Romantic Things to Do

Romance Abounds

FALLING IN LOVE WITH CHARLESTON By Holly Fisher

Photo credit: Zero George

With cobblestone streets, cozy inns, candlelight dinners and waterfront sunsets, Charleston feels like the set of a romantic Hallmark movie. Here in the Holy City, romance is in high supply. 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. Here are some of our top picks guaranteed to get the sparks flying.

A carriage ride through the historic streets of downtown Charleston makes a perfect outing for two. Book a private evening carriage ride with Palmetto Carriage Works. Climb into an elegant vis-à-vis carriage at sunset and arrive at your romantic dinner in style. Tickets: palmettocarriage.com

Ocean sunsets and lapping waves make for a magical setting as you and your sweetheart stroll hand in hand during a walk on a beach. A favorite is Folly Beach where the Morris Island Lighthouse stands majestically off the northeast end of Folly Beach. Plus, the lighthouse is the perfect photo background to commemorate a date night or special occasion. Take East Ashley Street until it ends. You can park there and then walk about a quarter mile to the beach.

Or head toward Mount Pleasant to visit Sullivan’s Island near Fort Moultrie. Insider’s tip: Park at 201 Station 12. Stroll along this secluded area of beachfront to capture amazing photos of sunsets and dolphins playing in the surf. Then, dine on eclectic Southern cuisine at The Obstinate Daughter on Middle Street. It’s tough to beat eating a fantastic three-course meal while sailing around the Charleston harbor during a SpiritLine dinner cruise. Live music, bar service and sunset views from the Spirit of Carolina make this a truly romantic way to experience Charleston on the water. Info & tickets: spiritlinecruises.com

Take a relaxing sail aboard The Schooner Pride, an 84-foot tall ship modeled after the 18th-century coastal trading schooners that once sailed the Charleston harbor. Book a sunset sail for added romance (available beginning in March). Tickets: schooner-

pride.com

Fun-loving foodies should reserve a spot in the cooking class at the Zero George Cooking School in downtown Charleston. It’s a unique way to expand your culinary skills and your palette. Join Zero George Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo and Sous Chef Tyler Chavis in the 1804 Carriage House for a memorable epicurean experience.

Info: zerogeorge.com

6775 Bears Bluff Rd. • Wadmalaw Island (Area Map) • 843-559-6867 deepwatervineyard.com • Open: Tue - Sat 10 am - 5 pm • After indulging in a tasting at Charleston's only winery, stay and relax. There are animals, a garden, outdoor games and 50 acres to explore. It's a full day of fun for the whole family.

GrayLine of Charleston

375 Meeting St. • Charleston graylineofcharleston.com • 843-722-4444 Explore 300 years of history with experienced licensed tour guided onboard their min-buses. Get a comprehensive tour of Charleston, do their Land & Sea Combo which includes Fort Sumter or visit a nearby Plantation. Free hotel pickup in the historic district.

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.

99 S. Market St. • Charleston (Map H:7) portofcallchs.com This is not your typical restaurant. They are a food and brew hall that features food from a variety of cuisines while providing a large collection of beer, wine, spirits, with an emphasis on local craft beers.

Nature Adventures

1 Shrimpboat Ln. • Mount Pleasant (Map O:2) • 843-568-3222 kayakcharlestonsc.com • Our focus is on creating experiences! Take a guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour or rent the equipment. Located on picturesque Shem Creek where dolphins and wildlife are all around to experience up-close.

Land & Sea Combo

Purchase online at: fortsumtertours.com or bulldogtours.com • Brought to you by Fort Sumter Tours and Bulldog Walking Tours, two iconic tours where you'll learn about more than 300 years of Charleston history from the streets to the harbor.

Palmetto Carriage Works

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. 360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5) 843-722-1112 • schoonerpride.com • Board this beautiful, 49 passenger sailing vessel for a unique and breathtaking excursion on Charleston Harbor. Each 2-hour sail is unique as the Pride sails with the wind and tides, but you are sure to have an experience you won’t forget.

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.

The Joggle Factory

Purchase online at: thejogglefactory.com 843-200-2073 • Joggling boards are as Charleston as you can get! Take a piece of Charleston home with you or have it shipped! These beautifully hand-crafted boards are locally made using sustainable eco-friendly practices that are both elegant and timeless.