As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Charleston, South Carolina has both history and character. With cobblestone streets and decorative front porches, the buildings of Charleston provide a visible record of America's history from its pre-Revolutionary days. Just off the coast of South Carolina lies Hilton Head Island, a popular vacation spot for golf enthusiasts and beach lovers. Its allure has spanned generations since Europeans first discovered it nearly 350 years ago. It had a role in the American Civil War as a Confederate stronghold.