Charleston Leisure

Sporting activities do not rank that highly in Charleston, with many people choosing to watch games on the TV rather than participate. However, that’s not to say that Charlestonians are lazy; the city’s park and beaches are full of activity year-round. Meanwhile, gentle exercise can be achieved on a walking tour of the city or a shopping trip at Charleston Market, both of which are popular pastimes.

Walking

Walking tours of Charleston are very popular, with the compact downtown being easy to navigate on foot. Stop by at the visitor centre for details on suggested routes that will take you past prominent attractions. Specialist walking tours are also available including ghost, pirate, black history, Civil War and architectural walks. Reputable tour agencies include: Tour Charleston LLC (tel: +1 843 723 1670), Civil War Walking Tour (tel: +1 843 722 7033) and the Preservation Society (tel: +1 800 968 8175).

Shopping

Charleston’s Market area is a popular place for leisurely strolls and picking up souvenirs. Stretching from Meeting Street to East Bay Street, the market is mainly housed in 19th century sheds and is covered. Basket ladies sell their wares, while other narrow outlets vend t-shirts, spices, jewellery and rugs among other items. The atmosphere is lively, even though the market is a little too touristy for some.

Beaches

With the city’s excellent location along the Atlantic coastline, you don’t have far to go to access the charming and picturesque beaches. Just east of Charleston is the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, both of which offer a quiet getaway, except at the weekends, when locals flock to these shores. Regular buses run from the city to these beaches, and accommodation is available for those who want to stay the night.

South of Charleston are several marshy islands, of which Edisto Island has a beautiful beach and some great birdlife. While water sports are not especially popular here, the swimming is good and a great way to cool off during the humid summers.