First-Time Visitors Guide
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Top Local Events FALL 2021 ®
TRAVELER of Charleston
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travelerofcharleston.com COMPLIMENTARY MOBILE APP Exploring Charleston, SC #1 Ranked App for Charleston, SC
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Traveler of Charleston Team
First-Time Visitors Guide Things to Do: Tours + Attractions Charleston Area Events Holiday Gift Guide Maps
elcome to one of the best cities in the world! We're so glad you're here. It's a wonderful time to visit Charleston. The weather is gorgeous, attractions are open, and holiday events are popping up on the calendar.
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Whether this is your first or your 15th visit to Charleston, check out the First-Time Visitors Guide on Page 10 for must-do activities. Get your holiday shopping wrapped up at all the incredible local stores and boutiques. For added inspiration, check out our gift guide on Page 18.
TRAVELER
KEITH SIMMONS has an extensive publishing, marketing and advertising background and founded Traveler Magazine in 2005. His purpose was to develop an affordable and effective visitor medium where businesses could advertise their service. Traveler is now one of the leading visitor resources in the city. Keith lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife and three children. He enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his family. HOLLY FISHER Holly Fisher is a long-time writer and editor with a love of telling stories. She enjoys sharing the tales of Charleston with visitors and newcomers to the area. When she isn't at her computer, you'll find Holly spending time with her husband and daughter, reading mystery novels, or doing a CrossFit workout.
SALLY HEINEMAN honed her knack for graphic design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received a BFA in Graphic Design. Drawn to the South and the love of everything Lowcountry, Sally opened the doors of her graphic design business, Heineman Design, in 1992.
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of Charleston
Member of: Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Charleston Restaurant Association; Summerville/Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.
Publisher/Founder.................... Keith Simmons Editor........................................... Holly Fisher Graphic Designer...................... Heineman Design Circulation................................. Brian Bean Cheral McCombs Cover Photographer ............... Doug Hickok
info@TRAVELERofCharleston.com | 843-410-2577 | TRAVELERofCharleston.com TRAVELER of Charleston is produced by the Traveler Communications Group, LLC, and is published four times yearly and distributed to various locations throughout the Charleston area, including all visitors centers, hotels, airports, beach rentals, grocery stores, high-traffic areas, advertiser locations and many other points throughout the surrounding area. Concept, design and contents of TRAVELER of Charleston are copyrighted and may not be reproduced. www.travelerofcharleston.com.
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First-Time Visitors Guide
Charleston has so much to offer that it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out what to see and do first. If you only have a short time to visit or if it’s your first time in the Holy City, there are a few things you just can’t miss. We’ve compiled a list of the must-visit attractions and tours to experience while you’re here.
CARRIAGE TOUR Book a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown. Your tour guide is randomly assigned a route and will delight your tour group with stories and facts about Charleston from her earliest days to the present.
BUS TOUR Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can still take in the sights with a bus tour. Board a climate-controlled bus to see some of historic Charleston’s best views from architecture to gardens.
HIT THE BEACH There are amazing public beaches in Charleston, each with its own vibe and amenities. Visit Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, or check out Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island, both of which are located near Mount Pleasant. 10 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com FALL 2021
SHEM CREEK One of the most picturesque waterways in the area, Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is a great spot for kayaking or simply enjoying drinks and a fresh seafood dinner with a water view.
PLANTATION TOUR Area plantations have tours and special exhibits that offer visitors an eye-opening understanding and deeper education of slave life in the Lowcountry. Local plantations include Boone Hall Plantation, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, McLeod Plantation and Middleton Place.
RAINBOW ROW If you’re walking down Market or King streets, take a detour to Rainbow Row and Battery Park starting on East Bay Street. Rainbow Row includes a stretch of 13 brightly colored historic homes that you’ve probably seen in famous photographs. Rainbow Row also sits along the Battery, a Civil War-era defensive seawall and promenade along the Charleston harbor. Continue along the Battery to White Point Garden, a public park on the tip of the peninsula. Walk the park to see several statues and monuments.
WALKING HISTORY TOUR To fully immerse yourself in Charleston culture and history, walk the historic streets on a history tour. These guided tours offer a whole new perspective on the Holy City and afterward you’ll feel like a local with all your newfound Charleston knowledge.
HISTORIC HARBOR Take a harbor tour for a view of Charleston’s skyline and a closer look at the spot where the Civil War began. On April 12, 1861, Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston's harbor. Union soldiers surrendered the fort 34 hours later and tried for nearly four years to take it back.
ANGEL OAK Take the picturesque drive to Johns Island to stand under the branches of the majestic Angel Oak tree. Part of a public city park, its canopy of branches spans 17,000 square feet. The tree is located at 3688 Angel Oak Road.
TO SAVE MONEY, EXPERIENCE ALL OF THESE ATTRACTIONS AND MANY MORE VISIT TOURPASS.COM AND CHOOSE A 1, 2, 3, 4 OR 5-DAY PASS
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THINGS TO DO
Adventure Sightseeing
Bulldog Tours
AdventureSightseeing.com • 843-762-0088 “See it All” with Charleston’s top-rated bus tour company. With over 30 years of experience offering guided tours of Charleston, Adventure Sightseeing is a must do when visiting. 90minute city tours and plantation tours. The most available combination tours offer great savings on the most popular tours and activities. Departing from the Charleston Visitor’s Center. Free downtown hotel pick up available too!
18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-722-TOUR • bulldogtours.com As seen on the Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted Places,” this walking tour company will have you exhilarated and entertained. Choose from four tours: Ghost & Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost Dungeon and Haunted Jail Tour.
Barrier Island Eco-Tours 50 41st Ave • Isle of Palms Marina • (Map: N:6) 843-886-5000 • nature-tours.com • Naturalist guided boat excursions to Capers Island Preserve. Travel the salt marsh creeks, see dolphins and wildlife up close, explore the “boneyard beach” and walk inland trails. Morning and sunset eco-tours, creek fishing, crabbing, kayaking and beach-side cookouts.
Boone Hall Plantation 1235 Long Point Rd. • Mount Pleasant (Map: L:4) • 843-884-4371 boonehallplantation.com • One of America’s oldest plantations with more than 320 years of history. Located 8 miles north of Charleston. The “Avenue of Oaks,” nine original slave cabins, house tours and shows included in admission. Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-6:30p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.
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Charleston Crab House Three locations to serve you: Downtown James Island - Mount Pleasant (see ad on page 22). charlestoncrabhouse.com Choose our rooftop dining location downtown on the Market or one of our waterfront dining locations in James Island or our newest location on Shem Creek. Family owned for over 27 years. All menu items are made with the freshest ingredients. Go where the locals go!
Charleston Harbor Tours Charleston Maritime Center. • 10 Wharfside St., Charleston • (Map: J:5/6) • 843-722-1112 charlestonharbortours.com • Board the Carolina Belle for Charleston’s top-rated harbor tour. This 90-minute tour is live narrated by the Captain and covers over 75 points of interest and 300 years of history. See Fort Sumter, Fort Johnson, Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, The Battery, The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, dolphins, pelicans and much more! Offering great combination packages with other popular attractions saving you time and money!
Charleston Area Events FALL 2021
SOUND OF CHARLESTON Experience the sounds that define Charleston’s 350-year history — gospel, Gullah, Gershwin, Civil War songs, jazz and light classics — in concerts at the historic Circular Congregational Church. Holiday shows are scheduled for December. Info: soundofcharleston.com
BOONE HALL PUMPKIN PATCH Celebrate the 25th year of this fall family tradition. Enjoy the monster hayride aboard a tractor winding its way through colorful fall themes and scenes. Explore the 8-acre corn maze, visit the petting zoo, and pick out a pumpkin for carving. The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch in Mount Pleasant is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. Info: boonehallplantation.com. HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Drive through James Island County Park and enjoy more than 750 holiday displays and 2 million twinkling lights. Open nightly from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31. Info: holidayfestivaloflights.com
BOONE HALL FRIGHT NIGHTS Get your spooky thrills at Boone Hall Fright Nights in Mount Pleasant. This event features three spooky attractions: a scary toy factory, creepy motel, and sinister cinema haunted hayride. Fright Nights is open Thursdays to Sundays throughout October. This event is not recommended for children under 12. Purchase tickets online at boonehallfrightnights.com.
CHARLESTON CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Hundreds of locals and visitors make this musical spectacular a part of their holiday tradition year after year. Professional performers will sing, dance and delight attendees of all ages. Eight shows only Dec. 16-22 at the Charleston Music Hall. Info: bradandjennifermoranz.com Please visit each event’s website or call ahead to confirm details and to review the health and safety precautions. Many events have limited capacity as well as COVID protocols. FALL 2021 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 15
CHARLESTON Holiday Gift Guide
GENTLE JOGGLING Visit historic homes and plantationsaround Charleston and you'll likely see a joggling board on the porch. It's a long, pliable board that allows you to gently bounce up and down. Originally,they were used as an exercise device. Today, they’re a perfect touch of Southern charm for your front porch, backyard or entry hall. Order a joggling board from The Joggle Factory on Edisto Island. They even have adorable kid-sized joggling boards. thejogglefactory.com
ISLAND READING Renowned Lowcountry author Mary Alice Monroe teamed up with first-time author and friend Angela May on a new children’s novel, “The Islanders.” A perfect gift for middle-grade readers, the book tells the story of 11-year-old Jake and the summer he’s forced to spend on tiny Dewees Island with his grandmother. When Jake meets new friends Macon and Lovie, the three embark on island adventures until one mistake changes everything. Ultimately, Jake discovers a deep love for the island and the healing power of nature. Purchase a copy at local bookstores maryalicemonroe.com/childrens-books
DEVINE WINES At Deep Water Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island, you'll find vines brimming with muscadine grapes. These grapes are native to the Southeastern United States. Deep Watergrows the grapes and turns them into five different labels. Pick up a few bottles for friends or hostess gifts. Deep Water Wine is available at Charleston area retailers and at the vineyard(tours and tastings also available). deepwatervineyard.com
STATEMENT PIECE This pendant is fashioned after Charleston's majestic Angel Oak Tree located on Johns Island. Dacuba's Fine Jewelry also carries rings, earrings, bracelets and charms inspired by ornate gates found throughout downtown Charleston. Shop the collection at 84 N. Market St. in Charleston. dacubasfinejewelry.com 18 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com FALL 2021
Deep Water Vineyard THINGS TO DO
6775 Bears Bluff Rd. • Wadmalaw Island (Area Map) • 843-559-6867 deepwatervineyard.com • Open: Tue Sat 10 am - 5 pm • After indulging in a tasting at Charleston's only winery, stay and relax. There are animals, a garden, outdoor games and 50 acres to explore. It's a full day of fun for the whole family.
GrayLine of Charleston 375 Meeting St. • Charleston graylineofcharleston.com • 843-722-4444 Explore 300 years of history with experienced licensed tour guided onboard their min-buses. Get a comprehensive tour of Charleston, do their Land & Sea Combo which includes Fort Sumter or visit a nearby Plantation. Free hotel pickup in the historic district.
Fort Sumter Tours 843-722-BOAT(2628) • fortsumtertours.com Walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers as you visit this National Historic Site. Cost includes tour of Charleston harbor onboard the boat plus an hour to explore the fort. The National Park Service maintains the Civil War era fortifications as well as restrooms, a gift shop and the Fort Sumter Museum. Fort Sumter Tours is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and the only tour that stops at historic Fort Sumter.
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THINGS TO DO
Nature Adventures 1 Shrimpboat Ln. • Mount Pleasant (Map O:2) • 843-568-3222 kayakcharlestonsc.com • Our focus is on creating experiences! Take a guided kayak or standup paddleboard tour or rent the equipment. Located on picturesque Shem Creek where dolphins and wildlife are all around to experience up-close.
Schooner Pride – Charleston’s Tall Ship 360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5) 843-722-1112 • schoonerpride.com • Board this beautiful, 49 passenger sailing vessel for a unique and breathtaking excursion on Charleston Harbor. Each 2-hour sail is unique as the Pride sails with the wind and tides, but you are sure to have an experience you won’t forget.
Land & Sea Combo
Terrace Oaks Antique Mall
Purchase online at: fortsumtertours.com or bulldogtours.com • Brought to you by Fort Sumter Tours and Bulldog Walking Tours, two iconic tours where you'll learn about more than 300 years of Charleston history from the streets to the harbor.
2037 Maybank Highway • James Island (area map) • 843-795-9689 • Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • terraceoaksantiques.com A leader in the Charleston area for multidealer antique shops since 1988. The 10,000-squarefoot, climate-controlled shop houses 90+ booths with all different tastes and styles. When it comes to antiques, they have just about anything your heart desires.
Palmetto Carriage Works 8 Guignard St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-723-8145 palmettocarriage.com • Departs from The Big Red Barn every 15 to 20 minutes, rain or shine, beginning at 9 a.m. Tours are one hour long, covering about 25 blocks of residential and historic districts. Guides are city licensed.
The Joggle Factory Purchase online at: thejogglefactory.com 843-200-2073 • Joggling boards are as Charleston as you can get! Take a piece of Charleston home with you or have it shipped! These beautifully hand-crafted boards are locally made using sustainable eco-friendly practices that are both elegant and timeless.
TRAVELER Tidbit For the ninth straight year, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Charleston No. 1 on the list of the top 15 cities in the United States. Readers cited the city's "charming architecture and powerhouse culinary scene."
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THINGS TO DO 22 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com FALL 2021
A visit to the coast is the perfect time to get your seafood fill, including oysters. Order a platter of oysters – raw, steamed or fried – at one of these Charleston restaurants. Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar: This renovated space reflects the beautiful, original 1800s architecture in a comfortable, contemporary indoor and outdoor dining space. The menu features an extensive selection of oysters from South Carolina and beyond. 205 East Bay St. | amenstreet.com
Pearlz Oyster Bar: This eclectic oyster bar house has two Charleston area locations and serves up menu items like oysters on the half-shell and baked oysters Rockefeller along with a wide selection of regional oysters. 153 East Bay St. and 9 Magnolia Road pearlzoysterbar.com
Charleston Crab House: Enjoy waterfront dining on the intracoastal waterway at the James Island location or dine on Lowcounty seafood dishes while sitting on the rooftop patio at the downtown Charleston location. 145 Wappoo Creek Drive or 41 S. Market St. | charlestoncrabhouse.com
Red’s Ice House: A favorite among locals, Red’s is situated on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant where you can watch the sunset with a bucket of steamed oysters and an ice-cold beverage. Casual and laid-back, it’s the perfect spot to relax and take in the views. Red’s also has a location on Seabrook Island. 98 Church St. in Mount Pleasant | 1882 Andell Bluff Blvd. on Seabrook Island | redsicehouse.com
The Darling Oyster Bar: Located in a 115year-old storefront, this restaurant has a 14-seat raw bar fronting King Street. Or grab a table an order oyster shooters or baked oysters. 513 King St. | thedarling.com Leon’s Oyster Shop: This award-winning restaurant will not disappoint with its chargrilled oysters or a fried oyster sandwich – all washed down with a drink from the extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu. 698 King St. | leonsoystershop.com
Photo: Pearlz Oyster Bar
Oyster House on Market: Located near the Charleston City Market, stop off for happy hour in the O-Bar on the patio lounge while sampling oysters from around the country. 35 S. Market St. | oysterhouse.menu
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MAPS
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Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, J:1 Battery, G:10 Charleston Museum, G:4 Charleston Place, G:7 Children’s Museum, G:4 Citadel Military College, B:1 College of Charleston, F:6 Dock Street Theatre, G:8 Four Corners of Law, G:8 Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, H:6 Gibbes Museum, G:H King Street Shopping District, G-6:7 Marion Square, G:5 Market Hall & City Market, H:7 Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, H:9 Old Slave Mart Museum, H:8 Rainbow Row, H:9 South Carolina Aquarium, J:5 St. Philip’s Church, H:8 St. Michael’s Church, G:9 The Powder Magazine, G:8 Visitor Center, G:4 Waterfront Park/Pineapple Fountain, I:8
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Getting Around Some transportation options for getting around downtown Charleston and the surrounding areas. ■ WATER TAXI: Transports visitors from downtown Charleston (Aquarium Wharf or Waterfront Park) to Mount Pleasant (Patriots Point or Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina). Taxi runs each hour; $12 for allday passes, 3 and under are free. No reservations needed. Call 843-330-2989 for pickup. charlestonwatertaxi.com ■ BUS: The CARTA bus system has regular routes that travel to major destinations. The DASH trolley service is available free of charge if you’re traveling around downtown Charleston. ridecarta.com | 843-724-7420 ■ RICKSHAWS AND PEDICABS: Available in downtown Charleston as are taxi cabs for transportation around the Lowcountry.
■ UBER AND LYFT Ride services are available in the area.
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MAPS
Charleston Area Map
THINGS TO DO 28 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com FALL 2021
