Charleston South Carolina is the archetypical southern costal city. It’s pleasant to look at and to be in, the people are friendly and polite and there’s history to explore around every corner. The mix of colonial, antebellum and Victorian architecture in the city’s many well-preserved and maintained historic districts is a genuine treat. It isn’t hard to see why Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked it 6th in its 2005 list of “Top Cities in the United States and Canada”.

The city has no shortage of museums and galleries to choose from. Visitors can find about 30 galleries in the Historic French Quarter alone, all within walking distance from each other. Charleston’s oldest gallery of art is on Inking Street in the Antique District and is nationally renowned for its collections by contemporary regional artists. History buffs will want to visit the Old Slave Market Museum, which charts the history of the Inter-State slave trade in South Carolina, much of which was conducted in that building.

There are dozens of sites of historical interest open to Charleston’s visitors. A horse-drawn carriage ride is the nicest way to arrive at the historic Dock Street Theater. This theater, the pride and joy of the Charleston cultural scene, was built on the site of a 1736 theater and is home to the Charleston Stage Company. America’s first President was entertained at the Heyward-Washington House, which dates back to 1772 and contains some original Charleston-made Mahogany furniture. The first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, where rebel troops captured this artificial island that once guarded Charleston Harbor.

There are outdoor adventures aplenty in Charleston South Carolina, and not just for golfers (though to be fair, there are some excellent golf courses around Charleston). The low country creeks and marshes provide excellent fishing opportunities. Kayaking is good fun as well. Several companies, like Paddlefish Kayaking Inc., offer guided tours, and know all the good places to spot Bottle-nosed Dolphins and River Otters.

Founded by the English in 1670, Charleston is extremely old by American standards. The South Carolina Museum houses over 60 fantastic exhibits of indigenous wildlife. For a lovely view of the Mansions on the Battery, head down to the White Point & Gardens in the Waterfront Park around sunset.

The islands off the coast of Charleston and Beaufort South Carolina are home to the Gullah culture, people descended from southwest African slaves who’ve preserved their own Creole language and unique Afro-American culture since colonial times. Buy one of their Sweetgrass Baskets for an inimitable piece of functional folk-art.