Where to Shop in Charleston
You can truly shop ’til you drop in the Lowcountry. We have some create shopping centers, malls and plenty of local boutiques to keep your bags filled (can’t say the same for your wallet, though!). Downtown Charleston Spend the day walking King Street with its clothing boutiques, shoe stores, gift shops and more. Start near […]
Camellias Blooming in Charleston
We are entering peak camellia season here in the Lowcountry so it’s time to grab your camera and head out to put some color into the gray days of winter. Take in the centuries-old camellias that started blooming this month at Middleton Place. Learn more about these blooming beauties during guided camellia walks at 11 […]
A Charleston Oyster Roast
A wintertime visit to Charleston isn’t complete without an oyster roast. Rest assured you won’t have any trouble finding one while you’re in town. The weekends of January and February are filled with oyster roasts for fun, for charity and, well, sometimes we don’t even need a reason. You might just find some friends and […]
Southeastern Wildlife Expo highlights art, nature
For the last 30 years, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has celebrated wildlife art, conservation and the sporting lifestyle. Each year the event grows and expands as it exposes even more visitors and locals to the wonders of wildlife. The unofficial kickoff to Charleston’s tourist season, the 31st annual SEWE is Feb. 15-17 at various venues and parks around downtown Charleston. Nationally known wildlife experts, […]
Indulge in the Sweet Taste of Charleston
If you’re visiting Charleston for more than a few hours there’s a very good chance you’re doing a lot of walking. You’ve probably walked King Street, Market Street, Meeting Street and the Battery. You may have even walked the beach, a park and a plantation. All that walking gives you the perfect excuse to indulge in some delectable desserts and sweet […]
Best Southern Food in Charleston
Famous foodie Andrew Zimmern wrote a blog for The Huffington Post about the best Southern food in the United States. Huff Post Travel called Southern cuisine “soul-warming comfort food at its best.” We couldn’t agree more. Over the last decade, Charleston has come into her own as a top dining destination, so it’s not surprising Zimmern’s […]
Charleston Ranks High Among ‘Best Of’ Lists
In the last year Charleston added a number of accolades to its already lengthy list of awards. In 2012 Charleston came out on top of the world as readers of Conde Nast Traveler voted it the best city in the world and the No. 1 city in the United States. Here’s what the magazine readers had to say: With the “best beaches […]
Charleston’s Own Castle
If you head out to Sullivan’s Island, you’ll probably see something that looks like a cross between a church and a castle. That stately building at the western end of the island is Mugdock Castle. The castle adjoins Fort Moultrie and, with Fort Sumter, stands watch at the entrance of the Charleston Harbor. The building […]
Charleston: Best Place to Spend Christmas
We’ve been talking about Christmas in Charleston for weeks. There are so many events, great places to shop and amazing local gift ideas. So it was no surprise to us when Travel + Leisure put Charleston on its “Best Places to Spend Christmas” list. The travel magazine had this to say about the Holy City: […]
Shopping Guide: Charleston Cookbook
Today we wrap up our Charleston holiday gift guide with a book of recipes and history. For the cook and history buff in your life, here’s a great gift with tons of Charleston heritage. Charleston Receipts is known to be the oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. Originally published in 1950, the cookbook has […]
More Charleston Holiday Celebrations
Don’t worry if you missed a parade or tree lighting; there’s still plenty of holiday events to celebrate the season in Charleston. Here are a few events to wind out the year and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more events. Grand Illumination: Christmas 1782 – Dec. 13-14. Stroll through gardens illuminated […]
Shopping Guide: Charleston Honey
We continue our Charleston holiday gift guide with a sweet gift made with honey found right here in the area. Savannah Bee Co.’s Charleston honey is a robust wildflower blend from the banks of the Ashepoo River just outside Charleston. Cost is $15 for 12 ounces; $6 for 3 ounces. Pick up some Charleston honey […]
Shopping Guide: Rainbow Row Ornament
We continue our Charleston holiday gift guide with a gift that serves as an annual reminder of one of Charleston’s most iconic images. Rainbow Row is one of Charleston’s most famous architectural landmarks. A line of 18th-century commercial buildings built to service the bustling wharfs and docks of the port of Charleston, this group of […]
Shopping Guide: Firefly Vodka
We love our food and drink here in Charleston! So here’s a great gift idea that allows you to share the holiday “spirit” with friends. Sweet tea is synonymous with the South. Here in Charleston, Firefly Distillery has given sweet tea a new twist with its Firefly Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka. Made just 30 […]
Shopping Guide: Angel Oak Pendant
Our holiday shopping guides continues today with another great Charleston-themed gift idea perfect for your mom, sister, wife or girlfriend. Angel Oak Pendant This pendant is fashioned after Charleston’s majestic Angel Oak Tree located on Johns Island. You can purchase this pendant at Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry, which also carries rings, earrings, bracelets and charms inspired by the ornate […]
Charleston – and its Residents – are Looking Good
Best city in the country … best city in the world … top spot for food, families and fun — all feathers in Charleston’s cap. And now No. 4 on the most attractive people list. We’ve looked in the mirror and our only beef is that we aren’t No. 1 on the list. Travel + […]
Shopping Guide: Sweetgrass Baskets
We continue our series of Charleston-inspired holiday gifts today. Keep watching our blog for more gift ideas straight from the Holy City! Sweetgrass Baskets Sweetgrass baskets are found throughout the City Market in downtown Charleston and along U.S. Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant. The baskets – brought to the area by West African slaves […]
Shopping Guide: American Classic Tea
We are kicking our holiday shopping into high gear and wanted to share a few of our picks for great Charleston-inspired gifts. Over the next few days, we’ll post a new item. You’ll have your shopping done in no time – plus, you’ll be giving friends and family great holiday gifts straight from the Holy […]
Celebrating Christmas in Charleston
The first greenery and red bows showed up on street lampposts late last week. The lights went on at the Holiday Festival of Lights. And the calendar of holiday events in Charleston exploded. Christmastime in Charleston is here! Start getting your holiday calendar in order so you don’t miss a single tree lighting ceremony, parade, […]
Fall a Great Time for Seafood in Charleston
Visitors to Charleston may have a tough time deciding which renowned restaurant to try first, but they’ve probably already decided on the menu: seafood. Particularly the land-locked visitors will be eager to get a taste of fresh, local seafood. And fall is the just the time to do it. Whit McMillan, director of education at […]
Charleston’s Downtown is Tops
On the heels of our best city accolades from the readers of Conde Nast Traveler comes more love for the city of Charleston and, in particular, our downtown. Livability.com ranked Charleston No. 2 on its list of Top 10 Downtowns in 2012. Here’s what the site had to say about our downtown: Downtown Charleston comprises […]
5 Things to Love about the Lowcountry
Each quarter, we post to our series of “Things to Love about the Lowcountry” with five more reasons to fall for Charleston. Help us add to the list! Why do you love the Lowcountry? Shop ‘til you drop: From King Street to Mount Pleasant to Summerville, boutiques and swanky Southern shops are everywhere. Buying local […]
The 5 Spookiest Places in Charleston
Old buildings, jails, pirates, wars and general debauchery is the perfect recipe for spooks and haunts. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, you can’t deny it’s fun to tour some of Charleston’s creepiest corners. Even John LaVerne of Bulldog Tours, which takes groups on haunted tours and ghost walks around the city, admits he’s […]
Charleston Ranks No. 1 Among U.S. Cities
Once again, our amazing city has been named the No. 1 city in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler readers. We know Charleston is a top-notch city and it’s great to see others confirm it. Charleston also ranked No. 1 in the 2011 list. Rounding out the top three were San Francisco and Chicago. Here’s […]
Tour Charleston’s Private Homes, Gardens
Go ahead and admit it: you’ve walked the streets of downtown Charleston, craning your neck and peeking through fences to get a glimpse of some of the amazing private homes and gardens. Good news: you have a chance to tour those spaces – no fencing peeping necessary. The Preservation Society of Charleston is hosting its […]
Get to Know Edgar Allan Poe
Just mention the name Edgar Allan Poe and images of mystery and darkness come to mind. Even though he only lived 40 years, Poe’s writings in the 19th century have lived on. This fall join Charleston Stage for the production of “Nevermore” and get a glimpse into Poe’s life. This performance incorporates scenes from Poe’s […]
Amazed by Fall Fun
Rarely does anything good come out of a corn maze. OK, well, at least not in the movies. But here in the Lowcountry we have plenty of chances to redeem the scary corn maze and turn it into a fun weekend activity. Here are three places you can enjoy fall fun with a corn maze […]
Romance in Charleston
Water views, cobblestone streets and a cozy corner table for dinner are just the right ingredients for a romantic getaway to Charleston. Travel & Leisure has named Charleston the second most romantic city, and Yahoo! News, through its weekly “Wanderlust” series, ranked Charleston No. 1 on its list of top surprisingly romantic cities in the […]
Visiting Charleston in the Fall
We just adore the fall season in Charleston. There’s a slight nip in the air (just so you know, our definition of “nip” is 78 degrees), football games are on every TV and outdoor festivals and activities keep our weekends busy. If you haven’t visited Charleston in the fall before, we thought we’d share some […]
Charleston in a Word: Beloved
Last month we asked our Facebook friends to “Pick one word to describe Charleston.” The more than 40 responses ranged from “beautiful” and stunning” to “home” and “elegant.” The response was overwhelmingly positive and a true reflection of just how much people love Charleston. Some of our other favorites were: Awesome Wish I were there […]
Museum Mile Weekend
Sure you know Charleston is home to numerous historic sites – plantations, houses, museums and parks – but did you realize you can get a Southern sized dose of history in a 1-mile section of Meeting Street? Known as Museum Mile, this area is home to six museums, five nationally important historic house, four scenic […]
Making the Charleston Restaurant Rounds
Excuse us! That was just our stomachs growling over the thought of all the delicious food available during Charleston Restaurant Week, which kicks off today and runs through Sept. 16. Hosted by the Charleston Restaurant Association, Charleston Restaurant Week takes place in September and in January. More than 100 area restaurants offer prix fixe menus […]
Labor Day Events in Charleston
The last hurrah of summer is upon us – Labor Day weekend. It’s the perfect weekend to fire up the grill, watch a little football and enjoy that final bit of summer fun with just a taste of fall. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Charleston over the holiday weekend, we offer […]
Cypress Gardens: Plenty to See and Do
We had a chance to visit Cypress Gardens last week and were reminded that it’s well worth the drive beyond Charleston’s city limits. The drive itself is nice jaunt off the beaten path between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner in Berkeley County. It truly is a hidden gem of swamplands, history, plants and wildlife. Great […]
Charleston with Children – Part 2
In the first part of our series, we looked at some favorite kid-friendly things to do in Charleston. Let’s take a look at a few more. And you can help us add to the list: post a comment here or share some ideas and photos on our Facebook page. North Charleston /American LaFrance Fire Museum Most […]
Charleston with Children – Part 1
It’s hard to believe we’re shopping for school supplies already. It seems the summer barely started! But there’s still a little time to squeeze in some fun before the school bell rings. Whether you live in Charleston or need one last weekend getaway, we have tons of activities for families and children of all ages. […]
Tee It Up in Charleston
Charleston knows a thing or two about golf. In fact, Charleston lays claim to the first golf club when Scottish merchants formed the S.C. Golf Club back in 1786. Fast forward a couple hundred years and Charleston is again making history as it welcomes the 94th annual PGA Championship at the famed Ocean Course on […]
Beautiful Beaches: All You Need to Know
Charleston has three public beaches, each of which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown: Folly Beach, the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. Each beach has a different atmosphere and amenities but all offer a relaxing day with the sand and surf. Folly Beach Known as the “Edge of America,” this barrier island beach […]
5 Things to Love about the Lowcountry
We continue our series of “Things to Love about the Lowcountry” with five more reasons to fall in love with Charleston. Help us add to the list! Why do you love the Lowcountry? Food: With our bounty of restaurants, local breweries and culinary festivals, there’s not a chance we’re going hungry. The shade of live […]
Be Cool and Check out the Arts Scene
This time of year, we admit it’s tough dragging ourselves from the air conditioning, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of ways to enjoy Charleston while staying cool. Doodle 4 Google The Gibbes Museum of Art is showcasing the South Carolina Doodle 4 Google 2012 finalists through July 31. Entries from kindergarten through high […]
Charleston Among World’s Best
More accolades for our fair city came this week when Travel + Leisure magazine named the Wentworth Mansion No. 1 on its list of Top Small City Hotels in the Continental U.S. as part of its annual World’s Best Awards. The Market Pavilion Hotel came in at fourth place, and Planters Inn was ranked No. […]
Celebrating July 4 in Charleston
OK, sure it’s a bit awkward to have a holiday smack dab in the middle of the work week, but we’re looking at the positive: make it a really short work week and a really long weekend. Whether it’s backyard grilling, poolside relaxing or a day at the beach, the Fourth of July practically requires […]
Summer Beach Reads
Few things are better than stretching out in your beach chair to read a book with the sun on your face and the waves as background music. It’s the time of year to toss some new paperbacks in your beach bag and lose yourself in a relaxing afternoon of beach reading. We’ve put together a […]
Add a Little Mystery to Your Summer
Our Summer of Giveaways continues with two tickets (value $59.90) to the Murder Mystery Cruise on the Carolina Queen. New to the Charleston Harbor this summer, the Carolina Queen is the city’s only true paddlewheel vessel offering a river boat-style atmosphere. Built in 1982, Charleston Harbor Tours bought the vessel from a company in Texas […]
Have a Drink Because Surf’s Up
It’s a full-time job keeping up with all the national media attention bestowed on our lovely city. Here are two more articles giving some love to Charleston. From Liquor.com, a website dedicated to cocktails and spirits, comes “One for the Road: Charleston, S.C.” by Simon Ford. He tried out several local establishments, offering up his […]
Try SUP in Our First ‘Summer of Giveaways’ Contest
One of the latest water activities to make a splash here in Charleston is stand up paddleboarding or SUP for short. A form of surfing, SUP is just what it says: standing up on a board similar to a surfboard and paddling the waves. Charleston is a great place to trying SUP because we have […]
Celebrate GO Day with Fort Sumter
We have no shortage of outdoor options here in Charleston so celebrating National Get Outdoors Day shouldn’t be a problem. This fifth annual event is all about encouraging healthy, active outdoor fun. Spearheaded by the U.S. Forest Service and American Recreation Coalition, part of the event’s mission is to encourage use of public lands and […]
Pets on the Beach? Sometimes
Watching a dog chase a tennis ball into the ocean may seem like the perfect summertime photo opp but it’s important to keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed to frolic freely on most Lowcountry beaches. Know the rules for the various beaches and avoid a fine that will most certainly spoil your summer fun. […]
Keeping our Turtles Safe
This time of year our lovely loggerheads are lumbering onto the sandy beaches to lay their eggs before returning to the ocean before the sun comes up. Plenty of loggerhead turtles nest on Charleston area beaches so it’s important for visitors to be mindful of the nests. Volunteers patrol our beaches looking for the tell-tale […]
Livin’ it up with the Lemurs
It’s not every day you can get up close and personal with a lemur. But now, thanks to a new exhibit at the South Carolina Aquarium, four ring-tailed lemurs are making their home in Charleston as part of a new “Madagascar Journey” exhibit. The exhibit opened May 5 so check it out and be among […]
