Traveler of Charleston | Fall 2014 | Things to Do in Charleston SC

TRAVELERof Charleston

october – december 2014

T H E S O U R C E F O R A L L T H I N G S C H A R L E S T O N

ToursAttractions

RestaurantsShopping

EventsArticles

CouponsMaps

TRAVELERof Charleston.com

®

Visitor Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY

Charleston Full of Spooky FunHoliday Gift GuideTop Picks for Dinner & Drinks

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Exploring Charleston SC.Ranked #1 in the city!

Departing from the “RED BARN”

Present this Ad for

FREE PARKINGWITH YOUR TOUR

We also offer a combination Harborand Carriage tour for one low price

Tickets: 8 Guignard Street (in the Barn)

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

Charleston’s Oldest Carriage Company

Photo: Faith McDavid

FREEParking

Try Palmetto’s newestCombo TourThe Charleston Trotand WalkA 1 hour carriage tour followed bya 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

Contents

12SPOOKY: Frightfully Fun Tours & Events

4 TRAVELERofCharleston.com october-december 2014

DEPARTMENTS

6 Welcome to Charleston16 See + Do42 Shop + Savor50 Eat + Drink60 Calendar of Events64 Maps69 Directory of Advertisers

FEATURES

10 Charleston History Timeline

12 Spooky Tours, Events

34 Spotlight on Summerville

40 Spotlight on North Charleston

44 Shopping Guide

48 Charleston Gift Guide

54 Best Places to Dine this Fall

63 Arts Seasons Begins in Charleston

54EAT THIS: Best Places to Dine & Drink in Charleston


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

Publisher/Founder.................... Keith SimmonsEditor........................................... Holly FisherGraphic Designer...................... Heineman DesignDistribution................................ Denise FletcherDistribution................................ Brian BeanDistribution................................ Debbi FarrellCover Photo .............................. Helen Venesky

TRAVELER of Charleston is produced by the Traveler Communications Group, LLC, and is published four times yearly anddistributed 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 November 30, 2014.

[email protected] | 843-580-9054 | TRAVELERofCharleston.com

From thePublisher


®

KEITH SIMMONS has an extensivepublishing, marketing and advertising background andfounded Traveler Magazine in2005. His purpose was to developan affordable and effective visitormedium where businesses couldadvertise their service. Traveleris now one of the leading visitor

resources in the city. Keith lives in Mount Pleasant withhis wife and sons. He enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his family.

HOLLY FISHER is a long-time writerand editor with a love of telling stories. She has lived in Charlestonmore than a decade and enjoyssharing the tales of the Holy Citywith visitors and newcomers to the area. Holly lives in the MountPleasant 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 doorsof her graphic design business, Heineman Design, in 1992.

Traveler of Charleston TeamWELCOME to Charleston!

It’s truly tough to beat fall and early winterin Charleston. There’s a crisp coolness inthe air, pumpkin spice lattes are brewing,

football games are in full swing and oursocial calendar is overflowing with festivals,shows and holiday events.

Charleston’s storied past and her haunt-ingly historic buildings make this city the perfect spot for ghost walks and frightfulswamp tours (Page 12). Fall also ushers in a new arts season of plays, concerts, gallery events and more (3).

While you’re in town, knock out some holiday shopping. Your friends and familywill love Charleston-themed gifts. Get inspired with our Gift Guide on Page 48. And venture beyond the streets of downtownto Summerville and North Charleston forsmall city charm.

While you’re here, download our mobileapp overflowing with visitor information, including maps, parking details and lists ofattractions, 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 youhave questions during your visit and to shareyour photos and experiences. We love seeinghow you’re enjoying #Charleston!


1680Settlement is relocated to peninsulaCharles Town –population 1,000

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

1740 Charles Town becomes mostcritical port in North America forexporting rice, indigo and cotton

1775-1783 RevolutionaryWar; Siege of Charlestonin 1780

1783City renamed“Charleston”

1790College ofCharlestonfounded

1672English colonists settle Charles Townon the Ashley River

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.

CHARLESTONto

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1718Blackbeardthe Pirate sailsinto CharlesTown Harborwith fourships; takeshostages forransom

1718Pirate Stede Bonnetis hanged at WhitePoint Gardens

1719City is renamed “Charlestown”

october-december 2014 TRAVELERofCharleston.com 11

1824CharlestonMuseumopens

1861 Confederatetroops fire thefirst shots of theCivil War uponFort Sumter

1886 Major earthquakehits Charleston,damaging 2,000buildings, killing110 people

1920Preservation Societyfounded to protecthistoric resources

1989Hurricane Hugo hits thecity and surrounding areaswith 135 mph winds

2005Arthur Ravenel Jr.Bridge over theCooper River opens

1864 USS Hunley sinksUSS Housatonic inCharleston harbor

1977SpoletoFestivalUSA begins

1791 President GeorgeWashington visits, lodging at the Daniel Hayward Houseand attending a reception at the Old Exchange and a social at McCrady’s Longroom

1828-29Young Armyrecruitnamed EdgarAllan Poe isstationed atFort Moultrieon Sullivan’sIsland

2006 Charleston Wine+ Food Festivalfounded

Enter If You Dare

Spooky Tours, Events Make for a Frightfully Fun Fall


A city with this kind of deep history, colorful charactersand abundance of dark alleys and church graveyards isbound to have a few ghosts – or at least some pretty greatghost stories. It’s fun to explore Charleston’s spooky sideany time of the year, but fall is a particularly good time to

hit the streets after dark to tour historic buildings and cemeteries andmaybe even join in a spooky event or two.

We’ve compiled some favorite events sure to give you thrills and chills.

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Compiled by Holly Fisher


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USS Yorktown Ghost Tours After dark, come aboard the famous “Fight-ing Lady” on this guided, 90-minute tourthat explores the unexplained mysteriesof the USS Yorktown, the legendary WWIIaircraft carrier docked in the Charlestonharbor. Hear the stories of sacrifice anddevastation that befell many who servedas this tour ventures into areas normallyrestricted to the public.

Tours are at 8 p.m. Sunday throughThursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday andSaturday; meet at Patriots Point ticketingarea 15 minutes prior to your scheduledtour time. Tickets: 843-277-0587 yorktownghosttours.com

The Haunted Jail TourBulldog Tours take visitors behind thescenes of what just might be the spookiestplace in Charleston, the Old City Jail. Thisjail housed some of Charleston’s most in-famous criminals, 19th-century piratesand Civil War prisoners. The Old City Jailwas in operation from 1802 until 1939 andmost of the building’s original structuresremain intact including the cells and war-den’s quarters. Tour the cells, hallways andcreepy corners where Charleston’s worstcriminals lived and died.

Tours are at 7, 8, 9 and 10 nightly; meet at 18 Anson St. (this tour is popularso book in advance). This tour may not be suitable for small children. Tickets: 843-722-8687 | bulldogtours.com

Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Walking TourJoin Bulldog Tours for an exclusive op-portunity to walk inside the gates of oneof Charleston’s oldest graveyards afterdark. Explore the dark corners, inspectthe headstones and step across the graves– if you dare. Learn about the history ofCharleston’s graveyards and hear the sto-ries of the famous individuals who foundtheir final resting place in the Holy City.

Tours are 7:30 and 9:30 nightly; meet at 18 Anson St. Tickets: 843-722-8687 bulldogtours.com


Boone Hall Fright Nights For visitors who love a heart-stoppingfright, Boone Hall hosts its Boone HallFright Nights through Nov. 1. This eventhas grown to be the largest multi-attractionhaunted event in the state. Boone Hall ispulling out all the stops with four terrifyingattractions for a guaranteed fright-fillednight. Find out where nightmares comefrom at the Frightmare Factory ($10), theultimate production facility of fear. TheWicked Woods Hayride ($12) – the mostpopular Fright Night event – takes visitorson a hayride through the deep, dark woodsof Boone Hall Plantation where horrorsawait in the dark mist. Infested by flesh-

eating zombies, Zombie Town ($10) is nowan area crawling with bloodthirsty creatureswith a need to feed. If you’re afraid ofclowns, you’ll be thoroughly spooked inthe Twisted Terror ($8) attraction – alldone in mind-blowing 3D.

Boone Hall Fright Nights is open darkto midnight Fridays and Saturdays anddark to 10 p.m. Sundays and weekdays.Purchase individual attraction tickets oran All You Dare to Scare Pass for $27.Tours are not recommended for childrenunder 12.

Tickets: boonehallfrightnights.com (images on the website may be too intensefor some viewers)

Halloween in the Swamp Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner (about30 minutes from downtown Charleston)becomes a spooky swamp for Halloween.Events are 7:30-11 p.m. Oct. 24-25. Generaladmission to Cypress Gardens includesfamily fun for all ages, including a lightedpumpkin trail, jump castles, storytellingand a campfire and marshmallow roast.

A separate event is the Haunted SwampExperience (not recommended for youngchildren). Take a guided adventure throughthe swamp at night before disembarkingthe boat for a walk through a haunted trail,complete with scary sights and eeriesounds. If you survive the swamp and trail,pause to get your heart rate back to normalat the marshmallow roast and campfirewith ghost stories and food. ph

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Toddler/PreschoolThe Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is suitable for ages 3months to 12 years. Little visitors haveplenty to keep them entertained – waterstations, art center, medieval castle, pirate ship and grocery store with pint-sized shopping carts. Admission


NEED MORE FRIGHT IN YOUR CHARLESTON VISIT? CHECK OUT SOMEOF THESE EVENTS:

■ Nightwalks at Francis Beidler Forest – Take a nighttime tour through the swampbathed in moonlight. Tours are 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1. Reservations arerequired. Info: 843-462-2150 | beidlerforest.audubon.org

■ Pint of Hope Zombie Pub Crawl – Zombies will be on the streets of Park Circle for this annual fundraiser for Lowcountry AIDS Services. The event is 5-11 p.m. Oct. 18at restaurants and bars in North Charleston’s Park Circle area. Info: pintofhope.org

■ Ghostly Tide Tales – Sit by a campfire on the beach to hear local haunting stories;bring blankets, chairs and the makings for s’mores. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at 28th Avenuebeach access on Isle of Palms. Info: iop.net

■ rUNdead Charleston Zombie 5K – The race begins at 5 p.m. with runners makingtheir way through the course as zombies try to grab the flags attached to each runner’sbelt. Stay for the post-race party with music, food, beverages, a costume contest andmore. Event is 2-10 p.m. Oct. 25 at North Charleston Wannamaker Park. Info: 843-795-4386 | rundead5k.com

General admission to Cypress Gardensis $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-12.

Tickets: for the Haunted Swamp Experience must be purchased separatelyat mycommunitytickets.com; space is limited. Info: 843-553-0515 cypressgardens.info

The Haunted HarborJoin Sandlapper Tours for tales ofCharleston’s haunted harbor. Board thePalmetto, a 45-foot catamaran, for a HauntedHarbor Ghost Tour around the harbor andinto secluded creeks.

Tours are 8 p.m. Mondays and 9:15 p.m.Tuesdays through Saturdays; meet at the

Maritime Center near East Bay and Calhoun streets. Tickets: 843-849-8687sandlappertours.com

Book one of the Haunted Harbor Sailsaboard the Schooner Pride for tales ofpirates, ghosts and spirits that haunt theharbor.

Sails are Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 30-31 andNov. 1. Board at 8:15 p.m. at the AquariumWharf. Tickets: 888-245-9206 orschoonerpride.com

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See+ Do

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

WHETHER YOU’RE A HISTORYBUFF, WATER ENTHUSIAST ORSIMPLY ENJOY STROLLING THECOBBLESTONE STREETS OFCHARLESTON YOU’LL FINDPLENTY OF WAYS TO EXPLORETHE HOLY CITY. Tour historic plantation homes, learn about thecity’s spooky side with a ghost touror see Charleston from the water.

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.


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ART & THEATER ACTIVITIES

34 West Theater Company200 Meeting St. • Charleston • (Map H:7) 843-901-9343 • 34west.org • Original live theater in the heart of Charleston. Whether it’sour hilarious “Doo Wops and Beauty Shops” orthe thrilling “Dangerous Corner,” we invite you to relax, unwind and laugh with friend. Fun drinks and savory bites are standing by.

Theatre Charleston843-813-8578 • theatrecharleston.comTheatre Charleston, a nonprofit organizationcomprised of the area’s leading local theaters,is dedicated to helping you easily find out what’splaying when and where. Check the website fora calendar of this season’s live productions.

Head to the Charleston City Market –the cultural heart of Charleston since1804 – on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights now through December for Evenings in the Market.From 6:30-10:30 p.m. the area becomes a festive street fair withartists, designers and food vendors. thecharlestoncitymarket.com


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ART & THEATER ACTIVITIES

The Black Fedora Comedy MysteryTheatre & Shoppe164 Church St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7/8)843-WE SMILE (937-6453)charlestonmysteries.com • FeaturingSherlock Holmes and the Charleston HistoryMystery, the family oriented Pirate MysteryShow, and the classic whodunit InspectorNoClue’s Murder Mystery. Live entertainmentmost evenings and some “beat-the-heat”matinees. Audience participation. Appetizers,desserts, beer/wine. Mystery books/gifts.

The Sound of Charleston150 Meeting St. at Circular CongregationalChurch • (Map H:7) • 843-270-4903soundofcharleston.com • Experience the uniquesounds that define Charleston’s rich musical heritage – gospel, Gershwin, music of the CivilWar, light classics & jazz – all presented by professional artists in a live 75-minute concert.

CARRIAGE TOURS

Palmetto Carriage Works8 Guignard St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-723-8145 palmettocarriage.com • Departs from The Big Red Barn every 15 to 20 minutes, rain orshine, beginning at 9 a.m. Tours are one hourlong, covering about 25 blocks of residential and historic districts. Guides are city licensed. See our ad on the inside front cover.


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COMBO TOURS

Carriage & Harbor Combo TourHarbor Tours • 10 Wharfside St. • (Map :J:5/6) Palmetto Carriage • 8 Guignard Street888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112 charlestonharbortours • Harbor Tours departs from the Maritime Center three timesdaily with a 90-minute live narrated sightseeingcruise aboard the 1920s style Bay Steamer –Carolina Belle. Palmetto Carriage tour departsfrom 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 residentialdistricts. Adults $36.50, Children 4-11 $2.

Ghost Walking & Harbor Combo TourFor tickets: 10 Wharfside St. • (Map: J:5/6) online at charlestonharbortours.com orbulldogtours.com • Zerve Ticketing at 888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112 • Take one ofCharleston’s best Ghost Tours and a Harbor ofHistory Tour aboard the Carolina Belle. You get to choose from the spooktacular “Ghost andGraveyard” walking tour or the Haunted Jail Tourand you get a harbor tour featuring Fort Sumter,Fort Moultrie, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and70+ other points of interest. Tours may be takenon different days. Adults $33.50 – Kids $21.50.

COMBO TOURS

Palmetto Tours8 Guignard Street at the “Big Red Barn” • (Map:H:7) • 843-723-8145 • palmettocarriage.comCharleston’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 saveup to $11 per person.

Plantation & Harbor Combo TourFor tickets: 10 Wharfside St. • (Map: J:5/6)charlestonharbortours.com or Zerve ticketing: 888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112 Tour a spectacular Southern plantation, the newSlave Museum and beautiful grounds paired with a 90-minute “Harbor of History” tour. FortSumter, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the Batteryand downtown landmarks. Tours may be takenon different days. Adults $35, children $22.

Land & Sea Combo TourVisit our website graylineofcharleston.com formore info • 843-722-BOAT (2628) • Save $4 per person when you purchase this combo. Fort Sumter Tours partners with Gray Line ofCharleston to offer visitors a comprehensive, historically accurate and entertaining tour of theentire Charleston historic district and her harbor.Share your Charleston photos

on Instagram and tag us: @travelerofcharleston.


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FISHING CHARTERS

Angler Management Fishing843-259-1489 • anglermanagementsc.com Custom, year-round saltwater inshore fishingcharters for families, groups, beginners and professionals. Fish in the Intracoastal Waterway,harbor and tidal creeks. Capt. Ethan will providelicenses, bait, tackle and ice. Eco and harbortours available. See ad in this section.

Sharkin Charleston1 Shrimp Boat Lane • Mount Pleasant pick-upat RB’s Restaurant on Shem Creek • (Map: O:2)843-557-6627 • sharkincharleston.comFeel the pull of the line and the scream of thereel dragging as you catch 3- to 6-foot sharkson light tackle. No experience necessary;great for families and kids. Shark charters aredone in the protected waters of the harbor.

MOTORIZED LAND TOURS

Adventure Sightseeing“See it all” with Adventure Sightseeing. The most comprehensive motorized city toursdaily via comfortable bus. Live narrated by themost experienced and professional guides!Board our buses from the Charleston VisitorCenter or let us pick you up. We offer hotel pick up and drop off for a nominal fee. The onlybus tour that takes you through The Citadel military college. Fantastic combo tours availablewith house tours, harbor tours and more. Call 843-762-0088 for reservations orbook online at AdventureSightseeing.com

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

Earlier this summer, readers of Conde Nast Traveler voted our lovelyCharleston as the friendliest city in the United States. Thanks, y’all!

Head to the Traveler of CharlestonBlog for the inside scoop on what tosee and do in the nearby Town of Summerville from best-sellingCharleston author Mary Alice Monroe. travelerofcharleston.com/blog

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MUSEUMS AND PARKS

Audubon Center at Beidler Forest843-462-2150 • beidlerforest.com Francis Beidler Forest contains the largest stand of virgin bald cypress and tupelo gumswamp forest left in the world. See 1,000-year-old trees and native wildlife; walk the 1.75-mileboardwalk into the swamp. Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m-5p.m. Harleyville, S.C.

Children's Museum of the Lowcountry25 Ann St. • Charleston (Map: G:4) 843-853-8962 • explorecml.org • Nine interactive exhibits, including a two-story Medieval Castle, a pirate ship and a dedicatedart room, allow your children to explore the arts,sciences and humanities through their ownhands-on experiences. Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.;Sun. Noon-5 p.m.; closed Mon.

Charles Towne LandingState Historic Site1500 Old Towne Road • Charleston • (area map) • 843-852-4200 • Hours: daily 9a.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, cannondemonstrations and special events, an Animal Forest zoo and the “Adventure,” a reproduction 17th-century trading vessel.

Edmondston-Alston House21 East Battery • Charleston • (Map: H:9)843-722-7171 • middletonplace.orgBuilt in 1825, the house is a repository of familytreasures, including Alston family silver, furniture,books and paintings. Look seaward from thesecond floor piazza, where Gen. Beauregardwatched the bombardment of Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter ToursDeparts from two locations: Liberty Square,Charleston • (Map: J:5) or Patriots PointMount Pleasant (Map: P:1) • 843-722-2628spiritlinecruises.com • Charleston is full of historyand one of its most famous claims to fame is Fort Sumter National Monument, the site wherethe Civil War began. The only commercial boattransportation to Fort Sumter. Tours include a 30-minute narrated cruise through CharlestonHarbor and back plus an hour to tour the fortand its on-site museum.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum40 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 NavalSupport Base, 28 historic military aircraft, theCongressional Medal of Honor Society’s Museum. Free map for self-guided tours.



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MUSEUMS AND PARKS

Sky Zone 411 Wando Park Blvd • Mount Pleasant • (MapL:2) • 843-588-5777 • skyzone.com/CharlestonSky Zone is the original indoor trampoline park,and Sky Zone Charleston is proud to bring theunmatched, out-of-this-world, and high-flyin' funof the world’s first all-trampoline, walled playingcourt to the Charleston metro area. Great forpeople of all ages!

South Carolina Aquarium100 Aquarium Wharf • Charleston843-720-1990 • scaquarium.orgThe South Carolina Aquarium is home to morethan 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 seaand find family fun around every corner.

Wild Blue Ropes1595 Highland Ave • James Island (area map)843-5024066 • wildblueropes.comIf you’re looking for a something-to-write-home-about-holy-cow-I-can’t-believe-I-just-did-that adventure, you’ve come to the right place. An aerial ropes course with 70+ challengefeatures 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.

PLANTATIONS

Drayton Hall3380 Ashley River Road (Highway 61)Charleston • (area map) • 843-769-2600draytonhall.org • Drayton Hall (circa 1738) is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America open to the public. Admission includes tours river and marsh walks, theAfrican-American cemetery and artisan-inspired Museum Shop.

Middleton PlaceNational Historic Landmark • 4300 Ashley RiverRoad (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 thehouse museum, craftspeople in the stable yardsor take an African-American focus tour. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

TRANSPORTION

Charleston Water TaxiDowntown: 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 looparound Charleston Harbor between PatriotsPoint (USS Yorktown) and downtown Charleston.

PLANTATIONS

Adventure SightseeingDaytrips to Magnolia Plantation. Experience the beautiful, majestic gardens with one of our friendly and experienced tour guides. Offering a daily tour from the Charleston Visitors Center and offering hotel pick up and drop off. Combine it with our city bus tourfor an overall Charleston experience! Call 843-762-0088 for reservations or book online at AdventureSightseeing.com

Boone Hall Plantation1235 Long Point Road • Mount Pleasant(Map: L:4) • 843-884-4371boonehallplantation.com • One of America’s oldest plantations with more than 320 years ofhistory. 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.

Charleston Tea Plantation6617 Maybank Highway • Wadmalaw Island(area map) • 843-559-0383charlestonteaplantation.com • Located on beautiful Wadmalaw Island 25 miles from downtown Charleston. Visitors can experiencehow 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.

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WALKING TOURS

Bulldog Tours18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-722-TOUR • bulldogtours.comAs seen on the Travel Channel’s “America’sMost Haunted Places,” this walking tourcompany 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 HistoryDeparts from Mills House Hotel (corner of Meeting & Queen) • 843-766-2080charlestonstrolls.com • Featured in The NewYork Times, this two-hour tour is the best way to see Charleston’s Historic District. Famouslandmarks, historic highlights, antebellum mansions, quaint alleys and hidden gardens.Everyday at 10 a.m. Requires reservation.

Culinary Tours Of Charleston18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-727-1100 • culinarytoursofcharleston.comWalk, talk and taste your way throughCharleston while experiencing history throughLowcountry cuisine. Daily tasting tours introduce guests to tasty bites at many greatrestaurants. Go behind the scenes and visit with chefs, bakers, artisan food producers,chocolatiers and specialty shops.

Yorktown Ghost Tours40 Patriots Point Road • Mount Pleasant(Map: O:2) • 843-277-0577yorktownghosttours.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.

Looking to experience Charleston’s vibrant arts and culture scene whileyou’re in town? There are plenty oftheater performances, gallery shows,musical concerts, dance revues andmore throughout the fall. Check outthe Charleston Regional Alliance forthe Arts at artscharleston.org forschedules and upcoming shows.


WATER TOURS

Angler Management Fishing843-259-1489 • anglermanagementsc.com Custom, year-round saltwater inshore fishingcharters for families, groups, beginners and professionals. Fish in the Intracoastal Waterway,harbor and tidal creeks. Capt. Ethan will providelicenses, bait, tackle and ice. Eco and harbortours available. See ad in this section.

Barrier Island Eco-Tours50 41st Ave. • Isle of Palms Marina • (Map: N:6)843-886-5000 • nature-tours.com • Naturalistguided 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.

Carolina Queen Riverboat17 Lockwood Blvd. at the City Marina • (Map: B:3)800-344-4483 • charlestonharbortours.comCharleston’s only authentic paddle wheel vesselwith three decks, two bars, an enclosed main salon and plenty of room for dining and dancing.Thurs. nights: Murder Mystery Cruise. Fri. nights:Music and Craft Beer. Sat.: luncheon cruises.Sun: Jazz Brunch Cruises.

Charleston Harbor ToursCharleston Maritime Center. • 10 Wharfside St.,Charleston • (Map: J:5/6) • 888-224-5037 or843-722-1112 • charlestonharbortours.comBoard the Carolina Belle for Charleston’s onlylive narrated harbor history tour. Relax andenjoy a beverage from the snack bar as thecaptain details the forts and landmarks thatshaped Charleston’s historic harbor. Private charters and group dinner cruises available.

Nature Adventure Tours325 W. Coleman Blvd. • Mount Pleasant(Map: O:2 at Shem Creek, on the water)843-568-3222 • kayakcharlestonsc.comCharleston’s outstanding naturalist-guidedkayak, canoe and paddle-board tour service.Tour salt-water marshes, swamps, rice plantations. See dolphins, pelicans and a wide variety of wildlife. Families and beginnersare welcome; rentals also available.

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The Port of Charleston is one of the busiest container ports along the Southeast and Gulf coasts. TheCharleston Customs district ranks as the nation’s eighth largest in termsof the dollar value of internationalshipments, with cargo valued at morethan $63.6 billion in 2012.


K nown as Flowertown in the Pines,the town of Summerville is abouta 20-minute drive from downtown

Charleston. It’s the perfect spot to visit fora dose of small town charm, rich historyand Southern hospitality.

Situated on a pine-forested ridge, Sum-merville was first inhabited in the late1700s as Charlestonians and Lowcountryresidents flocked to the town to escape thesummer heat, mosquitos and disease. Dur-ing the late spring and summer months,plantation families along the nearbyAshley River and other coastal areas headedfor Summerville’s higher elevation. Otherpioneer residents descended from those1696 puritans who settled the nearby for-mer colonial settlement of Dorchester,endowing Summerville with a heritagespanning three centuries.

Everyone’s southern favorite sweet teaalso has its roots in Summerville. The teaplant (Camellia Sinensis) arrived in Sum-merville in the late 1700s imported byAndre Michaux, a French explorer andbotanist. In 1888, Dr. Charles Shepard wasthe first to successfully propagate and pro-duce tea for consumption when he acquired600 acres in Summerville and establishedthe Pinehurst Tea Plantation.

SIGHTS TO SEE AND THINGS TO DO IN SUMMERVILLE:

■ Summerville’s downtown squareis as quaint as it gets. Shop the boutiques, grab a cup of coffee or visit one of the many antique stores. From 5-8 p.m. the third Thursday of the month, downtown is filled with family entertainment, music, artisanbooths and more. The SummervilleFarmers’ Market is open 8 a.m. to 1p.m. each Saturday through Dec. 20behind Town Hall at 200 S. Main St.

■ From 1697 until the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the tradingtown of Dorchester flourished alongthe Ashley River. But at the start of thewar, the town was abandoned and justa handful of original structures remain.Today, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site’s remarkably preservedarchaeological remains give visitors apeek into the early history of colonial South Carolina.

■ Located in the historic James F.Dean Theater, the Flowertown Playersis Summerville’s only full-time theaterorganization. Featuring talent from allover the area, this community theateris a great way to experience qualityperformances with a community feel.This fall, enjoy Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”from Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 and “The Soundof Music” Dec. 5-21.

■ Board the trolley for the Good Eatson the Sweet Tea Trail, a tour that in-cludes samples from local restaurants,tales of 400 years of local history andstories from knowledgeable guides.Departs from the Summerville Dorch-ester Museum, 100 E. Doty Ave., everysecond and third Friday of the month.

3 Learn more about all there is to see and do in Summerville atsummerville.org

Spotlight On... SummervilleSMALL TOWN CHARM IS ON DISPLAY


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WATER TOURS

Schooner Pride –Charleston’s Tall Ship360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5)888-245-9206 or 843-722-1112schoonerpride.com • Marvel at the HolyCity 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; availablefor private charters. Combo tour available.

Sharkin Charleston1 Shrimp Boat Lane • Mount Pleasant pick-upat RB’s Restaurant on Shem Creek • (Map: O:2)843-557-6627 • sharkincharleston.comFeel the pull of the line and the scream of thereel dragging as you catch 3- to 6-foot sharkson light tackle. No experience necessary;great for families and kids. Shark charters aredone in the protected waters of the harbor.

SpiritLine Charleston Harbor TourDeparts from two locations: Aquarium Wharf,Charleston • (Map: J:5) or Patriots Point inMount Pleasant • (Map: O:2) • 843-722-2628spiritlinecruises.com • The 90-minute cruisepasses by Charleston’s famous Battery, theArthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Waterfront Park,Patriots Point, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptistis located at 120 Broad St. inCharleston.


Charleston’s nearby neighbor to thenorth, the City of North Charlestonis one the state’s largest cities and

is home to arts and cultural events, majorconcert venues, shopping malls, parks andsome pretty big business.

Just 42 years old, the city is just hittingits middle-aged stride and creating a namefor itself as a place for business, living andvisiting. The city has a vibrant arts andculture scene, multiple shopping areas andhistoric communities.

Put these North Charleston spots on yourmust-visit list: CENTRE POINTEIf you’re looking for a day of shopping, headto this vast retail area with shops, restau-rants and Tanger Outlets with dozens ofretail stores and boutiques. The NorthCharleston and American LaFrance FireMuseum and Educational Center is alsolocated there.RIVERFRONT PARKSituated on the banks of the Cooper River,Riverfront Park is surrounded by grandoak trees and has a Performance Pavilionand meadow making it a choice locationfor concerts and festivals.

While at Riverfront Park, see the GreaterCharleston Naval Base Memorial, erectedin honor of the countless military personneland civilians that served the United Statesand the greater Charleston region. River-front Park also is adorned with 11 large-scale contemporary sculptures, on displayas part of the National Outdoor SculptureCompetition and Exhibition.PARK CIRCLEThis trendy area has coffee shops, bakeries,restaurants, pubs and more. With a hipvibe and nightlife, this is the place to graba cocktail before heading out to dinner. Also,check out the Park Circle Film Society, avolunteer-run nonprofit enriching the com-munity through film (parkcirclefilms.org)and the South of Broadway Theatre Com-pany (southofbroadway.com).

Spotlight On... North Charleston ART, HISTORY, SHOPPING AND MORE ATTRACT VISITORS TO CITY

VISITING THIS FALL? CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS:

■ Harvest Festival & Block Party: 4-8 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Olde Villagearea of North Charleston. Free activities, including ghost stories by the Backporch Storytellers, kid’s activi-ties, artist market, costume contests,trick-or-treating and live music.

■ City of North Charleston’s Christmas Festival & Parade: A holiday market, children’s activities,carriage rides, festive food and decora-tions, visits with Santa and an eveningparade in Park Circle. Activities are 3-9p.m. (parade at 5 p.m.) on Dec. 6.

■ Children’s Theatre – The Elves andthe Shoemaker: The classic BrothersGrimm story takes the stage as an original musical with new lyrics set totraditional holiday melodies. The show is 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at Sterett Hall Auditorium, 1530 7th St.

3 Learn more about all there is tosee and do in North Charleston atnorthcharleston.org.

Shop+ Savor

Charleston was foundedin the late 1600s as a portcity, and it has remaineda thriving place to buy goods ever since! Buy localand enjoy the rewards.

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

About Charleston The Charleston Farmers Market is a great place to pick up localproduce, locally made arts andcrafts, fresh flowers and specialtyfoods. It’s open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.each Saturday through Dec. 20 atMarion Square (King and Calhounstreets in downtown Charleston).

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SHOPPING

Charleston Winery63 S. Market St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-576-4772charlestonwines.com • Daily wine tastings,unique gifts and accessories. Citrus and berrywines are made from 100% pure Florida citrusfruits and berries and natural ingredients. Wines have won 200+ medals at national and international wine competitions. Seecoupon in ad.

Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry84 N. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7/8) 843-853-0103 • dacubasjewelry.citymax.comNestled 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” collectionis fashioned after the wrought-iron work seenthroughout this historical city.

Nice Ice Fine Jewelry145 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)843-577-7029 • Since 1974 they have been providing Charleston and visitors with the mostexquisite and unique jewelry. Designers such as Rudolf Friedman, Judith Ripka, Slane & Slane,Jude Frances, Charriol and Nanis.

Palmettoville51 S. Market St. Shops at French Quarter(Map: H:7) • Assortment of sunglasses, postcards, handmade soaps and lotions, shot glasses, hand-painted tee towels, slapwatches, local images, hats and wide selectionof Charleston T-shirts for adults and children, produced locally by our family for more than 30 years.

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Rewined Candles are handmade inCharleston using recycled wine bottles from local restaurants. Their scents mimic favorite wines:Cabernet, Chardonnay, Champagne,Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling andSauvignon Blanc. These soy candlesmake a great holiday gift.

Find more uniquely Charleston giftideas on our Pinterest Holiday Gift Guide Board:pinterest.com/travelermag

44 TRAVELERofCharleston.com april-june 2014

DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON Spend the day walking King Street withits clothing boutiques, shoe stores, giftshops and more. Start near CharlestonPlace Hotel and head toward Calhoun Streetfor a wide selection of local boutiques, giftshops and national retailers. If you’re inthe market for rare finds, make your waydown Lower King Street (south of MarketStreet), the city’s antique district.

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

The City Market stretches from Meetingto East Bay Street and is home to morethan 100 vendors. Dozens of businessesand restaurants line Market Street, makingit a great place to pick up souvenirs, sweet-grass baskets, art and jewelry.

After the sun sets, head to Upper KingStreet, which in recent years has trans-formed into a hip design district with abustling nightlife. The area stretches fromCalhoun up to about Mary Street and isfilled with trendy clubs and bars and high-end restaurants, giving the street a sort ofNew York City vibe.

The Cocktail Club offers a refined at-mosphere with its house-made drinks androoftop terrace or stop off at The Belmontfor a scotch and a cheese and charcuterieplate. Named a 2013 Best New Restaurantfinalist by the James Beard Foundation,The Ordinary is a Southern seafood halland oyster bar from Chef Mike Lata, bestknown for his other Charleston restaurant,FIG (Food Is Good).

SUMMERVILLESummerville’s Town Square is filled withlocal boutiques and shops, including 12antique stores, a children’s book store andone of the top 10 quilt shops in the country.

MOUNT PLEASANT ■ Mount Pleasant Towne Centre onHighway 17 North is home to national re-tailers, local boutiques and restaurants.Shop at Belk and Belk Men’s Store, CopperPenny Shooz, Palmetto Moon, Hairy Win-ston Pet Boutique, TrySports and more. mtpleasanttownecentre.com■ Belle Hall Shopping Center is locatedon Long Point Road ( just off Interstate526). Stop by Wonder Works for a largeselection of children’s toys and gifts orvisit Princess of Tides for costumes andtutus. Carolina Girls carries gift items, jew-elry and stationery. The Coastal Cupboardhas a selection of specialty food items andcookware. shopbellehall.com

After a full day of sightseeing and shop-ping, relax on Shem Creek – cold drink inhand and seafood platter on the table. ShemCreek’s laid-back atmosphere makes it theperfect spot to unwind while watching theshrimp boats dock in the creek and thedolphins play in the water.

NORTH CHARLESTON ■ Tanger Outlets has dozens of nationallyknown retailers offering apparel for adultsand children, shoes, accessories, house-wares and jewelry. Tanger is easily acces-sible from both Interstates 526 and 26.tangeroutlet.com/charleston

From shopping to nightlife,Charleston has it all

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


SHOPPING

Tom’s Toys LLC125 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)Kapla is a unique wooden building toycomposed 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 Mall2037 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 multidealerantique shops since 1988. The 10,000-square-foot, 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 Pleasantcomeonovermp.com • Mount Pleasant is not your average place to visit. Filled with anarray of restaurants, taverns, activities and accommodations, the vacation you’re anticipat-ing 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 Citythrough our social media. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), on Twitter (twitter.com/traveler_mag)and on Pinterest(pinterest.com/travelermag).

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CHARLESTONGift Guide

Established in 1725, Legare Farms is a bustling 300-acre farm on the StonoRiver near Charleston. You’ll certainlywant to partake of their delicious topsellers: pickles, black bean salsa, pickledokra and homestyle pumpkin butter(bring on the biscuits!). Price: $6.99 orselect three items for a $25 gift box.Available at the farm during select times or at legarefarms.com.

Give the gift of Charleston all year longwith a subscription box of Charlestongoodies. Charleston Epicurean willcompile a box of four to six locally madeculinary items each month to ship tosubscribers. Every box is unique and asurprise to its customers with full-sizeitems, such as olive oil, fried peanuts,artisan marshmallows, Lowcountrygrits, Charleston gold rice and pralinepecans. Price: $35/month, includingshipping, with options for one-time delivery or 3-, 6- or 12-month subscriptions. charlestonepicurean.com

If you loved your visit to Charleston, why not give friends and family a taste ofHoly City goodness this holiday season. We’ve compiled some gift ideas sure to surprise and delight. In fact, buy two – one for a gift and one for yourself.

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This Charleston pillow is entirely hand embroidered on a light tea-colorcotton cover that buttons off for cleaningand is accented with blue and whiteticked piping. Price: $149. Or pick up themini version of the pillow perfect to useas an ornament or door hanger. Price: $19Available from Historic CharlestonFoundation at historiccharleston.org.

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Who said tea was just for drinking?Charleston Tea Plantation has a varietyof body products infused with tea grownright on the tea plantation. Products in-clude American Classic Hand and ShowerCleansing Gel, Glycerine Hand Therapyand Body Silk – the perfect way to infuseyour daily beauty routine with a littlesweet tea. Price: $10.75-$12.50 | Availableat the Charleston Tea Plantation Gift Shopor at charlestonteaplantation.com.

}}Every time you have a drink, you canrelive one of your favorite Charlestonlandmarks, restaurants and attractions.Carolina Coaster Co. coasters arehand-made from original photographsof local points of interest aroundCharleston and the Lowcountry. Selecta set of your favorite Charleston spots.Price: $12 | Available at the CharlestonFarmers Market, select retailers aroundCharleston and at carolinacoaster.com.

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This pendant is fashioned after Charleston’smajesticAngel Oak Tree located on JohnsIsland. Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry also carries pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets and charms inspired by the ornate gates found throughout downtown Charleston.Price: Pendant $19 - $59, Rice Bead Necklace $39 - $47 | 84 N. Market St. in Charlestondacubasjewelry.citymax.com

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!

TRUST US, YOU WON’T LEAVECHARLESTON HUNGRY. In factyou might spend half your vacation simply deciding whichdelectable restaurant to try next.Our city has world-class chefscooking up plates filled withSouthern goodness. Our dessertsare claiming national recognition.

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

FINE DINING

Cru Cafe´18 Pinckney St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-534-2434 • crucafe.com • In an18th-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 CruiseDeparts from 40 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant • (Map: O:2) • 843-722-2628spiritlinecruises.com • The SpiritLine DinnerCruise 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 Restaurant4300 Ashley River Road • Charleston (area map) • 843-556-6020 • middletonplace.orgSavor Lowcountry cuisine while taking in viewsof 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 strollthrough the gardens prior to dinner.

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428 King Street & JohnDowntown Charleston 843-965-5252

Great Italian FoodFamily Friendly Atmosphere

FREE Appetizer w/Purchase of 2 Entrees!

up to $10.99 valueNot Valid w/other Offers - Traveler Magazine

Clams, oysters and swordfish are inseason in South Carolina during thefall and early winter.

CASUAL DINING

A.W. Shuck’s35 South Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-723-1151 • a-w-shucks.comA.W. Shucks’ menu is inspired by classicCharleston Tradition with stuffed shrimp, theLowcountry’s best she-crab soup, and seafoodcasserole that’s a legend among locals. Plus, an extensive selection of craft beers. Lunch and dinner served daily beginning at 11 a.m.

Bocci’s158 Church St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-720-2121boccis.com • USA Today mentioned Bocci’sas one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Featuring full Italian fare at affordable prices, this family restaurantbrings everything that is right about Italian food to the table. Open for lunch and dinner.

Charleston Crab House41 S. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-853-2900 • 145 Wappoo Creek DriveJames Island • 843-762-4507charlestoncrabhouse.com • Serving lunch and dinner daily. Celebrating 20 years, theCharleston Crab House serves fresh localseafood including S.C. shrimp year-round.A favorite for locals and visitors with roof-top dining downtown.

54 TRAVELERofCharleston.com april-june 2014january-march 2014

april-june 2014 TRAVELERofCharleston.com 55


C HARLESTON IS ONE OFthe hottest culinary destina-tions in the world right now.Around every corner of thecity you’ll find some of the

country’s most talented chefs, hottestrestaurants, and delicious locally madeproducts. In order to get the most out ofyour time in Charleston you’ll need to doa little planning. Here are a few basic tipsfollowed by some of my favorite food rec-ommendations to help you truly enjoy yourfall/ winter visit to Charleston.

BREAKFAST:Glazed Gourmet Donuts at 481 KingSt. serves up some of the most deliciousdoughnuts you will ever eat. Pastry ChefAllison Smith only uses house-made dough,jams and glazes and all from natural andlocal ingredients. Glazed makes 12 flavorsof doughnuts each day and that list changesdaily depending on the season and avail-ability of local ingredients. Some notablefavorites of mine are chocolate mint, straw-berry and champagne, pumpkin, chocolateorange ginger, and gingerbread cranberry.They are open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday(they may close early if they’re sold out).Stroll into Glazed for a delicious start toyour day.

Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer at 4 Van-derhorst St. or Black Tap Coffee at 701/2 Beaufain St. are hands down the bestcoffee shops in town … and probably in thestate of South Carolina. They are bothsmall stores that have fantastic baristasand specialize in hand-curated blends and

1. Don’t eat the hotel continental breakfast! A morning walk to get breakfast or coffee is one of best times of the day to see the city coming to life.

2. Use rickshaws or taxis to get you to your restaurant of choice. Don’t waste time wandering the streets and risk getting lost. This only increases your chances of getting frustrated and just randomly walking into a place you’ve never heard of. Have a list of places you want to try and don’t let your current location prevent you from having an amazing meal.

3. Ask your waiters for a recommen-dation. They will typically point youto some great house specialties.

4. Order new things. Skip burgers and chicken breast. Put yourself in the hands Charleston’s award-winning chefs and find your new favorite food.

EATTHIS: Best Places to Dine & Drink in Charlestonby SCOTT WINK


flare. So now the toughest decision of yourmorning will be coffee first or doughnutfirst? Do yourself a favor though and getone of each while you are here. You’ll thankme later.

Grab a morning java or afternoon pick-me-up at The Press at 19 Vendue Range.Serving Starbucks coffee along with pas-tries and sandwiches, this cafe is locatedon the site of South Carolina’s first news-paper, The South Carolina Gazette.

LUNCH AND DINNER:People always ask me where to eat seafoodwhile in Charleston. Always. Here are mytwo favorite picks: Fleet Landing at 186Concord St. and Hank’s Seafood at 10Hayne St. Call ahead and get reservationsfor these places at least a day in advanceas they can up fill quickly especially if abig cruise ship is docked in town. FleetLanding is the only waterfront dining inCharleston. So on a cold day you can sit ata warm table beside a large window andenjoy the beautiful views of the Charlestonharbor. The building was formerly a U.S.

Naval facility in the 1940s and is built onstilts hovering over the moving tidal watersand marsh grasses. Fleet Landing is openfor dinner and lunch. Definitely get someLowcountry seafood gumbo or a plate ofsome raw oysters as your starter. Hank’sseafood is only open for dinner and is lo-cated just a block from the Charleston CityMarket. Hank’s serves almost nothing butseafood dishes. Think oyster stew, clamsin wine sauce, roasted grouper, and checkout my favorite dish there called Seafooda la Wando. Chef Frank McMahon of Hank’shas worked in New York City at the famedLe Bernradin under Chef Eric Ripert andis something special.

Xiao Bao Biscuit at 224 Rutledge Ave.and Basil Thai Restaurant at 460 KingSt. don’t serve shrimp and grits. They arepart of a new wave of restaurants that pairAsian spices with our Charleston local in-gredients. The best part about these placeson a cold Charleston day is that you canspice them up as hot as you want or keepit mild. Some local favorites at Basil includethe Basil Duck (a boneless half duck deep-fried and topped with vegetables and redcurry sauce) and the Volcano Shrimp(grilled jumbo shrimp, wilted napa cabbage,steamed broccoli and cauliflower, toppedwith three-flavor sauce).

Xiao Bao Biscuit has been featured inthe New York Times and is located in a ren-ovated Charleston gas station. The menufeatures lots of local meat, fish and produceblended into great Asian recipes. They callit “Asian Soul Food inspired by amazinggrandmothers.” Here is where you have totrust me. Don’t be scared of your lack ofexperience with Asian or Sichuan flavors.I have taken even the most skeptical peopleto eat there and most of them still talk

about how good the food was. One of myfavorite dishes there is Samun Phrai (Thaiherbal sausage with spring vegetable yam,coconut chili sauce, basil). Take a quicktaxi ride to XBB, as the locals call it.

The Man Pick: King Street Grille at 304King St. is where you want to be on Sat-urday or Sunday if your favorite NCAA orNFL football team is playing. It has twolevels of seating, a big beer list, almostevery game playing, and pretty good barsnacks. Don’t let vacation interfere withhis football obsession. Make a deal withyour wife/ husband. She goes shopping onKing Street for two hours while he has a

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beer and watches the game. You’ll both feelmuch better afterward.

DRINKS:My wife and I have a motto while travelingon vacation that each day should includea couple of amazing alcoholic beveragesand the earlier the first one comes thebetter. Luckily for you Charleston is seeingan influx of amazing breweries, distilleriesand cocktail bars to help you with this aswell. I highly recommend you ask the barsand restaurants about our local spiritswhen ordering. One of those local spirit

makers is High Wire Distilling at 652King St. They currently make vodka, rum,gin and whiskey. They also offer tours from1-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, every houron the hour. For $5 you get a tour and threecomplimentary tastes of their products.Reservations are recommended. Finallyon those special nights to remember hereare your go-to places for that one last drinkto warm you up before calling it a night:Cypress at 167 East Bay St. for its up-stairs wine bar, McCrady’s at 2 UnityAlley for unique cocktails in its first-come,first-serve bar area, and Coast Bar andGrill at 39-D John St. in a quaint alleywayfor a quick late night beer. New on the barscene is The Whiskey Bar at 54 N. Mar-ket St. with the best selection of brownspirits in town.

Guest writer Scott Wink is founder and writer for Charleston Food Bloggers. He offers up his picks for fall dining around Charleston. Findmore of his tasty recommendations at charlestonfoodbloggers.com.


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CASUAL DINING

Joe Pasta428 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 Whisky Bar54 North Market St. • 2nd Floor • Charleston -(Map H:7) • 843-723-4363 henryscharleston.comQuality house-made cocktails and sodas and thebest selection of brown spirits in town. OpenWednesday through Saturday, with live jazz andexperimental music every night. Hand-craftedcocktails, house-made sodas and juices.

Tommy Condon’s160 Church St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-577-3818tommycondons.com • Have you ever beenin an authentic Irish pub and restaurant? Tuckedaway on Church Street, just a half block offCharleston’s historic Market, is Tommy Condon’s,a pub that will delight your soul. Serving lunchand dinner daily.

CASUAL DINING

East Bay Deli334 East Bay St. • Charleston • (Map: I:5)843-216-5473 • 1120 Oakland Market Road Mount Pleasant • (Map: L:5) • 843-216-5473 9135University Blvd. • North Charleston 843-553-7374 • 4405 Dorchester Road North Charleston • (Map: W:4) • 843-747-1235 New York-style deli using only quality productssuch as Thumann’s deli meats and HebrewNational deli dogs. The varied menu comeswith many options: soups, chili, both hearty andheart-healthy sandwiches, wraps, giant spudsand desserts.

Henry’s on the Market54 North Market St. • Charleston • (Map H:7)843-723-4363 • henryscharleston.com Since 1930, Henry’s has been the place to be inCharleston. Now its authentic Lowcountry menuwith modern flare features shrimp and grits, shecrab soup and Carolina Cannonballs. Cocktailscomplement the meal along with rooftop views.Lunch and dinner.

Hyman’s Seafood215 Meeting St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)843-723-6000 • hymanseafood.comVoted No. 1 seafood restaurant in the Southeastby 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.

Looking for a great spot for weekendbrunch? Head over to the Traveler ofCharleston Blog for the delicious details. travelerofcharleston.com/blog


Calendarof Eventsoctober – december 2014

38th Fall Tour of Homes

OCTOBER

1-31 Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch – Corn maze, hay mountain, play areas, rock climbing wall, goat walk and more for the children plus visit the pumpkin patch to buy pumpkins by the pound. boonehallpumpkinpatch.com

2-26 38th Fall Tour of Homes – The beauty and historic charm of Charleston come alive as friends of the Preservation Society of Charleston welcome visitors into the private interiors of some of the nation’s most exquisite historic homes. Guestsexperience firsthand the rich history of Southern culture, architecture and hospitality of Charleston. thefalltours.org

5 Jazz Brunch Riverboat Cruise – Enjoy live jazz music, a gourmet buffet brunch and views of the Charleston harbor aboard The Carolina Queen. charlestonharbortours.com | 800-344-4483

18 Scarecrows on the Square – Summerville’s Town Square is filled with scarecrows created by local schools, business and organizations. SummervilleJSL.com

NOVEMBER

1 Harvest Festival – Enjoy bluegrass music, hay rides, pumpkin decorating and plenty of Carolina barbecue and cold drinks at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center. ccprc.com | 843-768-5867

2, 29 Jazz Brunch Riverboat Cruise – Enjoy live jazz music, a gourmet buffet brunch and views of the Charleston harbor aboard The Carolina Queen. charlestonharbortours.com | 800-344-4483

9 Charleston Cup Steeplechase – The nation’s top riders, trainers, and owners compete for purses totaling $50,000 at The Plantation at Stono Ferry in Hollywood.charlestoncup.net | 843-766-6202

14-Jan. 1 2015 Holiday Festival of Lights – This event marks 25 years of lighting up James Island County Park and delighting visitors with 2 million lights making up 750 displays on a 3-mile loop through the park. Plus, enjoy marshmallow roasting,train rides, enchanted walking trail, gift shop, carousel and photos with Santa on select evenings. charlestoncountyparks.com

15 Trades and Harvest Festival – Interact with costumed interpreters and craftspeople, observe open-hearth cooking and learn about colonial cooking, witness the smoke and thunder of a militia drill at Charles Towne Landing. charlestownelanding.travel | 843-852-4200

15-16 Plantation Days at Middleton Place – Craftworkers demonstrate the skills practiced by slaves as they prepared the antebellum plantation for winter. Different aspects of 18th and 19th century plantation life will be explored including domestic skills, African-American culture and Gullah storytelling. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

15 North Charleston POPS! – “Heroes and Legends” celebrates heroes from sports and movies along with a tribute to North Charleston’s first responders at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. northcharlestonpops.com

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and roasters as well as coffee tastings, latte art competitions and roasters challenges plus educational programs highlighting the art, culture and economics of coffee. Joe Riley Stadium in Charleston. charlestoncoffeecup.com | 843-633-1638

DECEMBER

2 Christmas Tree Lighting in Hutchinson Square – Enjoy musical entertainment as the town mayor lights the tree in historic downtown Summerville. summervilledream.org

6, 7, 11, The Charleston Christmas Special – Family friendly variety show with holiday 12, 13, 14, songs, dancing and skits at the Charleston Music Hall. bradandjennifermoranz.com18, 19, 843-416-845320, 21

5, 12 Christmas 1860 – Celebrate a Victorian holiday season by candlelight at the Edmondston-Alston House on East Bay Street – decorated for the holidays as it would have been in 1860 – as costumed interpreters present dramatic scenes. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

5-7 Made in the South Weekend – Celebrate the best of Garden & Gun magazine at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Enjoy food, sporting, shopping, music and art as well as special dinners and entertainment. gardenandgunjubilee.com/2014/

7 Wine Under the Oaks – Featuring fine wines, gourmet foods, a champagne and desserts tent, ice sculptures, wine and cooking demonstrations plus a concert by the band Spyro Gyra at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. boonehallplantation.com

13 Family Yuletide in the Stableyards – Visit Middleton Plantation where the stableyards artisan shops will be lit by candlelight as craftspeople ply their tradesand interact with visitors. Seasonal refreshments provided. middletonplace.org 843-556-6020

13 37th annual Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon – The Boston Qualifying race features live music throughout the course, spectacular views and an after party with food, beer and awards. KiawahMarathon.com

14 Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting – More than 100 floats parade down Coleman Boulevard ending with a tree lighting and fireworks display. comeonovermp.com

18 A Christmas Carol Walking Tour – Local storyteller Tim Lowry recounts this time-honored holiday tale on a guided walking tour of historic Summerville. 843-821-7260 | summervilledream.org

31 Happy New Year Charleston – Head to Marion Square in downtown Charleston for this non-alcoholic and family friendly way to celebrate the New Year in Charleston. charlestonarts.org

brewery/distillery article.For more Charleston area events, check our online calendar at travelerofcharleston.com/events.ph

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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 travelerofcharleston.com/events.

ONGOING EVENTS

29th annual Progressive Dinner – Beginning Nov. 28 and running throughout December,Circa 1886 restaurant and Charming Inns host a festive evening where diners journey by car-riage to three different locations. Guests start the evening with hors d’oeuvres at Historic KingsCourtyard Inn, travel to Circa 1886 restaurant on Wentworth Street for a three-course dinner,and wind down at Historic John Rutledge House Inn for coffee and dessert. circa1886.com

From Gospel to Gershwin presented by The Sound of Charleston. Jazz, gospel, Gershwin,spirituals and Civil War songs at Circular Congregational Church. Special holiday edition on Fridays in December and on 12/30. soundofcharleston.com | 843-270-4903

Fall Wine Strolls – Each Wednesday in October at Middleton Place. Sip and stroll in a differentgarden location each week while sampling old and new world wines. The season ends with aMasquerade Wine Stroll Finale on Oct. 29. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

Blues & BBQ Harbor Cruise – Every Thursday night in October, enjoy a barbecue buffet, livemusic and a cruise around the Charleston harbor. 888-224-5037 | charlestonharbortours.com

“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 ComedyMystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453

“A Sweet T. Christmas,” a holiday whodunit with spirit at the Black Fedora Comedy MysteryTheatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453

Sweet Tea Trail Trolley Tours Begin with a history film at Summerville Visitor’s Center and thena local historian gives a one-hour guided tour on the trolley with a stop at the historic LinwoodGardens. Tours are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. first, second and third Fridays. lowcountrylooptrolley.com843-654-5199

Evenings in the Market – Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening through Decembershowcasing 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

Charles Towne Landing special events – The first Saturday is musket demonstrations.Monthly programs are Archaeology Day on 10/11; Fall Frolic in the Zoo (11/1) and Life of a Colonist (12/13). The third Saturday is cannon demonstrations. 843-852-4200charlestownelanding.travel

Charleston Farmers Market – Each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through 12/20 in Marion Square, downtown Charleston. charlestonfarmersmarket.com* Event details are subject to change. Please call ahead or check the listed website for confirmation.

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Here in Charleston fall ushers in anew season of the arts with every-thing from plays and concerts to

gallery showings and dance performances.It’s the perfect time of year to soak up thearea’s thriving arts and culture scene.

Art Walks: Stroll the galleries alongCharleston’s picturesque Broad Streetfrom 5-8 p.m. the first Friday of eachmonth (charlestongalleryrow.com). Orhead to the French Quarter to walkthe cobblestone streets and discover morethan 500 artists representing a variety ofmedia. Walks are 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 3 andDec. 5. The French Quarter is borderedby South Market, Tradd and Meetingstreets (frenchquarterarts.com).

AWAKE: A multi-sensory exhibition byartist John Duckworth is opening Nov. 7at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. Thegallery will be transformed into an im-mersive space within a guided exhibitionlayout, displaying Duckworth’s photogra-phy, sketches, paintings, video and audio

Spotlight On... Art Season CULTURE COMES ALIVE THROUGHOUT CHARLESTON

installation in his most comprehensiveshow yet. The exhibition will be open tothe public through Dec. 21. For more in-formation visit awakejduckworth.com

League of Charleston Theatres: Analliance of Charleston area theater organ-izations, this is a great place to find outabout upcoming plays and performances.Visit theatrecharleston.com for a fullfall season calendar. Don’t miss the Southof Broadway Theatre Company’s perform-ance of “Fences,” the story of a responsible,yet otherwise flawed, black garbage col-lector in pre-Civil Rights America whorises to the level of an epic hero. Theshow runs Oct. 16 to Nov. 1. Tickets:southofbroadway.com or 843-745-0317

The Crabpot Players perform “TheGlass Menagerie,” one of TennesseeWilliam’s most famous works, Nov. 6-22at their Mount Pleasant theater. Tickets:crabpotplayers.com or 888-303-0763

A Swinging Christmas: Join 34 WestTheater Co., 200 Meeting St., for this hol-iday performance Nov. 25 to Jan. 4. WillJohnny be home for Christmas? Jazzytunes and one crazed crooner heat up acold wintery night at the snowboundMountaintop Lodge. Tickets: 34west.orgor 843-901-9343

The Sound of Charleston – HolidayEdition: Explore the sounds of Charleston’sgospel roots in this concert series at theCircular Congregational Church, 150 Meet-ing St. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 12,19, 26, 30. Tickets: soundofcharleston.com


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Getting AroundSome transportation options for getting arounddowntown Charleston and the surrounding areas.

■ WATER TAXI: Transports visitors fromdowntown Charleston(Aquarium Wharf or Water-frontPark) to Mount Pleasant(Patriots Point or CharlestonHarbor Resort and Marina).Taxi runs each hour; $10 forall-day pass. No reservationsneeded. Shem Creek routeavailable; $20 round trip.Call 843-330-2989 for pickup.charlestonwatertaxi.com

■ BUS: The CARTA bus system has regular routes that travel to ma-jor destinations. The DASHtrolley service is available freeof charge if you’re travelingaround downtown Charleston.ridecarta.com | 843-724-7420

■ LOWCOUNTRY LOOP TROLLEY: Go from downtown Charlestonto attractions in Mount Pleasant and the beaches usingthis hop-on/hop-off trolley.Cost is $15 for an individualroundtrip day pass. lowcountrylooptrolley.com843-654-5199

■ RICKSHAWS AND PEDICABS: Available in downtownCharleston as are taxi cabsfor transportation around the Lowcountry.


Charleston Metro Area Maps

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Tell us your favorite Charleston brew! Share on our Face-book page at facebook.com/travelermag

Directory Of AdvertisersSEE + DO Adventure Sightseeing Tours 25Angler Management Fishing 38Audubon Center at Beidler Forest 23Barrier Island Eco Tours 28Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theater 20Boone Hall Plantation 5Bulldog Walking Tours 19Carolina Queen Riverboat 32Carriage + Harbor Tour Combo 37Charles Towne Landing 27Charleston Harbor Tours 3Charleston Strolls 28Charleston Tea Plantation 72Charleston Water Taxi 21Children’s Museum 24Culinary Tours of Charleston 17Drayton Hall 23Edmondston-Alston House 23Fort Sumter + Gray Line Combo Tour 70Fort Sumter Tours 8Harbor + Ghost Tour Combo 20Middleton Place 24Nature Adventures Outfitters 30North Charleston City of 41Palmetto Carriage Works 2Palmetto Tours 7Patriots Point 39Plantation + Harbor Tour Combo 29Schooner Pride Sailing Tour 36Sharkin' Charleston Charters 38Sky Zone 9Sound of Charleston 28South Carolina Aquarium 22SpiritLine Cruises Harbor Tour 31Summerville, Town of 33Summerville Trolley Tour 35THEATRE Charleston 18Thirty-Four West Theater Co. 18USS Yorktown Ghost Tours 30Wild Blue Ropes 26

SHOP + SAVORCharleston Winery 43Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry 46Nice Ice Fine Jewelry 71Palmettoville Boutique 43Terrace Oaks Antique Mall 45The Brass Pirate 43Tom’s Toys - KAPLA 45Town of Mount Pleasant 47

EAT + DRINKA.W. Shuck’s 53Bocci’s 53Charleston Crab House 58Cru Café 51East Bay Deli 52Henry’s 57Hyman’s Seafood 59Joe Pasta 51Middleton Place Restaurant 51SpiritLine Dinner Cruise 51The Press - Coffee 56The Whiskey Bar 57Tommy Condon’s 53


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Traveler of Charleston | Fall 2014 | Things to Do in Charleston SC

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Transcript of Traveler of Charleston | Fall 2014 | Things to Do in Charleston SC