50 Authentic American Experiences 2009

We scoured the country to find places, things and activities that speak to the real America. Some of them are fairly obscure; some of them are not. But they're all fun and diverse, and reveal the genuine U.S.

South Carolina

Shoppers browse in the window of an antique store on King Street.

Raymond Gehman / CORBIS

Photo credit: Raymond Gehman / Corbis

Walking along Charleston's quaint King Street will take you back in time — luckily, not as far back as the time before credit cards were invented, because the strip remains one of the better shopping districts in the U.S. You could spend hours strolling the sidewalks, poking your head into chain stores and independent boutiques. Lower King Street is home to clothing, antique and jewelry stores, while Upper King — dubbed the design district — is newly renovated and lined with restaurants, salons and a farmers' market. Throw in Charleston's charming architecture and its agreeable weather and a stroll along King Street is not a bad way to spend a day. And some money.

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