Seeing the city: Charleston offers visitors so much that it has been listed as one of America's 10 best destinations the past nine years by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Some attractions are offered year-round, some are at set times each year. Among the best:

Annual events: The 56th Festival of Houses and Gardens has wound up its monthlong run, but to take advantage of next year's schedule of private home tours, afternoon teas and Low Country oyster roasts, contact the Historic Charleston Foundation, P.O. Box 1120, Charleston, S.C. 29402; call (843) 723-1623; the Web site is www.historiccharleston.org.

The acclaimed Spoleto Festival USA will feature more than 120 performances in opera, dance, theater and music this year. Tickets range from $10 to $120. The festival takes place from May 23 to June 8.

For a schedule, reservations or more information, contact the box office at Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C. 29402; call (843) 579-3100; www.spoletousa.org

Year-round attractions: The Nathaniel Russell and Aiken-Rhett houses are open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information on these sites and the foundation's other work, use the contact information listed above for the houses and gardens tours.

A Charleston Heritage Passport, available at visitors centers in the area, saves the buyer 40 percent on these two sites and four others, including the lovely Middleton Place. At this 262-year-old former plantation, costumed interpreters animatedly discuss centuries of history and demonstrate techniques needed to run a large household www.middletonplace.org.

The South Carolina Aquarium, not quite 3 years old, already is said to be the city's No. 1 tourist attraction. Call (843) 720-1990; www.scaquarium.org

Momma's Blues Palace usually has live music Thursday through Saturday nights. (843) 853-2221.

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Charleston has a wide variety of narrated tours, including these:

The Ghosts of Charleston, offered twice each night, takes guests past sites where gruesome crimes were committed or where ghosts have been reported — or both. Reservations are required; call toll-free 1-800-854-1670, or (843) 723-1670.

Fort Sumter Tours takes visitors by boat to the fort that became a symbol of the secessionists' determination to forever change the United States. Call toll-free 1-800-789-3678 or (843) 722-2628; www.spiritlinecruises.com/tours.asp

Information: The Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site offers information on lodging, restaurants, events, package deals, tours and even airline schedules. Go to www.charlestoncvb.com; call toll-free 1-800-774-0006.

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