Traveler of Charleston SC Mag - Jan - Mar 2015

january – march 2015 ®

TRAVELER

of Charleston

THE SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS CHARLESTON

The City of Seafood FROM SHRIMP AND GRITS TO OYSTER ROASTS AND CRAB CRACKS....

Visitor Magazine Tours Attractions Restaurants Shopping Events Articles Coupons Maps

Download our free mobile app: Exploring Charleston SC. Ranked #1 in the city!

COMPLIMENTARY TRAVELERofCharleston.com

FREE

Parking

Photo: Faith McDavid

Departing from the “RED BARN” Charleston’s Oldest Carriage Company

Present this Ad for

FREE PARKING WITH YOUR TOUR

We also offer a combination Harbor and Carriage tour for one low price

Tickets: 8 Guignard Street (in the Barn)

Try Palmetto’s newest Combo Tour

The Charleston Trot and Walk A 1 hour carriage tour followed by a 1-1/2 hour walking tour.

• the most comprehensive overview of the sites and history of the city • the same tour-guide for both ensures no repetitive information • includes entry into one of Charleston’s historic landmarks • $40.00 Adults, $26 Children

www.palmettocarriage.com | 843.723.8145 Complimentary golf cart pick-up + drop-off! Call for details

Contents

12 THE CITY OF SEAFOOD DEPARTMENTS 6 16 42 50 58 64 69

Welcome to Charleston See + Do Shop + Savor Eat + Drink Calendar of Events Maps Directory of Advertisers

32

FEATURES 10 12 27

Charleston History Timeline

32 34 38 40 44 48 53

Romance in Charleston

55 62

History of Charleston Cuisine

The City of Seafood Spotlight on South Carolina Aquarium Only in Charleston Spotlight on USS Yorktown

34

GolďŹ ng in Charleston Shopping Guide Charleston Area Festivals Charleston Recipe: Lowcountry Boil Things to Love about the Lowcountry

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40

From the Publisher Welcome to Charleston! urning the calendar to a new year is always exciting. There are 12 months of possibilities ahead and another year to explore the incredible City of Charleston and its surrounding communities. In 2014, we were thrilled to see Charleston once again top the list of the best U.S. cities in Condé Nast Traveler magazine. We know visitors adore our historic charm, beaches, restaurants and arts and culture. Who wouldn’t?

February kicks off festival season here as area parks and venues are filled with everything from wildlife and art to fashion and flowers (Page 48). We’re also getting cozy for Valentine’s Day or maybe you’re here to celebrate an anniversary or for a romantic getaway. Check out our favorite romantic spots on Page 32.

No trip to Charleston is complete without a delicious meal at one of our world-class restaurants. But before you dive into that bowl of she-crab soup or shuck an oyster, learn more about our local seafood industry on Page. 12.

While you’re here, download our mobile app overflowing with visitor information, including maps, parking details and lists of attractions, restaurants and tours. Not only is it super helpful, but it’s free! Search “Charleston SC” on iTunes or Google Play.

Connect with us on Facebook (travelermag) and Twitter (@traveler_mag) and Instagram (travelerofcharleston) if you have questions during your visit and to share your photos and experiences. We love seeing how you’re enjoying #Charleston!

T

TRAVELER

®

of Charleston

Member of: Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Charleston Restaurant Association; Summerville/Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.

Traveler of Charleston Team KEITH SIMMONS has an extensive publishing, marketing and advertising background and founded Traveler Magazine in 2005. His purpose was to develop an affordable and effective visitor medium where businesses could advertise their service. Traveler is now one of the leading visitor resources in the city. Keith lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife and sons.

He enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his family.

HOLLY FISHER is a long-time writer and editor with a love of telling stories. She has lived in Charleston more than a decade and enjoys sharing the tales of the Holy City with visitors and newcomers to the area. Holly lives in the Mount Pleasant area with her husband, daughter and three dogs. When she isn’t at her computer writing for work and for fun, you can find her reading or doing CrossFit.

SALLY HEINEMAN honed her knack for graphic design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received a BFA in Graphic Design. Drawn to the South and the love of everything Lowcountry, Sally opened the doors of her graphic design business, Heineman Design, in 1992.

Publisher/Founder.................... Keith Simmons Editor........................................... Holly Fisher Graphic Designer...................... Heineman Design Distribution................................ Denise Fletcher Distribution................................ Brian Bean Distribution................................ Debbi Farrell Cover Photo .............................. Jason Bennett

info@TRAVELERofCharleston.com | 843-580-9054 | TRAVELERofCharleston.com TRAVELER of Charleston is produced by the Traveler Communications Group, LLC, and is published four times yearly and distributed to various locations throughout the Charleston area, including all visitors centers, hotels, airports, beach rentals, grocery stores, high-traffic areas, advertiser locations and many other points throughout the surrounding area. Concept, design and contents of TRAVELER of Charleston are copyrighted and may not be reproduced. www.travelerofcharleston.com.

The copy and advertising deadline for the next issue is March 1, 2015.

6 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

to CHARLESTON

T

HIS AMAZING PLACE ONLY GETS BETTER WITH TIME. Each year more people flock to this historic port city to soak up the history, culture and architecture and bask in Southern goodness.

In recent years, Charleston has become a destination for shopping and its incredible culinary scene is attracting global attention.

From arts and theater to fine dining and watersports, this is one city that truly offers something for everyone. But this Holy City has a storied past.

An early English settlement, Charleston has survived wars, fires, earthquakes and hurricanes to rise up as one of the country’s top travel destinations.

As you’re visiting our beloved city, get acquainted with her history, celebrate her charms and delight in all the amazing beauty Charleston has to offer.

1718

1672 English colonists settle Charles Town on the Ashley River

Blackbeard the Pirate sails into Charles Town Harbor with four ships; takes hostages for ransom

1740 Charles Town becomes most critical port in North America for exporting rice, indigo and cotton

1719 City is renamed “Charlestown”

1783 City renamed “Charleston”

1718 1680

Pirate Stede Bonnet is hanged at White Point Garden

Settlement is relocated to peninsula Charles Town – population 1,000

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1736 Dock Street Theatre opens, first building in U.S. used exclusively for theatrical performances

1775-1783

1790

Revolutionary War; Siege of Charleston in 1780

College of Charleston founded

1920

1824

Preservation Society founded to protect historic resources

Charleston Museum opens

1828-29 Young Army recruit named Edgar Allan Poe is stationed at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island

1864 USS Hunley sinks USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor

1989 Hurricane Hugo hits the city and surrounding areas with 135 mph winds

2006 Charleston Wine + Food Festival founded

1886 1861 1791 President George Washington visits, lodging at the Daniel Hayward House and attending a reception at the Old Exchange and a social at McCrady’s Longroom

Confederate troops fire the first shots of the Civil War upon Fort Sumter

Major earthquake hits Charleston, damaging 2,000 buildings, killing 110 people

2005 Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River opens

1977 Spoleto Festival USA begins

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 11

THE

City of

From shrimp and grits to oyster roasts and crab cracks, seafood is a Charleston tradition

Seafood

By Jason A. Zwiker

I

f you want to hear the tales of long ago, the behind-the-scenes story of the South Carolina Lowcountry and especially of the food we love to eat, get a shrimper or an oysterman on the water.

Trawlers returning to the docks after a long, hard day of work on the water, shallow-bottomed bateaux slipping off into the early morning mists, and hard-working men casting drop nets into the water: these are scenes that have shaped the history and the thinking of the people of Charleston and the surrounding islands as much as any historic building.

People raised on the water usually can’t imagine doing anything else. There’s a certain gleam that gets in their eyes when they talk of days out on the open water, riding the steady roll of the waves.

That gleam is shaped by geography. An abundance of meandering intracoastal waterways, marshes, rivers and ocean waters make the area pitch perfect for harvesting succulence from the deep. Whether the passion is saltwater angling for red drum,

12 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

casting for largemouth bass in freshwater, or just dropping a line baited with a chicken neck into the water and waiting, net at the ready, for a big, tasty crab to latch on, this is the place to be if you love fish or shellfish.

From signature dishes such as shrimp and grits to seasonal traditions like oyster roasts and crab cracks, seafood is an integral part of life in Charleston.

Ask a few locals about blue crab, the “savory beautiful swimmer,” and you will hear stories aplenty about the Jimmies (male blue crab) and Sooks (female). If you’re lucky, you may even get a few delicious recipes for crab cakes, she-crab soup or pan-fried soft-shell crabs.

Charleston has been enjoying a culinary renaissance for several years now, one that shows no signs of slowing down. Right now, nationally recognized chefs are preparing everyone’s favorite fish dishes in brand new ways, making it an exciting time to be a seafood lover in Charleston.

Seafood lovers love to stick together and support the causes that keep the fisheries healthy and vibrant. When research revealed that certain fish were in danger of being overharvested, several organizations, including the South Carolina Aquarium, Coastal Conservation League, and other groups, chefs and restaurants united for the cause.

It didn’t take long for “sustainability” to become a hallmark of the local food scene. The term simply refers to food that’s harvested with respect for the long-term viability of either the individual species or the overall ecosystem.

raised on “thePeople water usually can’t imagine doing anything else.

”

Researchers monitor the impact that commercial and recreational fishing has on different kinds of fin or shellfish and, if the species seems to be in danger of being depleted, recommendations are made to avoid that particular species on the menu until such time as it can be replenished.

In other words, both chefs and diners alike can “vote with the plate.”

“Given a choice, I think that people would want fresh and local every time,” local fisherman L. David Thomas once told Traveler of Charleston while he was unloading a fresh catch from his boat, China Girl, to Crosby’s Fish and Shrimp, a locally owned seafood market on Folly Road. “But you have to know what you’re getting and you have to make your choice known. That’s the only way the local seafood industry is going to keep going.”

A side benefit of the emphasis on sustainability and choosing local foods in general is that it added an extra boost to the already flourishing culinary creativity in Charleston kitchens. Instead of simply working with the “old standbys,” chefs craft new and fascinating plates made from fish such as triggerfish, rainbow trout or striped bass, with absolutely delicious results.

The most immediate benefit of buying local, sustainably harvested seafood is that it is the freshest seafood available. Taste wild-caught shrimp fresh from crisp, clear Atlantic waters and you’ll never look at a frozen bag of imported product the same way again. There are health benefits for the consumer, benefits for the environment, and benefits for the economy when local, sustainable product is chosen. It’s a winwin situation all around when you can feel really good about eating really good food.

That’s important in a place that prides itself on its traditions. Shem Creek in 14 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

It’s a win-win “situation all around when you can feel really good about eating really good food.

”

Mount Pleasant has long been famed for its fleet of shrimp boats, as is McClellanville, a fishing town several miles up Highway 17 North. Cherry Point Seafood near Rockville is one of the few remaining fish houses and maintenance docks in the area.

There are only a few who remain from the golden era of commercial fishing in Charleston, and you will still see those veterans of the industry mending nets and patching sails near the docks they love so well. They’re the ones who remember how it was in days gone by.

Today, the City Market in the heart of downtown Charleston is a great place to buy art, crafts and gifts.

But turn the hands of time back a hundred years or so and Market Street was a very different place. Fishermen unloaded their catch at the east end of the street and vendors carted it up to roll through the market area. This was the era of the fabled “Mosquito Fleet,” when fish, shrimp, oysters and crab were usually purchased fresh off the boat or from a street vendor.

Those days, and the flotilla of small fishing vessels that harvested the seafood, are immortalized in Charleston’s favorite opera, “Porgy & Bess.”

Families who make their living harvesting the coastal waters will tell you: it is very hard work. It takes muscle to crack the clusters out of the oyster beds and heft the weight back to shore. The work is labor intensive. It keeps the back strong, the hands calloused, and must be done whether the sun is hot or the rain is cold.

Keeping that fresh, local seafood on our tables means long, hard days out on the water with the sun and the salt and the waves.

And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

See + Do Charleston is known for its beauty, history and fantastic harbor. Many experienced touring companies are ready to show you a great time.

How to use this magazine: You’ll find each type of tour and attraction categorized for easy reference. Many listings include a map grid locator. Find the grid location, then reference the maps on pages 64 through 68.

WHETHER YOU’RE A HISTORY BUFF, WATER ENTHUSIAST OR SIMPLY ENJOY STROLLING THE COBBLESTONE STREETS OF CHARLESTON YOU’LL FIND PLENTY OF WAYS TO EXPLORE THE HOLY CITY. See a plantation home, tour the harbor, take a carriage ride or visit a museum.

SEE + DO

ART & THEATER ACTIVITIES Theatre Charleston 843-813-8578 • theatrecharleston.com Theatre Charleston, a nonprofit organization comprised of the area’s leading local theaters, is dedicated to helping you easily find out what’s playing when and where. Check the website for a calendar of this season’s live productions.

The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre & Shoppe 164 Church St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7/8) 843-WE SMILE (937-6453) charlestonmysteries.com • Featuring Sherlock Holmes and the Charleston History Mystery, the family oriented Pirate Mystery Show, and the classic whodunit Inspector NoClue’s Murder Mystery. Live entertainment most evenings and some “beat-the-heat” matinees. Audience participation. Appetizers, desserts, beer/wine. Mystery books/gifts.

The Sound of Charleston 150 Meeting St. at Circular Congregational Church • (Map H:7) • 843-270-4903 soundofcharleston.com • Experience the unique sounds that define Charleston’s rich musical heritage – gospel, Gershwin, music of the Civil War, light classics & jazz – all presented by professional artists in a live 75-minute concert.

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SEE + DO

CARRIAGE TOURS

COMBO TOURS

Palmetto Carriage Works

Palmetto Tours

8 Guignard St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-723-8145 palmettocarriage.com • Departs from The Big Red Barn every 15 to 20 minutes, rain or shine, beginning at 9 a.m. Tours are one hour long, covering about 25 blocks of residential and historic districts. Guides are city licensed.

See our ad on the inside front cover.

8 Guignard Street at the “Big Red Barn” • (Map: H:7) • 843-723-8145 • palmettocarriage.com Charleston’s premier carriage tour company offers additional combination tours for one discounted price. Choose a Charleston Harbor, Culinary Walking, History Walking or Ghost Carriage Tours. Combine these tours and save up to $11 per person.

COMBO TOURS

Gray Line & Fort Sumter Tour Combo

Carriage & Harbor Combo Tour Harbor Tours • 10 Wharfside St. • (Map :J:5/6) Palmetto Carriage • 8 Guignard Street 888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112 charlestonharbortours • Harbor Tours departs from the Maritime Center three times daily with a 90-minute live narrated sightseeing cruise aboard the 1920s style Bay Steamer – Carolina Belle. Palmetto Carriage tour departs from the Big Red Barn every 20-30 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. The one-hour tour covers 25 to 30 blocks of the historic and residential districts. Adults $36.50, Children 4-11 $2.

843-722-BOAT(2628) • fortsumtertours.com, graylineofcharleston.com • Save $4 per person!

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Charleston’s historic district and take the only boat tour to Fort Sumter. Licensed and experienced tour guides lead a 90-minute exploration of Charleston’s rich history on air-conditioned mini-buses. The Gray Line tour features 100+ points of interest with a stop at the Battery. Tours depart every 30 minutes from the Charleston Visitor’s Center, 375 Meeting St. Free hotel pickup in historic district.

For the fourth year, Charleston was named the 2014 best city in the United States by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Charleston was also ranked No. 2 in the world, coming in just behind Florence, Italy.

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SEE + DO

MOTORIZED LAND TOURS

MOTORIZED LAND TOURS

Adventure Sightseeing

Gray Line of Charleston

“See it all” with Adventure Sightseeing.

The most comprehensive motorized city tours daily via comfortable bus. Live narrated by the most experienced and professional guides!

Board our buses from the Charleston Visitor Center or let us pick you up. We offer hotel pick up and drop off for a nominal fee. The only bus tour that takes you through The Citadel military college. Fantastic combo tours available with house tours, harbor tours and more.

Call 843-762-0088 for reservations or book online at AdventureSightseeing.com

graylineofcharleston.com • 843-722-4444 Explore 300 years of history with experienced, licensed tour guides onboard our mini-buses.

Gray Line offers a comprehensive tour of Charleston’s Historic District with 100+ points of interest and a stop at Charleston’s Battery.

Take our 90 minute tour or add a visit to a fully restored antebellum home. Land & Sea Combo includes either a visit to Fort Sumter or a 90-minute tour of the harbor. Tours depart every 30 minutes from the Charleston Visitor’s Center, 375 Meeting St. Free hotel pickup in historic district.

Summerville Trolley Tour Looking for Charleston’s famous landmarks?

Find them all with GPS directions on our free mobile app!

Search “Charleston” in the app stores or go to m.travelerofcharleston.com on your smartphone.

22 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

Depart from Summerville Dorchester Museum: 100 E. Doty Ave • Summerville • (Map: BB:2) summervilledream.org/events • 843-821-7260 Take a trip down the Sweet Tea Trail on a 1.5hour guided excursion through this small southern town where tea isn’t the only thing that’s sweet. Only on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month.

SEE + DO

MUSEUMS AND PARKS Audubon Center at Beidler Forest 843-462-2150 • beidlerforest.com Francis Beidler Forest contains the largest stand of virgin bald cypress and tupelo gum swamp forest left in the world. See 1,000-yearold trees and native wildlife; walk the 1.75-mile boardwalk into the swamp. Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m-5 p.m. Harleyville, S.C.

City of North Charleston Only 6 miles from downtown Charleston northcharleston.org • The third largest city in the state with abundant shopping locales such as Tanger Outlets, Northwoods Mall as well as the business hub for the Lowcountry.

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site 1500 Old Towne Road • Charleston (area map) • 843-852-4200 • Hours: daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • charlestownelanding.travel Established in the 1670, this is the birthplace of Charleston. Experiences include a museum, outdoor exhibits along the History Trail with an accompanying audio tour, cannon demonstrations and special events, an Animal Forest zoo and the “Adventure,” a reproduction 17th-century trading vessel.

Edmondston-Alston House 21 East Battery • Charleston • (Map: H:9) 843-722-7171 • middletonplace.org Built in 1825, the house is a repository of family treasures, including Alston family silver, furniture, books and paintings. Look seaward from the second floor piazza, where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter Tours 843-722-BOAT(2628) • fortsumtertours.com Walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers as you visit this National Historic Site. Cost includes tour of Charleston harbor onboard the boat plus an hour to explore the fort. The National Park Service maintains the Civil War era fortifications as well as restrooms, a gift shop and the Fort Sumter Museum. Fort Sumter Tours is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and the only tour that stops at historic Fort Sumter. Tours depart Liberty Square in downtown Charleston (handicapped accessible) and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

Share your Charleston photos on Instagram and tag us: @travelerofcharleston.

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 23

SEE + DO

MUSEUMS AND PARKS

MUSEUMS AND PARKS

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Town of Summerville

40 Patriots Point Road • Mount Pleasant (Map: O:2) • 843-884-2727 • patriotspoint.org Home to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, WWII's Fighting Lady. Museum includes the destroyer USS Laffey, the submarine USS Clamagore, a re-creation of a Vietnam Naval Support Base, 28 historic military aircraft, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Museum. Free map for self-guided tours.

South Carolina Aquarium 100 Aquarium Wharf • Charleston 843-720-1990 • scaquarium.org The South Carolina Aquarium is home to more than 5,000 animals found across the state.

Explore 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank or enjoy a movie in the interactive 4-D movie theater. Journey from the mountains to the sea and find family fun around every corner.

Visitor Center: 402 Main St., Summerville (see maps) •With over 700 homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, the city is known for its historic character. A charming downtown is a must visit along with the "Sweet Tea Trail."

Wild Blue Ropes 1595 Highland Ave • James Island (area map) 843-5024066 • wildblueropes.com If you’re looking for a something-to-writehome-about-holy-cow-I-can’t-believe-I-just-didthat adventure, you’ve come to the right place.

An aerial ropes course with 70+ challenge features reaching 35 feet above the ground.

Designed at 3 levels of difficulty that’s fun for the whole family. Imagine a jungle gym suspended 35 feet in the air.

Where are the Charleston area plantations located? Find plantations and other attractions on our free mobile app!

Search “Charleston” in the app stores or visit m.travelerofcharleston.com on your smartphone.

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SEE + DO

PLANTATIONS

PLANTATIONS

Boone Hall Plantation

Drayton Hall

1235 Long Point Road • Mount Pleasant (Map: L:4) • 843-884-4371 boonehallplantation.com • One of America’s oldest plantations with more than 320 years of history. Located 8 miles north of Charleston.

The “Avenue of Oaks,” nine original slave cabins, house tours and shows included in admission.

Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-6:30p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

3380 Ashley River Road (Highway 61) Charleston • (area map) • 843-769-2600 draytonhall.org • Drayton Hall (circa 1738) is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America open to the public. Admission includes tours river and marsh walks, the African-American cemetery and artisaninspired Museum Shop.

Charleston Tea Plantation

Middleton Place

6617 Maybank Highway • Wadmalaw Island (area map) • 843-559-0383 charlestonteaplantation.com • Located on beautiful Wadmalaw Island 25 miles from downtown Charleston. Visitors can experience how tea is planted, grown, nurtured and harvested from the raw leaf to finished black tea – made possible by the farm’s thousands of historic tea bushes.

National Historic Landmark • 4300 Ashley River Road (Highway 61) • Charleston • (area map) 843-556-6020 • middletonplace.org • An 18th-century rice plantation and National Historic Landmark comprising 65 acres of America’s oldest landscaped gardens. See the house museum, craftspeople in the stable yards or take an African-American focus tour.

Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Need to quickly find a public restroom? It’s easy with our restroom GPS locator on our free mobile app!

Search “Charleston” in the app stores or go to m.travelerofcharleston.com on your smartphone.

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TRANSPORTION Charleston Water Taxi Downtown: Maritime Center • 10 Wharfside St. (Map: K:5/6) • Mount Pleasant: Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriots Point • (Map: O:2) 843-330-2989 • charlestonwatertaxi.com The water taxi runs on a continuous loop around Charleston Harbor between Patriots Point (USS Yorktown) and downtown Charleston.

Spotlight On...

South Carolina Aquarium TURTLES, SHARKS, FISH ARE ALL ON DISPLAY

L

ocated on the Charleston harbor, the South Carolina Aquarium gives visitors a chance to experience a vast array of ocean creatures from turtles to sharks while learning about conservation and the environment.

The aquarium provides a habitat-by-habitat look at many of South Carolina’s native animals and plants that stretch from the mountains to the coast. The 15,000-gallon Carolina Seas tank houses a collection of colorful fish found around reef habitats off the coast.

A crowd favorite is the two-story, 385,000gallon Great Ocean Tank – home to sharks and a 220-pound loggerhead sea turtle named Caretta. Divers interact with visitors during daily dive shows.

PLAN YOUR VISIT Hours: ■ Through February: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (building closes at 5 p.m.)

■ March: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (building closes at 6 p.m.)

■ Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $17.95 for children 3-12; free for children under 3. Additional tickets may be required for Sea Turtle Hospital tours and the 4-D theater.

■ A parking garage is located at 24 Calhoun St. in Charleston, across the street from the aquarium. Metered parking is located along Washington Street and Concord Street.

■ Info: scaquarium.org or 843-577-3474

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SEE + DO

WALKING TOURS Bulldog Tours 18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-722-TOUR • bulldogtours.com As seen on the Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted Places,” this walking tour company will have you exhilarated and entertained. Choose from four tours: Ghost & Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost Dungeon and Haunted Jail Tour.

Charleston Strolls Walk With History Departs from Mills House Hotel (corner of Meeting & Queen) • 843-766-2080 charlestonstrolls.com • Featured in The New York Times, this two-hour tour is the best way to see Charleston’s Historic District. Famous landmarks, historic highlights, antebellum mansions, quaint alleys and hidden gardens.

Everyday at 10 a.m. Requires reservation.

Culinary Tours Of Charleston 18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-727-1100 • culinarytoursofcharleston.com Walk, talk and taste your way through Charleston while experiencing history through Lowcountry cuisine. Daily tasting tours introduce guests to tasty bites at many great restaurants. Go behind the scenes and visit with chefs, bakers, artisan food producers, chocolatiers and specialty shops.

Yorktown Ghost Tours 40 Patriots Point Road • Mount Pleasant (Map: O:2) • 843-277-0577 yorktownghosttours.com • Guided tour explores the unexplained mysteries of this WWII aircraft carrier. Hear stories of sacrifice and devastation as this tour ventures into areas normally restricted to the public.

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston located in the heart of historic Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university.

The college has more than 10,000 undergraduates and about 1,200 graduate students from around the world.

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SEE + DO

WATER TOURS Barrier Island Eco-Tours 50 41st Ave. • Isle of Palms Marina • (Map: N:6) 843-886-5000 • nature-tours.com • Naturalist guided boat excursions to Capers Island Preserve. Travel the salt marsh creeks, see dolphins and wildlife up close, explore the “boneyard beach” and walk inland trails.

Morning and sunset eco-tours, creek fishing, crabbing, kayaking or beach-side cookouts.

Charleston Harbor Tours Charleston Maritime Center. • 10 Wharfside St., Charleston • (Map: J:5/6) • 888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112 • charlestonharbortours.com Board the Carolina Belle for Charleston’s only live narrated harbor history tour. Relax and enjoy a beverage from the snack bar as the captain details the forts and landmarks that shaped Charleston’s historic harbor. Private charters and group dinner cruises available.

Nature Adventure Tours 325 W. Coleman Blvd. • Mount Pleasant (Map: O:2 at Shem Creek, on the water) 843-568-3222 • kayakcharlestonsc.com Charleston’s outstanding naturalist-guided kayak, canoe and paddle-board tour service.

Tour salt-water marshes, swamps, rice plantations. See dolphins, pelicans and a wide variety of wildlife. Families and beginners are welcome; rentals also available.

The General Assembly adopted the current version of South Carolina’s flag on January 28, 1861.

The palmetto tree symbolized Col. William Moultrie’s heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan’s Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776.

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SEE + DO

WATER TOURS Schooner Pride – Charleston’s Tall Ship 360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5) 888-245-9206 or 843-722-1112 schoonerpride.com • Marvel at the Holy City skyline while sailing by the forts where history was made. See dolphins playing and experience a Charleston sunset. Take an afternoon dolphin sail or a sunset sail; available for private charters. Combo tour available.

SpiritLine Charleston Harbor Tour 843-722-BOAT(2628) • spiritlinecruises.com Enjoy a 90-minute tour of Charleston’s harbor with 75+ points of interest narrated by City of Charleston licensed tour guides. Discounted Land & Sea Combo Tours available: include either a 90-minute Gray Line City Tour or a 60minute Old South Carriage Tour. Special events and a “Live & Local” Dinner Cruise are available.

Tours depart Aquarium Wharf in downtown Charleston and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

Look for our coupon on Page 29.

St. Michael’s Church, 71 Broad St., is the oldest church edifice in the City of Charleston. It stands on the site of the first Anglican Church built south of Virginia. St. Michael’s 186-foot steeple is one of many church steeples dotting the Charleston skyline and giving the city her nickname as the “Holy City.” january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 31

Where Sparks Fly CHARLESTON IS FILLED WITH ROMANTIC SETTINGS, SECLUDED SPOTS

By Holly Fisher

There’s something about Charleston that stirs the heart. Maybe it’s the cobblestone streets, the water views or the candlelight dinners … whatever it is, this city has plenty of romance. In fact, it’s become one of the country’s hot spots for weddings. So whether you’re looking for a place to pop the question, tie the knot, celebrate a golden anniversary or simply get away for a romantic weekend, you’ve come to the right place.

W

e’ve highlighted a few spots that are sure to get the sparks flying.

Many a proposal has taken place at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. During the early winter, the azaleas, camellias and daffodils are blooming so the garden is breath-taking. Plus, there are so many trails through the garden, it’s easy to find a secluded spot to steal a kiss.

Magnolia is actually one of the last large-scale “romantic gardens” left in the United States. This garden style traces back to the industrial revolution in Europe.

It’s tied to the empowerment of the common man, who worked in the factories and therefore wanted to design gardens to help him forget the dreary workday. Romantic gardens are designed to help you forget everyday life and feed your soul. (magnoliaplantation. com)

photo: Wentworth Mansion

Love is even reflected in some historic Charleston gates like this one at 91 Anson St. by Philip Simmons.

If you need a romantic place to stay, Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth St., is tough to beat. This stately 21-room inn is teeming with luxury and romance.

The rooms all feature gas-lit fireplaces with original marble mantels, king-size sleigh beds and whirlpool tubs. Built in 1886, the inn has a restaurant, Circa 1886, on the grounds. Plus, The Spa at Wentworth Mansion is housed in the mansion’s former stables (think couple’s massage). You do not want to miss one of the mansion’s best features: the rooftop cupola with incredible views of the city. If that doesn’t impress your sweetie, nothing will. (wentworthmansion.com) A carriage ride through the historic streets of downtown Charleston makes a perfect outing for two. And if the weather is a little cool it's all the better – a perfect excuse to snuggle. Check Charleston Coach (charlestoncoach.com) or Palmetto Carriage (palmettocarriage.com) for private tour options.

White Point Garden is a 5-acre public park on the Charleston peninsula at the intersection of E. Battery Street and

Murray Boulevard. The park is home to several military relics and monuments. A bandstand pavilion is located in the park and is often used for weddings. A favorite sculpture is a bronze statue of a dancing girl. It was created in the 1960s by sculptor Willard Hirsch and gifted to the city. It sits on a low granite base so it’s easily accessible to children.

Ocean sunsets and the calming sounds of the waves make for a magical setting as you and your sweetheart take an evening walk on a beach. A favorite is Folly Beach where the Morris Island Lighthouse makes for a beautiful selfie background to commemorate a date night. The best spot to see the lighthouse is from the northeast end of Folly Beach. Take East Ashley Street until it ends. You can park there and the walk about a quarter mile to the beach. Folly has plenty of restaurants where you can grab a drink after your evening beach stroll.

The cobblestone streets and alleyways of historic downtown Charleston are beautiful, quiet spots for a hand-holding stroll.

Pause to look at the historic homes or venture on to King Street for some window shopping and dinner. Enjoy a nightcap at the Thoroughbred Club in Belmond Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St. It has an extensive beverage menu and a selection of tapas, appetizers and desserts. Plus you can wind down the evening listening to the live music. (belmond.com/charleston-place) january-march 2015

TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 33

Only in Charleston...

By Holly Fisher

L

et’s face it, Charleston is pretty darn special. Voted the No. 1 city in the United States four years running by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, there’s no denying people around the world have fallen in love with the Holy City. We have amazing restaurants, a wealth of history, arts and culture, shopping and incredible views everywhere you turn. But Charleston also has a number of unique features that make the visitor experience like no other trip you’ve ever taken.

We’ve compiled a (short) list of some of the things we think make Charleston special.

Ironwork: Charleston is filled with the ornamental ironwork of Philip Simmons, one of the most celebrated ironworkers of the 20th century. He was born in the Charleston area in 1912 and lived to the age of 97. An accomplished blacksmith, he created more than 500 decorative pieces for gates, fences, balconies and window grills. Pieces of his work have been acquired by museums around the country, including the Smithsonian Institution. See his work at such places as the Governor’s Mansion, Liberty Square and the Charleston Visitor Center. Find a map of Simmons’ work at philipsimmons.us.

34 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

Tea Plants: Located on Wadmalaw Island, the Charleston Tea Plantation is the only working tea farm in North America. That means we have the market cornered on tea plants. In fact, the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) arrived in Summerville in the late 1700s imported by Andre Michaux, a French explorer and botanist. In 1888, Dr. Charles Shepard was the first to successfully propagate and produce tea for consumption on his Summerville plantation.

After his death, surviving plants were relocated to Wadmalaw on what is now the Charleston Tea Plantation.

Fort Sumter: History buffs can truly experience the days of the Civil War with a tour of Fort Sumter. Confederate forces fired the first shots of the Civil War at Federal troops at Fort Sumter at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Throughout the war’s duration, Fort Sumter would play an important role as Union forces spent nearly four years trying to take it back.

Angel Oak: Also near Wadmalaw Island is one of the most majestic trees you’ve ever seen. The Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living things east of the Mississippi River. For centuries, the Angel Oak has grown up to 65 feet and mostly out (as live oaks do) to create a canopy of branches spanning 17,000 square feet. Some of the limbs are so heavy they rest on the ground. Be sure to take your camera to this public park.

Waterfront Park: Benches, swings and a long pier make this a wonderful place to stop, sit a spell and just take in the views of the Charleston harbor. Located in the heart of downtown, it has plenty of green space to stretch out or let the kids run free after a long day of traveling. Be sure to snap a photo in front of the iconic Pineapple Fountain (if you need help, one of our friendly local folks will step in and take that photo for you).

Bow Ties: How can you spot a true Southern gent? By his bow tie of course. Bow ties aren’t so common outside the South, but we think a fella sporting a bow tie is downright dapper. Check out Brackish (brackishbowties.com), a line of handmade feather bow ties made here in Charleston, and Social Primer, bow ties of all styles and colors sold locally (socialprimer.com).

Sweetgrass Baskets: These handmade works of art can be traced back to West Africa, brought to the S.C. coast by African slaves. One of the oldest art forms of African artwork in the United States, Charleston is the only place where this craft is practiced in its original form. Sweetgrass baskets make great souvenirs; look for them at the Charleston City Market downtown and at roadside stands all along Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant.

Now that you’ve experienced Charleston, we’d love to know what you think makes Charleston so special. What did you discover only in Charleston? Share with us on Twitter and Instagram with hashtag #onlyincharleston. january-march 2015

TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 35

36 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com october-december 2014

Spotlight On...

USS Yorktown NAVAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER, SUBMARINES ON DISPLAY AT PATRIOTS POINT

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ilitary history lovers will want to block out a few hours to explore every nook and cranny of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. The USS Yorktown is a commanding presence in the Charleston harbor and a visible reminder of Charleston’s role in historic events and wars.

The USS Yorktown was the 10th aircraft carrier to serve in the U.S. Navy. Visitors have quite a bit of ground to cover as the ship stretches to almost 900 feet. Weighing 27,000 tons, it’s a massive vessel; yet crews built the Yorktown in less than 17 months at Newport News, Va. Commissioned on April 15, 1943, the Yorktown played a significant role in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945.

Patriots Point is also home to the USS Laffey, which supported the D-Day landings at Normandy and participated in the U.S. offensive against Japan, along with the USS Clamagore, a submarine used for 30 years during the Cold War. The kids should keep their eye out for Scrappy, the Yorktown’s mascot. The dog mascot was created in honor of a real dog that lived aboard the USS Yorktown for a year when the aircraft carrier was in service during WWII in the South Pacific.

According to Patriots Point, Scrappy was roaming the docks of Pearl Harbor alone when the ship pulled in to port in 1943.

Yorktown sailors spotted the dog and smuggled him aboard the ship in a trash can, knowing that the ship’s captain Jocko Clark would not approve of having an animal aboard. The little gray Airedale Terrier’s real name was Scrapper Shrapnel, but most called him by the nickname “Scrappy.” The crew had a small life vest and helmet made for him. With Scrappy aboard, the tensions of warfare were eased.

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PLAN YOUR VISIT Patriots Point is located at 40 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant, just across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

■ Tickets are $20 for adults; $17 for seniors and military; $12 for children 6 to 11. Active duty military in uniform are admitted free. Parking is $5 per day per vehicle. Purchase tickets at the Patriots Point ticket office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Info: patriotspoint.org The museum has two snack bars, Sticky Fingers Smokehouse Express, with barbecue and burgers served landside and in the Hanger Bay. The Fighting Lady Café serves lunch Monday through Saturday but is closed through Feb. 1.

Upcoming Event: The Boys from Liberty Hill Symposium: Feb. 2 on the USS Yorktown. As part of Black History Month, local author and Charleston County Councilman Henry E. Darby will discuss his book, “Liberty Hill’s Vietnam Fighting Men.” During the Vietnam War, a disproportionate number of residents of the small community of Liberty Hill, S.C., served their country in Vietnam. Of the 64 who served, eight were killed in action.

Darby’s book voices the experiences of four of the veterans from Liberty Hill and shows the tremendous contribution this small community made to our nation. can also reach Patriots Point 3 You by water. Charleston Water Taxi runs seasonally. Contact them for taxi schedules and prices: charlestonwatertaxi.com

Tee it Up In Charleston...

C

harleston 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 still widely regarded as a great place to hit the links. Locals and visitors enjoy picturesque and challenging golf games on the area’s many courses.

In 2012, Charleston hosted the 94th annual PGA Championship at the famed Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, making it only the fifth course to host each of The PGA of America’s major championships – the Ryder Cup (1991), the Senior PGA Championship (2007) and the PGA Championship (2012).

Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere; 10 are right along the Atlantic Ocean.

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Charleston National Golf Course

If golf is on your vacation agenda, check out one of these area courses: Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms has two courses. The Wild Dunes Resort Links Course, a Tom Fazio course, has a finishing hole overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Also designed by Fazio, the Harbor Course is known for its challenging design and views of lagoons, marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway. wilddunes.com Located at the foot of the Cooper River Bridge in Mount Pleasant, Patriots Point Links on Charleston Harbor has views of Charleston, Fort Sumter, ships and Patriots

The Ocean Course at Kiawah, Hole 14

Point. With four sets of tees ranging from 5,100 to 7,000 yards, players of all skill levels will enjoy this Willard Byrd-designed course. patriotspointlinks.com

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.

Surrounded by 300-year-old live oak trees and towering pines, Legends Oaks Golf Course in Summerville was named the 2010 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year by the Golf Course Owners Association. In 2014, Legend Oaks replaced its greens with Diamond Greens turf.

The Scott Pool championship golf course is challenging for all levels of players. legendoaksgolf.com

Charleston National Country Club, designed by Rees Jones and located in Mount Pleasant, is open to the public year round. It was rated by Golf Digest as the best non-resort course in the Charleston area. charlestonnationalgolf.com Situated along the Intracoastal waters of South Carolina, the Links at Stono Ferry is a semi-private club open for membership as well as to local and golf vacation play. The course sits on a the site of Revolutionary War battle – the Battle at Stono Ferry was fought on these grounds in 1779. stonoferrygolf.com Wescott Golf Club in Summerville was built on one of the Lowcountry’s oldest plantations with a design by Dr. Michael Hurdzan captures the traditional flavor of low flowing earthworks and classic bunkering. The three 9-hole courses are Oak Forest, Burn Kill, and Black Robin – each with a distinct look and feel. Wescott is one of only a handful of South Carolina courses to maintain TifEagle putting surfaces and TifSport fairways. wescottgolf.com

Patriots Point Links

january-march 2015

TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 41

Shop + Savor Charleston was founded in the late 1600s as a port city, and it has remained a thriving place to buy goods ever since! Buy local and enjoy the rewards.

Explore King Street Don’t miss 2nd Sunday on King Street when the street is closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street North to Calhoun Street. Enjoy entertainment, shopping and dining.

WHETHER YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS, A DRESS FOR DINNER OR A BOX OF BENNE WAFERS, YOU’LL FIND JUST WHAT YOU WANT IN THE CITY’S MANY RETAIL OUTLETS. The Charleston peninsula has boutiques, national retailers and a market full of Southern charm.

SHOP + SAVOR

SHOPPING Charleston Winery 63 S. Market St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-576-4772 charlestonwines.com • Daily wine tastings, unique gifts and accessories. Citrus and berry wines are made from 100% pure Florida citrus fruits and berries and natural ingredients.

Wines have won 200+ medals at national and international wine competitions. See coupon in ad.

Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry 84 N. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7/8) 843-853-0103 • dacubasjewelry.citymax.com Nestled in the heart of Charleston, Dacuba’s is a unique fine jewelry store with a wonderful selection of sterling silver and 14kt gold jewelry.

Its classic Charleston “Southern Gate” collection is fashioned after the wrought-iron work seen throughout this historical city.

Nice Ice Fine Jewelry 145 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7) 843-577-7029 • Since 1974 they have been providing Charleston and visitors with the most exquisite and unique jewelry. Designers such as Rudolf Friedman, Judith Ripka, Slane & Slane, Jude Frances, Charriol and Nanis.

Palmettoville 51 S. Market St. Shops at French Quarter (Map: H:7) • Assortment of sunglasses, postcards, handmade soaps and lotions, shot glasses, hand-painted tee towels, slap watches, local images, hats and wide selection of Charleston T-shirts for adults and children, produced locally by our family for more than 30 years.

Shades of Charleston 233 Mathis Ferry Road • Mount Pleasant (Map: N:2) • 843-388-4369 shadesofcharleston.com • Since 1979, this collection of polarized sunglasses is the largest in the Charleston metro area and includes such lines as Costa, Maui Jim, Ray Ban, Oakley and much more.

At Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, the azaleas, camellias, daffodils, pansies and violas are blooming in January and February. In March, even more azalea varieties fill the gardens with pink, red and white blooms plus you’ll see flowering trees, forsythia and tulips.

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 43

From shopping to nightlife, Charleston has it all DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON Spend the day walking King Street with its clothing boutiques, shoe stores, gift shops and more. Start near Charleston Place Hotel and head toward Calhoun Street for a wide selection of local boutiques, gift shops and national retailers. If you’re in the market for rare finds, make your way down Lower King Street (south of Market Street), the city’s antique district.

On the second Sunday of each month, several blocks of King Street are closed off to vehicles, and people (and pets) flood the streets for open-air dining, music, shopping and entertainment.

The City Market stretches from Meeting to East Bay Street and is home to more than 100 vendors. Dozens of businesses and restaurants line Market Street, making it a great place to pick up souvenirs, sweetgrass baskets, art and jewelry.

After the sun sets, head to Upper King Street, which in recent years has transformed into a hip design district with a bustling nightlife. The area stretches from Calhoun up to about Mary Street and is filled with trendy clubs and bars and highend restaurants, giving the street a sort of New York City vibe.

The Cocktail Club offers a refined atmosphere with its house-made drinks and rooftop terrace or stop off at The Belmont for a scotch and a cheese and charcuterie plate. Named a 2013 Best New Restaurant finalist by the James Beard Foundation, The Ordinary is a Southern seafood hall and oyster bar from Chef Mike Lata, best known for his other Charleston restaurant, FIG (Food Is Good).

SUMMERVILLE Summerville’s Town Square is filled with local boutiques and shops, including 12 antique stores, a children’s book store and one of the top 10 quilt shops in the country.

MOUNT PLEASANT ■ Mount Pleasant Towne Centre on Highway 17 North is home to national retailers, local boutiques and restaurants.

Shop at Belk and Belk Men’s Store, Copper Penny Shooz, Palmetto Moon, Hairy Winston Pet Boutique, TrySports and more. mtpleasanttownecentre.com ■ Belle Hall Shopping Center is located on Long Point Road ( just off Interstate 526). Stop by Wonder Works for a large selection of children’s toys and gifts or visit Princess of Tides for costumes and tutus. Carolina Girls carries gift items, jewelry and stationery. The Coastal Cupboard has a selection of specialty food items and cookware. shopbellehall.com After a full day of sightseeing and shopping, relax on Shem Creek – cold drink in hand and seafood platter on the table. Shem Creek’s laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to unwind while watching the shrimp boats dock in the creek and the dolphins play in the water.

NORTH CHARLESTON ■ Tanger Outlets has dozens of nationally known retailers offering apparel for adults and children, shoes, accessories, housewares and jewelry. Tanger is easily accessible from both Interstates 526 and 26. tangeroutlet.com/charleston

Share your Charlestons shopping moments on our Facebook page at facebook.com/travelermag

44 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com april-june 2014

SHOP + SAVOR

SHOPPING Tom’s Toys LLC 125 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7) Kapla is a unique wooden building toy composed of identical blocks. Children put one block on top of the other and let their imagination run free, creating all kinds of animals, buildings, vehicles and bridges.

Suitable for children of all ages.

Terrace Oaks Antique Mall 2037 Maybank Highway • James Island (area map) • 843-795-9689 • Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. terraceoaksantiques.com A leader in the Charleston area for multidealer antique shops since 1988. The 10,000-squarefoot, climate-controlled shop houses 90+ booths with all different tastes and styles.

When it comes to antiques, they have just about anything your heart desires.

Town of Mount Pleasant comeonovermp.com • Mount Pleasant is not your average place to visit. Filled with an array of restaurants, taverns, activities and accommodations, the vacation you’re anticipating will be more than just a trip from home; itwill be an experience of indescribable magic and warmth.

In between visits to Charleston, stay connected to the Holy City through our social media.

Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), on Twitter (twitter.com/traveler_mag) and on Pinterest (pinterest.com/travelermag).

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 45

SHOP + SAVOR 46 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

February kicks off festival season in Charleston as visitors flock to the city to experience wildlife and art, food and wine, fashion and flowers. These are some of the must-do events this winter and early spring.

1/25 32nd annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival Join in the world’s largest oyster festival at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. This event has been named one of the “top 20 events in the Southeast” by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Highlights include the oyster shucking and oyster eating contests as well as live music, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers, a children’s area and a food court showcasing a variety of local restaurants. A portion of the proceeds benefit local charities. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com | 843-577-4030

photo: The Chart Group

2/13-15 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Conservationists and nature enthusiasts come from all over the country for this three-day celebration of art, animal demonstrations, environmental education and culinary events. New this year is a program with Richard Wiese, host of “Born to Explore with Richard Wiese,” an Emmy Award-winning travel and adventure program on ABC. Wiese has circled the globe and will share his stories at the Charleston Music Hall. Annual favorites include the retriever demos, birds of prey flight demonstrations and the high-flying DockDogs event at Brittlebank Park. Events are at Marion Square, Brittlebank Park, Belmond at Charleston Place and various other venues. sewe.com | 843-723-1748

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photo: Paul Mulkey

Charleston Area Festivals

BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival Celebrate 10 years of this foodie festival in 2015.

Enjoy the flavors of Charleston’s culinary scene and renowned culture at numerous events featuring outstanding chefs from around the country as well as pastry chefs, authors, beverage professionals and food writers. The event also benefits scholarship programs for the culinary and hospitality workplace.

The festival has been praised as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes Traveler. charlestonwineandfood.com | 843-727-9998

photo: Charleston Wine + Food Festival

3/4-8

3/17-21 Charleston Fashion Week Showcasing emerging designer and model talent across the East Coast, this annual event has become one of the premier fashion weeks in North America.

Pack the tents in Marion Square in the heart of Charleston for runway shows, the Emerging Designer Competition and more. charlestonmag.com/fashionweek | 843-971-9811

68th annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens Explore the city’s historic district in a series of tours showcasing Charleston’s distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture. A number of special events are also part of this springtime event, including morning history walks, Circa 1886 Wine Tastings, Mimosas at Middleton Place and Harbor of History Boat Cruises. The Food for Thought Luncheon. Series includes lunch and a brief guided walk or experience related to the day’s topic. There are also several musical concerts that allow visitors to experience period music in historic settings. historiccharleston.org 843-722-3405

3/27-29

photo: Carrie Naas

3/19-4/19

Flowertown Festival The Town of Summerville celebrates spring with this annual festival, ranked one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Stroll thorugh downtown and Azalea Park to catch a colorful show of pink azaleas, purple wisteria and white dogwood all in full bloom. The festival features more than 200 jury-selected artists and their wares, food from local restaurants, rides and activities for children and more. Free admission. flowertownfestival.org 843-871-9622

3/28

photo: Summerville YMCA

Cooper River Bridge Run Thousands of runners and walkers make their way across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge spanning the Cooper River for one of the largest 10K races in the world. In addition, the event includes an expo and events that further its mission of a healthy lifestyle. bridgerun.com

brewery/distillery article.

For more Charleston area festival, check our online calendar at travelerofcharleston.com/events.html.

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 49

Eat + Drink Charleston’s diverse culinary scene is amazing.

Innovative chefs and their dishes will dazzle the taste buds and warm the heart.

Charleston has great taste!

Charleston Cuisine Try a piping hot bowl of Lowcountry Boil, also known as Frogmore Stew. This dish includes shrimp (or crab), corn on the cob, sausage and red potatoes.

TRUST US, YOU WON’T LEAVE CHARLESTON HUNGRY. In fact you might spend half your vacation simply deciding which delectable restaurant to try next. Our city has world-class chefs cooking up plates filled with Southern goodness. Our desserts are claiming national recognition.

EAT + DRINK

FINE DINING Cru Cafe´ 18 Pinckney St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-534-2434 • crucafe.com • In an 18th-century home on Pinckney Street, Charlestonians sip mint julep tea on the porch and dine on upscale comfort food at John Zucker’s Cru Cafe. “Do it right and use the best possible ingredients” is his mantra. Lunch and dinner.

SpiritLine Dinner Cruise Departs from 40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant • (Map: O:2) • 843-722-2628 spiritlinecruises.com • The SpiritLine Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina features fine cuisine prepared to order onboard, entertainment, dancing, fully stocked bar and a magnificent cruise on Charleston Harbor.

Call for reservations.

Middleton Place Restaurant 4300 Ashley River Road • Charleston (area map) • 843-556-6020 • middletonplace.org Savor Lowcountry cuisine while taking in views of America’s oldest landscaped gardens.

For lunch, visitors enjoy a three-course, prix fixe menu. Lunch served daily. Dinner guests pay no admission after 5:30 p.m. and can stroll through the gardens prior to dinner.

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 51

EAT + DRINK

CASUAL DINING Charleston Donuts 1485 N. Highway. 17 • Mount Pleasant (Map: N:3) • 843-856-8626 charlestondonuts.com Donuts are always hot, fresh and made-to-order. Design your own masterpiece and let us create it. Also features local coffee, frappes, real fruit smoothies and more. See coupon in ad.

East Bay Deli 334 East Bay St. • Charleston • (Map: I:5) 843-216-5473 • 1120 Oakland Market Road Mount Pleasant • (Map: L:5) • 843-216-5473 9135 University Blvd. • North Charleston 843-553-7374 • 4405 Dorchester Road North Charleston • (Map: W:4) • 843-747-1235 New York-style deli using only quality products such as Thumann’s deli meats and Hebrew National deli dogs. The varied menu comes with many options: soups, chili, both hearty and heart-healthy sandwiches, wraps, giant spuds and desserts.

Hyman’s Seafood 215 Meeting St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7) 843-723-6000 • hymanseafood.com Voted No. 1 seafood restaurant in the Southeast

by Southern Living magazine nine years in a row. Lunch and dinner served daily. Parking and back entrance from Charleston Place.

No reservations; come early to avoid the wait.

See coupon in ad.

Joe Pasta 428 King St. (Corner of King & John streets) Charleston • (Map: F/G:4) • 843-965-5252 Menu features soups, salads, Parmesan sandwiches, pizza, pastas, desserts and a full liquor, wine and beer bar. The restaurant provides a laid-back and cozy atmosphere that is family friendly. See coupon in ad.

The Press 19 Vendue Range • Charleston • (Map: H:8) Proudly serving Starbucks, The Press is a place to grab your favorite coffee drink and a quick bite before hitting the streets of Charleston.

Middleton Place hosts camellia walks at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Feb. 10 to March 21.

On this 90-minute guided tour, admire hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first camellias planted in America.

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Charleston Recipe LOWCOUNTRY BOIL

Lowcountry Boil is considered a Lowcountry classic. Also known as frogmore stew, it’s all about the shellfish. In our area, shrimp is a key ingredient.

Ingredients: 6 quarts water 3/4 cup Old Bay Seasoning 2 pounds new red potatoes 2 pounds hot smoked sausage links, cut into 2 inch pieces 12 ears corn - husked, cleaned and quartered 4 pounds large fresh shrimp, unpeeled

Directions: Bring water and Old Bay Seasoning to boil in a large stockpot. Add potatoes and cook for 15 minutes. Add sausage and cook for 5 minutes more. Add corn and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes. Drain immediately and serve.

Serves 15.

EAT + DRINK

FREE Appetizer w/ Purchase of 2 Entrees! up to $10.99 value Not Valid w/other Offers - Traveler Magazine

Great Italian Food Family Friendly Atmosphere 428 King Street & John Downtown Charleston 843-965-5252

In between visits to Charleston, stay connected to the Holy City through our social media.

Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), on Twitter (twitter.com/traveler_mag) and on Pinterest (pinterest.com/travelermag).

56 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

Charleston Area Events january – march 2015

Moonlight and Magnolias

JANUARY 7-18

Charleston Restaurant Week – More than 100 restaurants all over the Charleston area offer specially priced menus. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com 843-577-4030

24, 2/21

Oysters on the Point – Music, chili, oysters and a Bloody Mary bar from 2-6 p.m. at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in Mount Pleasant. facebook.com/OystersOnThePoint

10

The Medal of Honor Bowl – All-star game featuring some of the nation’s top draft eligible college football players at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium. mohbowl.com

16-18, 22-25

“Moonlight and Magnolias” – Join the Flowertown Players for a fun, farcical look at the behind-the-scene birth of one of the most beloved films of all time. Performances at the James F. Dean Theater in Summerville. flowertownplayers.org | 843-875-9251

17

Charleston Marathon – 26.2-mile run starting in downtown Charleston and ending in North Charleston. Additional weekend activities include a half marathon, 5k and health & fitness expo. charlestonmarathon.com

23, 24, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” – The Footlight Players perform this chilling 29-31 2013 Tony award-winning drama with a devastating deep buried secret.

2/1, 5-8 Performance at 20 Queen St. in Charleston. footlightplayers.net | 843-722-4487 23-24

Kiawah Comedy Weekend – Get away to Kiawah Island Golf Resort for two nights of nonstop laughter with some of the nation’s most acclaimed comedians. Packages include exclusive table seating and a Q&A with select comedians on Saturday afternoon. kiawahcomedyweekend.com | 800-654-2924

23-25

“Anne of Green Gables” – When Matthew and Marilla decide to adopt an orphan boy to help on their farm, everything seems fine until the boy turns out to be the incorrigible, rambunctious, redheaded girl Anne Shirley. Performed by Charleston Stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre. charlestonstage.com | 843-577-7183

24

Braise & Brew – The Middleton Place Restaurant hosts an evening of braised meats and vegetables specially paired with seasonal beers and micro-brews from Holy City Brewing in the Pavilion. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

FEBRUARY 7

Camellia Walk + Workshop – Join Sidney Frazier, Middleton Place VP of horticulture, for a camellia workshop and guided walk through Middleton’s camellia collection.

Reservations required. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

7

Bacon and Bourbon – Enjoy unlimited samples of bacon dishes from local chefs and bourbon tastings plus live music, bull riding championship, laser skeet shooting and a cigar cabana. Event is at Memminger Auditorium in downtown Charleston. baconandbourbonsc.com

8

Camellia Lecture + Walk – Join Middleton Place Guide Jan MacDougal for a presentation on camellias in the Middleton Place Pavilion followed by a guided walk.

Reservations required. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

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13-3/1

“The Diary of Anne Frank” – Channeling her energy into her diary, Anne Frank captured not only the life of hiding that she and her family were forced to live, but provides remarkable insights into her own hopes, dreams and her faith in humanity.

Performed by Charleston Stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre. charlestonstage.com | 843-577-7183

19-3/7

“Charlotte’s Web” – The Crabpot Players in Mount Pleasant perform this classic book by E.B. White, the story of a little pig named Wilbur and his best friend, a spider named Charlotte. crabpotplayers.com | 888-303-0763

27, 28 “Bus Stop” – The Footlight Players perform this coming-of-age story of a “boy” 3/5-8, and the girl who makes him a man. Performance at 20 Queen St. in Charleston.

3/12-14 footlightplayers.net | 843-722-4487

MARCH 5-8

Friendship Cup – A two-man tournament for male amateur players at the Ocean Course and Turtle Point Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. kiawahresortevents.com | 800-654-2924

6-22

“The Underpants” – Just as the King of Prussia passes by, Louise, a Dusseldorf housewife, reaches up to wave and discovers to her horror that her underpants have fallen to her ankles. Soon Louise’s madcap mishap is the talk of the town and a full-fledged farce ensues. Performed by Charleston Stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre. charlestonstage.com | 843-577-7183

8

Teddy Bear Picnic – Free afternoon event for families in Hampton Park with entertainment and children’s activities. charlestonparksconservancy.org.

8-12

Kiawah National Pro-Am – PGA club professionals from all across the U.S., along with three of their members, will tee it up during this 72-hole stroke play event on four of Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s championship courses. kiawahresortevents.com 800-654-2924

13-14

Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival – Gather round to hear from the best local, regional and national storytellers as they celebrate this art form and the Lowcountry’s storytelling heritage. Events are at Wragg Square on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. ccpl.org/charlestontells | 843-805-6930

Bacon and Bourbon

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

brewery/distillery article.

For more Charleston area events, online calendar at http://travelerofcharleston.com/events.html

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Lowcountry Cajun Festival 14

12th annual St. Paddy’s Day Block Party and Parade – The Olde Village of North Charleston is filled with people dressed in green, celebrating with bagpipe music, a mechanical bull, arts and crafts, food vendors, parade and a kid's zone with jump castles and face painting. northcharleston.org

14

Mount Pleasant Art Fest – Artists of all kinds gather for this event at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Local dance and music groups perform and the Mount Pleasant Artists Guild presents a juried art show. Plenty of free arts activities for children. comeonovermp.com

17

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Wear your green and enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Irish flag raising plus corned beef-cabbage feasts, Irish entertainment and more. charlestonirish.com | 843-556-3578

20-22

Charleston International Antiques Show – A must-see for collectors and enthusiasts interested in learning about incorporating antiques into modern-day deco. The Antiques Show is a showcase of English, European and American period furnishings, decorative arts and fine art, architectural elements, garden furniture, vintage jewelry and silver dating from the late 17th to 20th centuries. historiccharleston.org | 843-722-3405

20-22, 26-29

“Dearly Departed” – Not since “Steel Magnolias” has a more colorful and dysfunctional group of Southern eccentrics gathered below the Mason-Dixon Line.

Join the Flowertown Players at the James F. Dean Theater in Summerville. flowertownplayers.org | 843-875-9251

29

Lowcountry Cajun Festival – Head to James Island County Park for an afternoon of Zydeco music, kids’ activities and Cajun and Creole foods like jambalaya, alligator, etouffe, andouille sausage and crawfish. ccprc.com

ONGOING EVENTS Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 2/10 through 3/21 Camellia Walks at Middleton Place – Special guided tours focus on camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the “new” camellia garden of the 1950s. Admire hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first camellias planted in America. Reservations required. middletonplace.org 843-556-6020 Good Eats on the Sweet Tea Trail – Travel the Town of Summerville sampling everything from boiled peanuts to sweet tea from local restaurants and gourmet shops. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the second and third Friday of the month. visitsummerville.com Evenings in the Market – Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from March to December this event showcases local artists, food vendors and designers in the historic Charleston City Market. thecharlestoncitymarket.com 2nd Sunday on King Street – On the second Sunday of each month. Street is closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street North to Calhoun Street. 2ndsundayonkingstreet.com

rewery/distillery article.

Follow us on Twitter @Traveler_Mag and on Facebook for more Charleston events, festivals and activities.

For even more Charleston area events, check our online calendar at http://travelerofcharleston.com/events.html 60 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com january-march 2015

Third Thursdays – Head to historic downtown Summerville from 5-8 p.m. every third Thursday. Shops and restaurants will be open late and some have special promotions. summervilledream.org First Friday of each month First Friday’s On Broad Art Walk – 5-8 p.m. at art galleries along Broad Street in downtown Charleston. charlestongalleryrow.com Charles Towne Landing special events – On the second Saturday of the month: Life of a Colonist (1/10), Exploration & Discovery (2/14), Archaeology Day (3/14). The third Saturday is cannon demonstrations (except January). 843-852-4200| charlestownelanding.travel 1/16, 24; 2/11, 27; 3/4, 11, 19, 23, 25, 30 “From Gospel to Gershwin” – The Sound of Charleston performs the sounds that define Charleston and its unique southern charm.

From jazz and gospel to Gershwin and spirituals, all come alive at the historic Circular Congregational Church. soundofcharleston.com | 843-270-4903 “Sherlock Holmes and the Charleston History Mystery,” a hauntingly historical, hysterical whodunit for fans of the Master Sleuth at the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453 “Church Street Daughters of the Late Unpleasantness Garden, Gun & Gin Club Mystery,” a mystery that has the crème of Charleston’s ladies dirtying their white gloves with murder at Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453 “Inspector NoClue’s Murder Mystery,” a classic comic whodunit at the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453 “Heist, Heist Baby,” a comic stage caper where you can play a part yourself or just sit back and try to crack the case of what’s really going down before the gig is up at the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453 “Captain Blackbeard’s Sing-Off Smackdown,” a witty, wacky, slapstick mystery where the only solution is to join ranks with dead pirates from Charleston’s history in an all-out battle for sing-a-long supremacy at the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453 * Event details are subject to change. Please call ahead or check the listed website for confirmation.

photo: Historic Charleston Foundation

Charleston International Antiques Show

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

brewery/distillery article.

For more Charleston area events, online calendar at http://travelerofcharleston.com/events.html

Things to Love about the Lowcountry ■ Charleston Green: A color seen often on historic properties that looks more like black at first glance.

■ Weddings in Charleston: We love catching a glimpse of a wedding party being photographed downtown. For even more fabulous wedding fun, Charleston Fashion Week has expanded its bridal fashion show into a full week of trunk shows and events.

■ Beaches in the winter: That’s right! We do go to the beach in the winter. It might be a bit chilly for a dip in the ocean, but there’s no better way to shoo away the winter blues than with a sunny day walking on the beach.

■ Festival season: Almost every weekend beginning in mid-February, the Charleston area is hosting a weekend festival or a major event, including the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, Charleston Wine + Food Festival and the Flowertown Festival.

■ She-crab soup: On a cold day, nothing tastes better than a steaming bowl of this Charleston favorite – a bisque made with blue crab and a dash of sherry.

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of Charleston

Web Extras...

We can’t possibly fit everything there is to see and do in Charleston in one visitor guide so go to our website for more ways to make a memorable Charleston vacation.

Spanish moss: You’ll find Spanish moss hanging from many a tree in the Lowcountry, but just what is this plant and how does it grow? We explore moss mysteries on our blog.

http://budurl.com/shb9

Friendly faces: Charleston was named the friendliest city in the United States and we have a few thoughts on why Charleston residents are so warm and welcoming. Head to our blog to chime in with your ideas. http://budurl.com/q3j3

Pile on BBQ: A bit like politics, religion and football, folks in the South are passionate about their barbecue.

Visit our website for everything you need to know about getting a delicious plate of South Carolina barbecue. http://budurl.com/4bjd

More to See & Do Here in Charleston we don’t let a little thing called “winter” get us down.

There’s still plenty of activities and events to keep you busy. Head to our website for an expanded calendar of events. http://budurl.com/7bpq

Let’s Be Social: We love connecting with Charleston visitors so join us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. We’re here to answer questions during your visit and we’d love to hear about your favorite Charleston spots and see your photos.

http://budurl.com/jkba

http://budurl.com/4gur

http://budurl.com/em87

http://budurl.com/c7nr

january-march 2015 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 63

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Getting Around Some transportation options for getting around downtown Charleston and the surrounding areas.

■ WATER TAXI: Transports visitors from downtown Charleston (Aquarium Wharf or WaterfrontPark) to Mount Pleasant (Patriots Point or Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina).

Taxi runs each hour; $10 for all-day pass. No reservations needed. Shem Creek route available; $20 round trip.

Call 843-330-2989 for pickup. charlestonwatertaxi.com ■ BUS: The CARTA bus system has regular routes that travel to major destinations. The DASH trolley service is available free of charge if you’re traveling around downtown Charleston. ridecarta.com | 843-724-7420 ■ LOWCOUNTRY

LOOP TROLLEY: Go from downtown Charleston to attractions in Mount Pleasant and the beaches using this hop-on/hop-off trolley.

Cost is $15 for an individual roundtrip day pass. lowcountrylooptrolley.com 843-654-5199

■ RICKSHAWS

AND PEDICABS: Available in downtown Charleston as are taxi cabs for transportation around the Lowcountry.

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SEE + DO Adventure Sightseeing Tours Audubon Center at Beidler Forest Barrier Island Eco Tours Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theater Boone Hall Plantation Bulldog Tours Carriage + Harbor Tour Combo Charles Towne Landing Charleston Harbor Tours Charleston Tea Plantation Charleston Water Taxi City of North Charleston Culinary Tours of Charleston Drayton Hall Edmondston-Alston House Fort Sumter Tours GrayLine Fort Sumter Combo Middleton Place Nature Adventures Outfitters Palmetto Carriage Palmetto Tours Patriots Point Maritime Museum Schooner Pride South Carolina Aquarium SpiritLine Harbor Tour The Sound of Charleston THEATRE Charleston Town of Summerville SC USS Yorktown Ghost Tours Wild Blue Ropes

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SHOP + SAVOR Palmettoville The Brass Pirate Charleston Winery KAPLA - Tom’s Toys Terrace Oaks Antique Mall Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry Town of Mount Pleasant Nice Ice Jewelry Shades of Charleston

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EAT + DRINK Cru Café The Press Middleton Place Restaurant SpiritLine Dinner Cruise East Bay Deli Charleston Donuts Joe Pasta Hyman’s Seafood

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