Saturday, July 23, 2011

CHARLESTON

(includes Ashley, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, St. John’s Island & Sullivan's Island)

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Caviar & Bananas – 51 George Street; 843-577-7757; caviarandbananas.com; gourmet market & coffee shop; people-watching.
City Lights Coffee – 141 Market Street; 843-853-7067; charleston.eater.com/venue/13803/city-lights-coffee; bohemian coffeehouse; organic coffees & teas, beer & wine, baked goods & sandwiches; live acoustic music monthly.
East Bay Meeting House – 160 East Bay Street; 843-723-3446; eastbaymeetinghouse.com; Parisian-inspired cafe serving coffee during day.
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer – 4 Vanderhorst Street; 843-853-7186; facebook.com/kuducharleston; roasts beans on-site; 20+ beers on tap; great backyard patio to enjoy either on.
Sugar Bakeshop – 59½ Cannon Street; 843-579-2891; sugarbake.com; bite-size bake shop; teensy space north of downtown; try to visit on Thursdays, when Lady Baltimore cupcakes are on – retro Southern specialty with dried fruit & white frosting; walled garden.
EVO Craft Bakery – 1075 East Montague Boulevard (North Charleston); 843-225-1810; evopizza.com/craft-bakery; coffee & tea, alongside freshly baked breads & pastries.
Wild Flower Pastry – 1750 Savannah Highway; 843-327-2621; wildflourpastrycharleston.com; famous for sticky buns on weekends; good for take-out breakfast.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Bar at Husk – 76 Queen Street; 843-577-2500; huskrestaurant.com; in beautifully restored, 1843 Queen Anne home.
Belmont Lounge – 511 King Street; 760-213-7356; thebelmontcharleston.com; holy grail of local bars; elegant bar where art deco clock hangs from punched tin ceiling; evokes lost era of languid sophistication; can hear people talk.
Bin 152 – 152 King Street; 843-577-7359; bin152.com; wine bar where even furniture for sale; cheeses, too.
Charleston Grill – 224 King Street (at Shops at Belmond Charleston Place); 843-577-4522; charlestongrill.com; staid but live jazz.
City Lights Coffee – 141 Market Street; 843-853-7067; charleston.eater.com/venue/13803/city-lights-coffee; bohemian coffeehouse; organic coffees & teas, beer & wine, baked goods & sandwiches; live acoustic music monthly.
Dig in Park – 1049 East Montague Avenue (North Charleston); 843-225-5201; dighospitality.com; sports bar with huge patio & outdoor grill.
East Bay Meeting House – 160 East Bay Street; 843-723-3446; eastbaymeetinghouse.com; Parisian-inspired cafe serving coffee during day, with wine, tapas, poetry & music at night; great Hendrick’s cucumber gin & tonic.
Edmund’s Oast – 1081 Morrison Drive; 843-727-1145; edmundsoast.com; Edmund Egan was English-born brewer who came to Charleston in 1760s & started producing beer soon after; hip, loftlike spot; 4 dozen taps, including house beers.
Fig Restaurant – 232 Meeting Street; 843-805-5900; eatatfig.com; excellent bar.
Gin Joint – 182 East Bay Street; 843-577-6111; theginjoint.com; truly outstanding cocktails, emphasizing from-scratch mixology approach (market-driven ingredients like local herbs, house-made syrup infusions & nods to local flavor & Southern palates), but what sets this French Quarter hotspot apart from fray is equally solid bar bites; lively bistro-meets-speakeasy space is helmed by husband & wife duo who cut their culinary chops in New York City; expect elevated bar fare like crab dip with potato mousse, beef jerky & array of artisanal local cheeses.
Griffon – 18 Vendue Range Street; 843-723-1700; griffoncharleston.com; dive bar that is chef-magnet, located in tourist-friendly area; Charleston staple for over 20 years; Southern food & beer make for filling, delicious visit.
Grocery – 4 Cannon Street; 843-302-8825; facebook.com/TheGroceryCHS; set in industrial-chic space adorned with mason jars of pickled everything; farm-to-table champion with fiercely locavore & vegetarian-friendly approach; cooking styles channels both South and Mediterranean; seasonal ingredients arrive fresh from nearby farmers, foragers & fishers; Bloody Marys at brunch.
Harold’s Cabin – 247 Congress Street; 843-793-4440; haroldscabin.com; it goes without saying that if Bill Murray is co-owner, place is probably dope; former corner store, which remains rustic (if newly chic) neighborhood haunt offering locally sourced grocery items, as well as bar & restaurant; delicious, veggie-driven meals are largely made up of ingredients from rooftop garden.
High Cotton – 199 East Bay Street; 843-724-3815; highcottoncharleston.com; takes name from old southern term for living well (high-growing cotton was prosperity indicator); Hemingway vibe; serves roughly 800 Espresso Martinis monthly.
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer – 4 Vanderhorst Street; 843-853-7186; facebook.com/kuducharleston; roasts beans on-site; 20+ beers on tap; great backyard patio to enjoy either on.
Ordinary – 544 King Street; 843-414-7060; eattheordinary.com; order Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, classic rum drink.
Peninsula Grill – 112 North Market Street (in Planters Inn Hotel); 843-723-0700; peninsulagrill.com; Champagne Bar opens every afternoon at 4 PM for cocktails & Ultimate Coconut Cake slices.
Sparrow – 1078 East Montague Boulevard (North Charleston); 845-744-7753; facebook.com/thesparrowparkcircle; dive bar & live concert venue.



HOTELS
Battery Carriage House Inn – 20 South Battery; 843-727-3100; batterycarriagehouse.com; 1843 building in upscale neighborhood; across street from White Point Garden & Battery seawall; .1 miles from Calhoun Mansion; 11 uniquely styled rooms with period decor; private entrances & bathrooms, as well as free Wi-Fi & TVs; many have 4-poster beds (some with canopies) & French doors, while some have whirlpool tubs; continental breakfast is served either in guest rooms or garden.
Belmond Charleston Place – 205 Meeting Street; 843-722-4900; belmond.com/charlestonplace‎; set across from famous local craft market; 17th Century Italian mansion-style; elegant; salt water mineral pool.
Inn at Middleton Place – 4290 Ashley River Road; 843-556-0500; theinnatmiddletonplace.com; AIA-winning, modern building within historic Middleton Place plantation, overlooking Ashley River (16.1 miles from downtown); features handcrafted furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows with wooden shutters & hardwood floors; woodsy rooms offer free WiFi & flat-screen TVs, plus coffeemakers & mini-fridges; upgraded rooms add marble bathrooms, fireplaces & sitting areas with sofas; suite adds private deck; continental breakfast, admission to museum & garden; seasonal outdoor pool & upscale restaurant.
John Rutledge House Inn – 116 Broad Street; 843-723-7999; johnrutledgehouseinn.com; modern version of 1700s grand residence, with Italian marble fireplaces, ironwork & antiques; highly reviewed.
Market Pavilion – 225 East Bay Street; 843-723-0500; marketpavilion.com; authentically reproduced, luxurious landmark hotel; “cascading rooftop pool.”
Planters Inn – 112 North Market Street; 843-722-2345; plantersinn.com; only Relais & Chateaux property in Charleston; beautiful, classic oasis; 64 rooms, cozy lobby, shaded courtyard & beloved restaurant; request room 214 for its king-size bed, cool pastels & soaring ceiling.
Restoration on King – 75 Wentworth Street; 843-518-5100; therestorationhotel; set in historic downtown, this chic, all-suite hotel is .9 miles from South Carolina Aquarium & 12-minute walk from Charleston Museum; warm suites feature free Wi-Fi, loaner iPads, flat-screen TVs, washer/dryers & full kitchens; complimentary breakfast is delivered in picnic basket; some suites have high ceilings, exposed brick walls & balconies with city views; amenities include evening wine & cheese receptions, plus rooftop terrace with couches & tables; loaner bikes are available; guests receive free access to nearby fitness club; 3 lofts, complete with kitchens; contemporary.
Hotel Vendue – 19 Vendue Range Street; 843-577-7970; thevendue.com; 3-story inn; narrow, labyrinthine spaces full of antiques & colonial accessories in public areas; guest rooms do not necessarily follow this European model; overflow guests are housed in historic, brick-fronted annex across cobblestone-covered street; restaurant is called Kitchen House (for dinner only); Roof Top Terrace offers complete lunch & dinner menu in more informal atmosphere with panoramic harbor & historic district views; Ethan Diehl art onsite.
Zero George – 0 George Street; 843-817-7900; zerogeorge.com; set in 5 restored homes dating from 19th Century, refined boutique hotel surrounded by landscaped courtyard; 3 blocks from Cooper River & 8-minute walk from South Carolina Aquarium; mixing period & contemporary decor, elegantly simple rooms offer flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi & Nespresso machines, plus pine floors & access to shared patio; suites add fireplaces, stocked minifridges &/or separate sitting rooms; room service is available 24/7; continental breakfast & evening wine-&-cheese socials are complimentary; other amenities include loaner bikes & chic bistro/bar; parking extra.



RESTAURANTS
Al di La – 25 Magnolia Road; 843-571-2321; aldilarestaurant.com; locally beloved northern Italian trattoria; wood-fired pizza & craft cocktails; intimate, retro setting.
Bertha’s Kitchen – 2332 Meeting Street Road; 843-554-6519; facebook.com/pages/Berthas-Kitchen/168600646485662; authentic soul food; North Charleston counter-service staple where never-disappointed patrons expect nothing fancy; folks in kitchen can really cook; so affordable you could eat here every day; downsides are only open until 7 PM on weekdays & closed on weekends; try fried pork chop with tomato-okra soup.
Bowen’s Island Restaurant – 1870 Bowens Island Road; 843-795-2757; bowensisland.com; large, screened-in room on 18' stilts, affording views over Folly Creek, home to dolphins; enduring, counter-serve icon on waterfront, serving up fresh fish within graffiti-covered walls.
Butcher & Bee – 1085 Morrison Drive; 843-619-0202; butcherandbee.com; sultry reincarnation of previous, smaller outpost; eat-local ethos at hip kitchen where focus is on lunchtime; creative, gourmet sandwiches, elevated by inventive use of straight-from-farm ingredients; antique-country-market-meets-butcher-shop space attracts hipster crowd, especially for late-night dinners served on weekends.
Caviar & Bananas – 51 George Street; 843-577-7757; caviarandbananas.com; gourmet market & restaurant; locals’ favorite downtown lunch spot; located just off King Street on George Street near College of Charleston campus; eat indoors in clean & modern interior, on side patio for prime people-watching experience or to-go for sophisticated picnic lunch; pre-made pasta salads, house-made daily soups & hot entree options such as meatloaf, eggplant Parmesan, duck confit spring rolls & more; not to mention design-your-own salads, sushi, made-to-order sandwiches & wine & beer; expect boutique restaurant prices.
Charleston Grill – 224 King Street (at Shops at Belmond Charleston Place); 843-577-4522; charlestongrill.com; posh, with touch of Vegas; try pheasant breast.
Circa 1886 – 149 Wentworth Street; 843-853-7828; circa1886.com; seasonal, 5-course, Southern tasting menu.
Coda del Pesce – 1130 Ocean Boulevard (Isle of Palms); 843-242-8570; codadelpesce.com; name means “tail of fish”; seafood reaches new heights in 2nd-floor dining room, in delectable dishes like calamari Bolognese over house-made bucatini pasta & local swordfish “Torcino” style with eggplant caponata; served in casual, brick-walled dining room whose décor incorporates reclaimed wood & windows that look out on beach below; wine list shines.
Dave’s Carry-Out – 42 Morris Street; 843-577-7943; facebook.com/pages/category/Seafood-Restaurant/Daves-Carry-Out-111720082197029/; local staple serving seafood & soul-food classics in basic counter-serve space geared to takeout; fried chicken & fish.
East Bay Meeting House – 160 East Bay Street; 843-723-3446; eastbaymeetinghouse.com; Parisian-inspired cafe serving lunch fare.
Edmund’s Oast – 1081 Morrison Drive; 843-727-1145; edmundsoast.com; hip, loftlike spot for inventive American plates & brunch.
EVO Pizza – 1075 East Montague Boulevard (North Charleston); 843-225-1810; evopizza.com/craft-bakery; excellent pizza (best in town) & other light dinner options; beer & wine.
Fat Hen – 3140 Maybank Highway (Johns Island); 843-559-9090; thefathen.com; innovative Low-Country French cuisine using freshest local ingredients from Johns Island farming community; notable chocolate cake.
Fig Restaurant – 232 Meeting Street; 843-805-5900; eatatfig.com; local neighborhood restaurant in downtown; serves seasonally-inspired cuisine with commitment to using local products.
Fishnet Seafood – 3832 Savannah Highway (Johns Island, on US 17 south of Charleston); 843-571-2423; facebook.com/FishnetSeafoodMarket; look for dilapidated former gas station with large parking lot (where you will dine because there is no place to eat inside); dinners, sandwiches & by-pound fare; brittle-crusted shrimp, local oysters, crab cakes, filets of flounder, bone-in or bone-out croaker & Jesus (devil) crab.
Glass Onion – 1219 Savannah Highway (Saint Andrews); 843-225-1717; ilovetheglassonion.com; counter-style diner; located just across Ashley River from downtown; attracts both locals & visitors with classic Soul & Southern comfort foods & family-friendly atmosphere; must-do Tuesday Fried Chicken Suppers, which is in high demand so reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance (fried chicken itself is 1stst-come, 1stst-serve basis); when it is necessary to reserve your fried chicken in advance, you know it will be authentic Southern meal.
Grocery – 4 Cannon Street; 843-302-8825; facebook.com/TheGroceryCHS; set in industrial-chic space adorned with mason jars of pickled everything; farm-to-table champion with fiercely locavore & vegetarian-friendly approach; cooking styles channels both South and Mediterranean; seasonal ingredients arrive fresh from nearby farmers, foragers & fishers; Bloody Marys at brunch.
Hank’s Seafood Restaurant – 10 Hayne Street; 843-723-3474; hanksseafoodrestaurant.com; beautiful and beloved.
Harold’s Cabin – 247 Congress Street; 843-793-4440; haroldscabin.com; it goes without saying that if Bill Murray is co-owner, place is probably dope; former corner store, which remains rustic (if newly chic) neighborhood haunt offering locally sourced grocery items, as well as bar & restaurant; delicious, veggie-driven meals are largely made up of ingredients from rooftop garden.
High Cotton – 199 East Bay Street; 843-724-3815; highcottoncharleston.com; takes name from old southern term for living well (high-growing cotton was prosperity indicator); renowned for “Low country” cuisine; Hemingway vibe; great dark chocolate pudding.
Husk – 76 Queen Street; 843-577-2500; huskrestaurant.com; hailed as possibly most important Southern cooking restaurant; in beautifully restored, 1843 Queen Anne home; excellent shrimp & grits; try Benton Bacon Burger (or cheeseburger) or brown butter & red wheat waffles with seared Tennessee foie gras & grilled South Carolina peaches.
Hyman’s Seafood – 215 Meeting Street; 843-723-6000; hymanseafood.com; stand-by, tourist restaurant that’s too easy to hate on; since 1890, serving fresh seafood & good times.
MacIntosh – 479B King Street; 843-789-4299; themacintoshcharleston.com; creative menu items include bone marrow bread pudding at this convivial, farm-to-table American bistro.
Martha Lou’s Kitchen – 1068 Morrison Drive; 843-577-9583; facebook.com/marthalouskitchen; snug shack lures locals with “Low country” soul food favorites & sweet tea; great fried chicken.
McCrady’s – 155 East Bay Street; 843-577-0025; mccradysrestaurant.com; acclaimed spot for high-concept, locally sourced American food in intimate, brick-walled setting.
My Three Sons – 1910 East Montague Avenue; 843-202-0189; mythreesonsofcharleston.com; unassuming eatery offering down-home fare, including seafood platters, plus burgers & sandwiches.
Ordinary – 544 King Street; 843-414-7060; eattheordinary.com; Southern-style seafood (including “life-changing” oysters); must-visit hot-spot known for creative dishes, packed with flavor; airy & bright, in converted bank building with lots of character; can get noisy when full, but knowledgeable staff & head-turning shellfish tower make up for it.
Peninsula Grill – 112 North Market Street (in Planters Inn Hotel); 843-723-0700; peninsulagrill.com; relaxed “fine dining”; steakhouse but famous for coconut cake.
Slightly North of Broad – 192 East Bay Street; 843-723-3424; snobcharleston.com; also called “SNOB”; Charleston destination restaurant for “Low country” fare; try shrimp & grits.
Trattoria Lucca – 41 Bogard Street; 843-973-3323; luccacharleston.com; acclaimed, locally-sourced Tuscan cuisine with nightly changing menu in cozy corner storefront.
Wild Olive – 2867 Maybank Highway (John’s Island); 843-737-4177; wildoliverestaurant.com; traditional Italian design paired with unique 1-of-kind elements creating cozy yet sleek 135-seat dining room & bar; towering, majestic oak twinkles with white light at restaurant entrance, leading through fragrant walkway surrounded by herb gardens & olive trees; guests choose from 3 dining areas to best fit ambiance they desire – lively bar & community table, intimate table in quiet & romantic front dining room, or table in aromatic back dining room with view into bustling kitchen; Italian cuisine; emphasizes fresh, local & seasonal ingredients; in-house salumeri & house-made pasta.
Xiao Bao Biscuit – 224 Rutledge Avenue; 843-743-3880; xiaobaobiscuit.com; creative, multicultural Asian cooking & specialty cocktails in trendy converted gas station; make sure to try shrimp toast.



SERVICES
Absolutely Charleston – 3427 West Montague Avenue (North Charleston); 843-747-4448; absolutelycharleston.com; ask for Linda Wohlfeil Jones for walking tour.
Architecture Walking Tours – John Paul Huguley (c/o American College of Building Arts, 21 Magazine Street); 843-670-5245; buildingartscollege.us; private, 3-hour tours through city's historic center; with 2 weeks notice, will craft personalized tour.
Gullah Tours – 375 Meeting Street; 843-763-7551; gullahtours.com.



SHOPPING
Blue Bicycle Books – 420 King Street; 843-722-2666; bluebicyblebooks.com; downtown’s only independent bookstore, selling used & new book.
Caviar & Bananas – 51 George Street; 843-577-7757; caviarandbananas.com; gourmet market; locals’ favorite spot for to-go (especially sophisticated picnic lunches); pre-made pasta salads, house-made daily soups & hot entree options such as meatloaf, eggplant Parmesan, duck confit spring rolls & more; not to mention design-your-own salads, sushi, made-to-order sandwiches; expect boutique restaurant prices.
Charleston Farmers’ Market – Marion Square (main office: 329 Meeting Street); 843-724-7305; charlestonfarmersmarket.com; Saturday mornings; weekly outdoor market hosting local vendors with food & crafts.
Charleston Market Hall & Sheds – 6 Chalmers Street; 843-958-6467; or nps.gov/places/market-hall-and-sheds.htm; handicrafts in historically significant structure.
Chuma Gullah Gallery – 188 Meeting Street (at Charleston City Market); 843-722-1702; gallerychuma.com; Gullah artists’ works.
Croghan's Jewel Box – 308 King Street; 843-723-3594; croghansjewelbox.com; enduring store in 18th Century building selling high-end antique & estate jewelry, plus gifts.
M. Dumas & Sons – 294 King Street; 843-723-8603; mdumasandsons.com; fine clothing for men & women; seersucker suits.
Macaroon Boutique – 45 John Street; 843-577-5441; macaroonboutique.com; macarons but no seating; grab & go; some other French products sold (pastries, wine).
Gita’s Gourmet – 188 Meeting Street (at Charleston City Market); 843-722-8207; facebook.com/pg/Gitas-Gourmet-121654085080019/about/?ref=page_internal; benne wafers, jellies & teas.
Grady Ervin – 313 King Street; 843-722-1776; gradyervin.com; men’s clothing; traditional store featuring classic menswear brands & made-to-measure options, plus alterations.
Hampden Clothing – 314 King Street; 843-724-6373; hampdenclothing.com; opened by former Neiman Marcus buyer; high-end couture.
Harold’s Cabin – 247 Congress Street; 843-793-4440; haroldscabin.com; it goes without saying that if Bill Murray is co-owner, place is probably dope; former corner store, which remains rustic (if newly chic) neighborhood haunt offering locally sourced grocery items; delicious, veggie-driven meals are largely made up of ingredients from rooftop garden.
Indigo & Cotton – 79 Cannon Street; 843-718-2980; indigoandcotton.com; southern gentleman’s boutique; plus sneakers & accessories.
Indigo Blue – 4 Vendue Range Street; 843-723-2983; indigohome.com; local artists’ work, home goods & some clothing.
Magar Hatworks – 57 Cannon Street; 843-345-4483; madamemagar.com; by appointment; exclusive, bespoke millinery
Ben Silver Collection – 149 King Street; 843-577-4556; bensilver.com; men's & women's clothing & eyewear.



SIGHTS & SITES
Angel Oak Park – 6888 Angel Oak Road; 843-559-3496; charleston-sc.gov/Directory.aspx?did=78; enormous, 400 year-old oak; famous for striking photographs.
Avery Research Center for African-American History & Culture – 125 Bull Street; 843-953-7609; avery.cofc.edu/about/avery-institute-of-afro-american-history-culture; galleries & other public spaces housing permanent displays & installations; art exhibits, book signings, jazz performances, lectures, poetry readings & receptions.
Boone Hall Plantation – 1235 Long Point Road (Mount Pleasant); 843-884-4371; boonehallplantation.com; antebellum plantation listed on National Register of Historic Places; includes large Colonial Revival plantation house (1933-35) that replaced lost original house on site, numerous slave cabins (occupied by sharecroppers well into 20th Century), several flower gardens & historic “Avenue of Oaks,” nearly 1.5 mile drive leading up to house with live oaks on either side, originally planted in 1743; about 10 miles from historic downtown Charleston.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site – 1254 Long Point Road (Mount Pleasant); 843-881-5516; nps.gov/chpi/index.htm; pays tribute to South Carolina statesman who helped write US Constitution.
Charleston City Market – 188 Meeting Street; 843-937-0920; thecharlestoncitymarket.com; historic market complex in downtown; established in 1790s; market stretches for 4 city blocks from architecturally-significant Market Hall, which faces Meeting Street, through continuous series of 1-story market sheds, last of which terminates at East Bay Street; described as building of highest architectural design quality; entire complex listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Charleston Museum – 360 Meeting Street; 843-722-2996; charlestonmuseum.org; among oldest museums in US; highly regarded collection includes historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts & 2 historic Charleston houses.
Drayton Hall – 3380 Ashley River Road; 843-769-2600; draytonhall.org; 18th Century plantation located on Ashley River about 15 miles northwest of Charleston; outstanding example of Palladian architecture & only plantation house on Ashley River to survive intact through both Revolutionary & Civil wars; National Historic Landmark.
Fort Sumter – 1214 Middle Street (Sullivan’s Island); 843-883-3123; nps.gov/fosu; sea fort where 1st shots of Civil War fired.
Fort Sumter Visitor Center – 340 Concord Street; 843-883-3123; nps.gov/fosu.
Gibbes Museum of Art – 135 Meeting Street; 843-722-2706; gibbesmuseum.org; drawings & prints from 18th Century to present; genre scenes, landscapes (panoramic Charleston Harbor views) & portraits (check out Thomas Middleton by Benjamin West, Charles Izard Manigault by Thomas Sully & John C. Calhoun by Rembrandt Peale); 400 miniature portrait collection ranks among country’s most comprehensive.
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor – 2817 Maybank Highway (Johns Island); 843-818-4587; nps.gov/guge/index.htm; federal National Heritage Area, preserving & representing Gullah-Geechee people’s cultural traditions; designation intended to interpret & preserve traditional cultural practices, resources & sites associated with Gullah-Geechee people; extends along southeastern US coast through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia & Florida; Gullah-Geechee are direct descendants of West African slaves brought into US around 1700s where forced to work in rice paddies, cotton fields & indigo plantations; after abolition, Gullah-Geechee people settled in remote villages around coastal swath; corridor is specifically focused on 79 Atlantic barrier islands within designated area & their African-American inhabitants & adjoining areas within 30 miles of coastline.
Historic Charleston Foundation – 108 Meeting Street; 843-723-1623 or 843-724-8484; historiccharleston.org; can buy tickets to tour foundation’s 2 houses, each less than mile away.
Hunley Submarine – 1250 Supply Street; 843-743-4865; hunley.org; H.L. Hunley, often referred to as Hunley, was CSA submarine that played role in American Civil War.
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History – 202 Calhoun Street (School of Sciences & Mathematics Building, 2nd Floor); 843-953-5589 (Geology Department Office, must arrange visits in advance); geology.cofc.edu/natural-history-museum; fossils & taxidermy.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens – 3550 Ashley River Road; 843-571-1266; magnoliaplantation.com; historic house with gardens located on Ashley River (west of Ashley); among oldest plantations in South; listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Middleton Place – 4300 Ashley River Road; 843-556-6020 or 843-628-2879 (for kayaking tour); middletonplace.org; plantation with spectacular gardens; visit to smell magnolias is worth special trip.
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon – 122 East Bay Street; 843-727-2165; oldexchange.com; among last British-commissioned buildings in Colonies; contains artifacts & paintings from pre-Revolutionary & Revolutionary times.
Old Slave Mart Museum – 6 Chalmers Street; 843-958-6467; charleston-sc.gov/160/Old-Slave-Mart-Museum; brings slavery to life in horrifying detail.
Park Circle – bounded by Crawford & Jenkins Streets & O’Hear Avenues (North Charleston, in City Center); facebook.com/pcncsc; Old House Magazine has named it as among America’s “Best Old-House Neighborhoods”; in neighborhood center is large park with traffic circle in it; inside traffic circle are several ball fields, gazebo, picnic tables & playground; disc golf course located around traffic circle; every winter, Park Circle comes alive with Christmas holiday decorations; park is adjacent to Old North Charleston Business District on East Montague Avenue; also, Quarterman Park located 2 blocks down Buist Street, southeast of Park Circle.
Seafront Walk – extends from seawall beginning (at site of former Omar Shrine Temple, 40-44 East Bay Street) to intersection of what is now Murray Boulevard & King Street; nationalregister.sc.gov/SurveyReports/HC10006.pdf; stretches along Charleston peninsula lower shores, bordered by Ashley & Cooper Rivers, which meet here to form Charleston harbor; Fort Sumter is visible from Cooper River side (High Battery) & from point, as are Castle Pinckney, WWII aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown, Fort Moultrie & Sullivan’s Island; included among grand houses are: Louis DeSaussure House (1 East Battery), Roper House (9 East Battery), William Ravenel House (13 East Battery),Edmondston-Alston House (21 East Battery), Charles Drayton House (25 East Battery), Villa Margherita (4 South Battery), William Washington House (8 South Battery), Col. John A.S. Ashe House (26 South Battery), James Spear House (30 South Battery) & Col. John Ashe House (32 South Battery).
South of Broadway Theater Company – 1080 East Montague Boulevard (North Charleston); 843-745-0317; southofbroadway.com; South Carolina theater mainstay.
White Point Gardens – 2 Murray Boulevard (at East Battery Street); 843-724-7327; charlestonparksconservancy.org/park/white-point-garden; pleasing, small park area at city’s peninsula’s tip; nice harbor view on 1 side & big, lovely houses on other; park itself small, with cannons, statues, old oak trees & bandstand.

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