A five-day journey by Amtrak from Fayetteville to Charleston, SC, where history, culture, and community came alive through powerful landmarks, Gullah heritage, and shared moments with fellow travelers.
View the Charleston, South Carolina - Fall 2026 trip details →We boarded the Amtrak train in Fayetteville and settled in for the ride to Charleston, South Carolina. After arriving in the Holy City, we were greeted by the Your Tours Unlimited motor coach and transferred to the Drury Inn, our home for the next several nights.
Scenic rail journey from Fayetteville, NC to Charleston, SC.
Settling into the hotel and getting ready for the days ahead.
We met the most knowledgeable tour guide, Mr. Al Miller, who led us through the city with stories and context at every turn. The day was filled with meaningful stops that deepened our understanding of Charleston’s history and culture.
We met the most knowledgeable tour guide, Mr. Al Miller, who shared his deep knowledge of Charleston’s landmarks and their significance throughout the day.
Our first stop was Mother Emanuel AME Church, where Dylann Roof took the lives of nine members. We paused to honor their memory and reflect on the church’s enduring role in the community.
The Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island is estimated to be between 400 and 500 years old. Its massive canopy spans roughly 17,000 square feet, and it has survived storms that felled far smaller trees and buildings. It is said that when you stand near the tree, you can feel — and some say hear — the spirits of the enslaved people whose lives were intertwined with this land.
Our last stop of the day was the International African American Museum, where African artifacts, art, and the history of our heritage throughout the Charleston islands filled the exhibits.
The day began at the Charleston Market, where local artisans wove sweetgrass baskets, a living tradition of the Gullah Geechee people. We then traveled to McLeod Plantation, a stop marked by both heaviness and pride as we walked the grounds and honored the endurance of our ancestors.
We watched women weaving beautiful sweetgrass baskets at the Charleston Market, keeping a generations-old craft alive.
Walking the grounds of McLeod Plantation brought thoughts of endurance. Our forefathers were beaten and worked from ‘can’t see to can’t see,’ yet their strength allows us to thrive today. If these grounds could speak.
The morning was free for shopping or relaxing before we gathered in the afternoon at the Wadmalaw Community Center. There, we listened to stories about the Gullah Geechee people and the unique language that has preserved their culture for generations.
A relaxed morning for shopping, exploring, or unwinding before the afternoon program.
We were welcomed at the Wadmalaw Community Center for stories about the Gullah Geechee people and their distinctive Creole language.
We departed Charleston aboard Amtrak, carrying with us a little more education, a little more perspective, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Departing Charleston and returning to Fayetteville by train.
