National magazines have long had a love affair with this region, and we don’t take that lightly. Travel + Leisure  recently named Charleston among the best cities to visit – worldwide. And the always-special Circa 1886 restaurant merited mention on Wine Spectator’s  Top 100 list. Outside magazine recently made us a top 5 destination for outdoor types. And Southwest Airlines’ arrival has helped spur a double digit uptick in air travel to Charleston.

We wonder if this might be why 2011 appears to be the Year of the Charleston Staycation. Anecdotal evidence shows that lots of local folks are staying put – and having a blast. Did you decide to vacation in your own back yard this year? Why? And what was the best thing you did as a tourist in your own town?