Things to do in Charleston, SC

Here's a great list of 17 things to do and see in the Charleston area.

Many of the "to-do's" are free! The list includes popular stops on John's and Wadmalaw Islands (e.g. Angel Oak, Rosebank Farms, Irvin-House Winery, and Charleston Tea Plantation).

Somehow, my to-do list just got longer.

Charleston's Hippodrome Theater at risk!

Why don't you go to the Hippodrome in downtown Charleston?

Did you know there is F.R.E.E. parking? Yup, that's right, free parking Monday-Friday after 6 pm and ALL day on Saturdays (*free parking is available in the fountain walk lot connected to the side of the theater.)

Now the bad news--The Hippodrome could close its doors as early as September if ticket sales do not increase.

Read more of the story in TheDigitel Charleston: http://ping.fm/Bakwq

6th Annual Grape Stomping Festival

Irvin-House Vineyards will host its annual grape stomping festival Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 2-6 pm.

Load up the car (admission is only $5.00 per vehicle) with your picnic basket, blanket and/or chairs. You won't want to miss this afternoon of fun.

There will be live music, activities for the kids, and grape stomping! For those who like to keep their shoes on, grape picking will be available.

Wine and other foodstuffs will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit Irvin-House's website. For directions to the vineyards on Wadmalaw Island, click here.

June Happenings at Freshfields Village

Freshfield Village, located at the crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook Island, and John's Island, is gearing up for summer fun for the whole family!

Summer events include: Farmer's Market on Mondays; Starlight movies on Wednesdays; and Music on Fridays.

The entertainment schedule for June 2009 is below:

• Monday, June 15th, June 22nd, June 29th, Farmer's Market on The Village Green
  4-8 pm. local farmers and artisans will offer for sale a variety of local produce and unique handmade crafts.
  
• Wednesday, June 10th, 9 pm, Starlight Cinema on the The Village Green- Akeelah and the Bee;
  Wednesday, June 17th, 9 pm, Starlight Cinema - Fantastic 4 - Rise of the Silver Surfer;
  Wednesday, June 24th, 9 pm, Starlight Cinema - The Rookie
  
• Friday, June 12th, Music on the Green on The Village Green, 6-9 pm, Featuring Shrimp City Slim;
  
Friday, June 19th, Music on the Green on The Village Green, 6-9 pm, Featuring Men of Distinction;
Friday, June 26th, Music on the Green on The Village Green, 6-9 pm, Featuring David Archer Trio

A Must See: Rosebank Farms

A recent guest of Our Great Escape at Seabrook Island, SC reported going to Rosebank Farms every single day of her visit to Seabrook. WOW! That's a lot of trips to the farm but I can certainly understand her enthusiasm. My teenagers insist on visiting Rosebank every time we vacation in the Lowcountry.

So what is Rosebank Farms and what makes it so special? Rosebank Farms is one of the last family owned and operated farms on John's Island. Here you'll find locally grown fresh produce and flowers for sale. And, don't miss the fresh shrimp caught daily by local shrimpers!

Kids, young and old, will delight in the menagerie of animals--some traditional farm animals, some not. My kids are especially fond of the rabbits (baby bunnies are the cutest, aren't they?) and the stair-climbing goats.




So, back to the guest. When I asked why she kept going back to Rosebank she said, "Crab cakes, key lime pie, and the most delicious tomato pie."

Guess what's on my list to buy the next trip to Rosebank? Tomato Pie!

Click here to see what else is available at Rosebank Farms.

High over the Lowcountry

Looking for a better way to see the Lowcountry? How about taking a helicopter or plane ride?

Charleston Helicopters offers aerial tours of John's, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands. Other popular tours include viewing Morris Island, Fort Sumter, and downtown Charleston all from the sky.

Charleston Helicopters flies out of Charleston Executive Airport located on John's Island.

Helicopter not your style? Check out Flying High Over Charleston. Package tours in a Cessna Skyhawk start at $125.00 for up to three guests.

Flying High Over Charleston flies from Atlantic Aviation, located off I-26 at West Aviation Avenue.

Need more reasons to visit the Lowcountry?

Winners of Southern Living’s 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards have just been announced. Charleston and the surrounding islands have taken home many prizes.

• BEST CITY--#1 Charleston, SC
• BEST SMALL TOWN--#1 Beaufort, SC
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SHOPPING--#2 King Street, Charleston, SC
• BEST FESTIVAL/FAIR--#4 Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, SC May 22-June 7, 2009
• BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY--#3 Charleston, SC
• BEST FAMILY DESTINATION--#10 Charleston, SC
• BEST HOTEL--
• #5 Charleston Place, Charleston, South Carolina
• #9 The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, SC

• SOUTHERN FAVORITES- RESTAURANTS--
• #7 Jestine’s Kitchen, Charleston, SC
• #8 Magnolia’s Restaurant, Charleston, SC
  

• SPLURGE WORTHY- RESTAURANTS--
• #4 Magnolia’s Restaurant, Charleston, SC
• #7 Peninsula Grill, Charleston, SC
• #9 High Cotton Maverick Bar & Grill, Charleston, SC
• #10 82 Queen, Charleston, SC
  

Holiday Candlelight Tour at the Edmondston-Alston House

Make this holiday season even more special! Purchase a ticket for the Holiday Candlelight Tour at the Edmondston-Alston House. This special tour will occur on Friday, December 5 and Friday, December 12, 2008 from 6-8 pm.

The Edmondston-Alston House was one of the first dwellings built on Charleston’s High Battery. Tours will be conducted by costumed interpreters.

Don't miss Christmas 1860...A Candlelight Tour of the Edmondston-Alston House! For ticket information and prices, call 843-722-7171.

Charleston self-guided walking tour

Calling all iPhone and Touch iPod owners! There is a great new app for you--Charleston City Slickers.

The walking tour application is available from iTunes for $9.99. What a great price!

Now if only I had an iPhone or iPod...

Charleston's Museum Mile--new website

Charleston's Museum Mile, the one mile section of Meeting Street, is the most concentrated area in the city of historic and cultural places open to the public.

A new website for Charleston's Museum Mile has just gone live. Visit Charleston's Museum Mile's website to discover the "mile" of museums and historic sites, historic places of worship, hotels, dining, shopping, and many other places of interest.