By Ashley Morris
1. Plantations.
These charming Charleston sites are an historic exhibit of antebellum home and garden – from the avenues
of live oaks bejeweled with Spanish moss to majestic manors and humble slave dwellings. Many plantations
offer romantic getaways, educational tours, and wedding packages, plus all have special events around the
holidays – the perfect time to visit and take in the festive decorations and take part in activities on the
grounds. Four suggested destinations are: Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant, and Drayton Hall, Magnolia
Plantation, and Middleton Place located on Highway 61 (southwest of the city). The Charleston Tea
Plantation on Wadmalaw Island offers great tours as well. Scan through the calendar of events for detailed
plantation events.
2. Shopping
It’s quite possible to shop ’til you drop in Charleston. King Street is the main retail district in town, housing
everything from high-end retailers in The Shops at Charleston Place on the ground floor of the Charleston
Place Hotel to boutiques to unique jewelry stores and antiques. The Market is a must-stop. Here you will find
a colorful array of merchants selling the famous handmade sweetgrass baskets, apparel, art and everything
in between. If you prefer to walk the malls, check out shopping centers such as the newly constructed
Tanger Outlets and Northwoods Mall in North Charleston, as well as the outdoor Mount Pleasant Towne
Centre off of Highway 17. For many fashionistas, shopping is timed around Charleston Fashion Week March
24-28. So plan ahead! See the Shopping Page for a complete list of shopping recommendations.
3. Festivals
Charleston knows how to entertain its guests. Mingle with the locals at one of the many fabulous festivals
that take place from October through December. Our suggestions include: the MOJA Arts Festival, Fall
Tours of Homes & Gardens, Taste of Charleston and Summerville, the Charleston Garden Festival,
Scarecrow Festival at Boone Hall, the Charleston Christmas Parade and Parade of Boats. And don’t miss the
annual Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, bosting hundreds of displays and over 1 million lights.
For more detailed info on all area festivals and events go to the calendar of events.
4. Walking
You’re one footstep closer to discovering the twists and turns of this great city when you walk it. Thematic
walking tours – from pub walks to slavery and freedom stops to Civil War and pirate paces are available.
Walk downtown Charleston’s Waterfront Park. Or stroll along the landmark promenade, The Battery,
bordered by Charleston’s finest estates and the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Rest at the White Point Gardens
park along the way. Many also step it along the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a skyline landmark that will give
you a unique view of Charleston. Celebrate Halloween with a walking tour that will lead you to historic haunts
with ghosts still a-luring. Bulldog tours (843-722-TOUR) offers four variations of scary fun: The Ghost &
Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost & Dungeon and the Haunted Jail Tour.
5. Being on the Water
Although it may be late in the season, it never gets cold enough here to not think about boating. And, since
the water has cooled down, the fish are biting – not Jack Frost. For information on booking a professionally
guided excursion refer the What To Do Page. If you prefer manpower, kayaks are a great way to see the
natural beauty of the marshes, Charleston Harbor and surrounding areas.
6. Lowcountry Cuisine
Savory Lowcountry signatures include shrimp and grits, oyster casserole and barbecue, but dining out in
Charleston could mean everything from sushi to filet mignon. It’s no secret that Charleston is steeped in
world-renowned, award-winning restaurants and chefs. And don’t forget, it’s oyster season, which
culminates to the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on January 25 at Boone Hall.
7. History
The pages of the history book of Charleston represent a significant section of American history. A ferry trip
to Fort Sumter will remind you of April 12, 1861, the day the Civil War erupted with Confederate shots from
Charleston across the river on this federal fort. Call 843-883-3123 for schedules and ticket info. Located on
Chalmers Street, one of the only remaining cobblestone streets, is the Old Slave Mart, once used as a slave
auction gallery. Call 843-958-6467 for info.
8. The Arts
A serenade of the arts – from the palette to theatre stage – is visible from Charleston’s talented pool of
performers nearly every day. For those who are craving some culture, may we suggest: Gibbes Museum of
Art, the Charleston Renaissance Gallery, Imaging Arts Gallery, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Jim
Booth Art Gallery, Dock Street Theatre (undergoing renovations), the Sottile Theatre at College of
Charleston, and the newly renovated Memminger Auditorium.
1. Plantations.
These charming Charleston sites are an historic exhibit of antebellum home and garden – from the avenues
of live oaks bejeweled with Spanish moss to majestic manors and humble slave dwellings. Many plantations
offer romantic getaways, educational tours, and wedding packages, plus all have special events around the
holidays – the perfect time to visit and take in the festive decorations and take part in activities on the
grounds. Four suggested destinations are: Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant, and Drayton Hall, Magnolia
Plantation, and Middleton Place located on Highway 61 (southwest of the city). The Charleston Tea
Plantation on Wadmalaw Island offers great tours as well. Scan through the calendar of events for detailed
plantation events.
2. Shopping
It’s quite possible to shop ’til you drop in Charleston. King Street is the main retail district in town, housing
everything from high-end retailers in The Shops at Charleston Place on the ground floor of the Charleston
Place Hotel to boutiques to unique jewelry stores and antiques. The Market is a must-stop. Here you will find
a colorful array of merchants selling the famous handmade sweetgrass baskets, apparel, art and everything
in between. If you prefer to walk the malls, check out shopping centers such as the newly constructed
Tanger Outlets and Northwoods Mall in North Charleston, as well as the outdoor Mount Pleasant Towne
Centre off of Highway 17. For many fashionistas, shopping is timed around Charleston Fashion Week March
24-28. So plan ahead! See the Shopping Page for a complete list of shopping recommendations.
3. Festivals
Charleston knows how to entertain its guests. Mingle with the locals at one of the many fabulous festivals
that take place from October through December. Our suggestions include: the MOJA Arts Festival, Fall
Tours of Homes & Gardens, Taste of Charleston and Summerville, the Charleston Garden Festival,
Scarecrow Festival at Boone Hall, the Charleston Christmas Parade and Parade of Boats. And don’t miss the
annual Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, bosting hundreds of displays and over 1 million lights.
For more detailed info on all area festivals and events go to the calendar of events.
4. Walking
You’re one footstep closer to discovering the twists and turns of this great city when you walk it. Thematic
walking tours – from pub walks to slavery and freedom stops to Civil War and pirate paces are available.
Walk downtown Charleston’s Waterfront Park. Or stroll along the landmark promenade, The Battery,
bordered by Charleston’s finest estates and the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Rest at the White Point Gardens
park along the way. Many also step it along the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a skyline landmark that will give
you a unique view of Charleston. Celebrate Halloween with a walking tour that will lead you to historic haunts
with ghosts still a-luring. Bulldog tours (843-722-TOUR) offers four variations of scary fun: The Ghost &
Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost & Dungeon and the Haunted Jail Tour.
5. Being on the Water
Although it may be late in the season, it never gets cold enough here to not think about boating. And, since
the water has cooled down, the fish are biting – not Jack Frost. For information on booking a professionally
guided excursion refer the What To Do Page. If you prefer manpower, kayaks are a great way to see the
natural beauty of the marshes, Charleston Harbor and surrounding areas.
6. Lowcountry Cuisine
Savory Lowcountry signatures include shrimp and grits, oyster casserole and barbecue, but dining out in
Charleston could mean everything from sushi to filet mignon. It’s no secret that Charleston is steeped in
world-renowned, award-winning restaurants and chefs. And don’t forget, it’s oyster season, which
culminates to the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on January 25 at Boone Hall.
7. History
The pages of the history book of Charleston represent a significant section of American history. A ferry trip
to Fort Sumter will remind you of April 12, 1861, the day the Civil War erupted with Confederate shots from
Charleston across the river on this federal fort. Call 843-883-3123 for schedules and ticket info. Located on
Chalmers Street, one of the only remaining cobblestone streets, is the Old Slave Mart, once used as a slave
auction gallery. Call 843-958-6467 for info.
8. The Arts
A serenade of the arts – from the palette to theatre stage – is visible from Charleston’s talented pool of
performers nearly every day. For those who are craving some culture, may we suggest: Gibbes Museum of
Art, the Charleston Renaissance Gallery, Imaging Arts Gallery, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Jim
Booth Art Gallery, Dock Street Theatre (undergoing renovations), the Sottile Theatre at College of
Charleston, and the newly renovated Memminger Auditorium.
