traveler of charleston sc mag | jan-mar 2014

TRAVELERof Charleston

january – march 2014

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

ToursAttractions

RestaurantsShopping

EventsArticles

CouponsMaps

TRAVELERof Charleston.com

®

Visitor Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY

Departing from the “RED BARN”

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

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Charleston’s Oldest Carriage Company

Photo: Faith McDavid

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Try Palmetto’s newestCombo TourThe Charleston Trotand WalkA 1 hour carriage tour followed bya 1-1/2 hour walking tour.• the most comprehensive

overview of the sites and history of the city

• the same tour-guide for both ensures no repetitive information

• includes entry into one of Charleston’s historic landmarks

• $36.50 Adults, $25 Children

Contents

10BARBECUE IS A BEST BETFOR CHARLESTON DINING

32ALL ABOUT ART

4 TRAVELERofCharleston.com january-march 2014

DEPARTMENTS

6 Welcome to Charleston14 See + Do38 Shop + Savor46 Eat + Drink56 Calendar of Events61 Web Extras62 Maps69 Directory of Advertisers

FEATURES

9 Touring the streets of Charleston

10 Barbecue is a best best for Charleston dining

23 Visit Charles Towne Landing 28 Summerville: Tastes like

sweet tea 32 All about art 40 Shopping Guide 43 Landmarks of Charleston 48 Have dinner on the harbor 50 It’s oyster season in Charleston 55 Barbecue sauce recipes 60 Things to love about

the Lowcounty68 Tee it up in Charleston 70 Shop locally for jewelry

selection


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

Publisher/Founder.................... Keith SimmonsEditor........................................... Holly FisherGraphic Designer...................... Heineman DesignDistribution................................ Mike DerrickDistribution................................ Brian BeanDistribution................................ Debbi FarrellCover Artist................................ Paula Pindroh Nelson

TRAVELER of Charleston is produced by the Traveler Communications Group, LLC, and is published four times yearly and dis-tributed 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, designand contents of TRAVELER of Charleston are copyrighted and may not be reproduced. www.travelerofcharleston.com.

The copy and advertising deadline for the next issue is February 28, 2014.

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

From thePublisher


®

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

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

Holly Fisher is a long-time writerand editor with a love of telling stories. She has lived in Charlestonmore than a decade and enjoyssharing the tales of the Holy Citywith visitors and newcomers to the area. Holly lives in the MountPleasant area with her husband,daughter and two Labrador

retrievers. When she isn’t at her computer writing forwork and for fun, you can find her reading, doing CrossFit and piddling in her flower beds.

Sally Heineman honed her knack for graphic design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received a BFA in Graphic Design. Drawn to the South and the love of everything Lowcountry, Sally opened the doorsof her graphic design business, Heineman Design, in 1992.

ContributorsWELCOME TO CHARLESTON!

In the last decade, Charleston’s arts community has exploded with new galleries, theaters and events all focusedon building the city’s reputation as a destination for art lovers. Read aboutCharleston’s arts scene and plan your visit to one of our many theaters, museums,performances and galleries.

To experience some of the best in Southern dining, you need to have a bigplatter of barbecue with all the trimmings.We have the scoop on what makes SouthCarolina barbecue unique, how to distin-guish among the various sauces, and we’vehighlighted a few great spots for a memo-rable barbecue meal. Let us know what barbecue joint you liked best; use hashtag#bestchsbbq on social media.

Charleston’s festival season kicks off inFebruary with the Southeastern WildlifeExpo and continues on with events likeCharleston Fashion Week and the BBTCharleston Wine + Food Festival. Check our calendar for all the details.

During your visit, spend a day exploringthe town of Summerville with its gardens,public sculpture and historic town square.

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook(travelermag), Twitter (@traveler_mag) andInstagram (travelerofcharleston) if you havequestions during your visit and to shareyour photos and experiences.

january-march 2014 TRAVELERofCharleston.com 9

Housed in its signature Big Red Barn just off Market Street, Palmetto CarriageWorks uses mules rather than horses to pull its carriages. In fact, mules havebeen pulling loads around the South for centuries, starting with their work on 18th-century cotton plantations.

The most popular tour is the carriagetour through Charleston’s residentialdistrict. On this one-hour tour, visitorsexperience 25-30 blocks of Charleston'shistoric downtown district, seeinghouses, gardens, mansions, churches and parks. Experienced tour guides provide information on buildings, history, architecture, flora and the people that make up the Holy City.

Touring the streets ofdowntown Charleston

For 40 years, Palmetto Carriage Works has been delighting visitors with stories ofCharleston history mixed with just the right amount of entertaining lore and laughter.

For a different view of Charleston, try one of these Palmetto CarriageWorks tours:

■ Carriage Tour/Harbor Tour Combo:Tour the city on a carriage beforeboarding the 80-foot Carolina Bellefor a tour around the historicCharleston Harbor.

■ Haunted History Tour:Learn about local figures that lived,died and now haunt the streets andbuildings of Charleston. Tour guidesblend knowledge, wit, humor, folkloreand Charleston’s haunting history for a deeper dive into Charleston’shaunted past.

■ Trot & Walk Combo Tour:Take a one-hour carriage tour of thecity followed up by a 90-minute walking tour. You’ll have the same tour guide throughout to ensure norepetitive information and the mostcomprehensive overview of the sitesand history of the city.

Tours start at the Big Red Barn, 8 Guignard St. in downtown Charleston. The barn also has a restroom and a spot to purchase snacks and drinks. Purchase tour tickets online at palmettocarriage.com.

Barbecue is a best bet forCharleston diningBY HOLLY FISHER


A BIT LIKE POLITICS,religion and football, folks in the Southare passionate about their barbecue.

“I equate it to college football teams.Everybody feels strongly about their favorite barbecue and everybody else is the enemy,” said Aaron Siegel,owner/pitmaster at Fiery Ron’s HomeTeam BBQ. “In general, it’s the type ofthing people feel really strongly about.When you ask somebody about barbecue(restaurants), they are going to tell youone, maybe two, and that’s their place.”

Case in point when Traveler ofCharleston recently polled its Facebookfans about their favorite barbecue spotsand dozens of folks commented andshared the post with a shout out to their barbecue of choice. (Share your favorite barbecue restaurant:facebook.com/travelermag.)

Siegel suggests barbecue is so popularbecause it’s the “common people’s food.Everybody grew up eating some type ofbarbecue – whether it’s a place you wentevery Saturday with your family or aplace you went on a trip or whether peo-ple in your family cooked it,” he said.

So visitors to Charleston need to understand the passion behind barbecue

– among those who eat it and those who cook it. And don’t mistake barbecuefor anything but pork that is cooked low and slow in a smoky pit.

Siegel said visitors should look forthat authenticity when seeking out abarbecue restaurant. Find those restau-rants that specialize in barbecue – evidenced by their cooker out back and a menu that lets the meat stand alone asthe culinary centerpiece.

And, Siegel said, doesn’t discountthose places off the beaten path. “Some of the most Podunk places have fantasticbarbecue,” he said.

Another subject of debate here inSouth Carolina is barbecue sauce: whatkind, how much and whether to put it on while the meat is cooking.

There are four types of sauces, all ofwhich you’ll find in the state: mustard,vinegar and pepper, light tomato andheavy tomato. Mustard sauce is uniqueto South Carolina and originated fromGerman immigrants who settled in themiddle of the state, combining their loveof mustard with a love of pork, accordingto the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

The department of tourism also notes on its official barbecue website that vinegar and pepper sauce are popular along the coast and add someheat to the barbecue. “The acidity of thevinegar works magic with the pork. It’salso the oldest sauce, perhaps the oldestin the nation, and has been traced back hundreds of years.”

The light tomato sauce is basically avinegar and pepper sauce with ketchupadded for a little sweetness. The heavytomato is also sweet and is mostly com-monly found around the United States.

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There are four types ofsauces, all of which you’llfind in the state: mustard,vinegar and pepper, lighttomato and heavy tomato.


Did you have some delicious barbecue while in Charleston? Share a photo and your experience with us via Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), Twitter (@traveler_mag) or Instagram (@travelerofcharleston). Use hashtag #bestchsbbq

Bessinger's Barbeque1602 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407843-556-1354 | bessingersbbq.com

Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ1205 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29407843-225-74272209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482843-883-3131www.hometeambbq.com

JB's Smokeshack3406 Maybank Highway Johns Island, SC 29455843-557-0426 | jbssmokeshack.com

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q288 King St., Charleston, SC 29401843-577-04064964 Center Pointe Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406843-747-3800jimnnicks.com

Melvin's Legendary Bar-B-Que925 Houston Northcutt Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464843-881-0549538 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412 843-762-0511 melvinsbbq.com

A little off the beaten path: Dukes Bar-B-Q118 N. Railroad Ave. Ridgeville, SC 29472843-871-6507

Scott's Bar-B-Que2734 Hemingway Highway Hemingway, SC 29554843-558-0134 | thescottsbbq.com

Head to bbq.discoversouthcarolina.comfor more about barbecue and to downloadthe South Carolina BBQ Trail map.

TASTY BBQ EATSTry some of these local barbecue favorites:

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See+ Do

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

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

How to use this magazine: You’ll find each type of tour and attraction categorized for easy reference. Many listings include a map grid locator. Find the grid location, then reference the maps on pages 62 through 67.


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ART & THEATER ACTIVITIES

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

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

The Sound of Charleston150 Meeting St. at Circular CongregationalChurch • (Map H:7) • 843-270-4903soundofcharleston.comCome experience the unique sounds thatdefine Charleston’s rich musical heritage --gospel, Gershwin, music of the Civil War, lightclassics & jazz -- all presented by professionalartists in a live, unforgettable 75-minute concert.


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Charleston is one hip city! In 2013,Travel + Leisure magazine rankedCharleston No. 7 on its list of America’s Best Cities for Hipsters.Charleston made the list for, as themagazine noted, “walking the line be-tween old-fashioned and old-school.”

CARRIAGE TOURS

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

COMBO TOURS

Carriage & Harbor Combo TourHarbor Tours • 10 Wharfside St. • (Map: J:5/6)Palmetto Carriage • 8 Guignard St.888-224-5037 or 843-722-1112charlestonharbortours • Harbor tours depart fromthe Maritime Center three times daily with a 90-minute live narrated sightseeing cruise aboardthe 1920s style Bay Steamer – Carolina Belle.Palmetto Carriage tour departs from the Big RedBarn every 20-30 minutes beginning at 9 a.m.


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MUSEUMS AND PARKS

42nd Annual Summerville FamilyYMCA Flowertown FestivalApril 4-6, 2014 • flowertownfestival.org843-871-9622 • Each year the SummervilleFamily YMCA celebrates the passing of winterwith more than 200,000 visitors and nativeswithin the Town of Summerville’s Azalea Park.Artists, crafters, businesses, a taste of the Low-country’s best restaurants, a children’s jubilee,and musical performances—the festival offerssomething for everyone to enjoy.

Audubon Center at Beidler Forest843-462-2150 • beidlerforest.com Francis Beidler Forest contains the largest standof virgin bald cypress and tupelo gum swampforest left in the world. See 1,000-year-old treesand native wildlife; walk the 1.75-mile boardwalkinto the swamp. Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m-5 p.m.Harleyville, S.C.

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

Charles Towne LandingState Historic Site1500 Old Towne Road • Charleston • (area map) • 843-852-4200 • Hours: daily 9a.m.-5 p.m. • charlestownelanding.travel Established in the 1670, this is the birthplace of Charleston. Experiences include a museum, outdoor exhibits along the History Trail with an accompanying audio tour, cannon demonstra-tions and special events, an Animal Forest zooand the “Adventure,” a reproduction 17th-centurytrading vessel.

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

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


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MUSEUMS AND PARKS

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum40 Patriots Point Road • Mount Pleasant (Map: O:2) • 843-884-2727 • patriotspoint.org Home to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown,WWII's Fighting Lady. Museum includes the destroyer USS Laffey, the submarine USS Clamagore, a re-creation of a Vietnam NavalSupport Base, 28 historic military aircraft, theCongressional Medal of Honor Society’s Museum. Free map for self-guided tours.

Town of SummervilleVisitor Center • 402 N. Main St. • Summerville(Map: BB:3) • 843-873-8535visitsummerville.com • Just 24 miles fromCharleston, experience Summerville’s Southernhospitality for yourself. But please take your timeand enjoy all this charming, historic town has tooffer. You’ll soon find yourself feeling relaxed, rejuvenated...this is exactly how life should be.

Sculpture in the SouthSummerville, SC • (843) 851.7800 www.sculptureinthesouth.info • Promoting thearts through education and a public sculpturecollection. An annual event that hosts world-class sculptors in historic Azalea Park for aweekend of sculpture displays, demonstrations,refreshments and student sculpture displays, all accompanied by local musicians takes placeon May 17-18.

South Carolina Aquarium100 Aquarium Wharf • Charleston843-720-1990 • scaquarium.orgThe South Carolina Aquarium is home to morethan 5,000 animals found across the state. Explore 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank or enjoy a movie in the interactive 4-D movie theater. Journey from the mountains to the seaand find family fun around every corner.

If you're interested in architecture,spend time exploring downtown's historic buildings.


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PLANTATIONS

Middleton PlaceNational Historic Landmark • 4300 AshleyRiver Road (Highway 61) • Charleston • (areamap) • 843-556-6020 • middletonplace.orgAn 18th-century rice plantation and NationalHistoric Landmark comprising 65 acres ofAmerica’s oldest landscaped gardens. House Museum highlights family collections; craftspeople in the stable yards re-create plantation activities. African-American focus tours, carriage rides, garden market and nursery. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

PLANTATIONS

Boone Hall Plantation1235 Long Point Road • Mount Pleasant(Map: L:4) • 843-884-4371boonehallplantation.com • One of America’s oldest plantations with more than 320 years ofhistory. Located 8 miles north of Charleston.The “Avenue of Oaks,” nine original slave cabins,house tours and shows included in admission.Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-6:30p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Charleston Tea Plantation6617 Maybank Highway • Wadmalaw Island(area map) • 843-559-0383charlestonteaplantation.com • Located on beautiful Wadmalaw Island 25 miles from downtown Charleston. Visitors can experiencehow tea is planted, grown, nurtured and harvested from the raw leaf to finished black tea – made possible by the farm’s thousands of historic tea bushes.

For the third year in a row, Charlestonwas named the best U.S. city byCondé Nast Traveler readers in 2013.Readers highlighted nearby beachesand impressive architecture as rea-sons for Charleston to top the list.Charleston came in at No. 5 on the listof 25 best cities in the world.

Pineapple fountain is located atCharleston's Waterfront Park.

Pay homage to the people who helpedCharleston get its start with a visit toCharles Towne Landing State HistoricSite, a marshy point on the Ashley Riverwhere English settlers came in 1670 and established the Carolinas colony.With interpretive demonstrations, aself-guided history tour and interactivemuseum, visitors get a feel for life in the17th century. The park – comprised ofmore than 660 acres – is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

The park is a great spot for visitors ofall ages and will satisfy a variety of inter-ests – history, animals and the outdoors.

Park highlights: ■ Adventure, a 17th-century replica

trading vessel, docked at the park and available for tours.

■ Animal Forest, a 22-acre natural habitat zoo that is home to the species of animals those original settlers would have encountered in their new homeland such as bison, puma and black bear.

■ More than 80 acres of gardens and 6 miles of nature trails.

■ Interactive museum and gift shop in the Visitors Center.

■ Walking self-guided history trail, using the audio tour as your guide.

Charles Towne Landing hosts a number of regular events and period demonstrations for guests to get a more intimate look at life in Colonial Charleston. Visit on the first Saturdayof the month for 17th-century musket demonstrations and on the third

Saturday of the month for 17th-century cannon demonstrations (except January).

The second Saturday is a monthlytheme (January is Life of a Colonist; February is Exploration & Discovery;March is Archaeology; April is Founders’ Day).

Visitor 411: ■ Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.■ Admission: $7.50 for adults; $3.75

for S.C. seniors; $3.50 ages 6-15; free for children 5 and younger. (See ad on page 18 for $2.50 off adult admission.)

■ Audio tours are available for rent for $5 per person.

■ The trails are open to bikes (bring you own; bike rentals not available). Bikes are not allowed in the Animal Forest.

■ Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas as long as they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than 6 feet. Pets are not permitted in the Animal Forest.

1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston, SC 29407 | 843-852-4200charlestownelanding.travel


Step back in timewith a visit toCharles TowneLanding


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WALKING TOURS

Palmetto Tours8 Guignard St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-628-3053palmettotours.com • Explore Charleston’shistory and beauty. Four tours: Slave History,Charleston and the Civil War, Historic Charlestonand Historic Homes & Architecture. All tours include entry into famous historical sites. Receive four hours of parking with any tour.

Yorktown Ghost Tours40 Patriots Point Road • Mount Pleasant(Map: O:2) • 843-277-0577yorktownghosttours.com • Guided tour explores the unexplained mysteries of this WWII aircraft carrier. Hear stories of sacrifice and devastation as this tour ventures into areas normally restricted to the public. Learn of the strange activity that has been docu-mented by Syfy Channel’s “Ghost Hunters.”

WALKING TOURS

Bulldog Tours40 N. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-722-TOUR • bulldogtours.comAs seen on the Travel Channel’s “America’sMost Haunted Places,” this walking tourcompany will have you exhilarated and entertained. Choose from four tours: Ghost & Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston,Ghost Dungeon and Haunted Jail Tour.

Charleston Strolls Walk With HistoryDeparts from Mills House Hotel (corner of Meeting & Queen) • 843-766-2080charlestonstrolls.com • Featured in The NewYork Times, this two-hour tour is the best way to see Charleston’s Historic District. Famouslandmarks, historic highlights, antebellum mansions, quaint alleys and hidden gardens.Everyday at 10 a.m. Requires reservation.

Culinary Tours Of Charleston40 N. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-727-1100 • culinarytoursofcharleston.comWalk, talk and taste your way throughCharleston while experiencing history throughLowcountry cuisine. Daily tasting tours introduce guests to tasty bites at many greatrestaurants. Go behind the scenes and visit with chefs, bakers, artisan food producers,chocolatiers and specialty shops.

The movie "The Patriot" (2000) wasfilmed in Charleston. A portion of themovie, starring Mel Gibson, was filmedat Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner.Additional movies have used theswamp and gardens as a backdrop, including "Cold Mountain," "SwampThing" and "The Notebook."

Grab your camera for a stroll along Charleston's Battery where beautiful, historic homes line the street.


WATER TOURS

Barrier Island Eco-Tours50 41st Ave. • Isle of Palms Marina • (Map: N:6)843-886-5000 • nature-tours.com • Naturalistguided boat excursions to Capers Island Preserve. Travel the salt marsh creeks, see dolphins and wildlife up close, explore the“boneyard beach” and walk inland trails.Morning and sunset eco-tours, creek fishing,crabbing, kayaking or beach-side cookouts.

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

Dolphins of Charleston1 Shrimp Boat Lane • Mount Pleasant (Pick-upat RB’s Restaurant on Shem Creek) • (Map: O:2)843-608-4303 • dolphinsofcharleston.comExperience dolphins up close and personal inthe historic Charleston Harbor and rivers. Watchas they play in their natural environment in beau-tiful estuaries where huge pods of them feed offthe local shrimp boats. $30 per person withclose up action guaranteed or your trip is free.

Schooner Pride –Charleston’s Tall Ship360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5)888-245-9206 or 843-722-1112schoonerpride.com • Marvel at the HolyCity skyline while sailing by the forts where history was made. See dolphins playing and experience a Charleston sunset. Take an afternoon dolphin sail or a sunset sail; availablefor private charters. Combo tour available.

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

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In between visits to Charleston, stay connected to the Holy Citythrough our social media. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), on Twitter (twitter.com/traveler_mag)and on Pinterest(pinterest.com/travelermag).

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IT DOESN’T GET MUCHmore Southern than a glass of iced tea.But what you might not realize is that the very glass of tea you love has its rootsright here in the Charleston area – in the town of Summerville, to be precise.Now the town is celebrating its tea history with the Sweet Tea Trail.

The tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) arrived in Summerville in the late 1700simported by Andre Michaux, a Frenchexplorer and botanist. In 1888, Dr.Charles Shepard was the first to success-fully propagate and produce tea for consumption when he acquired 600acres in Summerville and establishedthe Pinehurst Tea Plantation. Dr. Shepard produced award-winning teasuntil his death in 1915. His plantationwas then closed until 1963 when Liptonpaid to have the surviving tea plants atPinehurst relocated to its experimentaltea farm on Wadmalaw Island.

That experimental tea farm – ownedby Bigelow and run by professional teamaker William Barclay Hall – is now the Charleston Tea Plantation. EveryCamellia Sinensis plant growing at theCharleston Tea Plantation is a direct descendant of Shepard’s 1888 crop.

Summerville:Tastes like sweet teaBY HOLLY FISHER

Learn more about Summerville’s tea roots ...

Sweet Tea Trolley Tour: Visitors can board a trolley for a 90-minute guided tour through the back roads of Summerville to see historic homes and a glimpse of where tea first started. Guests also tour Historic Linwood Gardens, named one of the Top 10 Garden Inns in the world by BedandBreakfast.com. For tour timesand tickets, visit lowcountryloop.com.

Good Eats on the Sweet Tea Trail: Summerville resident and nationallyknown storyteller Tim Lowry takes guests on an entertaining tour of Summerville with stops at restaurants and bakeries for such Southern delicacies as sweet tea cupcakes and sweet tea pecan pie. For tour times and tickets, visitlowcountryloop.com.


Tina Zimmerman, coordinator oftourism in Summerville, said she’s tryingto give visitors a truly unique experience.She’s established a variety of tours andopportunities for visitors to explore Sum-merville’s historic and shopping districts as well as a garden district witha self-guided walking tour and a stop atAzalea Park with its original sculpturesand early spring blooms.

Visitors headed to Charleston can stopoff in Summerville, spend the day explor-ing the quaint town square, dining inlocal restaurants and taking a tour of thetown’s historic spots before headingdown Highway 61 past the plantationsand into Charleston.

More Summerville Highlights: Flowertown Festival – Put on by theSummerville YMCA, this annual festivalis set for April 4-6 in Summerville’sAzalea Park. Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, thethree-day festival features more than 200juried artists displaying their works, foodfrom local restaurants, children’s activi-ties and more. Admission and parking arefree. Plus, this time of year Azalea Park isawash in color thanks to the pink azaleas,purple wisteria and white dogwoods.Info: flowertownfestival.org

Sculpture in the South: Founded in 1998, this organization promotes the arts through education and creation of an accessible public sculp-turecollection. Look for its sculptures all over the town of Summerville andthroughout Azalea Park, which hosts an annual weekend event with world-class sculptors, demonstrations, student sculpture displays and more.Info: sculptureinthesouth.info

BY HOLLY FISHER

From stage to sculpture,Charleston has thriving arts community

All About Art

THANKS TO THE ANNUALSpoleto Festival USA, Charleston haslong been on the radar for tourists interested in taking in world-classperformances. But in the last decade,Charleston has experienced a surge inits arts community, making it a year-round arts destination.

“There’s no excuse why if someone visits Charleston they can’t do some-thing artsy while they’re here,” said Maggie Hendricks, executive director ofthe Charleston Regional Alliance for theArts, a network of 61 nonprofit visual,literary and performing arts organiza-tions in the greater Charleston area.

The alliance is a resource for its mem-ber organizations while also promotingarts in Charleston. In the fall it hosts theOPEN Arts Expo showcasing a numberof local artists and kicking off the fallarts season.

Hendricks, who grew up inCharleston, said there have always been arts opportunities but now thereare so many it’s hard to keep up. The al-liance recently conducted an internalstudy to gauge the artistic vitality of theregion and discovered about half of allthe organizations that exist now started in the last decade.

“It has just grown tremendously,” she said.

And much of that growth has been in the way of smaller theaters and galleries, giving visitors plenty of great “off the beaten path options.”

Emily Wilhoit, executive director of League of Charleston Theatres, saidabout half of her organization’s 14 theater members started in the last few years. The growth has been diverseand each theater tends to have a spe-cialty area whether it’s comedy, drama or musicals as well as children’s theaterand murder mysteries. “We pretty muchhave everything,” Wilhoit said.

Lese Corrigan, owner of CorriganGallery, has been running galleries inCharleston for more than 25 years. She’sapproached almost weekly by someonewanting to open a gallery in Charlestonor by artists who want to show theirwork here.

She credits the Charleston Fine ArtDealers’ Association with bringing more attention to Charleston’s artistic community. Founded 15 years ago,gallery owners founded the organizationas a way to promote Charleston as a fineart destination. It hosts large events inthe summer and fall while also raisingmoney for school art programs.



Charleston Artist Guild 160 East Bay St., Charleston 843-722-2454 charlestonartistguild.comAbout 600 different artists rotate through this gallery. They also take turns working in the gallery so it’s a great opportunity to interact withartists and talk about their work.

City Gallery at Waterfront Park 34 Prioleau St., Unit A, Charleston 843-958-6484 citygalleryatwaterfrontpark.comA collection of contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists; free admission.

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston(free admission)161 Calhoun St., Charleston 843-953-4422 | halsey.cofc.eduHosts between five and seven exhibitionsper year, highlighting adventurous contemporary art by emerging and mid-career artists of national stature.

Gibbes Museum of Art135 Meeting St., Charleston 843-722-2706 | gibbesmuseum.orgChanging exhibits, special events and tours.

The Black Fedora 161 Church St., Charleston 843-937-6453 |charlestonmysteries.comComedy mystery theater and familyfriendly shows.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra 843-723-7528 | charlestonsymphony.com

Charleston Stage135 Church St. | 843-577-7183|charlestonstage.comCharleston Stage produces more than 120 performances each season and plays to more than 40,000 patrons annually. Performances are in the historic Dock Street Theatre.

Flowertown Players133 South Main St., Summerville 843-875-9251 | flowertownplayers.orgCommunity theater performed in theheart of downtown Summerville.

Footlight Players20 Queen St., Charleston 843-722-4487 |footlightplayers.netCommunity theater performed in an old cotton warehouse.

Midtown Productions 915 Folly Road, Suite F, Charleston 843-795-2223 midtownproductions.orgLive theater plus classes for adults andchildren. Opening in February, the newMidtown Cabaret Theatre, Charleston’sfirst “green theatre,” on Azalea Drive inNorth Charleston.

PURE Theatre 477 King St., Charleston 843-723-4444 | puretheatre.orgContemporary theater featuring professional actors.

South of Broadway Theatre Co. 1080 E. Montague Ave., North Charleston | 843-745-0317 southofbroadway.comBroadway-quality theater in North Charleston’s Park Circle area.

The Village Repertory Co. 34 Woolfe St, Charleston | 843-856-1579woolfestreetplayhouse.comNonprofit professional theatre company, producing drama, comedy and musicals with a special emphasis on the finest plays of the 20th century.

STOP AND SEEThis is just a sampling of some of the great places to visit while in town:


Resources for shows, exhibitions and more:■ Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts | artscharleston.org

■ City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs | charlestonarts.org

■ League of Charleston Theatres | theatrecharleston.com

■ S.C. Arts Commission | scartshub.com

NOTABLE ARTISTS FROMCHARLESTONElizabeth O'Neill Verner achieved an international reputation for her etchings and pastels, many of which are drawings of South Carolina residences, churches and street-life portraits. (southcarolinaarts.com)

Marjory Wentworth is the poet laureate of South Carolina. Her poemshave appeared in numerous books, magazines, and anthologies. (marjorywentworth.net)

Master blacksmith Philip Simmonswas the most celebrated of Charlestonironworkers of the 20th century. Simmons fashioned more than 500pieces of ornamental wrought iron, including gates, fences, balconies andwindow grills. Look for his handiworkall over Charleston. (philipsimmons.us)

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april-june 2013 TRAVELERofCharleston.com 37

Shop+ Savor

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

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

About Charleston On the second Sunday of each month, King Street is closed to vehicular traffic from Queen StreetNorth to Calhoun Street for 2ndSunday on King. Enjoy shoppingand restaurant specials.


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

Citadel MallWest Ashley on Sam Rittenberg & I-526 (area map) • 843-766-8511 • citadelmall.netHome to favorite stores like Belk, Dillard’s,Sears, Target and JCPenney, as well as American Eagle, The Limited, King Street Grille, LOFT, Palmetto Moon, Victoria’s Secret, SesameBurgers and Beer, Citadel Stadium 16 IMAX Theater and an indoor play area.

Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry84 N. Market St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7/8) 843-853-0103 • dacubasjewelry.citymax.comNestled in the heart of Charleston, Dacuba’s is a unique fine jewelry store with a wonderful selection of sterling silver and 14kt gold jewelry. Its classic Charleston “Southern Gate” collectionis fashioned after the wrought-iron work seenthroughout this historical city.

Northwoods MallNorth Charleston on Ashley Phosphate & I-26(Map: R:3) • 843-797-3060shopnorthwoodsmall.com • Home to favoritestores like Belk, Dillard’s, Sears, JCPenney, and the Lowcountry’s only Sephora, Hollister Co. and Hot Topic. Also 20 eateries, including King Street Grille, Jason’s Deli, Olive Garden, O’Charleys, an indoor play areaand a 13-screen stadium theater.

Nice Ice Fine Jewelry145 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)843-577-7029 • Exclusive boutique to suchrenowned designers as Slane & Slane, Charriol, Jude Frances, Philip Stein Watches,Marco Bicego, Dominique Cohen and Bellarri.Offers an extensive and unique collection of fine jewelry, engagement rings and pearls. See ad inside back cover.

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

The opera “Porgy and Bess,” is basedon DuBose Heyward's novel "Porgy"and depicts the life of blacks inCharleston. The opera opened onBroadway in 1935.

DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON Spend the day walking King Street with its clothing boutiques, shoe stores,gift shops and more. Start nearCharleston Place Hotel and head towardCalhoun Street for a wide selection oflocal boutiques, gift shops and national retailers. If you’re in the market for rare finds, make your way down LowerKing Street (south of Market Street), the city’s antique district.

The City Market stretches from MeetingStreet to East Bay Street and is home tomore than 100 vendors – plus dozens ofbusinesses and restaurants line MarketStreet on either side of the City Marketshed. This is a great spot to pick up souvenirs, sweetgrass baskets, artworkand jewelry.

SUMMERVILLESummerville’s Town Square is filled with local boutiques and shops, includ-ing 12 antique stores, a children’s bookstore and one of the top 10 quilt shops in the country.

MOUNT PLEASANT ■ Towne Centre on U.S. Highway 17 is home to national retailers plus several local boutiques, includingPalmetto Moon, Hairy Winston PetBoutique, Teal, Francesca’s Collectionand Chucktown Chicks.mtpleasanttownecentre.com

■ Belle Hall Shopping Center is located on Long Point Road ( just off Interstate 526). Stop by Wonder Worksfor a large selection of children’s toys and gifts or visit Princess of Tides forcostumes and tutus. Carolina Girls carries gift items, jewelry and stationery.The Coastal Cupboard has a large selection of specialty food items andcookware. shopbellehall.com

WEST ASHLEY Citadel Mall, located off Interstate 526and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, includesmostly national retailers like Belk, Dillard’s, Sears, Target and JCPenneyplus an IMAX Theater. citadelmall.net

NORTH CHARLESTON ■ Northwoods Mall on Rivers Avenuehas more than 120 stores, including Belk, Dillard’s, Sears, Palmetto Moon,Books-a-Million and Bath & BodyWorks. shopnorthwoodsmall.com

■ Tanger Outlets has dozens of nationally known retailers offering apparel for adults and children, shoes, accessories, housewares and jewelry. Tanger is easily accessible from both Interstates 526 and 26. tangeroutlet.com/charleston


Your guide to shopping in and aroundCharleston

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

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Summerville, South Carolina402 N. Main St. • Summerville • (Map: BB:3)843-873-8535 • visitsummerville.comSummerville is just 24 miles outside Charleston,making it the perfect day trip. Great shoppingand dining establishments add to Summerville’scharacter. Variety of accommodations available(including bed and breakfasts and inns). Followthe “Sweet Tea Trail.”

Tom’s Toys LLC125 Market St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)Kapla is a unique wooden building toycomposed of identical blocks. Children put one block on top of the other and let their imagination run free, creating all kinds of animals, buildings, vehicles and bridges. Suitable for children of all ages.

Terrace Oaks Antique Mall2037 Maybank Highway • James Island(area map) • 843-795-9689 • Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. terraceoaksantiques.com A leader in the Charleston area for multidealerantique shops since 1988. The 10,000-square-foot, climate-controlled shop houses 90+ booths with all different tastes and styles. When it comes to antiques, they have just about anything your heart desires.

Town of Mount PleasantMount Pleasant is not your average place to visit. Filled with an array of restaurants, taverns, activities and accommodations, the vacation you’re anticipating will be more thanjust a trip from home; it will be an experience of indescribable magic and warmth.

Charleston’s French Quarter is hometo some 30 art galleries – all withinwalking distance of each other. Thedesignated area is bordered by SouthMarket, Tradd and Meeting streets andthe waterfront. frenchquarterarts.com

Share your photos of these iconic landmarks with us on Twitter (@traveler_mag) or (facebook.com/travelermag).

Charleston has so many incredible sights to see, places to visit and beauty to behold,it can be downright overwhelming for visitors who want to soak up as much as possible during their vacation. So, we’ve put together a list of five famous landmarks. This is just a sampling, so for even more Charleston landmarks, head to our website at travelerofcharleston.com/landmarks.

5. Old Exchange & Provost DungeonLocated at 122 East Bay St., this historicstructure has been a customs house,mercantile exchange, military prison and post office. In 1790, the State Legislature met here to ratify the newstate Constitution.

1. Angel Oak Park – For centuries, the Angel Oak on Johns Island hasgrown up to 65 feet and its canopy ofbranches spans 17,000 square feet. The tree is located in a public parkowned by the City of Charleston.

4. H.L. Hunley – Lt. George Dixon and his crew boarded an experimental vesselthat was to become the first successfulsubmarine in world history, with a mission to sink an enemy ship, the USSHousatonic. The mission was successfulbut the submarine sank. The Hunleywas recovered from the ocean floor in August 2000.

2. Dock Street Theater – This theater at 135 Church St. in downtownCharleston opened on Feb. 12, 1736, with a performance of “The Recruiting Offi-cer.” It was the first building in Americabuilt exclusively to be used for theatricalperformances. The theater underwent a$19 million renovation by the City ofCharleston, reopening in March 2010.

3. Fort Sumter – Learn about the pivotal role of Fort Sumter during theCivil War at an on-site museum with exhibits and artifacts. The North andSouth erupted in civil war on April 12,1861, when Confederate artillery openedfire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. SpirtLine Cruises provides boatrides to and from Fort Sumter.

Landmarksof Charleston


Eat + Drink

Charleston’s diverse culinary scene is amazing. Innovative chefs and their dishes will dazzle the taste buds and warm the heart.Charleston has great taste!

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

About Charleston Don't miss the Charleston Wine +Food Festival March 6-9 at venuesand restaurants all around the city.


FINE DINING

Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill14 N. Market St • Charleston • (Map: I:7)843-737-8700 • burwellscharleston.comA cut above everything you expect: cleaner,leaner cuts served with generous sides; sustainability and humane standards; premiumproteins sourced by “our” standards; locallydriven fish and seafood program; and local, seasonal sides and farm fresh salads.

Cru Cafe´18 Pinckney St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7)843-534-2434 • crucafe.com • In an18th-century home on Pinckney Street,Charlestonians sip mint julep tea on the porch and dine on upscale comfort food at John Zucker’s Cru Cafe. “Do it right and use the best possible ingredients” is his mantra. Lunch and dinner.

SpiritLine Dinner CruiseDeparts from 40 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant • (Map: O:2) • 843-722-2628spiritlinecruises.com • The SpiritLine DinnerCruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina features fine cuisine prepared to order onboard, entertainment, dancing, fully stocked bar and a magnificent cruise on Charleston Harbor. Call for reservations.

Middleton Place Restaurant4300 Ashley River Road • Charleston (area map) • 843-556-6020 • middletonplace.orgSavor Lowcountry cuisine while taking in viewsof America’s oldest landscaped gardens. For lunch, visitors enjoy a three-course, prix fixe menu. Lunch served daily. Dinner guests pay no admission after 5:30 p.m. and can strollthrough the gardens prior to dinner.

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Seafood Season: What’s Available in Winter

■ Vermilion snapper

■ Clams

■ Oysters

■ Blue crab

■ Triggerfish

■ Swordfish

■ Shad

■ Striped Bass

■ Black Sea Bass

■ King & Spanish Mackerel

■ Amerjack

Source: scaquarium.org/ssi


Join SpiritLine Cruises for dinner on the Charleston Harbor. Guests board the Spirit of Carolina from PatriotsPoints in Mount Pleasant. The Spirit of Carolina has two large enclosed diningdecks where guests have dinner beforeheading to the open-air observation deck for a cocktail and views of theCharleston skyline, USS Yorktown andthe Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge spanningthe Cooper River.

Dinner cruise guests enjoy a three- or four-course meal, prepared to order.Plus, there’s live entertainment, a dancefloor and full-service bars. Bring a groupof friends or request a private table fortwo for a romantic night out.

SpiritLine Cruises has been enter-taining locals and visitors for more than50 years. The family owned company hashosted more than 12 million passengerson more than 100,000 Charleston boattours and events.

So put on your dancing shoes, grab your camera and get ready for amemorable night on the water.

Have dinner on the harbor withSpiritLine Cruises

Charleston has some incredible water views. Charleston has some delicious food. So combining the two is a perfect way to wrap up a day of touring plantations andstrolling cobblestone streets.

In the beginning … When the watertemperature reaches 70 degrees orgreater, oysters begin to spawn. In SouthCarolina, spawning is most intense inthe summer but usually runs April to October. The sperm and eggs are released directly into the water and free-swimming larvae develop in about24 hours. After about three weeks, thelarvae settle on the bottom in search of a hard, clean surface for permanent attachment. They seem to prefer to settleon other oysters shells so often you’ll seewhere used oysters shells are purposelyplanted to attract oyster larvae.

Storing oysters After three years, oysters are large enough for harvesting.Once harvested, live oysters should bestored in the refrigerator at 35-40 degrees and they will keep for severaldays. Shucked oysters should be lightgrey in color with clear liquid. If youstore shucked oysters in their own liquidand packed on ice in a refrigerator, theywill last for about a week.

A bushel of oysters Individuals mayharvest oysters for personal use, but only in authorized areas – usually private grounds or public oyster groundsmaintained by the state Department ofNatural Resources. Oysters may not beharvested between May 15 and Sept. 1,and a S.C. Marine Recreational FisheriesStamp is required for recreational harvesting. There is a limit of twobushels of oysters per person, per day. A bushel is about 50 pounds.

It’s oyster season in Charleston

Quick, check the calendar. If there’s an “R” in the month, then it’s time to grab your favorite oyster knife and head to a Charleston oyster roast. Whether it’s a birthdayparty, a fundraiser or just a Friday night, Charlestonians love to attend an oyster roast.

Oyster eatin’ – If you’ve been invited to an oyster roast, it’s customary to bring your own oyster knife to pry theshells apart. The Charleston Shucker Co. produces engraved, high quality oysterknives. Check them out at charlestonshuckerco.com.

It’s also advised to bring oyster gloves(leather or heavy cotton work well) toprotect your hands while using the sharpoyster knife.

OK, now that you have your knife andgloves, you’re ready to scoop that oysterfrom its shell and eat up. Many peoplelike their oysters with a cocktail sauce,lemon or saltine crackers.

Try out what you’ve learned at theworld’s largest oyster festival. The31st annual Lowcountry OysterFestival is Jan. 26 at Boone Hall Plantation. Highlights include theoyster shucking and oyster eatingcontests as well as live music on themain stage, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers, a children’s area and a food court show-casing a variety of local restaurants. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com843-577-4030


Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources


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428 King Street & JohnDowntown Charleston 843-965-5252

Great Italian FoodFamily Friendly Atmosphere

FREE Appetizer w/Purchase of 2 Entrees!

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

CASUAL DINING

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

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

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

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CASUAL DINING

Joe Pasta428 King St. (Corner of King & John streets)Charleston • (Map: F/G:4) • 843-965-5252 Menu features soups, salads, Parmesan sandwiches, pizza, pastas, desserts and a full liquor, wine and beer bar. The restaurant provides a laid-back and cozy atmosphere that is family friendly. See coupon in ad.

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

CASUAL DINING

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

Hyman’s Seafood215 Meeting St. • Charleston • (Map: G:7)843-723-6000 • hymanseafood.comVoted No. 1 seafood restaurant in the Southeastby Southern Living magazine nine years in a row. Lunch and dinner served daily. Parking and back entrance from Charleston Place. No reservations; come early to avoid the wait. See coupon in ad.

Benne Wafers are a uniquely Lowcountry snack. Dating back toColonial times, the wafers came toAmerica from East Africa during theslave trade era. “Benne” is the Bantuword for “sesame.”

No Southern meal is complete without fried okra.


Recipe: BBQ Sauces

South Carolinians are passionate about their barbecue and almost equally as passionate about their sauce of choice. You’ll find four barbecue sauces servedaround the state. And when you get back home, try making your own. Recipes courtesy of SavorSouthCarolina.com.

TOMATO BARBECUE SAUCEINGREDIENTS:2 tablespoons brown sugar1 tablespoon dry mustard1 tablespoon celery salt1 tablespoon cayenne1 tablespoon pepper1 tablespoon paprika2 tablespoon cornstarch½ teaspoon allspice4 cups tomato juice1 /2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 cup white vinegar1 tablespoon grated onionPREPARATION:Combine all ingredients in a small potand stir until well mixed. Cook over lowheat for 2 hours.

CAROLINA RED BARBECUE SAUCEINGREDIENTS:1 ½ cup apple cider vinegar½ cup ketchup1 tablespoon (packed) brown sugar1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon dried crushed red pepperPREPARATION:To diminish tartness, add additionalketchup and brown sugar to taste. Com-bine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stiruntil sugar and salt dissolve. This saucecan be prepared as many as 2-3 days inadvance. Cover and refrigerate. Makesabout 2 cups.

MUSTARD BARBECUE SAUCESouth Carolina mustard barbecue saucecan be traced to German settlers in the18th century.INGREDIENTS:4 cups yellow mustard (two 20-ouncebottles of French's mustard should do the trick)8 ounces of beer (less for thicker sauce,more for thinner sauce)½ cup apple cider vinegar8 tablespoons brown sugar1/2 cup tomato puree2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon cayenne1 tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper2 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powderPREPARATION:Heat all ingredients in a sauce pan overmedium heat and mix well. Cook untilsauce just begins to thicken. Serve cool orwarm. The sauce will last in the refrigera-tor for a long time. Makes about 6 cups.

VINEGAR & PEPPER BARBECUE SAUCE INGREDIENTS:3 cups apple cider vinegar1/4 cup red pepper flakes1/4 cup ground black pepper1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup ketchup2 tablespoon dark brown sugarPREPARATION:In a saucepan, stir together the vinegar,red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Bringto a boil. Stir in the ketchup and brownsugar. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.


Calendarof Eventsjanuary – march 2014

Middleton Plantation Walks

JANUARY

Through “Penelope” – On a sun-scorched island off the coast of Greece, beautiful Penelope1/18 awaits the return of her husband from war. Beneath her window, four Speedo-clad

men camp in an empty swimming pool in a competition to win Penelope’s love. PURE Theatre. puretheatre.org | 843-723-4444

Through Photography and the American Civil War – More than 200 of the finest 1/5 photographs of the American Civil War have been brought together for this

landmark exhibition at the Gibbes Museum of the Art. gibbesmuseum.org843-722-2706

8-19 Charleston Restaurant Week – Restaurants all over the Charleston area offer pre-fixe menus of three items for $20, $30 or $40. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com843-577-4030

11, 2/8 Oysters on the Point – Music and oysters from 2-6 p.m. at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in Mount Pleasant. charlestonharborresort.com

11 The Medal of Honor Bowl – All-star game featuring some of the nation's top draft eligible college football players at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium. mohbowl.com

16, 17, “Shirley Valentine” – When her best friend wins a trip for two to Greece, Shirley 18, 23, Valentine she packs her bags, leaves a note on the cupboard and heads out for 24, 25, rest and relaxation. What she finds is a new awareness of who she is. Midtown 26, 30, Productions. midtownproductions.org | 843-795-2223 31 and 2/1

17, 18, “Rent” – Set in the East Village of New York City, “Rent” is about falling in love, 19, 23, finding your voice and living for today. Flowertown Players. flowertownplayers.org 24, 25, 843-875-9251 26, 30, 31 and 2/1, 2

17-2/8 “Arcadia” – Hailed as one of the best plays of the last century and has been called the “perfect blend of brains and emotion, wit and heartache” by The New York Times. The Village Repertory Co. woolfestreetplayhouse.com | 843-856-1579

18, 19, “Piano Man and the Diva” – South of Broadway Theatre Co. features Mary Gould 25, 26 and pianist/singer/arranger William R. Lewis, who will bring a new look to “classical”

musicians with their mayhem and magic. southofbroadway.com | 843-745-0317

26 31st annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival – Join in the world’s largest oyster festival at Boone Hall Plantation and has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast” by Southeastern Tourism Society. Highlights include the oyster shucking and oyster eating contests as well as live music on the main stage, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers, a children’s area and a food court showcasing a variety of local restaurants. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com | 843-577-4030

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Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

26 4th annual Braise & Brew – Three-hour feast of six braised dishes paired with six winter seasonal brews from Holy City Brewery at Middleton Place Restaurant. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

31 and “Deathtrap” – Dealing with the devious machinations of a writer of thrillers whose 2/1, 6, recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths to 7, 8, 9, improve his fortunes, it provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such13, 14, abundance that audiences will be held spellbound until the very last moment. 15, 16 Footlight Players. footlightplayers.net | 843-722-4487

FEBRUARY

7-9 Gourmet & Grapes – A weekend-long culinary event at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort that brings together renowned chefs and winemakers to raise money for cancer research. gourmetandgrapes.com | 843-768-6000

7-3/15 “Russian Transport” – A comedy-turned-thriller about a rowdy Russian family in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, that is on a daily hustle to achieve the American Dream. PURE Theatre. puretheatre.org | 843-723-4444

13, 14, “Betrayal” – With South of Broadway Theatre Co., take a look into the lives of two15, 16, 17, couples through 11 years. southofbroadway.com | 843-745-031720, 21, 22

14-16 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – Conservationists and nature enthusiasts come from all over the country for this three-day celebration of art, animal demonstrations, environmental education and culinary events featuring wild game. sewe.com | 843-723-1748

MARCH

1 A 1790 Venetian Carnival – Children’s event complete with masks and Baroque music at Memminger Auditorium in downtown Charleston. chambermusiccharleston.org | 843-763-4941

6-9 Charleston Wine + Food Festival – Enjoy the flavors of Charleston’s culinary scene and renowned culture at numerous events featuring outstanding chefs from around the country as well as pastry chefs, authors, beverage professionalsand food writers. The event also benefits scholarship programs for the culinary and hospitality workplace. The festival has been praised as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes Traveler.charlestonwineandfood.com | 843-727-9998

6-9 Eighth annual Friendship Cup – A two-man tournament for male amateur players at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Guests may purchase a non-golfer package and attend all nightly activities. kiawahresortevents.com


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Charleston Wine + Food Festival

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Traveler_Mag for more Charlestonevents, festivals and activities.

7, 8, 13 “The Sugar Bean Sisters” – An offbeat story of romance, murder and alien 14, 15, 16, abduction. Footlight Players. footlightplayers.net | 843-722-448720, 21, 22, 23

7-23 “The Foreigner” – When a mysterious foreigner arrives at a rural Georgia fishing lodge, townspeople are soon gossiping and whispering. Charleston Stage. charlestonstage.com | 843-577-7183

7-29 “The Other Place” – Juliana Smithton is a successful neurologist whose life seemsto be coming unhinged. Her husband has filed for divorce, her daughter has eloped with a much older man and her own health is in jeopardy. But nothing is as it seems. The Village Repertory Co. woolfestreetplayhouse.com | 843-856-1579

9 Teddy Bear Picnic – Free afternoon event for children and families in Hampton Park with entertainment and children’s activities. charlestonparksconservancy.org.

9-13 Kiawah National Pro-Am – Teams of three amateurs and one PGA club professional compete in a four-man best ball format at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. kiawahresortevents.com | 800-654-2924

13, 14, “The Playboy of the Western World” – First produced in 1907, it is now considered15, 16, 20, a masterpiece of poetic drama. southofbroadway.com | 843-745-031721, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29

14-15 Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival – Gather round to hear from the best local, regional and national storytellers as they celebrate this art form and the Lowcountry’s storytelling heritage. Events are at Wragg Square on Meeting Streetin downtown Charleston. ccpl.org/charlestontells | 843-805-6930

17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Don your green and participate in a St. Patrick's Day parade, Irish flag-raising, corned beef-cabbage feasts and live Irish entertainment in downtown Charleston. scirish.org | 843-556-3578

18-22 Charleston Fashion Week – Showcasing emerging designer and model talent across the East Coast, this annual event has become one of the premier fashion weeks in North America. Pack the tents in Marion Square in the heart of Charleston for more than 35 runway shows, the Emerging Designer Competition: East, the Spring Bridal Show, and the Rock the Runway Model Competition. charlestonmag.com/fashionweek | 843-971-9811

20-4/19 67th annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens – Explore the city’s old and historic district in a series of tours showcasing Charleston’s distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture. historiccharleston.org | 843-722-3405

21-23 11th annual Charleston International Antiques Show – A must-see for collectors and enthusiasts interested in learning about incorporating antiques into modern-day deco. The Antiques Show is a showcase of English, European and American period furnishings, decorative arts and fine art, architectural elements, garden furniture, vintage jewelry and silver dating from the late 17th to 20th centuries. historiccharleston.org

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29 Second annual Spring Jam Music Fest – A full day live music presented by The Bridge at Brittlebank Park. springjammusicfest.com

29-4/6 Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament – A tournament featuring some of the top women’s professional tennis players at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island. familycirclecup.com | 800-677-2293

ONGOING EVENTS

1/10, 24; 2/14, 28; 3/6, 12, 19, 25, 29 – The Sound of Charleston – Experience the uniquesounds that define Charleston's rich musical heritage: gospel, Gershwin, music of the Civil War,light classics and jazz, all presented by professional artists in a live, 75-minute concert at Circular Congregational Church. soundofcharleston.com | 843-270-4903

Charles Towne Landing special events – The first Saturday is musket demonstrations. The second Saturday is a monthly theme (January is Life of a Colonist; February is Exploration& Discovery; March is Archaeology; April is Founders’ Day). The third Saturday is cannondemonstrations (except January). charlestownelanding.travel | 843-852-4200

1/17 through July – Canvases for Conservation – A partnership between Guy Harvey and theSouth Carolina Aquarium. Embark on an artistic journey from the famous marine and wildlifeartist Guy Harvey as he portrays the wildlife of South Carolina. scaquarium.org/guyharvey

2/13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 3/1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22 Camellia Walks at MiddletonPlace – Camellia-focused guided tours begin at 11 a.m. at Garden Market & Nursery. middletonplace.org | 843-556-6020

Weekly Wine Strolls – Beginning March 12 from 6-8 p.m. each Wednesday at Middleton Place.Enjoy specially selected wines from around the world while exploring the plantation gardens.middletonplace.org | 832-556-6020

Sweet Tea Trail Trolley Tours – Begin with a history film at Summerville Visitor's Center andthen a local historian gives a one-hour guided tour on the trolley with a stop at the historic Linwood Gardens. lowcountrylooptrolley.com | 843-654-5199

Tuesdays and Thursdays Island Sip and See – Spend the day visiting Firefly Distillery,Irvin~House Vineyards and the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island via the Lowcountry Loop Trolley. Board the trolley at 9:30 a.m. at the Charleston Visitors Center or at hotels (reservations only). lowcountrylooptrolley.com | 843-654-5199

Beginning in February, the Ultimate Plantation Adventure at Boone Hall Plantation. Packageincludes trolley transportation, plantation tours and presentations and lunch at Boone HallFarms. lowcountrylooptrolley.com | 843-654-5199

“Pirate Mystery Show,” a family comedy where the audience is the star at the Black FedoraComedy Mystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453

“Sherlock Holmes and the Charleston History Mystery,” a hauntingly historical, hystericalwhodunit for fans of the Master Sleuth at the Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre.charlestonmysteries.com | 843-937-6453

“Inspector NoClue’s Murder Mystery,” a classic comic whodunit at the Black Fedora ComedyMystery Theatre. charlestonmysteries.com| 843-937-6453

2nd Sunday on King Street – On the second Sunday of each month. Street is closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street North to Calhoun Street. 2ndsundayonkingstreet.com

Third Thursdays – Head to historic downtown Summerville from 5-9 p.m. every third Thursday.Shops and restaurants will be open late and some have special promotions. summervilledream.org

* Event details are subject to change. Please call ahead or check the listed website for confirmation.

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Things to Loveabout the Lowcountry

■ Beaches in January: We’re letting you on a little secret:you can go to the beach in the winter. Yes, in the winter!Granted you might not want to wear your swimsuit, but taking a stroll on the beach on a cool morning with a cup of hot coffee is pretty great.

■ Winter blooms: Charleston plantation and gardens areblooming with winter flowers like the camellia. This winter,see the Camellia japonica blooming at Magnolia Plantation& Gardens and at Middleton Place.

■ Wonder’s Way: Get a bird’s eye view of Charleston fromthe bike and pedestrian path on the Arthur Ravenel Jr.Bridge spanning the Cooper River.

■ Charleston Green: A color seen often on historic properties that looks more like black at first glance.

■ Joggling boards: Spotted on historic homes throughoutthe area, legend goes that young couples would sit at eitherend and “joggle” toward each other for a special moment.

Web Extras...Can’t get enough of Charleston? Check out these online extras formore Holy City happenings.

Tea Plantation Learn more about the only working tea farm in Americaand plan your visit to this beautiful island site.

Let’s Be SocialWe love connecting with Charleston visitors so join us on Facebook, Twitter andPinterest. We’re here to answer questionsduring your visit and we’d love to hear aboutyour favorite Charleston spots, what you didon your trip and see some of your photos.

A Glass of WineIrvin-House Vineyards produces five wines from themuscadine grapes grown on theproperty. Visitors can tour thevineyards and sample the wine.

Craft BeerBeer enthusiasts have more thana few places to taste a pint of beermade right here in the Holy City.

More to See & DoFrom oyster roasts andfashion shows and fromfood festivals to tennistournaments, Charlestonnever slows down. Headto our website for an ex-panded calendar ofevents and then it’s thehard part: deciding whichevents to do.


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

■ WATER TAXI: Transports visitors from downtown Charleston (Aquarium Wharf, WaterfrontPark) to Mount Pleasant (Patri-ots Point or Charleston HarborResort and Marina). Taxi runseach hour; $10 for all-day pass. No reservations needed. The Shem Creek route is available Friday and Saturday.It runs each hour from ShemCreek in Mount Pleasant todowntown Charleston. Cost is $20 round trip; call 843-330-2989 for pickup. charlestonwatertaxi.com

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

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

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


Charleston Metro Area Maps

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Charleston knows a thing or two about golf. In fact, Charleston lays claim to the first golfclub when Scottish merchants formed the S.C. Golf Club back in 1786.

Fast forward a couple hundred years and Charleston is still widely regarded as a great place to hit the links. Localsand visitors enjoy picturesque and challenging golf games on the area’smany courses. In 2012, Charlestonhosted the 94th annual PGA Champi-onship at the famed Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, making it only the fifthcourse to host each of The PGA of America's major championships – theRyder Cup (1991), the Senior PGAChampionship (2007) and the PGAChampionship (2012).

Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course hasmore seaside holes than any othercourse in the Northern Hemisphere; 10 are right along the Atlantic Ocean.

If golf is on your vacation agenda,check out one of these area courses:

Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms has two courses. The Wild Dunes ResortLinks Course, a Tom Fazio course, has a finishing hole overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Also designed by Fazio,the Harbor Course is known for its

challenging design and views of lagoons,marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway.wilddunes.com.

Located at the foot of the CooperRiver Bridge in Mount Pleasant, Patriots Point Links on CharlestonHarbor has views of Charleston, FortSumter, ships and Patriots Point. patriotspointlinks.com

Surrounded by 300-year-old live oak trees and towering pines, LegendsOaks Golf Course in Summerville was named the 2010 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year by the Golf Course Owners Association. legendoaksgolf.com

Charleston National CountryClub, designed by Rees Jones and located in Mount Pleasant, is open to the public year round. It was rated by Golf Digest as the best non-resort course in the Charleston area. charlestonnationalgolf.com

Tee it up inCharleston

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


Directory Of AdvertisersSEE + DO Audubon Center at Beidler Forest 19Barrier Island Eco Tours 26Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theater 16Boone Hall Plantation 7Bulldog Tours 17Charles Towne Landing 18Charleston Harbor Tours 3, 37Charleston Tea Plantation 72Children’s Museum 18Culinary Tours of Charleston 15Dolphins of Charleston 24Edmondston-Alston House 20Fort Sumter Tours 27Middleton Place 22Palmetto Carriage 2, 37Palmetto Tours 5, 37Patriots Point Maritime Museum 21SC Aquarium 20Schooner Pride 36Sculpture in the South 30SEE + DOSpiritLine Cruises Harbor Tour 27Summerville South Carolina 31Summerville YMCA Flowertown Fest 26The Sound of Charleston 19THEATRE Charleston 16USS Yorktown Ghost Tours 19

SHOP + SAVORCharleston Winery 39Citadel Mall 41Dacuba’s Fine Jewelry 44KAPLA – Tom’s Toys 42Nice Ice Jewelry 71Northwoods Mall 41Palmettoville 39SHOP + SAVORTerrace Oaks Antique Mall 42The Brass Pirate 39Town of Mount Pleasant SC 45

EAT + DRINKA.W. Shuck’s 51Bocci's Italian 51Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill 47Charleston Crab House 54Cru Cafe 47East Bay Deli 52EAT + DRINKHyman’s Seafood 53Joe Pasta 52Middleton Place Restaurant 47SpiritLine Dinner Cruise 49Tommy Condon’s 51


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In between visits to Charleston, stay connected to the Holy Citythrough our social media. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/travelermag), on Twitter (twitter.com/traveler_mag)and on Pinterest(pinterest.com/travelermag).

A downtown Charleston fixture for almost 40 years, Nice Ice offers excellentservice with a smile. Owner MarilynHoffman travels extensively and handpicks jewelry items for the store.

In addition to pearls, engagementrings and wedding bands, Nice Ice carries several unique collections.

The Rudolf Friedman collection features jewelry crafted in 18-karat golddecorated by the highest quality of gemstones. Judith Ripka pieces are recognized for their distinctive 18-karatmatte gold and unique interpretation ofcolored gemstones and rare diamonds.

The Slane & Slane jewelry collection,although known for its signature sterlingsilver bee jewelry, they also have diamonds, freshwater pearls, coloredgemstones and 18-karat gold mixed into its collection of dress-up/dress-down styles.

Particularly unique is the Charriolcollection. Developed by Phillippe Charriol, these pieces are a modern twist on the classic look of twisted cabledesigns of the ancient Celts. The piecesare made with stainless steel cable enhanced with 18-karat gold.

“We carry such an in-depth inventory,anyone could find something to theirliking,” Hoffman says.

Nice Ice Gives haslarge, unique selection

For Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with jewelry. With an extensive inventoryand a price point to fit all budgets, Nice Ice fine jewelry is the place to visit.

Nice Ice145 Market St. (at the corner of King Street), Charleston843-577-7029facebook.com/niceicejewelersHours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday


traveler of charleston sc mag | jan-mar 2014

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