8 Facts about Charleston

1. Charleston was founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England.
2. Charleston was the fourth largest city in colonial America, and the wealthiest!
3. Charleston boasts the first public college, museum, and playhouse in the U.S.
4. The first golf club in America was established in Charleston in 1786.
5. Fort Sumter is the site of the first shots fired during the Civil War on April 12, 1861.
6. Charleston boasts 90 miles of coastline and is home to 5 of the Happiest Seaside Towns in America.
7. Rainbow Row refers to the row of iconic pastel-colored historic homes located on East bay Street. These historic homes were first constructed around 1740 and were used by merchants who would run their business on the ground floor and live on the top floor.
8. Charleston is known for its "low country" cuisine - such as shrimp and grits, and she-crab soup - that uses foods that grow locally in the low, flat wet environment. It's a unique culinary experience that has evolved over the past 300 years!

Eat! Charleston is famous for its Lowcountry cuisine.

• TripAdvisor’s 10 best Restaurants in Charleston
• “Must Eats” in Charleston
• 18 Essential Restaurants in Charleston

Explore history! Did you know that Charleston is the 11^th oldest city in the U.S?!

• 21 spots every history buff needs to visit in Charleston
• 15 best Charleston tours by U.S. News and World Report
• Check out these hidden gems

Take a ghost tour! With nearly 350 years of history, Charleston is known as one of the most haunted cities in America.

• Charleston’s 5 Most Haunted Locations
• 8 Best Ghost Tours, by U.S. News and World Report

Unwind with some drinks!  Charleston boasts many pub crawls, winery and distillery tours, and has one of the largest numbers of craft brewers in the country.

• 15 best breweries in Charleston
• Best wineries in Charleston

Play golf! Charleston established the first golf club in America in 1786 at the Harleston's Green course.

• 10 best golf courses, according to USAToday
• 20 championship courses

Get outside! Charleston's climate is warm and temperate year-round, allowing both locals and visitors to enjoy its beaches, parks, gardens, outdoor venues, and historic sites in any season.

• 22 best things to do in Charleston
• 10 of the most fun outdoor things to do in Charleston
• 25 free things to do in Charleston