $42)
You'll likely sample
grits, pralines, BBQ and more on this walking tour of Charleston's restaurants and mar-
kets.
Adventure Harbor Tours
BOAT
( 843-442-9455;
www.adventureharbortours.com
;
adult/child $55/30.)
Runs fun trips to un-
inhabited Morris Island, great for shelling.
Charleston Footprints
WALKING
