The Charleston region is full of life, history and opportunity. You’ve probably already discovered this as you consider, or have already chosen, the region as your new home.
On the surface, the region’s beauty is impossible to ignore. In fact, it’s probably one of the many things that attracted you to the area. Rivers serenely wind through scenic marshlands. Historic buildings are shaded by grand live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
But much deeper than the region’s beauty is its history, which dates back to 1670 when the first English settlers arrived and established Charles Towne on the banks of the Ashley River. As a favorite destination for travelers, the Charleston region proudly celebrates its history and the people who have helped shape the area into what it is today.
Quality of life is something each community takes seriously.
Schools are a high priority. New pedestrian- and family-friendly neighborhoods are being built that mix seamlessly with established neighborhoods. There are abundant choices to experience arts, culture, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining and nightlife.
Charleston’s thriving economy provides a multitude of job opportunities, from major manufacturers such as Boeing, Volvo, Mead Westvaco and Mercedes-Benz to family-owned retail shops. The region is home to four major universities, the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, The Citadel and Charleston Southern University, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of programs.
We invite you to explore the region, get to know your neighbors and discover the charms of the Lowcountry. We’re certainly glad you’re here. Welcome home.
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Charleston was again ranked the No. 1 Best City in the U.S. for the 10th year in a row by Travel & Leisure magazine. Here are a few reasons why:
Atmosphere and Ambiance
Day or night, Charleston’s atmosphere and ambiance beckon. Take a carriage ride to learn about the historic area, watch a sunset at a rooftop bar or venture to the beach to relax. Charleston gets into your soul and we think you’ll agree there’s nothing quite like it.
The Charleston area is the home of many firsts. The city was founded in 1670, and you can barely take a step in any direction without seeing a historic building, plantation or other landmark. From Rainbow Row and the City Market downtown to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, there is much to see and learn about. The Charleston arts scene is vibrant as well. Performing and visual arts come together in the annual Spoleto Festival.
Our reputation for friendliness and manners is something we’re proud of. We take life a little slower here in Charleston and extend to visitors and newcomers the same hospitality that the city’s founders did. It won’t be long before you, too, will be saying, “Welcome, y’all!”
Want to stay in a historic inn? No problem. Like the beach with a golf course nearby? You can stay there, too. Luxury hotel, bed and breakfast, marsh or ocean view, harbor or skyline vista? If you can dream it, we probably have it.
Charleston is known worldwide as a hot spot on the gourmet food scene. Chefs focus on using farm-fresh produce and seafood straight from local waters. Lots of festivals and events feature our local cuisine, from spontaneous food truck rodeos to the annual Wine and Food Festival.
Pick up a handmade sweetgrass basket in the City Market or shop the latest fashions on King Street downtown. Head out to the Tanger Outlets in North Charleston if you’re looking for a great deal or swing by Towne Centre in Mount Pleasant for trendy shops and locally owned boutiques. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it here.
Jason Thomas, executive editor jthomas@scbiznews.com • 864.568.7570
Paige Wills, research specialist pwills@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125
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The two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank at the South Carolina Aquarium in downtown Charleston.
Each year, the Charleston Regional Business Journal collects all kinds of data and facts about our region. These are presented in a visual way in Market Facts, which is published annually. In the following pages, you will be introduced to a sampling of this data, presented in chart, graph and table format.
You will also be treated to samples from our annual Book of Lists. The lists are just what they sound like: listings of businesses and other organizations by category. The information is ranked by number of employees or other criteria such as capacity or revenue, and details about each company are painstakingly gathered by our researchers.
The facts and lists published here are ones that will be of interest to newcomers. We hope you enjoy both of these added features to Intro Charleston.
The Charleston area keeps racking up the recognition in many areas. Here are a few examples. We’re flattered ...
Charleston is the No. 1 U.S. Best City - Travel & Leisure, 2022 (10th year in a row)
No. 23 Best City in the World (only U.S. city on list) - Travel & Leisure, 2022
No. 1 Best U.S. City - Conde Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards, 2022 (12th year in a row in top 10)
No. 1 The South’s Best CitySouthern Living, 2022
No. 49 50 Best Places to Live in America - Businessinsider.com, 2022
No. 50 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. - Niche.com, 2022
No. 6 Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report, 2022
No. 2 U.S. Island Destination, Kiawah Island - Travel & Leisure, 2022
Sources:
Charleston’s economy has rebounded from a two-year pandemic-induced pause, growing and diversifying at a steady pace, with technology, engineering, architec ture, service industries and health care ranking as the area’s fastest-growing job sectors.
The region’s biggest economic drivers — tourism and hospitality — have returned to levels surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. The Port of Charleston consistently posts records for traffic and volume while navigating an increasingly complex and fluid global economy.
The pandemic-induced real estate market surge has softened in recent months as rising interest rates and economic uncertainty weigh on would-be buyers, but demand continues to exceed supply in residential homes. Financial institutions operating in the Charleston area represent more than 25% of the total assets in banks across the state.
In the pages that follow we give you a visual representation of some data on the Charleston market through Market Facts. Each year, the Charleston Regional Business Journal publishes Market Facts: data and facts about our region presented in chart, graph and table format. The information here is from the most recent Market Facts publication.
In this section
Economic Drivers
7 Hospitality & Tourism
7 Area Information
8 Real Estate 9
Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars are manufacturing motor vehicles in the Lowcountry, and Boeing S.C. in North Charleston is now the exclusive builder of the company’s 787 commercial jet. The companies lead a slate of manufacturers in the Charleston region responsible for more than 10,000 jobs, including Robert Bosch,
KapStone, Nucor Steel, Cummins Turbo Technologies, Century Aluminum, JW Aluminum and more. Volvo and MercedesBenz expansion are also drawing attention to the region from third-party companies that serve those major automakers’ supplychain needs.
Source: Charleston Regional Business Journal
The S.C. State Ports Authority handled 2.85 million containers in fiscal year 2022, a 12% increase over fiscal year 2021 that reflects a continuing surge in consumer spending during the recent pandemic. Charleston’s port is the ninth largest in the U.S., behind Savannah, Ga., its nearest competitor geographically, which ranks fourth in terms of total containers handled each year.
The S.C. State Ports Authority handled a total of 2.85 million pier containers in fiscal year 2022.
Source: S.C. State Ports Authority
Hospitality and tourism pump billions of dollars each year into the economies of Charleston and South Carolina as a whole. The robust sector serves as a major economic driver for businesses and communities across the state.
While the coronavirus pandemic cut 2020 numbers drastically, visitors returned to near pre-pandemic numbers in 2021 and 2022.
The year-round tourist season in the Lowcountry pulls visitors to the Charleston area in support of a vibrant food-and-beverage sector with world-class cuisine and events, including Spoleto, Charleston Restaurant Week and many other festivals and events that center around culinary arts.
The area’s natural beauty only enhances the cultural allure to the region, making the Lowcountry a natural choice for vacationers and sightseers.
Joint Base Charleston, which was created when the Naval Weapons Station and the Charleston Air Force Base joined into one military team, serves as the largest employer in the area with more than 20,000 employees. The defense sector continues to be a major job creator with manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity and contracting through Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (formerly known as SPAWAR), Lockheed, General Dynamics, SRC and other defense contractors in the region.
The greater Charleston region has four school districts covering areas from downtown to suburban neighborhoods to rural and beach communities. Each district offers a variety of school programs, including magnet and charter schools with specialized curricula.
Charleston County School District is the largest in the region and second largest in the state, serving more than 48,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs. Students living in the cities of Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant all attend Charleston County schools, as well as those on James Island, Johns Island and Sullivan’s Island.
Berkeley County School District serves more than 36,000 students in 50 schools that span the largely rural and suburban county. Students in such areas as Goose Creek, Hanahan, Cane Bay, Daniel Island and Moncks Corner attend these schools.
Dorchester County is divided into two districts that serve approximately 28,000 students. Dorchester School District 2 includes over 26,000 students in Summerville and surrounding areas. Dorchester School District 4 educates about 2,000 children in the more rural parts of the county, including St. George, Ridgeville and Harleyville.
Details on each district are given on the pages that follow.
In this section
School Districts
Schools
Higher Education 17 Colleges and Universities 18
Berkeley County School District
107 E. Main St.
Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-899-8600
www.bcsdschools.net
For a complete list of schools in Berkeley County School District, visit www.bcsdschools. net, Schools tab.
To determine your neighborhood school based on home address, contact the school dis trict office. Register your child online under the Students and Parents tab.
Berkeley County School District, the fourth-largest school system in the state, is growing by about 1,000 students per year. It serves more than 36,000 students and oper ates 50 schools, including nine high schools, 12 middle schools, 26 elementary schools and three alternative and adult option schools.
Berkeley County provides arts magnet schools at each level of elementary, middle and high school. Howe Hall Arts Infused Mag net School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are selected through a lottery process. Howe Hall is a model site for arts infusion in South Carolina and was selected in 2007 as a Kennedy Center Creative Ticket School of Excellence and in 2010 as a National Blue Ribbon School. The Berke ley Center for the Arts at Goose Creek High School offers creative programs in writing, dance, theater, visual arts and music.
Charleston County School District
75 Calhoun St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-937-6300 www.ccsdschools.com
For information on all the individual schools in the district, along with information on regis tering your child in the district, visit www.ccsd schools.com/Schools.
To look up your neighborhood school by home address, visit croppermap.com/charleston.
Charleston County School District is the second-largest school system in South Carolina, representing a blend of urban, suburban and rural schools over nearly 1,000 square miles. The district serves more than 48,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs.
In Charleston County, each school-aged child is assigned to a neighborhood school based on grade level and home address.
In addition, the district offers specialized programs, magnet schools and charter schools, including such specialized programming as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, mili tary-infused, math and science, arts and tech nology programs.
A number of options for adult education are also offered in the Charleston district, which strives to close the achievement gap and in crease the graduation rate.
The district has completed a new strategic plan with the focus on ensuring college, career and citizenship readiness for all students.
Dorchester School District 2
115 Devon Road
Summerville, SC 29483 843-873-2901 www.ddtwo.org
For a complete list of schools, look under the District Information tab on the website. This link has a list of schools for each subdivision in the area.
For questions about attendance zones and which neighborhood school your child would attend, call the district office.
Dorchester School District 2 is the largest employer in Dorchester County. The district serves about 24,600 students in suburban Sum merville through three high schools, six middle schools and 15 elementary schools, plus an alternative program for grades six to 12 and an adult community education program.
A school improvement program is un derway that provided three new elementary schools. The program will also fund major expansions and renovations at five elemen tary and three middle schools. All three high schools will have classroom additions to ac commodate increased career-readiness and technology programs to prepare students for college and the workforce. The new schools are helping alleviate overcrowding at all schools in the district.
Dorchester School District 4 500 Ridge St. St. George, SC 29477 843-563-4535 www.dorchester4.k12.sc.us
For a complete list of schools in the dis trict, visit the website and check the Schools tab.
To determine your neighborhood school zone, call the district office.
Dorchester School District 4 is home to six schools — three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school — and the Odyssey Educational Center, serving a student population of about 2,000. The district offers honors/advanced placement, college prep, tech prep and occupational courses. •
In addition to obtaining a solid background in communication, critical thinking, and reasoning – skills employers desire – choose a program in high demand such as financial management, business analytics, engineering, nursing, cybersecurity, computer science, education, and much more.
100% of new, entering freshmen are awarded an academic scholarship. CSU awarded more than $76 million in financial aid during the last academic year.
A 13-to-1 ratio of students-to-faculty means small class sizes and a chance to interact directly with your professors.
CSU is on America’s 100 Best College Buys, America’s Best Christian Colleges, and U.S. News Best Colleges lists.
If you prefer an Online program, CSU o ers one of the best in the country, according to U.S. News: No. 21 in online bachelor’s programs, No. 13 in online bachelor’s programs for veterans.
Experience the thrill of game day with Buccaneer athletics, playing at the NCAA Division 1 level, while enjoying the advantages of a small university.
Berkeley County School District
107 E. Main St. Moncks Corner, SC 29461 www.bcsdschools.net Grades PK-12
Superintendent: Deon Jackson Board Chair: David Barrow No. of Teachers: 2,287
Charleston County School District 75 Calhoun St. Charleston, SC 29401 www.ccsdschools.com Grades PK-12
Superintendent: Donald Kennedy Board Chair: Rev. Dr. Eric Mack No. of Teachers: 3,586
Dorchester School District 2 115 Devon Road Summerville, SC 29483 www.ddtwo.org Grades PK-12
Superintendent: Shane Robbins Board Chair: Gail Hughes No. of Teachers: 1,595
Dorchester School District 4 500 Ridge St. St. George, SC 29477 www.dorchester4.k12.sc.us Grades PK-12
Superintendent: Gerald White Board Chair: Dr. Kenneth Jenkins No. of Teachers: 184
Source: S.C. Department of Education
Institution Name Phone / Website / Email
Porter-Gaud School 300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407
Palmetto Christian Academy 361 Egypt Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Bishop England High School 363 Seven Farms Drive Charleston, SC 29492
Pinewood Preparator y School 1114 Orangeburg Road Summer ville, SC 29483
Ashley Hall
172 Rutledge Ave. Charleston, SC 29403
Christ Our King - Stella Maris School 1183 Russell Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
First Baptist School of Charleston
48 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29401
St. John's Christian Academy 204 W. Main St. Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Cathedral Academy 3790 Ashley Phosphate Road North Charleston, SC 29418
Faith Christian School 337 Farmington Road Summer ville, SC 29486
Sundrops Montessori School 955 Houston Northcutt Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Northside Christian School 7800 Northside Drive North Charleston, SC 29420
Charleston Collegiate School 2024 Academy Drive Johns Island, SC 29455
James Island Christian School 15 Crosscreek Drive Charleston, SC 29412
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
7 St. Teresa Drive Charleston, SC 29407
Charleston Day School
15 Archdale St. Charleston, SC 29401
843-556-3620 www.portergaud.edu communications@portergaud.edu
843-881-9967 www.palmettochristianacademy.org admissions@palmettochristianacademy.org
843-849-9599 www.behs.com rr yan@behs.com
843-873-1643 www.pinewoodprep.com news@pinewoodprep.com
Administrator / Year Founded
Enrollment Teachers / 1
Student:Teacher Ratio 2 Affiliation / Accreditations Grades Taught
David DuBose Egleston 1867 1,058 110 11:1 NAES, NAIS, SCISA, CASE, PAIS, The College Board K through 12th
J.D. Zubia 1992 786 115 16:1 ACSI, SCISA, SACS Pre-K through 12th
Patrick Finneran, Mar y Anne Tucker 1915 735 68 11:1
Roman Catholic, Diocese of Charleston, SC High School Athletic League, AdvancED, NCEA, NASS, SACAC, NACAC 9th through 12th
Daniel Seiden 1952 705 16:1, 8:1 (preschool) NAIS, SAIS, PAIS, SCISA, Cognia, The College Board K3 through 12th
843-722-4088 www.ashleyhall.org 1909 700 100 8:1 SACS, SAIS, NAIS, NCGS K2 through 12th
843-884-4721 www.coksm.org frontoffice@coksm.org
843-722-6646 www.fbschool.org admissions@fbschool.org
843-761-8539 www.wearesjca.com info@sjcacavaliers.com
843-760-1192 www.cathedralacademy.com contact@cathedralemail.com
843-873-8464 www.faithchristiansc.net admin@faithchristiansc.net
843-849-3652 www.sundropsmontessori.com info@sundropsmontessori.com
843-797-2690 www.northsidecharleston.com glockaby@northsideministries.com
843-559-5506 www.charlestoncollegiate.org info@charlestoncollegiate.org
843-795-1762 www.jics.org jics@jics.org
843-766-2128 www.scbss.org sbendt@scbss.org
843-377-0315 www.charlestondayschool.org admissions@charlestonday.org
John Byrnes, Susan Splendido 1950 649 58 12:1 Roman Catholic Pre-K through 8th
Susan S. Brooks, Justin Mitchell, Leonard Kupersmith 1949
511 76 15:1 SAIS, SCISA, First Baptist Church of Charleston Pre-K through 12th
Eric M. Denton, Cathy O. Ollic 1966 468 40 14 :1 SCISA K3 through 12th
Brian Price 1999 385 32 20:1 Cathedral of Praise K4 through 12th
David Freberg 1987 376 39 14:1 SCISA, AdvancED, ACTS K3 through 12th
Shannon Smith, Jeanie M. Douglass 1998 375 88 9:1 AMS 6 weeks through 9th
Gavin Lockaby 1975 350 35 13::1 SCACS, NAACSA, NCPSA, COGNIA K2 through 12th
Michelle Purghart, Bonne Scapellato 1970 340 16:1 NAIS, SAIS, SCISA, Coalition of Essential Schools Pre-K through 12th
Erik Shamblin, Layton Powers, Cindy Hunter 1994
277 45 18:1 ACSI, SCISA, AdvancEd, NonDenominational Christian K2 through 8th
Corinne King 1948 275 26 11:1 National Catholic Education Association K3 through 8th
Judith Foley Arnstein 1937 265 33 8:1 ISM, NAIS, SAIS, NBOA, MISBO, SAIC, PAIS K through 8th
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
• 1 Enrollment may be projected
• 2 Some schools include volunteers and part-time teachers in their student:teacher ratio.
Institution Name Phone / Website / Email
Coastal Christian Preparator y School 681 McCants Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Daniel Island Academy 300 Seven Farms Drive Charleston, SC 29492
Summer ville Catholic School 226 Black Oak Blvd. Summer ville, SC 29485
Crown Leadership Academy 1455 Wakendaw Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Ridge Christian Academy 2168 Ridge Church Road Summer ville, SC 29486
The Charleston Catholic School 888 King St., Suite A Charleston, SC 29403
The Cooper School 13 Oakdale Place Charleston, SC 29407
The Charleston Christian School 2027 Bees Ferr y Road Charleston, SC 29414
843-884-3663 www.coastalchristian.org info@coastalchristian.org
843-971-5961 www.danielislandacademy.com stacie@danielislandacademy.com
843-873-9310 www.summer villecatholic.org scs@summer villecatholic.org
843-972-8119 www.crownla.org crown@crownla.org
843-873-9856 www.ridgechristian.info mrsbray@ridgechristian.info
843-577-4495 www.charlestoncatholic.com charlestoncatholic@charlestoncatholic.org
843-573-1033 www.thecooperschool.org annewilwingfield@thecooperschool.org
843-556-4480 www.charlestonchristian.org achandler@charlestonchristian.org
Administrator / Year Founded
Tammy Roberts Wiksell, Charles Stayer, Andria Walrond 1953
Enrollment Teachers / 1 Student:Teacher Ratio 2 Affiliation / Accreditations Grades Taught
255 7:1 SCISA, First Baptist Church Mount Pleasant K2 through 8th
Kerr y Nowosielski 2004 242 Varies
Charlie Tisdale, Caitlin Omilak , Zara Rushin 1984 230 31 16:1 Diocese of Charleston K3 through 8th
Lathan Carey 2010 220 40 10:1 SCISA, STEAM-certified K through 12th
Gentr y Ard, Maria P Bray 1998 200 25 10:1
Fred S. McKay 1991 179 15:1 Catholic Diocese of Charleston K4 through 8th
Kayla Sewell, Anne Wil Wingfield, Franci Bell 2007 142 23 10:1 Cognia, SCISA K through 8th
Ashley M. Chandler 1981 134 15:1 SCISA K through 8th
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
• 1 Enrollment may be projected
• 2 Some schools include volunteers and part-time teachers in their student:teacher ratio.
With events like Women of Influence in the Upstate, Icons and Phenoms in the Midlands and Health Care Heroes in the Lowcountry, SC Biz News honors the movers and shakers across the state.
Whether you are a college-bound student, a college football fanatic, an employee or a resident interested in lectures and continuing education opportunities, there’s a good chance you will find what you are looking for in South Carolina’s higher education system.
Almost 230,000 students were enrolled in South Carolina’s public and independent two- and four-year institutions as of fall 2020, the latest data available from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
The College of Charleston, founded in 1770, is the oldest institution of higher
learning in the Lowcountry and among the oldest in the nation. It is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston. Enrollment as of fall 2021 was about 9,300 students, who attend class in centuries-old buildings, and many spend their evenings working as waiters and bartenders — or pedaling tourists around in rickshaws. Their work ethic and spending power make the students a vital part of Charleston’s thriving hospitality industry.
The Citadel is another college with deep roots in Charleston. It’s not uncommon to
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Company
Trident Technical College 7000 Rivers Ave. North Charleston, SC 29406
College of Charleston 66 George St. Charleston, SC 29424
Charleston Southern University 9200 University Blvd. Charleston, SC 29406
Medical University of South Carolina 171 Ashley Ave. Charleston, SC 29425
The Citadel, The Militar y College of South Carolina
171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409
Charleston School of Law 385 Mar y St. Charleston, SC 29403
ECPI University & Medical Careers Institute 3800 Paramount Drive North Charleston, SC 29405
Southeastern College 2431 W. Aviation Ave., Suite 703 North Charleston, SC 29406
Embr y-Riddle Aeronautical University 101 W. Hill Blvd. Charleston, SC 29404
Miller-Motte College 8085 Rivers Ave., Suite E North Charleston, SC 29406
American College of the Building Arts 649 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403
UofSC Darla Moore School of BusinessProfessional MBA 4130 Faber Place Drive, Suite 100 North Charleston, SC 29405
Saint Leo University 201 Sigma Drive, Suite 200 Summer ville, SC 29485
Clemson Design Center Charleston 701 E. Bay St., Suite 202 Charleston, SC 29403
Lowcountr y Graduate Center 65 George St. Charleston, SC 29401
Webster University
4105 Faber Place Drive North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone / Website / Email
843-574-6111 www.tridenttech.edu infocenter.ttc@tridenttech.edu
843-953-5670 www.gradschool.cofc.edu gradstud@cofc.edu
843-863-7386 www.charlestonsouthern.edu enroll@csuniv.edu
843-792-2300 www.musc.edu
843-225-3294 www.go.citadel.edu ocm@citadel.edu
843-329-1000 www.charlestonlaw.edu info@charlestonlaw.edu
843-414-0350 www.ecpi.edu jweaver@ecpi.edu
Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Enrollment / FT Faculty
Public / Private Top Three Majors, by Enrollment
Mar y Thornley 1964 11,650 239 Public Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate Degree Nursing
Andrew T Hsu 1770 9,300 509
For profit; Public Biology, psychology, business administration
Dondi E. Costin 1964 3,378 189 Private Nursing, Biology, Business
Lisa K. Saladin, David J. Cole 1824 3,148 1,316 Public Nursing, RN to BSN, Healthcare Studies
Glenn M. Walters 1842 2,858 208 Public Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Criminal Justice
Larr y Cunningham, Ed Bell 2004
558 23 Private Juris doctor
James Weaver 1966 480 35 Private Nursing, Computer and Information Science, Electronics Engineering Technology
843-747-1279 www.sec.edu tvanhorn@sec.edu 2007 220 21 Private
843-767-8912 www.erau.edu/charleston charleston@erau.edu
843-574-0101 www.miller-motte.edu vanessa.euresti@miller-motte.edu
843-577-5245 www.acba.edu handall@acba.edu
803-777-6845 www.sc.edu/moore/pmba pmba@moore.sc.edu
843-554-2111 www.saintleo.edu charleston@saintleo.edu
843-723-1747 www.clemson.edu/caah/departments/architecture hraymon@clemson.edu
843-638-3063 www.lowcountr ygradcenter.org akleinfeld@lowcountr ygradcenter.org
843-760-1324 www.webster.edu/charleston charleston@webster.edu
AAS Radiology Technology, AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS Occupational Therapy Assistant
P. Barr y Butler 2006 178 150 Private Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance, Bachelor of Science in Technical Management
Vanessa Euresti 1916 200 20 Private Medical clinical assisting, medical billing and coding, commercial driver's license program
Colby M. Broadwater 2004 91 10 For profit; Public Timber framing, forged iron, architectural carpentr y
Peter Brews 1975 80 43 Public International business, finance, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship
Kai
Alan Kleinfeld 2002 133 Public
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
spot a “knob” walking the Lowcountry’s streets. The freshman class is easily identified by the men’s shaved heads that resemble doorknobs — hence the nickname. A few dozen women also attend the military college, although females were not allowed until 1996. The school is unique because it offers a classic military education described as “intense, meaningful and academically strong.” It differs from the nation’s traditional military schools because students are not required to join the service upon graduation. Approximately 2,800 students attend The Citadel.
The Medical University of South Carolina has a total enrollment of about 3,100 students and is one of the area’s premier hospitals. Its specialty degree programs include dental, graduate studies, medicine, nursing and pharmacy. It is also one of the region’s largest employers, and the research conducted there is a vital part of the re-
gion’s high-tech biomedical industry.
Charleston Southern University, a private, church-supported school in North Charleston, has grown steadily along with the Charleston metro area. Beginning as Baptist College in 1965, the liberal-arts school has an enrollment of more than 3,300 students pursuing four-year and postgraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. It was recently named among the top 25 online bachelor’s degree programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The Charleston School of Law is a private institution serving about 550 students in downtown Charleston. While the school was founded in 2003, like most things in this city, it is steeped in history.
In November 1825, a group of Charleston attorneys petitioned the S.C. General Assembly for a charter institution. The following year, the Forensic Club started offering law lectures, beginning the South-
east’s earliest law school. In 2002, prominent Charleston judges and attorneys set out to establish a law school that would continue the 19th-century club’s tradition. The school earned accreditation in 2006 and graduated its first class the following year.
The Charleston region is also home to several technical colleges that offer a host of two-year degrees and trade certifications. These include Trident Technical College in North Charleston, the state’s largest two-year school with an enrollment of about 11,650. Trident Tech has partnered with Boeing since the global aerospace company established its North Charleston campus in 2009 to help fill the demand for trained, skilled workers in the aeronautics industry. The school has opened a new South Carolina Aeronautical Training Center that will consolidate all aspects of its aircraft and avionics curriculum. Trident
Tech also offers training for workers in the surging automotive industry in the Lowcountry to meet workforce demands for Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and their suppliers.
Students also have the option of attending satellite campuses for specialty training, such as Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s two Lowcountry locations at Joint Base Charleston and in North Charleston.
Charleston is also home to the American College of the Building Arts, which trains students in historical building trades such as ironwork or plaster.
The Lowcountry Graduate Center in North Charleston is an organization that formed to help working professionals gain advanced degrees through collaboration between the state’s colleges and universities.
Despite myriad choices, South Carolina, like many states, is at a crossroads when it
comes to higher education.
Many exciting programs are underway here, including the South Carolina Centers for Economic Excellence program.
The state created the Centers for Economic Excellence program in 2002 to provide incentives for the state’s research universities to raise capital from private sources to fund endowments for specialized research professorships. The professorships serve a unique role in helping cultivate critical public-private industrial partnerships and expanding the state’s knowledge base.
At the same time, South Carolina is grappling with decreasing state funds and increased tuition costs. Without money for new facilities, demand in the coming years may outstrip capacity.
The good news is that university offi-
cials and lawmakers spend countless hours studying, debating and creating innovative ways to advance higher learning in South Carolina, without putting the financial burden on students and their families.
The state’s colleges and universities, including many in the Lowcountry, help fuel the local economy by serving as some of the area’s largest employers, by luring students and families to town, and by fostering relationships with the community and businesses. The Lowcountry’s institutions of higher learning are — and will continue to be — a major part of the cultural fabric of this region.
For more information on higher education institutions in South Carolina, visit the S.C. Commission on Higher Education at www.che.sc.gov.
•
We like to take things easy here in the Lowcountry, but that doesn’t mean we don’t give attention to a diet and activity level that contributes to our health and wellbeing.
In this section you will read about all the reasons living here can help inspire you to healthy living. And when medical care is what you need, we offer the finest in physi cians, clinics and hospitals. Charleston has long been home to some of the top hospitals in South Carolina.
When you are moving to a new place, finding out about health care can be a chal lenge. In these pages, we give you a list of urgent care centers, hospitals and retirement communities with full information about each.
We hope you’ll find our guide useful in helping you settle into a healthy lifestyle. It’s one of Charleston’s charms.
In this section
Senior Centers xx Urgent Care Centers xx Hospitals ................................................................ xx Retirement Communities ............................... xx
All the pieces are in place for a healthy lifestyle when you move to Charleston. The weather is mild all year, fresh food and outdoor activities are readily available, and when you need it, topnotch medical care is close by.
So what are you waiting for?
If you need a nudge to get started, there are organized efforts to help you.
Just one of the many possibilities is Adventure Out, an outdoor fitness program presented by a partnership of Medical University of South Carolina and City of Charleston Parks and Recreation Depart ment. Every week, a free fitness class is offered in a city park. It might be yoga at Brittle Bank Park or Hampton Park. It’s a great way to try out something new. For a schedule, see www.musc.edu/adventureout or the Adventure Out page on Facebook.
If you prefer to exercise independently,
try walking, swimming or hiking, suggests Suzie Walters, fitness specialist program co ordinator in Health Sciences at Trident Tech nical College. “You have to enjoy what you do,” Walters said, so that you’ll stick with it.
Just think about walking across the Ar thur J. Ravenel Jr. bridge over the Cooper River or jogging along Folly Beach for inspi ration. If you tire of the scenery in your own neighborhood, go walk downtown or along the water.
You’re never more than 10 minutes away from a public park, and Charleston area parks have dozens of activities on the weekend. MUSC also partners with other groups on programs that promote the active lifestyle.
One of those programs is the Charleston Healthy Business Challenge. It is free for any business and includes a website with scorecard and tips to help improve the cul
ture of wellness with stress management, healthy eating and exercise. Go to www. chbchallenge.com for more information.
Like to run or walk with a lot of new friends? Find organized events and get registered at www.eventbrite.com/d/sc-Charleston/races/
Honoring a former MUSC president, the Greenberg Greenway is a series of green scapes that connect people with places that support the environment and ecology of the MUSC campus, provide opportunities for hands-on learning, and create an inviting space for exercise and other health-promot ing activities.
Components of the Greenway include the MUSC Arboretum, Urban Farm, Porcher Me dicinal Garden, Walking Trails and the MUSC Fitness Park. The greenway will continue to evolve with the campus. For information, visit musc.edu, Office of Health Promotion.
For learning about healthy food — and observing how it grows — the Urban Farm at MUSC is a marvelous resource. “It’s five acres on the MUSC campus. We grow crops year-round, with 40 varieties of fruits, herbs and vegetables,” said Susan Johnson, director of Health Promotion at MUSC.
The farm, at the corner of Bee and Presi dent streets, offers free gardening and health programs, field trips for school children, a wellness and dietitian program, guest speak ers and community events. Visitors are in vited to take a self-guided tour, or volunteer to help with gardening tasks. You won’t go home empty-handed, as the harvested crops are shared with the community.
“It’s a free resource for our community,” Johnson said. There are Saturday work and learn programs with a kid focus. You just might be inspired to plant your own garden – and the Lowcountry climate is congenial for that.
During the growing season, fresh foods are always available at the many farmers
markets in the Lowcountry. Two of the larger ones are at Marion Square downtown and in Mount Pleasant. Another way to get your
fresh food is by CSA – Community Supported Agriculture. About 10 farms in the area de liver fresh produce weekly to those who pur
chase a CSA membership. Information about CSAs, farmers markets and roadside markets can be found at agriculture.sc.gov.
“When you buy local, you’re not promoting use of fossil fuels,” said Walters. “It’s also fresher and better for us.”
She pointed out that fresh seafoods are also easily found in the Lowcountry. The local seafood won’t contain the antibiotics of farmed seafoods and will be much fresher.
When your quest for wellness means you need medical care, you’re in a good place. The Lowcountry is home to several major hospitals and many specialty clinics, rehabilitation services, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. MUSC recently completed construction of a new hospital on the Charleston peninsula dedicated to the care of women and children.
The MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion opened in February 2020. The hospital has a 10-story patient tower, with the top floor dedicated to children’s cancer care, and a five-story inpatient procedure area, with a dedicated floor for labor and delivery.
Ground was broken for the hospital, at Calhoun and Courtenay streets, in August 2016. Patient rooms are larger and furnished to accommodate short or long stays by patients and their families.
The hospital has a neonatal intensive care unit and a comprehensive pediatric heart center. The Advanced Fetal Care Center is the
state’s first comprehensive prenatal center for families expecting babies with complex congenital birth defects and medical problems.
In addition, Roper St. Francis has opened a hospital and medical office building at Carnes Crossroads, where U.S. Highways 17-A and 176 intersect near Goose Creek, which will serve growing Berkeley County. •
Always on the run with no time to exercise or plan meals?
Here are some tips to help:
1. Don’t allow technology to get in the way. Take the stairs, park a couple of blocks away from your destination, and at the golf course, walk rather than taking a cart.
2. At work, incorporate a treadmill desk if possible. You can walk at low speed while talking on the phone or reading reports.
3. Schedule workout meetings, where you walk while you talk.
4. With your children, look for exercisebased outdoor fun. Go to a park or seek out a “Mommy and Me” exercise class. Exercising with kids builds family bonds and healthy habits. When you play with your children, you’re creating memories.
5. When you’re doing household chores or gardening, add a deep knee bend or squat in between steps of a task. Do arm curls with the cans while putting away groceries.
6. Choose the manual tool rather than the power tool when doing chores. A broom or rake gives you more exercise than a power blower.
7. When you’re tired at the end of the day, try the “10-minute ticker.” You can do anything for 10 minutes – such as walking or using the treadmill – and once you start, you’ll continue longer and feel energized.
8. Find a support group to walk or run with. You’ll make new friends and strengthen bonds with your community.
9. Learn to read food labels. Watch out for high levels of sugar and sodium in processed foods. Be sure to eat breakfast to get your metabolism going.
10. Make family meals a time to nourish your body and family by spending quality time with each other. Research suggests that eating family meals at home helps reduce risk of obesity in kids and helps adults maintain healthy weight.
11. Grow your own vegetables to provide fresh produce while improving health, easing stress and building family connections.
12. Teach the value of exercise by teaming up with your children for a fund-raising race. These 5Ks are usually family friendly with a mix of walkers and runners.
Source: Susan Johnson, director of Health Promotion, MUSC; Suzie Walters, fitness specialist program coordinator, Health Sciences, Trident Technical College
Each year, more and more retirees discover the benefits of relocating to the Charleston area. The mild weather, historic surroundings and idyllic location make it a picturesque place to celebrate days of leisure.
South Carolina also has low property taxes and no estate tax, enticing retirees to move to the area. The cost of living is at the national average and crime remains low in the Charleston area.
The price of new and existing homes varies significantly in the Lowcountry, depending on how close to the water you want to live and which county you choose. As in most parts of the country during the pandemic, home prices have surged due to high demand and low supply. Charleston County homes sell for
dian price in Berkeley County is $332,000 about
a median price of $500,000, while the median price in Berkeley County is $332,000 and in Dorchester County is $310,000. Attached townhomes and condominiums sell at a median price of about $297,500 in Charleston County, $226,000 in Dorchester and $229,000 in Berkeley. Of course, homes in penisular Charleston and those with deep-water or beach access can easily cost in the millions.
A robust economy, quality health care facilities and a host of recreational activities give the Charleston area everything retirees require for a relaxing lifestyle. The population of those 65 years and older is growing nationwide, and the Charleston area is no exception. That means planning
for more health care facilities, more affordable housing and recreational activities to address the needs of the aging population.
The Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis Healthcare and East Coo per Medical Center all serve area health care needs. Trident Health Care System is another provider in the Charleston area, with locations in Summerville and Moncks Corner. The Sum merville Medical Center has found a niche in treating ailments common in seniors, routinely scoring top points from the Joint Commission for its treatment of heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia. Palmetto Primary Care Phy sicians has built a new medical campus in the Nexton community near Summerville.
Berkeley County recently added its first full-service hospital when Roper-St. Francis’ new facility at Carnes Crossroads in Goose
Creek opened in 2019. The Medical University of South Carolina has preliminary plans for a proposed 125-bed hospital in Nexton that could open in 2023.
The Lowcountry offers many public rec reational activities and options for a healthy lifestyle. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission has a host of parks and waterfront piers and offers senior dis counts on yearly memberships. The James Is land County Park, Mount Pleasant Palmet to Islands County Park and North Charles ton Wannamaker County Park have walking trails, canoeing, kayaking and shelters. The West Ashley Greenway is an 8-mile walking and biking trail that stretches from near the Ashley River to Johns Island.
For those looking for an easy stroll along the beach, there’s Isle of Palms County Park
and Kiawah Beachwalker Park. The Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier is partial ly closed while undergoing replacement due to insect damage and is set to reopen fully in 2023.
Charleston County is adding more biking options. In the next several years, the county plans to construct the Lowcountry Lowline, which will add miles of bike trails to connect all of the county’s parks.
Numerous farmers markets offer fresh, lo cal produce. A weekly Saturday morning mar ket is popular in downtown Charleston be tween April and November. A similar market draws residents and visitors in Mount Pleas ant on Tuesday afternoons. Food stands dot the landscape, and most accept vouchers for seniors under the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. •
Awendaw Senior Center 6655 U.S. Highway 17 N. Awendaw, SC 29429 843-928-4700
Charleston Area Senior Citizens 259 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-4127
David Sojourner Senior Center 5361 E. Jim Bilton Blvd. St. George, SC 29477 843-563-3709
Faith Sellers Senior Center 312 N. Laurel St. Summerville, SC 29483 843-871-5053
Johns Island Post Acute 3647 Maybank Highway Johns Island, SC 29455 843-559-5888
Moncks Corner Senior Center 222 Heatley St. Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-761-0396
Mount Pleasant Senior Center 840 Von Kolnitz Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-856-2166
Saint Stephen Senior Center 1266 Russelville Road St. Stephen, SC 29469 843-567-2674
South Berkeley Senior Center 103 Thurgood Road Goose Creek, SC 29455 843-572-2423
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com. Researched by Paige Wills
Centre Pointe Emergency 5249 Emmett I. Davis Jr. Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418
843-746-2400 www.tridenthealthsystem.com trid.questions@hcahealthcare.com
Moncks Corner Medical Center 401 N. Live Oak Drive Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Doctors Care Urgent Care 1014 St. Andrews Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407
CareNow Urgent Care 515 St. James Ave. Goose Creek, SC 29445
NasonCare
2233 Northwoods Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406
843-761-8721 www.tridenthealthsystem.com trid.questionscomments@hcahealthcare.com
843-556-5585 www.doctorscare.com info@doctorscare.com
843-507-8925 www.carenow.com tiesha.trappier@hcahealthcare.com
Christina Oh, Rod Whiting 2014 600 3,100 100 1
Christina Oh, Rod Whiting 1986 600 2,800 100 1
Joseph Anderson 1981 15 300 20 12
Tiesha Trappier 2018 3 18 7 2
843-773-9903 www.nasoncare.com wecare@nasoncare.com
Barron Nason 2019 1 21 2 1
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
24/7 emergency ser vices, telemedicine for stroke and behavioral health patients, lab, imaging
Patients receive ER care and have access to lab and imaging ser vices, which include 3D mammography, DEXA scan, X-ray and CT
Urgent care, family care, occupational medicine, workers' comp., telemedicine, online check-in
Urgent care; medical staff trained in family practice, emergency medicine and occupational health ser vices; range of primar y and urgent care ser vices for family
Urgent care, primar y care and employee care 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm
Researched by Business Journal staff
Company
MUSC Health 1 171 Ashley Ave. Charleston, SC 29425
Roper St. Francis Healthcare 2 125 Doughty St. Charleston, SC 29403
Trident Health 3 9330 Medical Plaza Drive Charleston, SC 29406
Phone / Website / Email
843-792-1414 www.muschealth.org muschlth@musc.edu
843-724-2000 www.rsfh.org
843-797-7000 www.tridenthealthsystem.com trid.questionscomments@hcahealthcare.com
Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded Beds
For more lists subscribe to:
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Active Staff Physicians / Registered Nurses
Patrick J. Cawley, David J. Cole 1824 839 225 3,164
Jeffrey DiLisi 1998 657 220 1,831
Christina Oh 1975 445 600 800
Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System 109 Bee St. Charleston, SC 29401
East Cooper Medical Center 2000 Hospital Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Palmetto Lowcountr y Behavioral Health 2777 Speissegger Drive Charleston, SC 29405
843-577-5011 www.charleston.va.gov
Scott R. Isaacks 1966 152 252 704
843-881-0100 www.eastcoopermedctr.com tracy.hunter@tenethealth.com
Patrick Downes, Patrick Beaver 1986 130
843-747-5830 www.palmettobehavioralhealth.com
Timothy Miller 2000 108
Vibra Hospital of Charleston 1200 Hospital Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
The Citadel Infirmar y 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center - General Infirmar y 3841 Leeds Ave. North Charleston, SC 29405
843-508-8911 www.vhcharleston.com
Brad Hollinger 2004 59
843-953-6847 www.citadel.edu/infirmar y
843-529-7300 www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/sheriff/detention.php
Carey Capell 1843 38
W Beatty 1996 22
Lieber Correctional Institute Infirmar y Ridgeville, SC 29472
803-896-5257 www.doc.sc.gov/institutions/lieber.html corrections.info@doc.sc.gov
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
• 1 Locations include MUSC Medical Center and MUSC Health Rehabilitation Hospital.
• 2 Locations include Bon Secours St. Francis Xavier Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital, Roper Hospital and Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital.
• 3 Locations include Trident Medical Center and Summer ville Medical Center
Brian Kendall 1986 10
Company
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community
1 Bishop Gadsden Way Charleston, SC 29412
Phone / Website / Email
843-762-3300 www.bishopgadsden.org contactus@bishopgadsden.org
Franke at Seaside 1885 Rifle Range Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-4700 www.frankeatseaside.org marketing@frankeatseaside.org
The Palms of Mount Pleasant 937 Bowman Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-6949 www.thepalmsofmtpleasant.com
Lynne Loring Kerrison, Aaron Roop, Sarah E.H. Tipton 1850 475 483
Sandy Stoll 1892 312 200
Rhonda Hammers, Joe Carr, Lisa Bell 1983 194 125
For more lists subscribe to:
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Life Care Center of Charleston
2600 Elms Plantation Blvd. Charleston, SC 29406
843-764-3500 www.lifecarecenterofcharleston.com Beth Cliett 1993 148 180
NHC HealthCare Charleston 2230 Ashley Crossing Drive Charleston, SC 29414
843-766-5228 www.nhccare.com/locations/charleston tyler.bartlett@nhccare.com
Seafields at Kiawah Island 200 Farm Lake View Kiawah Island, SC 29455
843-890-3881 www.seafields.com seniorliving@kiawah.com
Carter May Senior Living 1660 Ingram Road Charleston, SC 29407
843-556-8314 www.charitiessc.org janine@charlestondiocese.org
Bartlett 1990
Dayspring of Assisted Living 5146 Towles Road Hollywood, SC 29449
843-889-9757 www.dayspringassistedliving.com dayspringsc@yahoo.com
Nealon 2021
Janine N. Bauder 1929
Graeme Marshall 2005
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
Researched by Paige Wills
Now that you have decided to make the Charleston area your new home, you’ll need to decide where you want to live. There are so many choices, and all have something unique to offer.
You could live in the historic downtown, across the harbor in Mount Pleasant, in a suburban neighborhood or at the beach. You really can’t go wrong, whether you settle in booming North Charleston or neighborly Moncks Corner.
In these pages, we tell you at length about each of the possibilities. We talk about the community, the history, the neighborhoods and businesses and a touch of the lifestyle you can expect. To help you visualize, we show some photos of each area.
And when you get ready to move in, you’ll find phone numbers and websites to help you get settled.
Enjoy!
Aerial view of Charleston, with The Battery in the foreground.
Acity that defines Southern grace and charm, Charleston draws in visitors and residents with its rich history, vibrant culture and waterfront pan oramas. Stroll down King Street to browse boutiques, wander through art galleries in the French Quarter, or tour some of the city’s wonderful old homes and churches.
Fine dining has become synonymous with the Lowcountry, and downtown Charleston is the heart of a growing world-class culinary scene. Unforgettable dining experiences abound throughout the peninsula.
Charleston is home to a well-established higher education community. The College of Charleston was granted a charter in 1785 and the school maintains a large presence downtown.
In 1824, the Medical University of South
Carolina was founded, becoming the first medical school in the South. The MUSC campus and hospital occupy a large area on the peninsula’s western side between Calhoun and Bee streets, along with other health care providers, such as Roper St. Francis and the VA Medical Center.
The Citadel, established in 1842 and originally located at Marion Square, now oc cupies a large section of the Hampton Park area along the banks of the Ashley River in the northern section of downtown. The school’s rich military history has been the subject of many books and movies.
One of the oldest handcrafts of African origin in the U.S. Numerous resident artists still create these baskets from indigenous plants at the Charleston City Market.
MOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
City of Charleston 577-6970 www.charleston-sc.gov
Citizens Service Desk.......................................724-7311
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
Building permits 577-5550 Charleston Water System 727-6800
Dominion Energy SC. ..............................800-251-7234
Trash and recycling ........................................... 724-7364
Charleston is an old city, but new projects have risen all over the peninsula. A surge in renovation and construction, spurred by record tourism numbers and a thriving economy, has added numerous hotels, mixed-use and retail spaces.
But the old charm prevails. Despite widespread damage from a major earthquake in 1886 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Charleston still has some of the most historic homes and buildings in the South. A designated “historic district” preserves many residential properties.
The housing options downtown range from the sprawling, pastel-colored, multimillion-dollar homes to new luxury condos overlooking the Ashley River. The median price of homes downtown is higher than surrounding areas.
South of Broad is the neighborhood literally south of Broad Street that includes the often-photographed Battery and Waterfront Park. This area has some of the most expensive real estate in Charleston with most of the houses coming with a price tag in the millions. Walk down the streets in this quiet, storied neighborhood to catch a glimpse of traditional Charleston gardens and verandas.
The French Quarter is bound by Market and Meeting streets and Waterfront Park. It is characterized by the many art galleries, cobblestone streets and restaurants that fill the area, and it’s named for the French merchants who once occupied the area.
Above the French Quarter is Ansonborough, the peninsula’s first neighborhood, although much of it was destroyed in a fire in 1838 and had to be rebuilt. Many of the houses have Greek Revival characteristics
Above: Many of Charleston’s historic properties feature beautifully manicured gardens.
Right: Rainbow Row is one of the most famous landmarks on the peninsula.
and were built by some of Charleston’s oldest family names, such as Joseph Legare and Edward McCrady.
Harleston Village is another one of the old neighborhoods that was developed in 1770. It encompasses the area north of Broad Street to Calhoun Street. It includes Colonial Lake, which was set aside for public use in 1768. Renovations in 2016 added more seating and pathways, popular with joggers and dog walkers. The architecture includes Italian and Georgian, as well as styles that span the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Radcliffeborough is bound by King, Vanderhorst, Smith and Radcliffe streets and contains much of the College of Charleston campus. Many of the houses have Italian and Gothic Revival influences.
To the west and north of Radcliffeborough are Cannonborough and Elliottborough, where homes are being renovated at a rapid rate. Close to MUSC, this area is popular with medical students and families who want a house downtown without the price of a lower-peninsula property.
To the east of Radcliffeborough is the
Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood,
Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood, which stretches from King over to Washington Street. Anchoring the area is the landmark Marion Square, the 10-acre public park that houses a farmers market on Saturdays from April to December
The area also includes the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, the Charleston Museum and the newly renovated Gaillard Center, Charleston’s premier venue for performances and special events.
Farther up the peninsula, Hampton Park Terrace and Wagener Terrace offer more housing options with turn-of-the-century and brick bungalow homes.
New developments are opening up residential spaces, such as the Midtown project on upper King Street that includes condominiums and single-family houses mixed in with commercial space.
The WestEdge project is revitalizing areas near the medical district and the Ashley River. The massive project will ultimately include medical research, residential, retail and office space.•
North Charleston is an area in tran sition. With industrial and military roots, the city in recent years has committed to redeveloping its central neigh borhoods and reinventing itself as a trendy yet affordable place to live.
The area north of Charleston was devel oped as plantations by early colonists, but after the Civil War, it grew into an industrial center. Early in the 20th century, the U.S. Navy targeted a huge swath of land along the Cooper River for a new naval base, and planned neighborhoods were created to house workers, the military and their families.
The North Charleston area boomed during World War II. The dynamic area incor porated as a city in 1972 and has expanded to include land in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties.
In the 1990s, the federal government closed the navy base in North Charleston. The city of North Charleston has since part nered with developers to infuse new life into the area’s historic neighborhoods.
Redevelopment areas include Park Circle, a community of neighborhoods planned early in the 20th century. Park Circle is now a trendy and vibrant community with a num ber of restaurants and bars.
Riverfront Park on the old Navy base hosts festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year, and North Charleston has become a haven for craft breweries in
IN
City of North Charleston 554-5700 www.northcharleston.org
Charleston County School District 937-6300 Building permits 740-2578
recent years. Several breweries operate in the city, with plans for more.
Residential developments such as Oak Terrace Preserve have earned a reputation for their sustainable building practices. Near by Montague Avenue is a Main Street of the past alive again with shops and restaurants.
Redevelopment is ongoing on the for mer Navy base as well, where once-empty military buildings now bustle with art stu dios, private offices and other commercial activity collectively known as the Navy Yard at Noisette.
North Charleston is a center of business
are 843 area code, except where noted
Charleston Water System 727-6800
Dominion Energy SC ...............................800-251-7234
Trash 745-1026
Recycling (Charleston County) 720-7111
activity for the region, with many of the Charleston area’s commercial and industrial employers located there. Boeing Co. builds its 787 Dreamliner commercial airplane in North Charleston, and Mercedes-Benz Vans has embarked on a major expansion of its manufacturing facility in the Ladson area.
North Charleston is home to Joint Base Charleston, a combined Navy and Air Force operation and a major employer in the re gion. It shares some facilities with Charles ton International Airport, which continues to set new annual passenger records and is in the midst of expansion and improvement projects.
One of the area’s major attractions is the
North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center and adjacent Charleston Area Convention Center. The complex is home to the South Carolina Stingrays, a minor league hockey team, and is a venue for concerts, performances and meetings large and small.
Nearby shopping centers include the Tanger Outlet Center and Northwoods Mall. The Rivers Avenue corridor is home to one of the region’s largest concentration of national and local retailers.
Interstate 26 runs through North Charles ton east to Charleston and west toward Co lumbia. Interstate 526, which has terminal points in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley, reaches its peak in North Charleston. •
The
Craft brewery capital of the Lowcountry North Charleston boasts many breweries, with more on the way. To imbibe on the local brews check out:
• Coast Brewing Co.
• Freehouse Brewery
• Holy City Brewing Co.
• Lo-Fi Brewing
• Rusty Bull Brewing Co.
• Commonhouse Aleworks
Tucked away at the end of Pitt Street in the Old Village area of Mount Pleasant, the Pitt Street Bridge offers sweeping views of the Lowcountry and plenty of spots to drop a fishing line.
Despite its reputation as a suburban gateway to Charleston and the East Cooper beaches, the historic heart of Mount Pleasant can still be found near pic turesque Shem Creek, where the fishing fleet docks beside popular local eateries. The Old Village, founded in 1680 and incorporated in 1837, sits on breezy bluffs that overlook the harbor just seaward of Shem Creek.
The opening of the $650 million Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in 2005 marked the be ginning of a new era of growth for what is now the state’s fourth-largest municipality. The U.S. Census population is now 90,000, up more than 30% from the 2010 popula tion of 68,000.
Locals still treasure the area’s 18th cen tury homes, quaint Pitt Street commercial district and the neighborhood’s authentic
shade-drenched ambiance. Residents and visitors alike enjoy trips to Alhambra Hall Park and the nearby Pitt Street Bridge, which once connected the town to Sullivan’s Island by trolley but now offers views of Charleston Harbor and easy access to fish ing and crabbing.
Other glimpses of Mount Pleasant’s past can be found across town on scenic Long Point Road.
On one side of the road, motorists may turn off and wander down a broad alley of oaks that leads to Boone Hall Plantation. Settled in 1743, it remains a working plan
Fresh shrimp can be bought right off the boat on Shem Creek. Typically, brown shrimp are caught from May to August and white shrimp from September to December.
MOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
Town of Mount Pleasant 884-8517 www.tompsc.com
Charleston County School District 937-6300 Building permits 884-5184
Mount Pleasant Waterworks 884-9626
Dominion Energy SC ...............................800-251-7234
Blue Flame Gas 884-2017
Trash and recycling 884-8518
tation. Its “you-pick ’em” fields and seasonal events are beloved by local families.
On the other side of Long Point Road, the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site interprets life at Snee Farm Plantation, home of one of the original signers of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Park Service staff makes a special effort to explain and pre serve the region’s Gullah culture.
Glimpses of that Gullah heritage can be seen along U.S. 17, where the area’s “basket ladies” still make and sell the Lowcountry’s signature sweetgrass baskets from simple roadside stands.
A weekly farmers market on Tuesday af ternoons from April to October gives access to affordable, healthy food. The town un veiled two new modern hospitals in 2010. East Cooper Regional Medical Center and Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital.
Fitness has also been on the upswing since the Ravenel bridge opened with a lane for bicyclists and pedestrians. Residents make extensive use of the town’s numerous parks, ballfields and gyms, and recreational sports leagues are numerous.
Palmetto Islands County Park, a 943acre facility, has nature trails, picnic areas, a water park and pedal boat rentals. Patriots Point on Charleston Harbor boasts a staterun military museum that displays World War II-era vessels, featuring the aircraft car rier USS Yorktown, and more than a dozen vintage aircraft. Patriots Point also connects
to the Ravenel Bridge by way of Memorial Waterfront Park.
Mount Pleasant’s neighborhoods have varying styles and offer residents a range of choices, including large historic homes in the town’s Old Village, new family home construc tion in many neighborhood developments and upscale condominium communities.
I’On, a new-urbanist development off Mathis Ferry Road, is an award-winning neighborhood of beautiful homes, elaborate public spaces and mixed-use construction. Farther out, the sprawling developments of Park West, Dunes West and Carolina Park are moving the geographic and population center of town more to the north.
With people come businesses, most of them oriented on either U.S. Highway 17 or Coleman Boulevard. The town’s most prominent shopping area is Towne Centre, between the Isle of Palms Connector and the end of Interstate 526 along U.S. 17.
In keeping with tradition, the town loves a good festival. Mount Pleasant hosts festivals for the arts, oysters, Scottish games, local foodies and children. Every April, the town turns out for the annual Blessing of the Fleet at Memorial Water front Park. The Christmas parade is a big draw, as is the Cooper River Bridge Run, which attracts runners and walkers by the tens of thousands each spring.•
The Lowcountry’s newest address is also one of its most attractive. Dan iel Island has grown from an un developed expanse of forest and farmland into a thriving community of more than 5,000 people.
The 4,000-acre island at the tip of the Cainhoy Peninsula was essentially uninhab ited when Interstate 526 crossed it in the 1990s, linking the land between the Wando and Cooper rivers to the mainland for the first time. Development, guided by a master plan worked out in conjunction with the Guggenheim Foundation (which owned the island from 1947 to 1997), began in the
late 1990s. Today, the Daniel Island com munity spans nine neighborhoods, a central commercial district, more than 400 acres of public parkland, 25 miles of walking trails, two golf courses and a world-class tennis facility.
Daniel Island is incorporated into the city of Charleston, even though it is locat ed in Berkeley County and residents must pass through Mount Pleasant or North
Charleston on Interstate 526 to reach it. Though generally considered a bedroom community, the island’s daytime popula tion swells to an estimated 8,500, thanks to employers such as software firms Black baud and Benefitfocus and the 34-acre campus of Bishop England High School, which moved to the island in 1998 after more than 80 years in downtown Charles ton.
MOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
Daniel Island/City of Charleston 724-3765 www.danielisland.com
Berkeley County School District ...........899-8600
City of Charleston building permits 724-7320
Charleston Water System 727-6800
Dominion Energy SC ...............................800-251-7234
Trash (City of Charleston) ............................ 724-7364
Recycling (Berkeley County) 719-2383
There is a premium on home prices here as many properties are located on or near deep-water access. The median home price is nearly $900,000, with condominiums and townhomes starting in the $300,000 range. Several large multi-family projects are in var ious stages of development and plans point toward an eventual population of 15,000.
While Daniel Island is clearly oriented to residential living, its commercial compo nent is vibrant and expanding. Blackbaud, a provider of fundraising software for the nonprofit and education sectors, recently opened a new, 172,000-square-foot facility to house many of its 1,400 employees. The company is also constructing a second, larger building in anticipation of additional hiring in the near future.
Benefitfocus, a human resources soft ware firm, employs approximately 1,500 people across all divisions and has experi enced strong growth in recent years.
The island’s main business district is populated with small businesses, restau
rants and shops. New retail shops, restau rants and mixed-use projects are going up on the island to support a growing popula tion and healthy economy.
Life on the island benefits from 23 miles of shoreline, much of it open to the public, and the extensive system of parks and docks give neighborhoods plenty of public spaces and room to socialize.
The island’s event calendar gets more crowded every year, thanks in large part to the recently renovated Credit One Stadium, which hosts the Credit One Charleston Open (formerly the Volvo Car Open) Women’s Tennis Association tournament in April. The center also hosts a variety of concerts and other events during the year.
MUSC Health Stadium, home pitch for the Charleston Battery Soccer Club since 1999, was sold in late 2019 to developers with plans for mixed-use construction at the site. The Battery have relocated to the Patriots Point soccer facility in Mount Pleasant. •
The Credit One Charleston Open, formerly the Volvo Car Open, is the largest women’s only tennis tournament in North America.
Every April, Charleston welcomes 90,000 spectators and more than 100 world-class, women athletes to the Credit One Stadium to participate in the excitement. Records are broken and memories are made as extraordinary tennis stars take Stadium Court to compete for the coveted title.
Ospreys are large raptors that nest near water. Several osprey nests are located on Daniel Island, prompting The Daniel Island School to name the bird as its mascot. The Daniel Island Garden Club built an “Osprey Trail” garden oasis with an 11-foot-tall copper osprey sculpture for the community to enjoy.
The area west of the Ashley River in Charleston is home to some of the area’s oldest sub urban neighborhoods and, a little farther out, some of the newest.
West Ashley, as it’s called, also features a range of old and new shopping centers and restaurants, historic plantations and other attractions, and a unique outdoor walking trail.
Neighborhoods closest to the Charleston peninsula were built in the 1920s through the 1950s. Among the older subdivisions are Old Windermere, Byrnes Down, Moreland, Avon dale and The Crescent. Development continued through the 1970s and 1980s in neighborhoods farther out from the city, such as Northbridge, Northbridge Terrace and Wespanee Plantation.
New residential development has continued in recent years, especially past the western boundary of Interstate 526, in neighborhoods like Shadowmoss and Carolina Bay.
Long-ago residents of West Ashley have left behind several historic plantations and gardens that have been preserved and are open for tours. Magnolia Plantation, Middle ton Place and Drayton Hall Plantation allow visitors to learn about the architecture and life of South Carolinians in the 1700s and the centuries following.
West Ashley/City of Charleston 724-3765 www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County School District 937-6300
City of Charleston building permits 724-7320
Guests can step aboard and tour the Adventure, Charleston’s only 17th-century replica sailing ship, see cannons fired, or take a peek at otters, bears, bison and more at the Animal Forest natural habitat zoo.
Charleston Water System 727-6800 Dominion Energy SC ...............................800-251-7234 Trash 724-7364 Recycling (Charleston County) 720-7111
One of the first suburbs has old plantations, visionary greenway
Another historic destination in West Ashley is Charles Towne Landing, the site of the English settlement that would become the Carolina colony. The 664acre attraction is a state park.
When getting around by car, main highway corridors in West Ashley are U.S. 17, called Savannah Highway, and S.C. 61, also known as Ashley River Road. The two highways are connected by S.C. 7, also called Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. Interstates 526 and 26 connect West Ashley to North Charleston to the north and Mount Pleasant to the east.
For those interested in seeing West Ashley by foot or bike, the West Ashley Greenway is a good option. This 8-mile walking and biking path weaves among residential areas and shopping centers and through small marshy areas and swaths of trees. The trail starts near the South Windermere Shopping Center and stretches to Johns Island.
Shopping is plentiful in West Ashley. Shopping centers anchored by national retailers and restaurants are located all along Savannah Highway and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. West Ashley also includes eclectic shopping strips filled with many locally owned stores and eateries, such as the Avondale shopping area along U.S. 17. •
Middleton Place’s 110 vibrant acres include
65 acres of America’s oldest landscaped gardens — floral allées, terraced lawns, a pair of ornamental lakes shaped like butterfly wings — as well as a house museum, Eliza’s House, working stableyards with artisans and heritage breed animals, a restaurant, inn and organic farm, all waiting to be explored.
This popular annual neighborhood 5K race winds through the scenic Avondale subdivision in West Ashley with a lively after-party at the Triangle Char + Bar parking lot. Strollers and dogs are welcome. The race benefits Charleston’s Charles Webb Center, which serves children with special needs.
Beautiful sunsets are a common occurrence at the “Edge of America” on Folly Beach.
Looking for the beauty of nature? You’ll find it here
James Island and Folly Beach, located just south of Charleston, represent a distinctly indepen dent streak in the Lowcountry character.
Long a semirural area, James Island has seen its population boom since the early 1990s and the opening of the James Island Connector, a bridge that links the island directly to the Charleston peninsula.
James Island is bounded by Wappoo Creek, Charleston Harbor and the Stono and Folly rivers. Its network of marshes, inlets, sounds and creeks gives it one of the most scenic natural environments in the region. It was a strategic key to Charleston during the Revolutionary and Civil wars.
The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter began in 1861 with a shot from the island’s Fort Johnson, modern-day home of a stateof-the-art government marine science re search facility.
McLeod Plantation, with its alley of slave cabins visible from Folly Road near the foot of the Wappoo Bridge, stands near the entrance to the private Country Club of Charleston. The Riverland Terrace neigh
borhood, located between Maybank High way and Wappoo Creek, features enormous live oaks and deeply shaded lanes. A nearby commercial district offers fine restaurants, antiques and the Terrace Theatre, the area’s only art-house cinema.
Recreational options include the recent ly renovated Charleston Municipal Golf Course and James Island County Park, a 643-acre facility with trails, fishing docks, a
MOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
Town of James Island 795-4141 www.jamesislandsc.us
City of Folly Beach 588-2447 www.cityoffollybeach.com
Charleston County School District .......937-6300 City of Charleston building permits 724-7320
Charleston Water System 727-6800
Dominion Energy SC 800-251-7234
Berkeley Electric Cooperative 559-2458
James Island trash ........................ 795-9060, ext. 118
Folly Beach Public Works .............................. 513-1831
Recycling (Charleston County) 720-7111
50-foot climbing wall, kayak rentals, picnic areas and a campground. The park’s Splash Zone water park is extremely popular with families during summer months, and the county park’s annual Holiday Festival of Lights attracts motorists on winter nights.
James Island ends where Folly Road enters a marsh marked by the landmark “Folly Boat,” an abandoned hull that was deposited on the roadside by Hurricane Hugo. Locals have been painting messages on it ever since. Another treasured local landmark – Bowen’s Island Restaurant – sits on a tidal creek in a hummock of trees in the vast marsh between James Island and Folly Beach.
Folly Beach calls itself “The Edge of America,” and the seven-mile island certainly seems to take the nickname seriously. The island celebrates its bars, fishing shacks, funky eateries and nefarious characters, and East Coast surfers swarm to the spot they call “The Washout” whenever an Atlantic swell pushes big waves ashore.
A popular, county-run 1,000-foot fishing pier that marks the center of the island is par-
tially closed because of extensive damage from shipworms. A new pier is under construction and is expected to open fully in spring 2023.
The undeveloped eastern end of the island was the longtime site of a Coast Guard station. Morris Island, where the Union assault depicted in the Civil War movie Glory took place, lies across the inlet from the old station. The island has been heavily eroded, and the Morris Island Lighthouse has been surrounded by water for decades.
Long described as the Lowcountry’s “poor man’s beach,” Folly’s signature shacks ceased to be affordable escapes for drifters, starving artists and beach bums a decade ago. Nonetheless, the island’s 2,300 yearround residents preserve its identity as a place where corporate homogenization hasn’t taken over – yet. •
The James Island County Park lights up for the holidays with more than three miles of 700 light displays. It has been named one of the best holiday displays in the country.
Formerly known as 'Sunrise Park,' it offers sweeping views of the harbor from James Island.
Summerville is a community that still gathers at Town Square to celebrate the Fourth of July and a place where Friday night high school football draws a spirited crowd. In early December, the holiday season is ushered in with an annual Christmas tree lighting downtown. In this modern Southern city, progress and preservation are inextricably intertwined, making it a dynamic and diverse place to live and work.
Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management (D.R.E.A.M.), a nonprofit group spearheaded by local residents, has done much since its inception in 1992 to bring focus and support to Summerville and its historic downtown district. The commercial area is bustling again with unique shops, a local bookstore, art galleries and eateries. Guerin’s Pharmacy — the oldest still operating in South Carolina — contains antiques, a full-service pharmacy and an
old-style soda fountain that serves drug store classics such as cherry and vanilla Cokes, milkshakes and chili dogs.
The Summerville Dorchester Museum documents cultural and natural history with a film and exhibits of colonial settlers, early churches and architecture. More than 700 buildings have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Summerville traces its roots to the 1780s, when it was known as Pineland Village to plantation owners wanting to escape the swamp fever and insects of the Lowcountry summer. After being deemed by medical specialists in 1899 as one of the best areas in the world for lung and
Town of Summerville 851-4201 www.summervillesc.gov
Dorchester District 2 schools 873-2901 www.ddtwo.org
throat disorders, the area experienced a golden era, with special lodgings and resorts springing up to accommodate pulmonary patients. The most famous was Pine Forest Inn, which sometimes served as the Winter White House for Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.
Today, Summerville is Dorchester County’s largest city with a 2020 census population of more than 53,000. Named one of the 50 best small towns in America by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, Summerville offers residents the best of both worlds in terms of quality of life and housing. Known for its stately Victorian homes, the city also offers a variety of new construction options
attracting families, businesses and military personnel to the area.
Dubbed “Flower Town in the Pines,” Summerville still gets high marks for natural attributes. The Flowertown Festival draws more than 200,000 people every spring for a weekend dedicated to artisans and crafts amid the profusion of blooms in Azalea Park. This event is consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Azalea Park, a 12-acre oasis of ponds, paths, fountains and tennis courts, has also been the site for one of South Carolina’s premiere outdoor arts events, Sculpture in the South. This exhibit and sale of original sculpture typically features more than 30 artists from across the country representing a range of sculpture from Western to whimsical. During the event, patrons also can explore 22 permanent sculptures displayed in public places in Summerville.
Summerville residents can take to the trails at nearby Givhans Ferry State Park, on the former site of an 18th-century ferry that once crossed the Edisto River. The park features camping, cabins, fishing, picnic areas and river access.
At Francis Beidler Forest in Four Holes Swamp, about 20 minutes north of town, shaded boardwalks wind through ancient groves of cypress and Pleistocene swamps. The forest, a National Natural Landmark, is protected and managed by the National Audubon Society and is the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress in the world.
A popular destination for visitors, Summerville offers plenty of hotel rooms and bed and breakfast inns, including the Linwood Bed & Breakfast, built in 1883 by Julia Drayton Hastie, heiress to Magnolia Plantation. The Victorian mansion is surrounded by nearly two acres of award-winning landscaped gardens. The mansion itself is appointed with heart of pine floors, high ceilings, chandeliers, Victorian bays and triple sash windows, many with original glass.
Summerville has plenty of fine and fun dining options. Across the board, restaurants use style and originality to create menus that
appeal to an array of tastes. Summerville’s eateries include both chain and independently owned restaurants. Downtown, you’ll find an area called Short Central, a cobblestoned, pedestrian-only streetscape with shops and cafés located a block from Town Hall.
For those interested in stocking up on ingredients to create a feast at home, Summerville’s farmers market is a popular event. It runs weekly on Saturdays from April to November and is located near Town Hall.
A major addition to the many established neighborhoods and communities is Nexton, a 4,500-acre master planned community located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-A and I-26. It includes offices, hotels, apartments, schools, parks and trails, and several options for dining, entertainment and shopping.
Nexton was South Carolina’s first gigabit community, which means internet speeds are 100 times faster than the average fixed highspeed Internet connection, a plus for businesses that want to send large files quickly.
Adding to the town’s many things to do and places to go, Summerville officials have created a Sweet Tea Trail that promises an
adventure in Southern hospitality through history, food and shopping.
The trail tells the story of sweet tea’s birth in Summerville. It’s said that tea plants landed in Summerville in the late 1700s by way of the Ashley River. Andre Michaux, a French explorer and botanist, imported them along with varieties of camellias, gardenias and azaleas near Charleston at what is now known as Middleton Place Plantation.
In 1888, a wealthy scientific philanthropist acquired 600 acres in Summerville and established the Pinehurst Tea Plantation. The plants were eventually moved to a spot on Wadmalaw Island, which is now known as the Charleston Tea Garden and is owned by Bigelow.
The town has held a Sweet Tea Festival in recent years to celebrate Southern traditions and, of course, sweet tea.
From its Friday night football games to its annual festivals, Summerville is a place where rich history and progress mix seamlessly. Leaders focus on stimulating economic development while making sure Flower Town in the Pines does not lose its small-town charm. •
Moncks Corner was a colonial trading post with a history that dates back to 1735. It was founded by landowner Thomas Monck, for whom the town was named. In 1853, Moncks Corner became an official scheduled stop on the North East Railroad and two buildings were subsequently built to accommodate freight and passengers.
The original train depot was destroyed by fire in 1915, and the existing building was constructed at the current site. The train depot was an important social landmark for residents in the early 1900s, just as it is today. Officials renovated the historic building in 2000 to serve as the town’s visitor and cultural center. Special events are held at the depot throughout the year, including the Fourth of July Street Dance and Christmas festivities. Residents also can rent it for special events.
Moncks Corner today has nearly 12,500 residents and is the Berkeley County seat. The original downtown is populated with progressive shops and restaurants and the town has positioned itself for growth. Moncks Corner is home to the corporate office for Santee Cooper, a state-owned utility company. Google established two data centers in 2007 between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner at a cost of $600 million, and the facility was expanded in 2013 with another $600 million project. The company announced another $500 million expansion in March 2021.
Swedish automaker Volvo has established its first North American manufac-
Town of Moncks Corner 719-7900 www.monckscornersc.gov
Berkeley County School District 899-8600 www.berkeley.k12.sc.us
Moncks Corner building permits ............. 719-7900
turing facility at the Camp Hall tract about 15 miles west of town. The company plans to eventually hire up to 4,000 workers, and other new jobs will likely be created as suppliers bring their operations to nearby locations.
With the area’s growth, Moncks Corner’s neighborhoods offer residents a convenient location in a quiet community. Neighborhoods include Cypress Ridge, Fairmont South, Stoney Creek and Foxbank Plantation.
There are several options for schools in Moncks Corner. Students attend public schools within the award winning Berkeley County School District. Private schools also are available.
code, except where noted
Berkeley Electric Cooperative 761-8200
Public Works Commission 719-7965
Berkeley County Water & Sanitation 761-8817
Santee Cooper Electric Utility ................... 761-8000
Republic Services (recycling) 552-4751
close-knitMOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area Photo/Cypress Gardens Cypress Gardens has been a popular destination since 1932.
Moncks Corner’s proximity to area attractions, parks and more make it a match for residents who enjoy outdoor living.
Old Santee Canal Park commemorates America’s first summit canal, which began operating in 1800. In addition to tours of the historic site, the park features the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center. Exhibits and artifacts portray the region’s history, including that of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, who was also known as the “Swamp Fox” and was born near Moncks Corner. The museum also includes the history of Native Americans, colonial life, the Civil War and the Francis Marion National Forest.
Mepkin Abbey, a former plantation perched on bluffs above the Cooper River, now serves as home to a Trappist monastery with a garden and chapel open to the public. Visitors can tour the monastery and gardens, or take part in spiritual retreats.
Cypress Gardens, a county-owned public park and well-known tourist attraction, is open fully after being closed for more than three years because of significant flood damage in 2015.
World-class waterskiing, wind surfing, sailing, boating and fishing are popular on man-made Lake Moultrie and, farther inland, Lake Marion. The two massive bodies make up the Santee-Cooper Reservoir, which provides hydroelectric power and recreation. The Palmetto Trail, a recreational trail that stretches statewide, takes trekkers off the beaten path for a closer experience with Southern flora and wildlife.
In addition to these options, a 52-acre recreation complex in the center of town that opened in 2015 features four lighted baseball fields, paved parking, a concession stand/press box, event signs, paved access road, an irrigation system and walking trails. The complex is also home to the Moncks Corner Farmers Market from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays from April to December.
The town invested $5.4 million into phase one of the center with future plans for tennis courts and a recreation center with a basketball court, swimming pool, jogging track and community rooms. Picnic areas and playgrounds are also planned for the complex. •
The Moncks Corner Recreation Complex hosts baseball and softball games, and attracts travel softball and baseball tournaments. A farmers market is also held at the complex from April to December with vendors selling homegrown, homemade and hand-crafted products.
The magazine Bloomberg Businessweek reported in 2012, “Goose Creek is on our list of best places to raise kids for the second year in a row. There are more than a few reasons. This quiet, pretty suburb of Charleston has much to offer, from great parks to solid schools, to rolling bike trails.”
Indeed, Goose Creek, located about 20 miles north of Charleston, has become a very desirable place to live in the Lowcoun try. It ranks as the state’s eighth largest mu nicipality with nearly 45,000 residents.
While the exact origin of the city’s name is unknown, this area of the Lowcountry has been called Goose Creek since the late 1600s. Early settlers were planters from
Barbados who brought with them knowl edge of various crops, including rice and indigo. These crops were successfully grown in the region for more than 100 years.
Fast forward to 1961, when the city of Goose Creek was incorporated and farm lands in the area began to be sold and subdi vided to accommodate the fast-growing area and subsequent housing boom.
Today Goose Creek is the most densely populated city in Berkeley County. Its easy
City of Goose Creek
Berkeley
Dominion
797-6220
County
824-2200
reational areas. Cane Bay Plantation spans 4,500 acres and includes several neighborhoods — including Del Webb, an active senior living neighborhood — as well as schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, and retail centers.
Carnes Crossroads is a another sprawling, planned community of 2,300 acres near the intersection of U.S. Highways 176 and 17-A. It is projected to be home to more than 15,000 people at final buildout.
Opportunities for outdoor living in the Lowcountry are plentiful and Goose Creek is no different. The city’s recreation department has constructed several parks throughout the area featuring playgrounds, picnic areas and ball fields. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy 18 holes at Crowfield Golf and Country Club, which also has tennis and swimming.
There also are plenty of activities within a short drive of Goose Creek. Tennis fans can watch the Credit One Charleston Open (formerly the Volvo Car Open) tennis tournament, held each spring on nearby Daniel Island. The Charleston Riverdogs, a minor league baseball team, play home games at Joe Riley Jr. Park, about a 30-minute drive.
Goose Creek is home to the Naval Weapons Station, which is part of the Lowcountry’s largest employer, Joint Base Charleston. The Naval Weapons Station employs nearly 13,500 and is the command center for the
U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Training program.
Other major employers in Goose Creek include aluminum manufacturers Century Aluminum Mount Holly and JW Aluminum, and lighting manufacturer Quoizel Lighting. Quoizel, founded in 1930 in New York, relocated its headquarters to a state-of-the-art, 500,000-square-foot facility in Goose Creek.
Google built a $600 million data center in 2008 in Mount Holly, just north of Goose Creek. The internet search engine expanded its facility with a $600 million investment
in 2013 and announced another $500 million expansion in March 2021. In addition to creating jobs, Google helped fund the city’s free WiFi network that has been implemented at four locations in the county, including Central Avenue downtown.
Swedish automaker Volvo operates its first North American manufacturing facility at the Camp Hall tract, about 25 miles northwest of town. It has a workforce of around 1,500 and expects to eventually hire up to 4,000 workers. •
Kiawah and Seabrook islands, two private resort communities south of Charleston, offer a quality of life that includes world-class golf, upscale homes and breathtaking views of the Lowcountry’s landscape.
Pottery found on Kiawah Island dates as far back as 4,000 years. Ownership of the island changed many times through the years from the Indians to the British and then to some of the earliest “Charlestonians.” Its history is linked to names you may already be familiar with: Gibbes, Vanderhorst and Middleton, to name a few.
Development of the island loosely began in the 1950s when C.C. Royal, who made his fortune in the lumber business, purchased the island. He built a home for his wife and seven children and then sold 65 lots to friends. In 1974, the Kuwait Investment Co. purchased the island from Royal’s heirs and created a land plan that consisted of a resort and residential development. Kiawah Development Partners is currently the master developer of the island.
Approximately 1,700 full-time residents inhabit the island, but the population swells in the spring and summer when about 600 of the island’s properties are rented.
The island is also home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which includes five public golf courses and two private courses; The Sanctuary, a AAA Five Diamond hotel; an award-winning spa; and several restaurants.
The resort’s Ocean Course is a world-renowned site of high-profile golf. In fact, it hosted its third major global event with the 2021 PGA Championship. As a brand-new course, it hosted the classic and controversial 1991 Ryder Cup competition, which became
known as the “War by the Shore” and marked a turning point in the tenor surrounding the then 64-year-old, biennial event. The course also hosted the 2012 PGA Championship, an event that generated more than $200 million of economic impact.
Outside of golf, the island also caters to tennis players and is a destination for runners during the annual Kiawah Island Marathon, held each December.
Seabrook Island, just across the marsh from Kiawah Island, is a 2,200-acre mix of forest, salt marsh and beach. The island was discovered by settlers in 1666 and indigo and rice were its first cash crops. The island was first called Jones Island, then Simmons Island and finally Seabrook when it was purchased by William Seabrook in 1816.
Originally developed in 1972 as a resort and conference center location, the island
has evolved into a private, oceanfront community with more than 2,500 properties and almost 1,900 residents living on the island year round.
There is no shortage of things to do on Seabrook Island, from golfing on two private courses, to playing tennis, horseback riding, biking and boating. There are also several restaurants to choose from.
Nature is always close by with plenty of opportunities to observe and study wildlife, whether strolling on the beach or exploring the waterways via kayak or canoe.
Just 30 minutes from Charleston, the islands are close enough for a day trip into the city. There are several opportunities for shopping excursions on both islands. Freshfields Village, at the crossroads between the two islands, offers a variety of retail stores and several restaurants. •
All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
Town of Kiawah Island 768-9166 www.kiawahisland.org
Town of Seabrook Island ............................................. 768-9121 www.townofseabrookisland.org
Charleston County School District 937-6300
Town of Kiawah building permits 768-9166
Kiawah Island Utility (water) 768-0641
Berkeley Electric Cooperative............................... 559-2458
Kiawah trash and recycling ................................... 768-9166
Seabrook Island building permits 768-9121
Seabrook Island Utility Commission 768-0102
Home to many farms, plant nurseries and produce stands, these are among the Lowcountry’s last rural sea islands
Johns Island, the Lowcountry’s last remaining rural sea island, is a vast swath of land between James Island, the mainland west of Charleston and the private barrier islands of Kiawah and Seabrook.
Its future is one of the most important undecided questions in the Lowcountry.
The island grows much of the area’s fresh organic produce and is home to numerous farms, nurseries, packing houses and produce stands. And though its main transportation arteries are heavily trafficked, the island has miles of long, quiet, tree-lined roads that attract Lowcountry bicyclists.
Traffic remains one of the island’s most pressing issues. The debate continues, as opponents don’t want to trade their rural way of life for the suburban development better roads would bring.
The island boasts the Angel Oak, believed to be one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi River. Estimates of its age range from 400 years to more than 1,500 years. However old it is, this ancient oak is a graceful giant, 65 feet tall and more than 25 feet around. Owned by the city of Charleston, it is open to the public.
Another local gem is the village of Rockville at the end of neighboring Wadmalaw Island. This remote, picturesque village plays host each August to the Rockville Regatta, an event that dates back more than 100 years and marks the end of the Lowcountry’s competitive sailing season.
Horses raised for work, transportation or recreation have long been a part of life on the island. The public Mullet Hall Equestrian Center at Johns Island County Park provides facilities for horse shows, plus 20 miles of riding trails.
The Charleston Executive Airport is a small facility that offers convenience to resort visitors and flying lessons for locals.
A 16,000-square-foot library, completed in 2004, is the county’s largest branch.
Much of the development on the island today is upscale, including The Preserve at Fenwick Hall. Other developments offer a mixture of affordable and luxury choices, varying from waterfront lots to Charlestonstyle urbanism to custom rural seclusion.
The island’s central commercial district is located at the intersection of Main, Maybank and Bohicket roads.
Johns Island is a stronghold of Gullah culture and holds a special place in the Lowcountry’s civil rights history. Native son Esau Jenkins, despite no formal education beyond fourth grade, understood in the 1950s and ‘60s that the future of the island’s black communities would depend on bootstrapping programs for their education
City of Charleston 724-3745
www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County School District 937-6300
City of Charleston building permits ................ 724-7320
Charleston Water System ........................................ 727-6800
and health. He and others founded “Citizenship Schools” that helped residents — many illiterate — qualify to vote, and their Sea Island Health Corp. brought doctors and nurses to rural corners that had never received proper care. •
The market features more than 50 local farmers and artisans, food vendors and live music. Check out goods like breads and pastries, local seafood, free-range eggs, handcrafted cheeses, olives and olive oil, pet food, kosher honey, pickled products and more.
St. John’s Water Co. 559-0186
Dominion Energy SC 800-251-7234
Berkeley Electric Cooperative 559-2458
Republic Services (trash) ......................................... 937-4048
Recycling (Charleston County):
720-7111
East Cooper’s two beach-front islands are connected by one bridge but rep resent two distinct lifestyles.
Sullivan’s Island lies at the entrance to Charleston Harbor and spent much of its history as a slave port. Its strategic position made it a key to the seaward defense of the city of Charleston and it was fortified well into the 20th century. To Charlestonians of the late 19th and early 20th century, Sul livan’s Island was the beach to which they escaped by boat when the summer heat grew unbearable.
Today, the island’s military and beach-retreat heritage give the place an elegantly shabby, slow-moving style that is unique among Southern beach communi ties. Islanders have adapted abandoned for tifications and disused buildings from Fort Moultrie’s sprawling past into creative liv ing spaces and public uses. Victorian homes line shaded streets.
About 2,000 people live on the 3.3-square-mile island, which remains a popular destination for beach-goers from Charleston and Mount Pleasant. But with no hotels, the beach is seldom crowded. Easements and strict regulations protect the island’s dunes and maritime forests, and its lighthouse, which began operation in 1962, was conveyed to the National Parks Service in 2008.
Though Sullivan’s Island was home to two settlements in the 19th century, the neighboring Isle of Palms remained a re mote, sparsely populated vacation spot until the early 20th century. A 50-room hotel opened in 1906, followed in 1912 by a beach pavilion and amusement park.
First known as Hunting Island, and then
Long Island, developers renamed it the Isle of Palms in 1913 to attract tourists. Devel opment of the 5.6-square-mile island didn’t begin in earnest until the 1940s.
The boom started in 1944 with the purchase of 1,300 acres by The Beach Co., which laid out roads and began building a mixture of vacation and affordable housing. The Ben Sawyer Bridge connecting Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island completed the Charleston-to-IOP automobile link in 1945 and more growth followed.
By the 1970s, developers turned their eyes toward a 1,600-acre tract on the north ern end of IOP and began construction of what is today the gated Wild Dunes Resort. This exclusive community features two golf courses, extensive tennis facilities and a sys tem of walking and bicycling trails.
Hurricane Hugo destroyed 95% of the IOP’s buildings in 1989 and the influx of insurance cash led to a burst of luxurious
gentrification. Today, the island has a population of more than 4,500, multimillion-dollar homes line the water and its Front Beach commercial district bustles with restaurants and shops.
The IOP’s Windjammer Lounge is a clas sic beachfront bar and music venue, and the annual Polar Bear Swim on Sullivan’s Island, which draws thousands of high-spirited bathers every New Year’s Day, originates at Dunleavy’s Pub in the island’s tiny down town.
Life on the islands offers distinct choices for those who can afford them — the up scale energy of the IOP versus the quirkier charms of Sullivan’s Island. Residents of both islands benefit from one of the area's finest elementary schools, enjoy easy access to shopping in nearby Mount Pleasant via the Isle of Palms Connector and can often be spotted tooling around in their ubiqui tous electric golf carts. •
City of Isle of Palms 886-6428 www.iop.net
Town of Sullivan’s Island ................................ 883-3198 www.sullivansisland.sc.gov
Charleston County School District 937-6300
Isle of Palms building permits 886-9912
Isle of Palms Water and Sewer ................ 886-6148
City of Isle of Palms trash 720-7111
Sullivan’s Island building permits .......... 883-5727
Sullivan’s Island water system ................ 883-3947
Sullivan’s Island trash 884-8518
Dominion Energy SC 800-251-7234
Recycling (Charleston County) 720-7111
The suburban sprawl that has enveloped the Lowcountry slowly fades as you head northwest out of Summerville on U.S. Highway 78, past Jedburg Road, and approach the town of Ridgeville. But that rural, small-town feel belies the fact that this part of Dorchester County is undergoing a profound change.
That transformation started in 2015 when Swedish automaker Volvo announced its first North American production facility at the Camp Hall tract, about seven miles northeast of Ridgeville across Interstate 26 in Berkeley County. The campus currently runs manufacturing operations of the S60 sedan with around 1,500 workers.
The company plans to add production lines to build the XC90 SUV soon and hire a total of 4,000 workers, a number that could rise based on demand for the two models that will be built there. That influx of skilled automotive workers will change forever this sleepy stretch of pine forests, farmland and small communities.
A drive through Ridgeville’s business district will take you into a quintessential Southern railroad town, past barbecue restaurants, a general store and other small businesses. It’s a place where just about everybody knows each other, where store owners have served multiple generations of the same families. The U.S. Census lists Ridgeville’s population at approximately 1,800, but that includes nearly 900 inmates at the state’s Lieber Correctional Institute on the outskirts of town.
Quiet and close to nature, Ridgeville is just minutes from the Francis Beidler Forest, a National Audubon Society wildlife sanctuary, and Givhans Ferry State Park, along the
Downtown Ridgeville (above) is a mix of family-owned restaurants, retail and other businessess typical of a small Southern town. The final assembly facility (right) for Volvo’s new automotive manufacturing plant near Ridgeville is the largest building on the site.
Edisto River. The Cypress Methodist Camp Ground off S.C. Highway 173, a religious and community gathering place established more than 200 years ago, is still in use and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Volvo project is also attracting other new industry and infrastructure improvements. A large industrial park that opened near the intersection of U.S. 78 and S.C. Highway 27 is home to a major Walmart distribution center, and a new interchange near Volvo at Interstate 26 was completed in 2019 to accommodate the increase in commuter and commercial traffic.
Growth is also evident in the area around Jedburg Road. New businesses have opened in anticipation of increasing demand for gas, food and other consumer needs. Developers have plans for several new residential communities to meet expected demand from Volvo workers and a growing population in the Summerville area.
Other large employers in the area include Showa Denko Carbon, which supplies a key component for steel manufacturing, and Key West Boats, a recreational boat maker. •
MOVING IN All phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted
Town of Ridgeville 871-7960
Email ............. ridgevilleclerk.treasurer@gmail.com
Dorchester School District 4 563-4535
Building permits 832-0011
Ridgeville Water Dept. 873-3286
Dominion Energy SC. ..............................800-251-7234
Edisto Electric Cooperative 245-5141
Waste Pro (trash and recycling) 619-0800
One of the best things about life in the Lowcountry is the myriad opportunities for outdoor activities.
The weather is good most of the year, and sports and recreational activities are there for the taking. You can join an organized team or take up an individual activity, such as kayaking or paddle boarding.
Every community in the Charleston area has a well-developed sports and recreation program. In the pages that follow, we tell you about the recreation offerings for each city and town, with some of the highlights of the year.
There is also a listing of other recreational possibilities beyond the municipal depart ments, such as bocce, roller derby or rugby.
So, pick your favorite and get out there and enjoy yourself!
In this section
City of Charleston Recreation Department ................................. 57 Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission............ 58
Dog Parks ............................................................. 59
North Charleston Parks and Recreation ..................................... 60
Mount Pleasant Recreation .......................... 61
Golf Courses 62
Places to Stay 63
Arts Abound ........................................................ 66
Dining Out ............................................................ 68
Attractions and Tours...................................... 69
Newcomer Information and Map...............73
Soccer, a popular youth and adult sport, is offered by many recreation departments around the Lowcountry.
823 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403 843-724-7327
Laurie Yarbrough, director www.charleston-sc.gov/recreation www.facebook.com/chsrecreation
The City of Charleston Recreation Department serves downtown Charleston, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley and Daniel Island.
Youth sports offered: soccer, tackle football, baseball, softball, cheerleading, gymnastics, flag football, lacrosse, basketball, tennis, aquatics, track, cross country, wrestling, volleyball, golf
Other activities: summer camps, therapeutic recreation, adult sports, fitness classes, cooking, art, boxing, karate, environmental education, senior programs and trips, dance, tumbling, lifeguard training, manners classes and babysitting classes
Easter Eggstravaganza: held near Easter; egg hunt, activities, games; Hampton Park.
Celebration of Summer: An end-of-summer party held in Hampton Park in late July. Family friendly with pony rides, jump castles and more.
Trick or Treat in the Park: Halloween night; wear costumes and trick or treat at decorated cars; Hampton Park.
Park hours are dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted. Some of the city’s popular parks are:
70 E. Bay St.
A variety of family/community days each month
James Island Recreation Complex
1088 Quail Drive
Gymnastics center, pool, camps, classes and sports for all ages
In the Lowcountry, outdoor living is a special draw. You can go surfing, kayaking, fishing or biking — all in the same weekend. But outdoor recreation is just the start.
When you move your family to a new community, a concern may be whether your new hometown offers the sports and recreational activities your family enjoys. In the Lowcountry, you will find most activities are available, even some you might not expect, such as lacrosse and ice hockey.
king, climbing and water parks. The county does run team sports in some rural areas that aren’t served by other departments.
Most parks offer programs for all ages, from preschool to senior adults. In general, permits are required to hold an event in a park; check with the local parks department to see what is needed.
861 Riverland Drive, Charleston 29412 843-795-4386
Kevin Bowie, executive director www.ccprc.com
A clickable map is available at www.ccprc.com/DocumentCenter/14480/ AGENCY-MAP
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission provides park and recreation services but does not duplicate services provided by municipalities and other special recreation districts. The county commission has developed a countywide park system that emphasizes individual and family activities such as outdoor recreation, environmental education and public beach access. The commission runs rural recreation sports programs in areas not otherwise served at McClellanville, Johns Island and Hollywood.
Activities: Summer camps, water parks, climbing wall, geocaching, group and corporate services, nature and history programs, swim lessons and water safety
Popular family event held in November and December, James Island County Park
This section includes a listing of the offerings by the major parks and recreation departments in the area. The largest are City of Charleston, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, but smaller departments such as Summerville and Isle of Palms also have a lot to offer. While recreation departments are set up to serve the residents of their communities, most allow non-residents to register for programs for an added fee.
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission provides mostly individual park-based activities, such as kaya-
This section includes a listing of the offerdepartments in the area. The County Park and activities, such as kaya-
have standout sports programs. professional teams: the Charles-
And if your interest runs to college or professional sports, the Charleston area has a lot to offer. Charleston Southern University, The Citadel and College of Charleston all have standout sports programs. The Lowcountry is home to three professional teams: the Charleston RiverDogs (baseball), a Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays; the Charleston Battery (soccer) of the United Soccer Leagues; and the South Carolina Stingrays (hockey), a member of the East Coast Hockey League affiliated with the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
The Credit One Charleston Open tournament (formerly the Volvo Car
Charlie is the mascot of the Riverdogs.
(Photo/Charleston Riverdogs)
Swim 600-yard freshwater lake; bike 12 miles; run 5K; held in May, June, July and August; James Island County Park
Some of the most popular parks are:
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Drive, James Island camping, challenge course, climbing wall, water park
CawCaw
5200 Savannah Highway, Ravenel
SK8 Charleston Skate Park
1549 Oceanic St., Charleston
Palmetto Island County Park
444 Needlerush Pkwy, Mount Pleasant
Hampton Park
30 Mary Murray Dr., Charleston
Open) brings women’s tennis stars to Daniel Island every spring.
For outdoor fun, Folly Beach is considered a top surfing destination on the East Coast, and you can check conditions at its storied “Washout” via webcam.
Kayaking in the blackwater rivers and swamps or quieter areas of Charleston Harbor is a favorite. There are outfitters along Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant that rent equipment.
Recreational boating and sailing are
Here are some parks set up expressly for dogs and their owners.
James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive
North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd.
Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, 444 Needlerush Parkway
local passions. Each April hundreds of sailors take to Charleston Harbor for Charleston Race Week, sponsored by the Charleston Ocean Racing Association. Deep sea fishing charters are available at Shem Creek and other locations.
Locals fish off piers at Folly Beach (partially closed until 2023 for repairs) or the Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant, or net crabs in tidal creeks.
Running has grown in popularity since the first Cooper River Bridge Run in 1978.
City of Charleston
Ackerman Park Dog Run, 55 Sycamore Drive
Bees Landing Recreation Complex, 1530 Ashley Gardens Blvd.
Cannon Park, 131 Rutledge Ave.
East Bay Dog Park, 41 S. Adgers Wharf
Governor’s Park, 165 Fairbanks Oak Alley
The race takes place each April, attracting world-class 10K runners and tens of thousands of amateur athletes and walkers. It begins near Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant and ends in downtown Charleston.
The area’s flat roads make for fast cycling. The Lowcountry hosts a series of popular cycling events, including group rides and races.
So, test out your old favorites or try something new. It’s all here.
•
All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and must be under their owners’ supervision at all times.
Hampton Park Dog Run, corner of Rutledge Avenue and Grove Street
Hazel Parker Dog Run, 70 E. Bay St.
James Island Recreation Complex, 1088 Quail Drive
1088 Quail Drive
Isle of Palms Parks and Recreation 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 29451 www.iop.net
This department serves the Isle of Palms with baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball and soccer. Also offered are fitness, dance, taekwondo, gymnastics, and camps. Events include the Sand Sculpting Contest; the IOP Beach Run and Community Wellness Fair.
Hanahan Recreation and Parks 3100 Mabeline Road, Hanahan, SC 29410 www.cityofhanahan.com
The department serves the city of Hanahan. Offered are basketball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, as well as T-ball, dance, tumbling, camps and fitness.
Summerville Parks and Recreation
515 W. Boundary St., Summerville, SC 29485 843-851-5211 www.summervillesc.gov
Among the sports offered are softball, baseball, tennis, football and cricket. The town has a major sports center, the Jerry Blackwell Sports Complex, at 515 W. Boundary St. Also unique are the Sawmill Branch Trail and a skate park.
Goose Creek Recreation 843-569-4242 www.goosecreekrecreation.com
Goose Creek Recreation serves residents at Goose Creek Community Center and Goose Creek Activity Center, as well as a city pool and parks. Activities offered include baseball, softball, golf, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, football, cheerleading, gymnastics, camps, soccer and tennis.
Moncks Corner Recreation Department
118 Carolina Ave., Moncks Corner 843-719-7900
The recreation department offers baseball, T-ball, football, soccer, cheerleading, basketball and softball.
2500 City Hall Lane
North Charleston, S.C. 29406 843-740-5814
T.J. Rostin, recreation director www.northcharleston.org
North Charleston Parks and Recreation serves the city of North Charleston.
Sports offered: Softball, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, track and field
Activities: Adult and senior fitness, after-school programs, aquatics, camps, ceramics, dance, disc golf, cheerleading
Youth Pitch, Hit and Run: local competition held in April; winners advance to sectional competition
Winter Wonderland: held in November and December for young children at Armory Park
Among North Charleston’s gems are:
Riverfront Park 1001 Everglades Ave.
On the Cooper River with beautiful views, a performance pavilion and meadow
Park Circle Butterfly Garden 4800 Park Circle
Butterflies and plants, picnics, walking paths
391 Egypt Road, Mount Pleasant 29464 843-884-2528
Steve Gergick, director www.tompsc.com
Mount Pleasant Recreation Department serves the town of Mount Pleasant.
Sports offered: Tennis, baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, softball, track, cross country, football, lacrosse, volleyball
Also: Camps, art, therapeutic recreation, music, aquatics, dance, skate park
Spring Carnival: held in May, children’s activities; at Alhambra Hall Park
Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival: held in April; blessing of the fleet ceremony, boat parade, seafood sampling, music, arts and crafts; Memorial Waterfront Park
Music and Movies in the Park: Fridays in August; Memorial Waterfront Park.
Old Village Harbor 5K Run, Walk, Stroller and Dog Jog: held in November starting at Alhambra Hall Park; for all ages
A few places to check out
Some of Mount Pleasant’s best-loved parks are: Alhambra Hall and Park 131 Middle St.
Reception hall, waterfront green space, playground.
1251 Park West Blvd.
Lighted tennis courts, indoor pool, athletic fields, lake pavilion, walking trails.
A coach gives instructions to a young gymnast during practice.
Sports Event Organizers, Volunteer Groups, Training Resources and Sports Facilities
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Charleston Beach Volleyball & Social Club www.charlestonvolleyball.net
BOCCE
Chucktown Bocce League www.facebook.com/ChucktownBocceLeague/
DANCE
Ballroom Dance Club of Charleston www.ballroomdancecharleston.org
Charleston Shag Club www.charlestonshagclub.com
DISABLED SPORTS
Charleston Miracle League www.charlestonmiracleleague.org
Special Olympics of the Lowcountry www.facebook.com/solowcountry
Summerville Miracle League www.summervillemiracleleague.org
DOG SPORTS
Low Country Dog Agility Club www.lowcountrydogagility.com
FENCING
Fencing Fight Club facebook.com/fencingcharleston/
FOX HUNTING
The view from the porch of Alhambra Hall.
Middleton Place Hounds Hunt Club www.middletonplacehounds.com
GYMNASTICS
Gymnastics Academy of Charleston www.gymnasticsacademyofcharleston. com
HIKING
West Ashley Greenway Bike/Hike Trail www.westashleygreenway.org
ICE HOCKEY /SKATING
Carolina Ice Palace www.carolinaicepalace.com
Figure Skating Club of Charleston fscofcharleston.com
KICKBALL
Charleston Sports & Social Club www.charlestonssc.com
LACROSSE
Charleston Hurricanes Men’s Lacrosse Club facebook.com/CharlestonHurricanesLax
Lowcountry Lacrosse Youth League www.lowlax.com
MARTIAL ARTS
Charleston Martial Arts chas-ma.com
OCEAN RACING
Charleston Ocean Racing Association www.charlestonoceanracing.com
POLO
Charleston Polo Club charlestonpoloclub.com
ROCK CLIMBING (WALLS)
Charleston County PRC ccprc.com
Coastal Climbing coastalclimbing.com
RUGBY
Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Club www.charlestonrugby.com
Charleston Hurricanes Women's Rugby www.facebook.com/ Charlestonwomensrugby
STANDUP PADDLE BOARDING www.charlestonsupsafaris.com
SURFING
Southern South Carolina/ Eastern Surfing Association ssc.surfesa.org
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Charleston Ultimate Players Association www.charlestonultimate.com
Trophy Lakes Watersports Center www.trophylakesports.com
Source: Charleston Area Sports Commission
Property
Wild Dunes Resort 1 Sundial Circle Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Charleston Marriott 170 Lockwood Blvd. Charleston, SC 29403
Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites by Hilton Summer ville 406 Sigma Drive Summer ville, SC 29483
The Mills House Curio Collection by Hilton 115 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29401
Emeline 181 Church St. Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina 20 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Holiday Inn River view Charleston 301 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407
Hotel Bennett 404 King St. Charleston, SC 29403
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor
Mount Pleasant 100 Ferr y Wharf Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District 345 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport 5265 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418
Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic
337 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403
DoubleTree by Hilton North Charleston Convention Center 5264 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418
Homewood Suites Charleston Historic District
415 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston / Mount Pleasant
300 Wingo Way Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone / Website / Email
843-886-6000 www.destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes chsdh-reser vations@hyatt.com
843-723-3000 www.marriottcharleston.com karen.dejong@marriott.com
843-832-1304 www.lowcountr yconferencecenter.com info@lowcountr yconferencecenter.com
843-577-2400 www.millshouse.com info@millshouse.com
843-577-2644 www.hotelemeline.com hello@hotelemeline.com
843-284-7022 www.charlestonharborresort.com asmith@charlestonharborresort.com
843-556-7100 www.holiday-inn.com/chs-river view sales@hiriver view.com
888-424-6961 www.hotelbennett.com info@hotelbennett.com
843-981-5700 www.embassysuites.charlestonharbor.com chssc_ds@hilton.com
843-723-4000 www.charlestonhistoricdistrict.hamptoninn.com chshd_hampton@hilton.com
843-308-9330 www.charlestonairport.hgi.com bpainter@lowcountr yhotels.com
843-884-6000 www.mountpleasantlyindigo.com cmlittle@northph.com
843-723-6900 www.historiccharleston.embassysuites.com chses_ds@hilton.com
843-576-0300 www.northcharlestonconventioncenter.doubletree.com bpainter@lowcountr yhotels.com
843-724-8800 www.tinyurl.com/homewoodchs chsms_ds@hilton.com
843-606-4600 www.charlestonmtpleasant.hgi.com jennifer.maxwell@rainesco.com
Sales Director / Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Jeffrey Payne Robb Walker 1972
Karen Burr Patrick Rogers 2007
Jason Russo Keith Gaines 2020
Mar y Desrosiers Micheal Linder 1853
Shannon H. Hartman, Adam Jimenez, Carly Skinner 2020
Nick Saltmarsh, Rand Pratt, Loyd Weston 1997
Justin Claiborne Justin Michael Claiborne, Jeremy McCauley, Amanda Carter 1971
Rachel Frost Marty Wall 2019
Lindsey
Connie
Caitla
Connie
Kristy
Jennifer Maxwell 2015
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Rooms / Meeting Rooms / Corporate Rate Amenities
486 18 $289
344 13 $179
255 10 $129
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool; spa
Business center; fitness center; on-site restaurant; pool
24-hour room ser vice; airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; inroom kitchen; on-site restaurant; pool
218 10 $285 Fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
212 10 $319 Fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant
204 10 $250
179 3 $179
179 11 $400
175 5 $189
170 1 $175
168 7 $129
158 6 $149
153 5 $179
142 4 $129
139 4 $189
133 4 $169
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool; spa
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
24-hour room ser vice; business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool; spa
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; in-room kitchen; pool
24-hour room ser vice; business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
For more lists subscribe to:
Property
Tides Folly Beach 1 Center St. Folly Beach, SC 29439
Courtyard by Marriott Mount Pleasant
1251 Woodland Ave.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Town & Countr y Inn & Suites 2008 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407
Homewood Suites Charleston Airport 5048 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Airport & Convention Center
3025 W. Montague Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Hyatt Place Charleston Airport / Convention Center
3234 W. Montague Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418
Wyndham Garden Summer ville 120 Holiday Drive Summer ville, SC 29483
Home2Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport / Convention Center
3401 W. Montague Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418
Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston West Ashley 678 Citadel Haven Drive Charleston, SC 29414
Doubletree Hotel Mount Pleasant 1330 Stuart Engals Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone / Website / Email
843-588-6464 www.tidesfollybeach.com res@tidesfollybeach.com
843-284-0900 www.marriott.com/chscm ashley.miller@marriott.com
843-571-1000 www.thetownandcountr yinn.com sales@thetownandcountr yinn.com
843-735-5000 www.hilton.com chshm_gm@hilton.com
843-554-2100 www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels chsfdexpress@lowcountr yhotels.com
843-302-8600 www.charlestonairport.place.hyatt.com dos.northcharleston.convention@hyatt.com
843-875-3300 www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden smvscfrontdesk@gmail.com
843-744-4202 www.charlestonairportconventioncenter.home2suites.com chscc_ds@hilton.com
843-573-1200 www.charlestonwestashleysuites.hamptoninn.com chswa_hampton_suites@hilton.com
843-352-5100 mmahoney@tpsmtp.com
Hampton Inn Patriots Point 255 Sessions Way Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-881-3300
Holiday Inn Charleston Historic Downtown 425 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403
Hampton Inn & Suites N. Charleston University Blvd. 2688 Fernwood Drive North Charleston, SC 29406
Cambria Hotel Mount Pleasant - Charleston 1472 U.S. Highway 17 N. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Summer ville 1657 N. Main St. Summer ville, SC 29486
SpringHill Suites Charleston / Mount Pleasant 245 Magrath Darby Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-718-2327 www.ihg.com/holidayinn info@hihistoric.com
843-735-7500 www.northcharlestonuniversityblvdsuites.hamptoninn.com chsub_hampton_suites@hilton.com
843-849-9677 www.choicehotels.com/SC522 allison.whitmire@rainesco.com
843-873-8900 www.hiexpress.com/summer villesc hiesgeneralmanager@gmail.com
843-284-5250 www.marriott.com/chsmt jennifer.salegna@marriott.com
Sales Director / Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Caitlin Corrigan Carley Ford 2010
Ashley Miller Cher yl M. Craven 2007
Jon Sedgwick Matt Holley 2007
Shannon Wilson
2012
Czarina Dandan Lindsay Ovens 2010
Amy Houchins DJ Gajjar 1983
Tom Brinkerhoff Linda Dawalt 2011
Megan Owen Megan O'Hara Owen 2000
Meg Mahoney Mike Glass 2014
Sarah Testerman Sean McDonald 1991
Diane Sweeda Matt Lew 2013
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Rooms / Meeting Rooms / Corporate Rate Amenities
132 5 $189
130 5 $159
129 6 $109
128 4 $139
127 1 $124
127 2 $139
123 3 $89
122 0 $149
121 3 $119
120 3 $179
120 0 $139
120 3 $189
115 2 $114139
112 1 $119
Free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; inroom kitchen; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; onsite restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; inroom kitchen; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
2018
Amy Houchins
2017
111 1 $129
110 1 $139
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
2016
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
Property
Staybridge Suites Charleston - Mount Pleasant 251 Session Way Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Comfort Inn & Suites Patriots Point 196 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston NE Mount Pleasant US 17 1104 Stockade Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Fairfield by Marriott Charleston Airport / Convention Center 4841 Tanger Outlet Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418
Comfort Suites Charleston West Ashley 2080 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407
Holiday Inn Express & Suites CharlestonAshley Phosphate 7670 Northwoods Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406
Cambria Hotel Summer ville - Charleston 405 Sigma Drive Summer ville, SC 29486
Hyatt Place Mount Pleasant Towne Centre 1600 Palmetto Grande Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Best Western Charleston Inn 1540 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407
Fairfield by Marriott Charleston North / Ashley Phosphate 2540 N. Forest Drive North Charleston, SC 29420
The Vendue 19 Vendue Range Charleston, SC 29401
Sleep Inn Charleston 1524 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407
Best Western Patriots Point
259 McGrath Darby Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
The Inn at Middleton Place 4290 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414
HarbourView Inn 2 Vendue Range Charleston, SC 29401
French Quarter Inn 166 Church St. Charleston, SC 29401
Phone / Website / Email
843-216-5400 www.staybridge.com/mtpleasantsc elambert@lowcountr yhotels.com
843-856-8817 www.choicehotels.com/sc064 qisales@hgmhotels.com
843-216-0000 www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress hie.mp.genmgr@gmail.com
843-300-3100 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chscs-fairfield-inn-andsuites-charleston-airport-convention-center kelly.chubb@marriott.com
843-769-9850 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/SC369 gm.sc369@gmail.com
843-553-1600 www.hiexpress.com/chastni-26 gm@hiexpressnorthwoods.com
854-888-2800 www.choicehotels.com/SC591 allison.whitmire@rainesco.com
843-473-3105 www.hyattplacemountpleasanttownecentre.com jennifer.salegna@rainesco.com
843-571-6100 www.thecharlestoninn.com brichards@charlestownehotels.com
843-725-5400 www.marriott.com/chsfn kay.davidson@marriott.com
843-577-7970 www.thevendue.com res@thevendue.com
843-556-6959 www.sleepinn.com/hotel/sc212 brichards@charlestownehotels.com
843-971-7070 www.bestwestern.com jennifer.maxwell@rainesco.com
843-556-0500 www.middletonplace.org reser vations@theinnatmiddletonplace.com
843-853-8439 www.harbour viewcharleston.com gm@harbour viewcharleston.com
843-722-1900 www.fqicharleston.com frontdesk@fqicharleston.com
Sales Director / Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Nicole Duncan D-Andre Broderick 2018
Peggy Foltz Stephen Haws 1999
Amy Houchins Earl Collins 2016
Loretta Rezzoug Kelly Chubb, Loretta Rezzoug 2000
Amy Houchins Rodney Conner 2009
Cher yl Tobias Cher yl Q. Clark 1999
Allison Whitmire Allison Whitmire, Ayanna Little 2020
Jennifer Salegna Jennifer Maxwell 2019
Bill Richards Bill Richards 1982
Kay Davidson Raven Thighman 2010
Caitlin Corrigan Corrado Palenzona 2014
Bill Richards Bill Richards 2000
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www.CharlestonBusiness.com
Rooms / Meeting Rooms / Corporate Rate Amenities
108 2 $149
103 1 $99
103 1 $119
102 1 $129
100 2 $109
98 1 $119
95 1 $99
92 3 $149
87 0 $89
84 0 $109
84 1 $229
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; in-room kitchen; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Airport shuttle; business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant; pool
Business center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Free Wi-Fi; on-site restaurant
74 0 $99 Business center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
Tiffany A. Bell 2004 70 0 $119
Lacey Pannell, Sam Wrigglesworth, Molly Sherman Abigail Martin 1987
Jessica Bowman Mark Henr y 1998
Jessica Bowman Carlo Carroccia 2002
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although ever y effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.
54 2 $179
52 1 $209
50 2 $199
Business center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; pool
24-hour room ser vice; business center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi; onsite restaurant; pool
Business center; fitness center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi
Business center; free breakfast; free Wi-Fi
Charleston Gallery Association www.charlestongalleryassociation.com
The Charleston Gallery Association is made up of more than 40 galleries showcasing local, regional and national artists’ work. The association holds art walks four times a year, on the first Friday of March, May, October and December.
Charleston Renaissance Gallery fineartsouth.com
Focusing on fine art of the American South, the Charleston Renaissance Gallery has of ferings ranging from 18th century portraits and engravings to contemporary paintings and sculpture. 103 Church St., Charleston; 843-723-0025
City Gallery at Waterfront Park citygalleryatwaterfrontpark.com
The City Gallery presents several exhibits each year focusing on contemporary visual arts created by local, regional, national and international artists. 34 Prioleau St., Charleston; 843-958-6484.
Gallery Chuma www.gallerychuma.com
Specializing in the works of the Gullah people of coastal South Carolina, Gallery Chuma features Gullah art, books, crafts, storytelling, tours and food. 188 Meeting St., #N1, Charleston; 843-722-1702.
Gibbes Museum of Art www.gibbesmuseum.org
As Charleston’s only visual arts museum, the Gibbes also offers educational pro grams, group tours and art discovery walk ing tours. The museum recently completed extensive renovations. 135 Meeting St., Charleston; 843-722-2706.
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art halsey.cofc.edu
Administered by the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston, the Halsey Insti tute of Contemporary Art was created to advocate, exhibit and interpret visual art, with an emphasis on contemporary art. 161 Calhoun St., Charleston; 843-953-4422.
MOJA Arts Festival www.mojafestival.com
Started in 1984, the annual MOJA Arts Fes tival is a celebration of African American and Caribbean arts and features music, visual art, storytelling, performances, crafts, chil dren’s activities and more. 843-724-7305.
North Charleston City Gallery www.northcharleston.org, arts and culture tab Located in the commons area at the Charleston Area Convention Center, the North Charleston City Gallery features ex hibits that are rotated on a monthly basis. 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston; 843-740-5854.
Piccolo Spoleto www.piccolospoleto.com
Piccolo Spoleto was created in 1979 to coin cide with the international Spoleto Festival USA and primarily features artists from the Southeast. Held at a variety of locations in downtown Charleston. 843-724-7305.
Spoleto Festival USA spoletousa.org
Held each spring since 1977, this 17-day festival features visual art exhibits and more than 120 performances from opera to jazz music. 843-579-3100.
The Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina www.actorstheatreofsc.org
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Charleston, the Actors’ Theatre has mem bers who travel the state presenting a full season of performances as well as acting classes and a film division. 843-696-2761.
American Theater www.pphgcharleston.com/venues/ the-american-theater
The American Theater opened in 1942 as one of Charleston’s premier movie houses. It closed in 1977 but was revitalized and re opened in 2005 as a state-of-the-art meeting and conference facility. It also hosts a variety of performances, including Spoleto activi ties. 446 King St., Charleston; 843-853-1810.
Charleston Music Hall www.charlestonmusichall.com
Said to offer some of the best acoustics in Charleston, the Charleston Music Hall wel comes a variety of performers throughout the year from bluegrass to blues. 37 John St., Charleston; 843-853-2252.
Charleston Stage
www.charlestonstage.com
Charleston Stage, which calls the renovated Dock Street Theatre home, was founded in 1978 and is the state’s largest professional theater company. 843-577-7183.
Charleston Symphony Orchestra charlestonsymphony.org
Founded in 1936, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is known for its Masterworks and Pops series. The CSO also offers holiday per formances and family concerts throughout the year. CSO makes its home at the newly renovated performance hall at the Gaillard Center. 843-723-7528.
Dock Street Theatre www.charlestonstage.com/dock-streettheatre.html
The historic Dock Street Theatre is man aged by the city of Charleston. It originally opened in 1736 and was the first building in America built specifically for theatrical productions. It completed a $19 million, three-year renovation in 2010 and is a per formance venue for Spoleto Festival USA and home of Charleston Stage. 135 Church St., Charleston; 843-577-7183.
Flowertown Players www.flowertownplayers.org
This community theater presents a range of productions from musicals to serious dramas as well as performances and classes for children. 133 S. Main St., Summerville; 843-875-9251.
Footlight Players Theatre
www.footlightplayers.net
Since 1931, the Footlight Players Theatre has presented a variety of stage productions and has become known as one of the top community theaters in the South. A typical season includes six performances. 20 Queen St., Charleston; 843-722-4487.
The Gaillard Center www.gaillardcenter.com
Recently renovated and reopened, the $142 million Gaillard Center is a world-class performing venue. It hosts a multitude of events and performances from Charleston Symphony Orchestra concerts to rock-‘n’roll. 95 Calhoun St., Charleston; 843-242-3099.
The Have Nots! Comedy Improv theatre99.com
Theatre 99 has developed into a company of about 50 individuals, who along with visit ing artists create affordable improv, sketch and stand-up offerings three or four nights a week. Local shows are held at Theatre 99, the group’s own theater. 280 Meeting St., Charleston; 843-853-6687.
memmingerauditorium.com
Built in the 1930s as an auditorium for Memminger High School, the building had stood vacant since the 1960s and was se verely damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Spoleto Festival USA played a large part in the building’s recent $6 million renovation and the facility reopened in 2008. Now used for a variety of performances and also avail able for rental for events. 56 Beaufain St., Charleston; 843-724-1196.
North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
The North Charleston Coliseum and Per forming Arts Center hosts events as varied as hockey games and Broadway shows throughout the year. The coliseum seats 13,000-plus for concert performances. The Performing Arts Center seats 2,300. 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston; 843-529-5000.
PURE Theatre puretheatre.org
PURE Theatre has gained respect as a small professional theater focusing on the works of contemporary playwrights. 477 King St., Charleston; 843-723-4444.
Sottile Theatre sottile.cofc.edu
The Sottile Theatre opened in 1927 as the Gloria Theater and hosted the premiere of Gone With the Wind in 1939. It’s now the home of various events, including Charles ton Comedy Festival performances. 44 George St., Charleston; 843-953-6340.
South of Broadway Theatre Co. southofbroadway.com
The South of Broadway Theatre Company produces a season of seven shows plus PlayFest, showcasing local playwrights and actors. The theater also offers classes and Summer Theatre Camp. 1080 E. Montague Ave., North Charleston; 843-745-0317.
The 200-seat Woolfe Street Playhouse is home to the Village Repertory Co., which brings bold productions of new and estab lished works. The company moved into a century-old meatpacking warehouse in the former industrial center of the Charleston peninsula. 34 Woolfe St., Charleston; 843-856-1579.•
For more about arts events in the area, visit charlestonarts.org.
Charleston loves to eat well. The view is beautiful, the things to do are fun, the beach beckons –but soon after you get here (maybe even before), you’ll find yourself hungry.
And luckily, there’s a world of good food to choose from.
The signature dish of Charleston may be shrimp and grits. It’s so popular that most every restaurant has its own version, sometimes in a tomato sauce, other times in a cream sauce. The shrimp will be fresh from the sea and the grits ground in a nearby mill. It makes a filling meal that marries the two flavors perfectly.
If grits aren’t on your menu of likes, then you might like to try Lowcountry boil. This hefty stew generally includes shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes, but once again, everybody has their own version. Some
recipes include oysters, fish or mussels, depending on the season. In any event, when the concoction is turned out hot and steaming onto a sideboard, you’ll find your mouth watering.
Speaking of oysters, there’s no better season of the year than oyster season –late fall through March – in our opinion. The plump bivalves roasted outside are the food of the gods. There’s just enough work involved to get them out of the shell. Immediately, you feel a connection to the sea.
Seafood not your favorite? Then head out for barbecue. South Carolinians lay claim to originating mustard-based sauce, but many places offer a variety including vinegar-based and tomato-laden. The slow-smoked meat is the most important factor anyway.
If your passion is fried chicken, then
you’re in luck. Southern home cooking restaurants and even pickup places pride themselves on the tastiness of their chicken. And you’ll want to pair it with fresh biscuits and sweet tea.
Locally sourced food has become increasingly popular, and Lowcountry restaurants offer an abundant variety of “farm-to-table” dishes using produce, seafood and meats that are grown in and around the Lowcountry. Many eateries frequently change their menus based on seasonal availability, so there’s always something new and interesting to try.
Charleston is home to dozens of top-notch restaurants. Eating out or meeting friends for drinks is treated with reverence here. Whenever there’s a contest for the best city for food, Charleston is in the running. •
Marine life from South Carolina swims in the main tank at the South Carolina Aquarium.
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Drive Charleston, SC 29412 843-406-6990 www.charlestoncountyparks.com/jicp customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Kristen Allen
Year Founded: 1990
Avg. Annual Attendance: 719,474
Single Adult Admission: $2
Group Rates: No
Description: 643-acre park with crabbing, fishing, biking, lagoon boating, dog park, playgrounds, shelters, climbing wall, cottages, campsites and challenge course
Fort
Historical Park
1214 Middle St.1 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 843-883-3123 www.nps.gov/fosu fosu_information@nps.gov
Top Local Official(s): Tracy Stakely
Year Founded: 1948
Avg. Annual Attendance: 676,057
Single Adult Admission: $10 for Fort Moultrie; $30 for Fort Sumter concession ferry Group Rates: Yes
Description: Two forts span history from 1776-1947, including the start of the American
Civil War; Fort Sumter is accessible only by concession-operated ferry
Angel Oak Attraction
3688 Angel Oak Road Johns Island, SC 29455 843-559-3496 www.charleston-sc.gov
Year Founded: 1991
Avg. Annual Attendance: 460,000
Single Adult Admission: Free Group Rates: No
Description: 65-foot-high live oak tree provides 17,000 square feet of shade; estimated by some to be more than 400 years old
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf Charleston , SC 29401 843-577-3474 www.scaquarium.org information@scaquarium.org
Top Local Official(s): Kevin Mills
Year Founded: 1992
Avg. Annual Attendance: 450,000
Single Adult Admission: $29.95
Group Rates: Yes
Description: Home to thousands of aquatic animals, including otters, sharks and sea turtles in more than 60 exhibits representing biodiversity of South Carolina
Wannamaker County Park
8888 University Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406 843-762-5585 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Edmonds Brown Year Founded: 1998
Avg. Annual Attendance: 347,000 Single Adult Admission: $2 Group Rates: No
Description: 1,015-acre park, two playgrounds, dog park, play hill, picnic sites with grills, open meadows, paved trails, boat rentals, waterpark, meeting spaces
Mount Pleasant Pier
71 Harry Hallman Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-762-9946 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Chris Pounder Year Founded: 2009
Avg. Annual Attendance: 307,000 Single Adult Admission: Free admission, $5 fishing fee
Group Rates: Yes Description: 1,250-foot-long pier at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge featuring covered pavilion, cafe, gift shop, fishing equipment rentals, seating, restrooms
Charleston RiverDogs
360 Fishburne St. Charleston, SC 29403 843-577-3647 www.riverdogs.com dave@riverdogs.com
Top Local Official(s): Dave Echols
Year Founded: 1994
Avg. Annual Attendance: 300,000 Single Adult Admission: $8 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Minor league baseball team; facility hosts non-baseball events, fundraisers, concerts; Segra Club located within The Joe is a full scale event space
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-2727 www.patriotspoint.org info@patriotspoint.org
Top Local Official(s): Rorie Cartier, Mayci Rechner, Chris Hauff
Year Founded: 1975
Avg. Annual Attendance: 300,000
Single Adult Admission: $27
Group Rates: Yes
Description: Home to historic aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, destroyer USS Laffey, the Vietnam Experience exhibit and Medal of Honor Museum
Exchange Park 9850 U.S. Highway 78 Ladson, SC 29456 843-572-3161
www.exchangepark.org denise@exchangepark.org
Top Local Official(s): Denise Carner, Michael Carney Year Founded: 1979
Avg. Annual Attendance: 285,000
Single Adult Admission: Varies per event Group Rates: No
Description: More than 170-acre multipurpose event complex for a wide variety of special-event programming and meetings with indoor and outdoor spaces available
Isle of Palms County Park 1 14th Ave.
Isle of Palms, SC 29451 843-762-9957
www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Cynthia Wilson, Laura Edwards
Year Founded: 1996
Avg. Annual Attendance: 246,862
Single Adult Admission: $5-$15 per vehicle depending on season Group Rates: No
Description: Dunes, boardwalk, showers, restrooms, lifeguards, vending, 350 parking spaces
Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier 101 E. Arctic Ave.
Folly Beach, SC 29439 843-588-3474
www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Mark Patrick
Year Founded: 1995
Avg. Annual Attendance: 231,000
Single Adult Admission: $10 per vehicle Group Rates: No
Description: Pier closed for construction until early 2023; currently open at the site is the snack bar, restrooms, showers, beach access
Folly Beach County Park
1100 W. Ashley Ave. Folly Beach, SC 29439 843-762-9516
www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Mark Patrick Year Founded: 1982
Avg. Annual Attendance: 221,000
Single Adult Admission: $5-$15 per vehicle depending on season Group Rates: No
Description: Restrooms, outdoor showers, parking, designated swimming area with lifeguards, snack bar, chair and umbrella rentals and wheelchair accessibility
Palmetto Islands County Park 444 Needlerush Parkway Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-406-6950
www.charlestoncountyparks.com/picp customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Kevin Gillum, Jason
Woodrum
Year Founded: 1979
Avg. Annual Attendance: 186,000
Single Adult Admission: $2 Group Rates: No Description: 943-acre nature-based park with playgrounds, trails, boating, biking, shelters, water park, special events
South
5050 Etna St., Suite B North Charleston, SC 29418 843-744-2248 www.stingrayshockey.com info@stingrayshockey.com
Top Local Official(s): Rob Concannon Year Founded: 1993 Avg. Annual Attendance: 162,000 Single Adult Admission: $20 Group Rates: Yes Description: Minor professional hockey team, ECHL (AA) affiliate of the Washington Capitals, hosts 36 games at the North Charleston Coliseum each year
The Charleston Museum 360 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403 843-722-2996
www.charlestonmuseum.org cborick@charlestonmuseum.org
Top Local Official(s): Carl P. Borick Year Founded: 1773
Avg. Annual Attendance: 117,500 Single Adult Admission: $12 Group Rates: Yes Description: Overview of Lowcountry cultural and natural history; exhibits and two historic houses, the Heyward-Washington and Joseph Manigault House
Middleton Place 4300 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414 843-556-6020 www.middletonplace.org info@middletonplace.org
Top Local Official(s): Tracey Todd Year Founded: 1741
Avg. Annual Attendance: 100,000 Single Adult Admission: $32 Group Rates: Yes
Description: National Historic Landmark, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, house museum, stableyards, landscaped gardens
Wescott Park
9006 Dorchester Road North Charleston, SC 29420 843-767-0782 www.northcharleston.org rconnolly@northcharleston.org
Top Local Official(s): TJ Rostin, Kathy Kackley , Ryan Connolly Year Founded: 2013
Avg. Annual Attendance: 100,000
Single Adult Admission: Varies by event Group Rates: No
Description: Enclosed shelter, open shelters,
playgrounds, adult fitness area, ball fields, batting cages, Ripken training area, dog parks
Flight Adventure Park
8551 Rivers Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29406 843-414-7411
www.flightadventurepark.com/locations/ charleston infocharleston@flightadventurepark.com
Top Local Official(s): Heather Stevens
Year Founded: 2015
Avg. Annual Attendance: 99,636
Single Adult Admission: $16
Group Rates: Yes
Description: 40,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment facility, including 17,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
8 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455 843-762-9964
www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Charlie Vance
Year Founded: 1976
Avg. Annual Attendance: 97,000
Single Adult Admission: $5-$15 per vehicle depending on season Group Rates: No
Description: Beach access park with 300 feet of ocean frontage, dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms and seasonal lifeguards and snack bar
Firefly Distillery
4201 Spruill Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405 843-577-1405
www.fireflydistillery.com info@fireflyvodka.com
Top Local Official(s): Jay Macmurphy, Scott Newitt
Year Founded: 2008
Avg. Annual Attendance: 80,000 Single Adult Admission: $10
Group Rates: Yes
Description: Distillery, tasting room, gift shop, barrel warehouse, events indoors and outdoors on 15 acres; parking for 300 cars
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon 122 E. Bay St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-727-2165 www.oldexchange.org youmanst@charleston-sc.gov
Top Local Official(s): Tony Youmans
Year Founded: 1771
Avg. Annual Attendance: 80,000
Single Adult Admission: $12
Group Rates: Yes
Description: Revolutionary War museum completed in 1771, featuring historical artifacts from Charleston’s colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War periods
Old Slave Mart Museum
6 Chalmers St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-958-6467 www.charleston-sc.gov/160/old-slave-martmuseum youmanst@charleston-sc.gov
Top Local Official(s): Tony Youmans
Year Founded: 2007
Avg. Annual Attendance: 80,000 Single Adult Admission: $8 Group Rates: No Description: Historic site interpreting the domestic slave trade in the United States from 1856 to 1865
Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark 8888 University Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406 843-762-5585 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Mindy Perrault, Edmonds Brown
Year Founded: 2001
Avg. Annual Attendance: 80,000
Single Adult Admission: $21.99 Group Rates: Yes
Description: 27,000-square-foot wave pool, lazy river, play structures, kiddie pool, 7-story multislide complex, racer slides, two 65-foottall slides
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry 25 Ann St. Charleston, SC 29403
843-853-8962 www.explorecml.org community@explorecml.org
Top Local Official(s): Katy Calloway
Year Founded: 2003
Avg. Annual Attendance: 60,000
Single Adult Admission: $13 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Learning adventures for children from birth to 10 years and their families
McLeod Plantation Historic Site 325 Country Club Drive Charleston, SC 29412 843-795-4386 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Cole Thomas Year Founded: 2015
Avg. Annual Attendance: 59,938
Single Adult Admission: $15 Group Rates: No
Description: Former 37-acre sea island cotton plantation; Gullah and Geechee heritage site; preserved in recognition of its cultural and historical significance
Charleston Stage 135 Church St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-577-7183 www.charlestonstage.com email@charlestonstage.com
Top Local Official(s): Beth A. Curley Year Founded: 1978
Avg. Annual Attendance: 55,000
Single Adult Admission: $32-$75 Group Rates: Yes Description: Professional theatre company in residence at the historic Dock Street Theatre, producing a full season of plays and musicals
Gibbes Museum of Art 135 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-2706 www.gibbesmuseum.org
Top Local Official(s): Angela D. Mack Year Founded: 1858
Avg. Annual Attendance: 50,000
Single Adult Admission: $12 Group Rates: Yes Description: Charleston’s diverse human stories are told through art
SpiritLine Cruises & Events
360 Concord St., Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-2628 www.spiritlinecruises.com sales@spiritlinecruises.com
Top Local Official(s): Ian Harris Year Founded: 1961
Avg. Annual Attendance: 50,000
Single Adult Admission: $80 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Fleet is available for private charters and dinner cruises
SK8 Charleston 1549 Oceanic St. Charleston, SC 29403 843-795-4386 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Josh McFadden
Year Founded: 2017
Avg. Annual Attendance: 39,200
Single Adult Admission: $3 Group Rates: Yes
Description: 32,500-sq.-ft. skate park with a raised building, viewing deck and skate shop
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
5200 Savannah Highway Ravenel, SC 29470 843-889-8898 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Thomas Thornton
Year Founded: 2000
Avg. Annual Attendance: 36,800
Single Adult Admission: $2 Group Rates: Yes
Description: 654-acre site with intact rice fields, interpretive trails, exhibit center, wildlife
Drayton Hall Preservation Trust
3380 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414 843-769-2600
www.draytonhall.org info@draytonhall.org
Top Local Official(s): Carter C. Hudgins Year Founded: 1738
Avg. Annual Attendance: 36,000
Single Adult Admission: $24 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Colonial American site and preserved plantation house open to the public with 1790s African-American cemetery; also an active archaeological site
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
1254 Long Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-881-5516 www.nps.gov/chpi chpi_information@nps.gov
Top Local Official(s): Tracy Stakely Year Founded: 1988
Avg. Annual Attendance: 33,226
Single Adult Admission: Free Group Rates: No
Description: One of Charles Pinckney’s plantations, Snee Farm; Constitution and African American history, archaeology; closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Joseph Manigault House
350 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29403 843-723-2926 www.charlestonmuseum.org info@charlestonmuseum.org
Top Local Official(s): Carl P. Borick Year Founded: 1803
Avg. Annual Attendance: 26,800
Single Adult Admission: $12 Group Rates: Yes Description: Example of Federal period architecture with a collection of early 19th century furnishings
Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park
1595 Highland Ave. Charleston, SC 29412 843-225-1555 www.wildblueropes.com hugh@wildblueropes.com
Top Local Official(s): Hugh Corcoran Year Founded: 2014
Avg. Annual Attendance: 25,000 Single Adult Admission: $45 Group Rates: Yes Description: Locally owned, family-operated outdoor adventure park offering team building, class trips, birthday parties, afterschool programs and summer camps
Buxton Books
160 King St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-723-1670 www.buxtonbooks.com hello@buxtonbooks.com
Top Local Official(s): Polly Buxton, Julian T. Buxton
Year Founded: 2016
Avg. Annual Attendance: 20,000 Single Adult Admission: Free Group Rates: No
Description: Local bookstore with new books, in-store and off-site author events, gift cards, complimentary gift wrap and walking ghost and history tour sales
The Powder Magazine
79 Cumberland St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-9350
www.powdermag.org info@powdermag.org
Top Local Official(s): Katherine Pemberton Year Founded: 1713
Avg. Annual Attendance: 15,000 Single Adult Admission: $6 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Oldest public building in South Carolina, stored gunpowder from 1713-1748 and during the Revolution; now a colonial military history museum
Johns Island County Park 2662 Mullet Hall Road Johns Island, SC 29455 843-768-5867 www.charlestoncountyparks.com customerservice@ccprc.com
Top Local Official(s): Phillip Eldred Year Founded: 2001
Avg. Annual Attendance: 13,000 Single Adult Admission: $1 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Miles of unpaved trails, archery ranges, Mullet Hall, a 738-acre host site for competitive horse shows, events and exhibitions
Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch 2620 Hanscombe Point Road Johns Island, SC 29455 843-559-0788 www.legarefarms.com info@legarefarms.com
Top Local Official(s): Thomas Legare Year Founded: 1725
Avg. Annual Attendance: 11,000
Single Adult Admission: $1 Group Rates: Yes
Description: 300-acre farm on the Stono River; provides food products and holds family events year-round
Avian Conservation Center / Center for Birds of Prey 4719 N. U.S. Highway 17 Charleston, SC 29402 843-971-7474
www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org info@thecenterforbirdsofprey.org
Top Local Official(s): Stephen Schabel, James D. Elliott
Year Founded: 1991
Avg. Annual Attendance: 10,000 Single Adult Admission: $22 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Collections of live birds of prey; guided tours and flight demonstrations
Charleston Pirate Tours 79 Cumberland St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-442-7299
www.charlestonpiratetour.com info@charlestonpiratetour.com
Top Local Official(s): Sabrina Lavender, Eric Lavender
Year Founded: 2009
Avg. Annual Attendance: 9,000 Single Adult Admission: $25 Group Rates: Yes Description: History tours, pirate tours, ghost tours, children’s tours, event entertainment; appearances on Today Show, Travel Channel, Lifetime, PBS, A&E, NPR
Nature Adventures LLC
1 Shrimp Boat Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-568-3222 www.natureadventureschs.com info@natureadventureschs.com
Top Local Official(s): Dana Toy Year Founded: 2017
Avg. Annual Attendance: 9,000
Single Adult Admission: $45 Group Rates: Yes Description: Kayak and paddleboard tours, rentals, team building, CSRs and lessons
Mepkin Abbey 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-0761-8509 www.mepkinabbey.org mepkinstore@gmail.com
Top Local Official(s): Joseph Tedesco Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Annual Attendance: 5,000 Single Adult Admission: $5 Group Rates: No Description: Tour of monastery Tuesday through Saturday and tour of gardens on Fridays; gift shop
The College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture 125 Bull St. Charleston, SC 29424 843-953-7609 www.avery.cofc.edu averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu Year Founded: 1985 Avg. Annual Attendance: 3,000 Single Adult Admission: Free Group Rates: No Description: SMART classroom for small lectures, presentations; reading room for archival researchers; McKinley Washington Auditorium for events; exhibit gallery
Nature Adventures Outfitters Inc. 8257 U.S. Highway 17 N. McClellanville, SC 29458 843-697-2075 www.natureadventuresoutfitters.com naoadventurecenter@gmail.com
Top Local Official(s): Jay Grant Year Founded: 1999
Avg. Annual Attendance: 2,500 Single Adult Admission: $60 Group Rates: Yes Description: Outdoor adventure and conference center offering waterfront kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, camping, fishing, cabin rentals, chapel, cafeteria
Corrigan Gallery LLC
38 Queen St. Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-9868 www.corrigangallery.com art@lesecorrigan.com
Top Local Official(s): Lese Corrigan
Year Founded: 2005
Avg. Annual Attendance: 2,400 Single Adult Admission: Free Group Rates: No
Description: Local, contemporary fine art
Aiken-Rhett House Museum 48 Elizabeth St. Charleston, SC 29403 843-723-1159
www.historiccharleston.org/housemuseums/aiken-rhett-house news@historiccharleston.org
Top Local Official(s): Valerie Perry
Year Founded: 1947
Avg. Annual Attendance: 1,000 Single Adult Admission: $15 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Intact mansion and associated outbuildings demonstrating the urban lives of all who lived and labored at the property during the antebellum period
Fresh Future Farm 2008 Success St. North Charleston, SC 29405 843-804-9091 www.freshfuturefarm.org info@freshfuturefarm.org
Top Local Official(s): Tamazha North, Adrian Mack Jr., Germaine Jenkins
Year Founded: 2014
Avg. Annual Attendance: 50 Single Adult Admission: 10 Group Rates: Yes
Description: Tours of the farm teach about ancestral farming traditions, everyday health education and neighborhood grocery store on Saturdays from 9-10 am
Sky Zone Charleston
411 Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-588-5777 www.skyzone.com/charleston info@skyzonecharleston.com
Top Local Official(s): Brad Sullivan
Year Founded: 2014
Single Adult Admission: $18 Group Rates: Yes
Description: 15,000 square feet of trampolines, indoor bouldering wall, warp wall and more; after-school care, camps and birthday parties
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@ scbiznews.com. Researched by Paige Wills
AT&T
800-331-0500 www.att.com
Home Telecom 843-761-9101 www.homesc.com
WOW! 843-225-1000 www.wowway.com
CABLE
Xfinity (formerly Comcast) 800-266-2278 www.xfinity.com
WOW! 843-225-1000 www.wowway.com
Spectrum (formerly Time Warner) 866-892-7201 www.spectrum.com
Berkeley Electric Cooperative 843-761-8200 www.becsc.com
Edisto Electric Cooperative 800-433-3292 www.edistoelectric.com
Santee Cooper 843-761-8000 www.santeecooper.com
Dominion Energy (formerly SCE&G) 800-251-7234 www.dominionenergy.com
GARBAGE
City of Charleston 843-724-7364 www.charleston-sc.gov
City of Goose Creek 843-824-2200 www.cityofgoosecreek.com
City of Hanahan 843-529-3413 www.cityofhanahan.com
City of Isle of Palms 843-886-8956 www.iop.net
James Island Public Service District 843-795-9060 www.jipsd.org
Town of Moncks Corner 843-719-7900 www.monckscornersc.gov
Town of Mount Pleasant 843-849-2022 www.tompsc.com
City of North Charleston 843-745-1026 www.northcharleston.org
Town of Sullivan’s Island 843-883-3198 www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Town of Summerville 843-851-4225 www.summervillesc.gov
WATER AND SEWER
Berkeley County Water & Sanitation Authority 843-572-4400 www.bcwsa.com
Charleston Water System 843-727-6800 www.charlestonwater.com
Dorchester County Water and Sewer Dept. 843-563-0075, 843-832-0075 www.dorchestercounty.net
City of Folly Beach 843-588-2447 www.cityoffollybeach.com
City of Goose Creek 843-797-6220, ext. 1 www.cityofgoosecreek.com
City of Isle of Palms 843-886-6148 www.iopwsc.com
James Island Public Service District 843-795-9060 www.jipsd.org
Town of Moncks Corner 843-719-7900 www.monckscornersc.gov
Johns Island 843-559-0186 St. Johns Water Co.
Town of Sullivan’s Island 843-883-5733 www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Summerville Commissioners of Public Works 843-871-0810 www.summervillecpw.com
Mount Pleasant Waterworks 843-884-9626 www.mountpleasantwaterworks. com
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