Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon:122 East Bay St. 727-2165. Built in 1771 as the Customs House and Exchange, this is the last public building built by the British and is packed with historically significant highlights: patriot soldiers were held in the dungeons, George Washington was entertained here, South Carolina ratified the US Constitution here, and a portion of the [...]
Francis Beidler Forest:462-2150. 15000 acres or Black water Cypress-Tupelo Forest about a 50-minute drive from downtown Charleston. This is one of the least impacted wetlands in the state and has remained a natural habitat for 10,000 years. 5 miles of trails and a natural guided canoe trip (additional charge) Tues.–Su 9 am–5pm. 18+ $7, 6–18 $3.50 website
Charleston Waterfront Park:Concord Street. We highly recommend a visit to this lovely public park on the waterfront where you can sit in the grass, on a quiet bench or on the porch-style swings on the pier and enjoy the breeze from the harbor and fresh ocean air. Open to the public from 6 am–midnight.
Charlestowne Landing:1500 Old Towne Road (approx. 3 miles NW of downtown Charleston, off highway 171) 852-4200. This newly restored park is located on the spot on which the original settlers landed and lived (1670–1680). There is an extensive animal forest habitat, historic re-creations of a British Settlers’ homesteads, a full scale replica of a 17th-century trading [...]
Irvin House Vineyard:6775 Bears Bluff Rd., Wadmalaw 559-6867. We recommend a visit to the area’s only winery. It is a great excuse to get out of town and see some beautiful rural areas; when you arrive, a treat awaits. The owners of the lovely muscadine winery, offer tastings and a small talk in a truly lovely and [...]
Charleston Cooks:194 East Bay St. 722-1212 A wide variety of cooking classes and demonstrations by chefs and private instructors usually take place 1–3 times a day at this test kitchen. Their signature class, Taste of the Lowcountry, is given by staff instructor, is geared to visitors and includes samplings. Classes are 1 1/2 to 3hrs cost [...]
Culinary Tours of Charleston:40 North Market St. 727-1100. The History of South Carolina looked at through the area’s cuisine. Behind the scene visits with chefs, bakers, artisan food producers and chocalatiers. call for tour hours. $25–$45.
Tommy Dew’s On the Market Walking Tours:853-TOUR (8687). If you are interested in a history tour we recommend this popular tour which gives a nice introduction to Charleston with a heavy historic emphasis. Be sure to bring your camera, and provides plenty of photo ops. Walks leave daily at 11am from the city market and finish at the battery. Reservations are [...]
Bull Dog ToursPre-Revolutionary Dungeon and haunted Old City Jail and graveyard tours. Call these guys for a ghost tour.
The Bicycle Shoppe:280 Meeting St. 768-9122 Offering beach cruiser bicycle rentals with free delivery to Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah and Seabrook. Call ahead and they will drop them off. website
