College of Charleston, Charleston

The College of Charleston, the oldest college in South Carolina and the nation's first municipal college, is not only a custodian of the city's history but also injects a modern and youthful energy with its diverse student body of over 12,000. While the campus features contemporary buildings, a leisurely walk around its picturesque grounds unveils some historical treasures.

One such gem is the Bishop Robert Smith House, dating back to the college's founding year of 1770, which now serves as the president's residence. (You can find it on Glebe Street, between Wentworth and George streets). Dominating the surroundings is the stately Greek revival portico of Randolph Hall, an 1828 structure designed by Philadelphia architect William Strickland and constructed with the labor of enslaved individuals. This iconic building overlooks the college's central Cistern Yard, where lush oak trees provide a picturesque backdrop for events such as graduation ceremonies and concerts, including performances during the Spoleto Festival USA. The campus has also been a backdrop for scenes in movies like 'Cold Mountain' and 'The Notebook'.

Tip:
For those looking to enhance their visit, an iPhone app called "College of Charleston Tour" is available for a self-guided tour, complete with videos (free on the App Store). Additionally, if you're interested in exploring traveling exhibitions featuring artists from around the world, make sure to visit the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, which adds a unique dimension to Charleston's museum offerings.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Charleston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: College of Charleston
Sight Location: Charleston, USA (See walking tours in Charleston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Harleston Village Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Charleston, South Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Charleston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Houses Tour

Charleston is steeped in history. Walking the colorful, narrow cobblestone streets of one of America's oldest towns, with its stunningly preserved colonial homes, you can see its story play out before your eyes practically everywhere you turn. Indeed, Charleston is among the most celebrated places in the U.S. to explore fine examples of American architecture and its progression through time.
... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles

French Quarter Walking Tour

A historic district in downtown Charleston, The French Quarter is named so for the high concentration of French merchants that once lived in the area and left their mark on it. The name was coined in 1973, when preservation efforts began for warehouse buildings on the Lodge Alley block. That same year the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The busy neighbourhood... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

A popular tourist destination and a major port city in South Carolina, Charleston is fit to impress anyone with its Southern charm, friendliness, and rich history. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England, this was the first comprehensively planned town in America.

The city's significance in American history is tied to its role as a key slave trading port. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Harleston Village Walking Tour

Founded in the 18th century, the historic Harleston Village is a charming neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The rich past and vibrant present of this area make it a popular destination for tourists.

At the heart of Harleston Village lies the College of Charleston, an esteemed institution of higher learning, established in 1770, adding a great deal of academic flair to the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Charleston, South Carolina, is also sometimes called the 鈥淗oly City.鈥� This is due to the large number of churches found here. Needless to say, the most fascinating of them are concentrated in the Downtown area, each with its unique charm and significance.

Among such temples of distinction is Saint Matthew's Church, an enduring symbol of Charleston's German Lutheran community. Its... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

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