For Immediate Release, June 2010
The Coolest Summer School Around: A Family Vacation to Charleston, S.C.
We’ve all heard the old adage “learning doesn’t stop once you leave the classroom” before, but it’s not always easy to keep minds sharp once school’s out for summer. A family vacation to Charleston, S.C. is a great educational alternative to the poolside lounging and TV watching that usually fill the lazy days of summer.A treat for history buffs, science geeks and nature lovers, Charleston is brimming with entertaining yet educational museums, tours and activities that put the spotlight on the Lowcountry’s fascinating history and culture. In addition to year-round attractions, the destination is alive with many events and festivals this summer, including the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival on June 5, the Patriots Point Independence Day Festival on July 4 and the “Carolina Gold: From Rice to Riches” exhibition at Middleton Place, a National Historical Landmark and carefully preserved 18th-century plantation, which runs through August 30.
Making it even easier for families to visit Charleston this summer, more than 20 area hotels are offering packages that combine both leisure and learning! In addition to the following highlights a complete listing of hotel packages and destination attractions, tours and activities can be found at www.explorecharleston.com.
Family SC Aquarium Package - Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport
The South Carolina Aquarium was voted the #1 attraction in Charleston – a place where kids can get up close and personal with otters, stingrays, snakes, turtles, alligators and more! Highlights include the “Something’s Fishy Kids Zone” as well as daily events educating visitors about everything from ocean ecology to sustainable seafood to loggerhead turtles. Available until December 31, the package starts at $150.00 per night and includes (two adults, two children):
• Tickets to SC Aquarium (www.scaquarium.org)
• Complimentary Breakfast at the hotel’s Haven Restaurant
• Complimentary Airport transportation
• Complimentary Parking, Wi-Fi, Bottled Water, Newspaper
Enjoy Family Fun - Charming Inns
The package includes accommodations for two people at either Fulton Lane Inn or Kings Courtyard Inn. Rates for a three day/ two night package start at $390 weekdays and $460 weekends for stays June 14 to September 2 and include:
• Tickets to the SC Aquarium or to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
• Carriage tour through historic Charleston
• Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour by Bulldog Tours
The Charleston Heritage Package – The Mills House Hotel
A hit for history lovers, the three-night package starts at $194 per room per night and is available for purchase through Dec. 31, 2010. Guests will also receive a return visit voucher for a special room rate on their next stay. Valued at over $235, the package includes two Heritage Passports, which grant single admission to the following nine historical attractions:
• Gibbes Museum of Art and The Charleston Museum
• Five (5) museum homes (Aiken Rhett, Edmondston-Alston, Heyward-Washington, Joseph Manigault, Nathaniel Russell)
• Two Ashley River plantations - Drayton Hall and Middleton Place
Family Adventure Package – Francis Marion Hotel
This package combines science, history, sports and fun in the sun – something for everyone! For stays from June 13 to September 6, prices start at $169 per night for weekdays and $249 for weekends. The offer includes a Traditional Guest room with two double beds, a breakfast buffet for a family of four, and your choice of a daily adventure from the following:
• RiverDogs Game for four
• Splash Island or Splash Zone for four
• South Carolina Aquarium for four
• Fort Sumter Tour for four
The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets. For more information, visit www.explorecharleston.com.
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