SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN CHARLESTON

THE HOLY CITY BLOSSOMS BEFORE TEMPERATURES HEAT UP AND CROWDS RUSH IN.

BY KELSEY OGLETREE

You d be hard pressed to nd a destination more beautiful than Charleston, South Carolina, in spring With a erage temperatures in the mid s in April and early ay, this season is a perfect time to e plore the colorful streets and re el in the beauty of do ens of plants in bloom, from delicate asmine to ibrant a aleas, fragrant honeysuc le and cascading wisteria ery spring for years, the esti al of Houses and ardens this year, arch – April , pro ides rare glimpses into pri ate homes and gardens around the city, along with history wal s, wine tastings, gardening wor shops, musical performances and more ou ll nd a wide mi of modern and traditional hotels within downtown Charleston, and some that are the perfect blend of both Te Loutrel, which opened in late a few bloc s from ainbow ow, is a bouti ue hotel with a design forward lobby featuring a large scale mural by local artist Linda antu o, and one of the best roo ops in town ach of its genteel rooms are bedec ed in so hues of blue, grey and gold a restful, uiet respite from the busy cobblestone streets outside

Te iconic pin ills House hotel, rst established in the s and located steps from the famous ibbes useum of Art hosting the second annual Art Charleston isual arts festi al, April , recently completed a grand reno ation that added a roo op bar and terrace and the charming lac Door Cafe

If you d li e to li e li e a local in Charleston, boo one of lu urious guest rooms at ero eorge, a hotel tuc ed inside early th century restored buildings in the city s residential Ansonborough neighborhood e sure to snag reser ations at the e clusi e eight seat ca iar bar for a pre dinner treat complete with Champagne pairings And, if you wish to linger longer, ero eorge also has e e uisite esidences that can be rented by the wee or month

If you re in town for a festi al, peruse the latest styles at Hampden Clothing, a local fa orite lled with perfect for spring strolling dresses from top designers Croghan s ewel o , a family owned shop for more than a century, is a must stop for both new and estate ewelry Pic up a piece from the oldbug Collection, designed by the family s fourth generation sisters, for a touch of Charleston you can ta e home thin peanut shaped charms or palmetto frond earrings Shopping for ino to en oy bac at your hotel, or in one of Charleston s many romantic gardens or par s Pop into ra o trip to Te Holy City is complete without a historic wal ing tour oo a pri ate e cursion through clusi ely Charleston, which customi es routes according to your interests, so e en those who e been many times will disco er something new And, if you time your trip right, you may be able to isit the long anticipated International African American useum A er many delays, it s nally e pected to open in the rst half of watch iaamuseum org for details Te million architectural mar el, located along the Cooper i er, will guide isitors through the stories of thousands of Africans who passed through adsden s Wharf, and feature beautiful botanic gardens, art installations and an in nity fountain for re ection and remembrance

5 BEDROOMS | 4F 2H BATHS | $6,195,000