Historic Charleston Decked Out for the Holidays
Long before twinkling lights, inflatable snowmen and the Elf on the Shelf, people in Charleston decorated with greenery, berries, flowers and pinecones. You can still experience that style of Christmas decorating at plantations and historic homes around Charleston. Built in 1825, the Edmondston-Alston House is decorated as it would have been in 1860. Experience a […]
Wrap Up Some Charleston Charm for Gifts
We hope you survived Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. Most likely there are still a few people on your list in need of a holiday gift so why not give them a little piece of Charleston? Here are just a few of our ideas. Let us know what you would add to the list: […]
More Media Love for Charleston
As the year winds to a close, Charleston is making more lists and garnering more media coverage. Of course our favorite is always “best city in the United States,” but sometimes the Holy City finds herself on some other fun lists. Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Charleston No. 7 on its list of America’s Best […]
Falling in Love with Charleston
We’ve yet to meet anyone who has visited Charleston and not fallen head over heels in love with our city. The Holy City is always making a “best of” list here, a “No. 1” list there. And no wonder: Charleston really does have so much to offer. We’ve particularly been enjoying a lovely fall with […]
A Handbook to Being Southern
Let’s face it some things are just “southern.” There are skills and situations that require a distinct southern touch, like how to shuck an oyster, cook grits or throw a football tailgate party. The editors of Garden & Gun, an award-winning magazine about the South headquartered in Charleston, have created a guidebook for Southerners (and […]
Visit Patriots Point in Charleston for Military History
A great way to celebrate the contributions of military members past and present is with a visit to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. Last month, Patriots Point unveiled a new mascot, Scrappy. The dog mascot was created in honor of a real dog that lived aboard the USS Yorktown for a […]
Plan a Visit to the Charles Pinckney Site
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site commemorates a principal author and signer of the U.S. Constitution. But like Pinckney, referred to as the “forgotten founder,” this historic site could be overlooked on a trip to Charleston. Put it on your must-visit list for a true history lesson. The historic site is located on Long Point […]
New Biergarten Opens in Charleston
A couple weeks ago we got a sneak peek of a new restaurant opening today on East Bay Street, the Bay Street Biergarten. This traditional biergarten will have communal tables with self-serve taps accessed with a pre-paid card – a first for Charleston. Private tables also have their own taps and guests can access a […]
The Evolution of Traveler of Charleston
LowcountryBizSC.com sat down with Traveler of Charleston Publisher Keith Simmons to talk about how the magazine got started and how it has evolved with new media and social media as well as the launch of a free mobile app earlier this year. Watch the video.
Exploring Wadmalaw Island: Angel Oak
We’ve been taking you on a tour of Wadmalaw Island with stops at the Charleston Tea Plantation and Irvin-House Vineyards. Next, you’ll want to stop off at Angel Oak Park on nearby Johns Island for a look at one of the most magnificent oak trees you’ll ever see. Visit the public Angel Oak Park to […]
Charleston Named No. 1 City in the U.S.
For the third year in a row, Charleston was named the best U.S. city by Condé Nast Traveler readers. It beat out such cities at Santa Fe, San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City and its Southern neighbor Savannah (No. 9). Readers highlighted nearby beaches and impressive architecture as reasons for Charleston to […]
Exploring Wadmalaw Island: Deepwater Vineyard
In our last post, we highlighted the Charleston Tea Plantation, a great spot to visit on the picturesque Wadmalaw Island. While you’re on the island, get some tea with a kick at the neighboring Deep Water Vineyard and the Firefly Distillery – home of the Sweet Tea Vodka made with tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation. Deep Water […]
Exploring Wadmalaw Island: Charleston Tea Plantation
The Charleston Tea Plantation is the only working tea farm in North America. The island is an ideal spot for growing tea because it provides just the right amount of warm temperatures, humidity and rain. The tea plants go dormant in the winter and, come spring, shoot up 3 to 5 inches of new growth. Those new shoots are removed for making tea […]
Check Out Charleston’s Craft Brew Scene
In the last few years, the Charleston craft beer scene has exploded. Beer enthusiasts have more than a few places to taste a pint of beer made right here in the Holy City. We’ve compiled a list of some local breweries, most of which offer tours and tastings. COAST Brewing Co. – COAST is a family owned craft […]
Charleston After Dark: Explore the Spooky Side
Any city with a deep history is sure to have some secrets, and Charleston is no exception. Local tour companies offer a variety of opportunities for visitors to explore Charleston’s spookier side – the old jail, graveyards and historic homes said to be haunted by centuries-old ghosts. Harbor & Ghost Tours Charleston Harbor Tours offers a 90-minute water tour […]
Celebrate the Holidays – Charleston Style
It’s not too early to start making your holiday plans for Charleston. The season is packed with festivals, tree lightings, family activities and shopping. Here are a few of our favorites and be sure to visit our calendar for a full listing. The 24th annual Holiday Festival of Lights is a favorite among visitors and […]
Water Taxi Dock at Waterfront Park Opens
A new water taxi dock at Waterfront Park is open to the public. The park is located at Vendue Range and Concord Street in downtown Charleston. Located at the end of the ‘T’ shaped pier, the dock will provide access to water taxi services. The dock, which is ADA accessible, will be a location for Charleston Water Taxi to tie up and […]
A Reminder that Wild Dolphins in Charleston Are Still Wild
Picture yourself at the beach. Toes in the sand, book in one hand, a beverage in the other. Your eyes gaze upon the Atlantic horizon lazily watching the rolling waves when suddenly a dorsal fin briefly arching above the water catches your attention. You set your gaze on where you think it will pop up […]
Charleston’s Museum Mile 2013
This weekend don’t miss a great opportunity to visit many of Charleston’s incredible museums for just one price. It’s all part of Museum Mile Weekend – an effort among cultural sites on and around Meeting Streets to give visitors (and locals!) access to their attractions for just $25. The fifth annual Museum Mile Weekend is […]
Our Southern Football Frenzy
Southerners love some football. It doesn’t matter if it’s high school, college or professional, you’ll find plenty of folks yelling, cheering or moaning at big screen TVs and in local stadiums all around town during the fall season. South Carolina doesn’t have a professional football team, but we do have one pretty intense college rivalry: […]
Charleston Restaurant Week Set for September
One of our favorite weeks is just around the corner: Charleston Restaurant Week. Set for Sept. 4-15, it’s the perfect way to kick off the fall season, celebrate the kids being back in school and indulge in a new Charleston restaurant (actually, this week try at least eight). Put on by the Greater Charleston Restaurant […]
Tips for Vacationing in Charleston with Pets
If your Charleston vacation includes man’s best friend, you’ll be happy to know several area hotels allow pets. Plus, Charleston has plenty of dog parks and green space where you both can get some exercise and experience the beauty (and, for the dogs, the scents) of Charleston. Some luxury hotels like the Wentworth Mansion and […]
Swim Safe When Spending Time at the Beach
Even experienced swimmers can be caught off guard when swimming in the ocean. It’s dramatically different from swimming in a pool or lake, and visitors should use caution. One of the dangers of ocean swimming is getting caught in rip currents, powerful currents of water moving away from the shore. Even the strongest of swimmers can be swept out to […]
Boiled Peanuts: A Southern Staple
Boiled peanuts are a southern staple that people seem to either love or hate. There’s no middle ground here: your vote is either in the “soggy mush” camp or the “delicious snack” one. Boiled peanuts are common in the Deep South, especially South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and norther Florida. They are essentially unroasted peanuts […]
Lowcountry Author Shares Charleston Beach Vacation Tips
Guest blog by Mary Alice Monroe I not only write about the Lowcountry, I’m a long-time resident. So when you vacation here, you’re enjoying the same picturesque views, breathing the same intoxicating air, and living in the same natural landscape with creatures that inspire my novels. Most important tip Get on island time the moment […]
Sand, Sullivan’s and Tea – Things to Love about the Lowcountry
The list of summertime loves in Charleston could be quite lengthy but we’ve narrowed down our five favorites. Sand in our toes: It’s beach season and we can’t get enough of the warm breezes as we kick back in our beach chair or frolic in the ocean with the kiddos. Sullivan’s Island: Speaking of beaches, we […]
Southern Summer Style
From seersucker to sundresses and flip-flops to bow ties, Charleston has a summer style all her own and mostly it centers around keeping cool. Seersucker is a thin, puckered cotton fabric usually found in a striped or checkered pattern. The fabric is woven together in such a way that the thread bunches together so it […]
Tips for Seashell Success at Charleston Beaches
Everyone’s favorite – and inexpensive – beach vacation souvenir is the seashell. Hit the beach at low tide and you’re sure to find some beautiful shells of all shapes and sizes. Keep these tips in mind when scouring the beach for seashells: Monitor the tides and walk the beach at low tide for the greatest selection as more […]
Charleston Offers Plenty of Activities for the Family
From the diaper-wearing toddler to the pickiest of teenagers, Charleston has more than enough activities, tours and museums to satisfy your entire family. The South Carolina Aquarium and Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry are ideal for younger children. Nature tours and eco-adventures along with the military history of Patriots Point will appeal to older children […]
Pick Up These Books for Your Beach Reads
Reading on the beach or in the backyard hammock is a must-do summer activity. We have some book suggestions to help you get to relaxing even faster. We recently reviewed “The Summer Girls” by Lowcountry author Mary Alice Monroe, and here’s another Charleston area author who can pen a terrific novel. Dorothea Benton Frank’s latest […]
Dive into the Lowcountry with ‘The Summer Girls’
Mary Alice Monroe has the uncanny knack for weaving a compelling story and interesting characters into the framework of the Lowcountry’s natural habitat. This time her creation is the first book in a summertime trilogy, chronicling the story of three sisters who reunite at their grandmother’s house on Sullivan’s Island. Add “The Summer Girls” to […]
Packing for Your Charleston Beach Trip
You may be tempted to simply toss a swimsuit in a beach bag and hit the open road as you head to Charleston for your summertime beach vacation. But you may want to bring just a little more than your bikini or swim trunks. For your beach visit, don’t forget to pack: Beach towels or […]
Charleston: The Holy City
You may have heard Charleston referred to as the “Holy City” and wondered how it got that nickname. One reason is Charleston’s skyline is dotted with church steeples. Another is that Charleston has a diverse religious mix – French Huguenots, Jews, and Episcopalians – and a host of historic churches and graveyards throughout downtown Charleston. […]
Piccolo Spoleto Fills Charleston with Arts, Music, Theater
Last week we celebrated the beginning of Spoleto Festival USA but you might not realize riding alongside Spoleto is her little sister, Piccolo Spoleto. This locally focused arts festival runs concurrent to Spoleto and shines the spotlight on local and regional artists at a number of inexpensive and free events. Many of the events are […]
Charleston’s Spoleto Festival USA Comes to Town
Starting Friday and for 17 days, Charleston will host world-class artists, performers, musicians as part of Spoleto Festival USA. The festival – started in 1977 – features performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in disciplines ranging from opera, theater, music theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music, to the visual […]
Serving Up ‘American Classic Tea’ at Charleston Tea Plantation
One of Charleston’s true gems is the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island. A visit to the tea plantation isn’t only beautiful but an educational opportunity. Take a factory tour packed with information on the history of tea and details on the harvesting and production of American Classic Tea. A trolley tour of the 127-acre […]
Touring the Gardens at Magnolia Plantation
On your next visit to Charleston, block off a few hours for a nice, long stroll through Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. They are filled with enough bright blossoms to drain your camera battery. The gardens opened to the public in the early 1870s and continue to attract visitors from around the world. Portions of the […]
Kathie Lee and Hoda of Today on NBC Coming to Charleston
Bust out the oversized wine glasses, ya’ll, Kathie Lee and Hoda are coming to Charleston. The fourth hour of Today on NBC will be in our fair city Thursday and Friday. Hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb will be at the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard on Thursday for the filming of the two […]
Your Own Taste of the Holy City
We don’t have to tell you Charleston is one mouth-watering town. But why let the tasty treats end with your vacation? Pick up some of these items to take home or order online between visits. Nothing says “Southern” like a big ‘ol plate of barbecue topped with Big Ed’s Heirloom BBQ Sauce. The flagship product of Pigtail Brands, this […]
Everyone Loves Charleston
Last week we enjoyed reading a love letter to Charleston on the Huff Post Travel Blog. The letter was written – not by a starry eyed tourist – but by someone who calls Charleston home. Seth Saunders calls out the reasons he and his family love Charleston, from playing cornhole on Shem Creek to $1 drafts […]
Eco Adventures are Plentiful in Charleston
Throw off the gray of winter and soak up the springtime sunshine. Charleston visitors have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water, beaches, natural resources and parks. Here are a few of our suggestions for getting outdoors: Wild on the water Try your hand at kayaking, canoeing or standup paddle boarding. Plenty of adventure companies offer […]
Soaking Up Charleston’s History at Plantations, Homes, Museums
Few U.S. cities have the kind of history that Charleston does. Her past encompasses 300 years worth of stories with a cast of characters that includes Indians, English settlers, politicians, armies and slaves. The settings range from a thriving seaport to spacious plantations to a downtown at times bustling with business while also recovering from […]
It’s Easy to Eat Local in Charleston
Charleston has secured her spot firmly on the foodie map. We have award-winning chefs and restaurants, access to local seafood and plenty of farmers markets. Eating local in Charleston has never been easier. The food scene – just like the history and beaches – is becoming a major tourism draw for our city. One aspect […]
Get Cooper River Bridge Run Info in an App
Heading to Charleston on April 6 for an early morning run with 25,000 of your closest friends? Well, there’s an app for that. We’ve updated our Traveler of Charleston free mobile app to include all things Cooper River Bridge Run. Locals and visitors will find information to make their Bridge Run experience super smooth (the […]
Springtime Blooms in Charleston
We love the color of springtime in Charleston. From the window boxes of downtown homes to historic plantations and city parks our area comes alive with color this time of year. After a chilly winter, we’re ready to shake off the gray of winter and soak up the blossoms of the season. Here are some […]
It’s Hip to be in Charleston
Charleston picked up a cool new accolade this week: No. 22 on Travel + Leisure’s list of America’s Best Cities for Hipsters. Sure we know Charleston is cultured, refined and historic and now we can add “hip” to the list. Travel + Leisure called out Upper King Street as a “hot zone” along with local […]
Wild About Wisteria
We’re fortunate here in the South that springtime arrives fairly early. While friends to the North are still shoveling snow, we’re witnessing the first buds of trees and flowers. A few days ago we posted the above photo of wisteria to our Facebook page and it spread like wildfire with 401 shares. So, we thought […]
Shopping for Mementos of Charleston – Part 2
Last week, we blogged about some of our favorite Charleston items to take home for gifts or souvenirs. Here are three more to add to your shopping list. Share with us about your favorite Charleston mementos. A few years ago, Ryan Eleuteri, owner of The Charleston Beverage Co., set out to create the perfect Bloody […]
Shopping for Mementos of Charleston
Don’t you wish you could pack up the sights, sounds and tastes of Charleston? Well, it might be tough to put a horse-drawn carriage in your suitcase, but there are some great Charleston items that allow you to take home a piece of the Holy City (and they’re less messy to pack). Here’s the first […]
Charleston Goes Mobile
Raise your hand if you love your smartphone! Yep, that’s what we thought. So you’ll be delighted to know you have a source for your Charleston travels right on your phone. This month we released a Traveler of Charleston mobile app for iTunes and the Google Play stores. It’s a great (free!) resource for visitors […]
