Charleston: Culture, History and Living Traditions

Charleston combines lively event traditions with university culture, historic buildings and a family-friendly approach to history. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find both recurring community experiences and places dedicated to music, architecture and political history. Choosing a holiday apartment can therefore depend on which of these aspects of Charleston you want to place at the centre of your trip.

Homecoming as a Local Highlight

A defining example of the event culture is the annual Homecoming 2.5K Run / Walk. The route runs around Charleston Square and combines the sporting occasion with the local festivities. The Homecoming week also includes the Rotary Pancake Breakfast. During the parade, it is served by the Charleston Rotarians and is therefore part of the traditions of this event period.

For families who enjoy getting to know a city through its festivals, such occasions provide a special travel incentive. Since the offerings mentioned are tied to Homecoming week, planning can be specifically arranged around this period. Those who would rather remain independent of a single festival can explore Charleston through its cultural and historical sites.

Music and Performances at the Doudna Fine Arts Center

The Doudna Fine Arts Center showcases the city's cultural diversity. Students and faculty from EIU perform there, along with regional school and community groups and guest artists from across the country and around the world. The programme therefore ranges from local contributions to performances with national and international connections.

Another notable venue is Dvorak Concert Hall. It offers 568 seats and hosts major concerts, university events and performances for the community.

Historic Buildings and American History

The Historic District at 6th and 7th Streets mainly comprises residential buildings dating from the 1850s to the mid-20th century. The buildings are classified as contributing buildings and give the cityscape a historical character. For visitors interested in architecture and organically developed urban structures, this area offers a different way to experience Charleston than a concert or festival.

Pemberton Hall is also one of the city's historic landmarks. It is the oldest women's residence hall in the state of Illinois. Old Main was completed in 1899 and remains one of the institution's best-known landmarks. Together, these buildings illustrate the development of Charleston's academically shaped side without requiring any particular sightseeing opportunity to be inferred from this.

Discovering the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum with Children

The Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum traces the 1858 Senate debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. An interactive area where children can participate complements the historical presentation. This makes it possible to explore a political subject not only through dates, but also through an active museum experience. For families, this visit can be a good choice if children are to be involved in engaging with history.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

Charleston is suitable for different types of travellers: You can focus your stay on Homecoming and local traditions, plan performances and concerts, or place historic buildings and the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum at the forefront. A holiday apartment is especially suitable as a search direction if you want to shape your daily routine yourself and combine the focuses of your trip flexibly. What matters is less a blanket classification of the city than which experiences you actually want to visit.

If you would like to compare other places, you can also visit Mattoon.

For the higher-level travel overview: Coles.