Charleston is beautiful during the Christmas season. The city and particularly Marion Square and King Street are decorated with the holiday spirit. Santa and Mrs. Clause sit in Marion Square greeting children from the beginning of December until the 23rd.

The plantations just outside Charleston traditionally offer Christmas festivities. My personal favorite, Middleton Place Plantation, is hosting a "Grand Illumination" on December 18th where evening tours will be led by torches and candlelight.

A carriage ride is always a great way to see Charleston and have fun while learning the City's rich history.

A speedboat called "The Thriller," which usually offers fast rides through the harbor, is slowing down to offer tours of the area's Christmas lights from the water - blankets, hot cocoa, and Christmas stories included.

Several of the City's walking tours, like Charleston Strolls, also offer Holiday Walking Tours of the historic buildings and their festive decorations in December.

For more recommendations on activities, hotels, and restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina, visit http://www.sea-islands-vacation.com/charleston.html.

Here's a start:

http://www.10best.com/Charleston,SC/

I most recently visited Charleston in 1999, and remember clearly seeing Fort Sumter, and the moored WWII Aircraft Carrier, the USS Yorktown.

Here are details on both of them:

http://www.10best.com/.../

http://www.10best.com/.../

Charleston has a LOT of "old world" Southern charm, and houses that have been standing, since the 1700s!

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