Charleston is a big city, but not overwhelmingly so. Most points of interest can be centered around the Historic District and it’s here where you should first orient yourself. Start the day with a stroll through Meeting Street, and walk the Museum Mile. A vast array of historical and cultural attractions meets you along this pleasant pathway, and you can get a good survey of the exquisite antebellum mansions that define the area. Consider a picnic at the White Point Garden or go for a stroll along its beautiful promenade. Then, at the Charleston Market, and rub shoulders with the locals, try some famous sweet tea, and pick up some freshly picked fruits and vegetables, as well as a few souvenirs to mark your introduction to the Lowcountry.

There’s a lot of history packed into this one-time Colonial town. From the late 1600s onward, important history has been made in Charleston and one of the best ways to get a sense of this is by visiting Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum where, along with getting an introduction to the beautiful Charleston Harbor, you’ll find the USS Yorktown (a retired aircraft carrier), the USS Clamagore (a wartime submarine), and the USS Laffey (a retired battleship), as well as the history of each ship and the region. In the afternoon, head over to the Circular Congregational Church and explore their graveyard to see how almost 300 years of history has shaped this iconic meeting place.

Some of the distinctive beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry is held in its majestic waterways, and there’s no better way to experience them than by getting out of the city’s borders for a day by the coast. Consider a day trip to one of the area’s wonderful beaches which offer everything from scenic getaways to resort-style adventure, or delve into the antebellum past of the Old South and visit a plantation to see why the area is so beloved.