Going with the Garcias

When Thomas and I travel, we walk everywhere. Our phones calculate record steps and our tennis shoes get worn. Our trip to Charleston is not any different. I knew walking around the city was something we wanted to do and we could of found a walking tour, but that’s not our style. (We like adventuring down hidden paths and taking our time.)

We decided (err, I decided) to make our own tour of Charleston with all the city sites we wanted to hit in a day. To find these sites, we both looked at multiple blogs and “to-do” lists and put them all on one Google Map, so we could find the best way to create a “walking tour.” Click here to see our Google Map.

We got our walking gear, comfy shoes, long sleeve SPF shirt (for me and my glow in the dark skin), our wide brim hats, and our water bottle and holder, and hit the streets.

Parking was…fun. (Hindsight is 20/20–just park in a garage and walk around.) We parked near the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (there’s a garage near there) and walked down East Bay Street to The Battery and White Point Garden. If you walk along the water’s edge, you can see some amazing houses at a good distance so you can admire their beauty. After looking at the monuments in the park, we backtracked and admired those stately homes close up. We wanted to stop and tour the Edmondston-Alston House but it was not open yet. We then continued north on East Bay and looked at Rainbow Row (Georgia townhomes in pastel colors). We ended our journey up East Bay at Waterfront Park and Pineapple Fountain.

Once we admired the fountain and were envious of the children playing in it, we walked through the park, until we got to Elliot Street. This street was recommended on a blog and it did not disappoint! There was stunning homes all around! We then turned north on Church Street and visited the French Huguenot Church (the cute pink church).

At French Huguenot Church, we learned that the pink color originated from the early founders using ox blood in the mixture to paint the church. This mixing with the other materials make the pink color. Why ox blood? Apparently it helps with waterproofing and helps repel mosquitos… They no longer use that though, a parishioner confirmed. Our next stop was St. Philips Church. It was not open, but worth a walk around the building.

The next stop on our walking tour was the Charleston City Marketing. Here you will find all kinds of booths including jewelry, trinkets, baskets, and more. We looked at all the stalls, bought a few items, and got a snack at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit.

Our journey continued south to Circular Congregational Church. This church was also closed, but property gate was open for travelers to look around the cemetery and grounds. By this time, we were dreaming of air conditioning, so we meandered around Gibbes Museum of Art, which houses a collection of traditional (according to my standards) and contemporary art.

By this time we were ready to sit down and enjoy lunch. We first got a cookie to go from a recommended bakery, Harken Cafe. (I wish I had bought two cookies; they were delicious!) We then ate a light lunch at Sorelle Mercato on Broad Street.

Once our bellies were full and feet were rested, we walked down Broad Street to Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. This cathedral did not disappoint. The stain glass windows were breath-taking. The ornate ceiling, the big organ, and carefully chosen paint colors blended into a masterpiece.

To try as cram as much in one day, we then traveled east on Broad Street to Saint Michael’s Church. This Anglican Church is the oldest surviving religious building in Charleston. The building may not be as ornate as some of the other churches, it still holds it own with its wood accents, stain glass window honoring St. Michael and gold chandelier.

As our tour was coming to an end, we walked south on Meeting Street admiring more architecture and homes. We stopped at the Nathaniel Russell House for our last stop (due to time) and tour the house. (My favorite joke on the tour was “it really puts the crown in crown molding” which referenced the gold accented crown molding in a few of the rooms.)

Was our walking tour overly ambitious? Probably. Did we see the city? Yes we did! Were we tired after? You betcha.

When you visit Charleston, walking around is a great way to see the city. Feel free to use the Google Map linked above or make your own!

What did we miss due to time and things closing? We wanted to see The Williams Mansion and go back and tour the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. While that was not in the cards for today, don’t worry – after all, tomorrow is another day.