Walking the city streets of coastal Charleston offers a fascinating mix of history, architecture, and culture with a modern sense of style and a youthful atmosphere. Named in honor of King Charles II of England, Charleston was a strategic city in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The imposing mansions along the Battery speak to the affluence of older generations who watched their city transform from its early economic reliance on an agrarian economy to its present stature as a center for creative pursuits of all kinds.

The laid back and eclectic Folly Beach is less than ten miles from Charleston's center to the south while the luxurious beach front community of Isle of Palms is just ten miles to the north. This lovely city on the sea, with its extended summer season, is ideal for water sports like sailing, surfing, fishing, and kayaking.

King Street is Charleston's main street; it is a shopping paradise featuring an antiques district, a high-end fashion district, small specialty boutiques, and several art galleries. Perpendicular to King Street is Market Street, with an old fashioned market featuring the work of local artisans whose talents attract locals and tourists alike. The Art Institute of Charleston is adjacent to the market district in historic downtown Charleston.