Charleston

Old City Jail

As the city of Charleston was being laid out in 1680, this 4 acre lot was set aside for public use. A hospital, poor house, workhouse for runaway slaves, and jail were built here. This 4 story jail with an octagonal tower was constructed in 1802 and operated until 1939. In 1855, Charleston architects Barbot & Seyle added a rear octagonal wing, expansions to the main building and Romanesque Revival details. The 1886 earthquake badly damaged Charleston and the tower and top story of the main building were removed. Continue reading →

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Audubon Swamp Garden at Magnolia Plantation

The Audubon Swamp was once a freshwater reservoir used for rice cultivation. Now it’s a black water cypress and tupedo swamp. It’s 60 acres covered by boardwalks and trails filled with local wildlife. If it’s a lucky day you can see egrets, herons, bald eagles, alligators, otters, and turtles. While walking around keep in mind these were all rice fields worked on by slaves. Continue reading →

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation is one of the most unique looking and one of the oldest plantations in South Carolina. The house we see today is the 3rd house after the first 2 burned down. Originally, the live oak lined path lead to the house. It is the one of 3 remaining plantations along the Ashley River. Most were burned down when the Union soldiers passed through during the Civil War. Magnolia is a mixed of Victorian, Georgian, and Gothic Revival architecture. It’s also one of the oldest tourist attractions in the south. Continue reading →

Unitarian Church Graveyard in Charleston

The Unitarian Church, 2nd oldest in Charleston, is home to the United Universalist congregation, the oldest Unitarian church in the south. It was not built by Unitarians, it was built by the Society of Dissenters (sinister sounding but they aren’t scary at all) who needed more space to worship – they are known as the Circular Church. Walking down King Street in Charleston you will eventually stumble upon the old graveyard. It is overgrown except for the paths. Wildflowers adorn the graves and trees grow into the tombstones. It’s a beautiful cemetery and it’s said to be haunted. Continue reading →

Charleston, South Carolina

This was an impulse trip and yes, we booked it because we wanted authentic southern/soul food. We had the worst staycation ever in October. We were in Philly enjoying Halloween stuff when I got news my grandma died (mom’s side). It was unexpected. We headed back to Manhattan as soon as we found out. When we got the email from Jetblue that they were having airfare sales, we were like this vacation sucks. We were already stressed out on top of it and haven’t had much us time. So we immediately got in touch with our jobs and were like – we need these days off in January. Charleston was a pleasant getaway and it cost us $740 airfare and hotel for 3 nights, travel insurance for 2 people, not per person. Great deal and such good food. Also flying south is cheaper than vacationing locally. Keep an eye out for those airfare sales. Continue reading →