charleston activities

New Restaurants And Shops Coming To Charleston

Even in the midst of a pandemic, Charleston is still expanding, with the addition of new restaurants and shops.

Downtown Charleston is welcoming a new restaurant that is serving up fresh poke bowls. Sweet Bowl Poke & Tea is opening in the WestEdge area of downtown Charleston and has a variety of made-to-order items as well as boba tea available for customers.

Over in Mount Pleasant, the Panera Bread will soon be serving early risers with a new cafe on Muhlenbergia Drive. The cafe will offer customers indoor dining options, drive-thru, and delivery services, as well as curbside pick-up.

Mount Pleasant also recently welcomed a new Maple Street Biscuit Co. in the Queensborough Shopping Center. This popular chain offers patrons delicious comfort food through a variety of biscuit-based meals.

In addition to restaurants, a new vintage women’s apparel store, Portal, recently opened on St. Philip Street in downtown Charleston. Portal allows customers to buy, sell, trade, and/or rent clothing.

A new 11,000 square foot Dollar Tree Store is also opening on College Park Road in Ladson.

Be sure to check out some of the new businesses coming to town!

News

‘Rein’ It In To Steeplechase of Charleston This Weekend

Make a spur of the moment decision and venture out to the Stono Ferry Racetrack on Saturday, November 15th for this year’s Steeplechase of Charleston.

Steeplechase of Charleston is a Charleston tradition dating back to 1792 and features five high-stakes horse races. This family-friendly event packs a full day of fun that everyone will enjoy.

In between the races, spectators will have the opportunity to get a headstart on their holiday shopping by browsing the Vendor Village, which will have a variety of artisan goods and services available for purchase.

Steeplechase of Charleston has implemented new safety measures in response to the current pandemic. For example, tailgate spots are only able to accommodate five people, guests must provide their own food and drinks to enjoy and guests are required to wear masks when they leave their designated tailgate spot.

Gates open at 8:00 AM and the opening ceremonies begin promptly at 12:30 PM.

Click here to purchase your tickets for this year’s race!

Featured

Eight Years And Counting As The #1 City in America

Charleston, South Carolina has been named the #1 City in The United States by Travel + Leisure Magazine for eight years in a row now. This coveted award is voted on by Travel + Leisure readers through an annual survey based on the readers’ experiences in cities across the world.

Travel + Leisure thinks it’s no surprise Charleston made the top spot due to the city’s “history, architecture, culture, pleasant weather, gracious locals, and even proximity to the beach. But chances are, if you were to ask T+L readers for their top reason for their obsession with this genteel city, they’d say the food.”

In addition to being named the top city in the United States, Charleston’s infamous Wentworth Mansion made the list of Top 15 City Hotels in the Continental United States.

Some other cities that made a spot on the list of the best cities in the United States include New Orleans, Chicago, Savannah, New York City, and Honolulu.

Looking to check out some of the best spots to grab a bite to eat in the Holy City? Click here.

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Best Ice Cream Shops in CHS

In honor of National Ice Cream Day, this July 19th, we’ll be celebrating the best way we know possible, eating our way through the Lowcountry! What better way to enjoy the day than with a cold scoop of soft serve. If you’re looking to celebrate, here’s a round-up of the best ice cream and gelato joints in CHS.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

This creative flavor chain always has a line out the door, so you’ll want to come early before your favorite scoop runs out. Located in the heart of Downtown, you’ll know you’re close when you smell the savory aroma. Take a pint to-go, or enjoy a waffle cone to beat the summer heat. Hours are noon – 11 p.m. daily.

Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream

As a Charleston staple, Ye Ole is known for its lip-smacking good milkshakes and fantastic food. Hit the drive-through for soft-serve at locations in North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt Pleasant, and Goose Creek. Celebrate the holiday with Ye Ole from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. today.

Off Track Ice Cream

Off Track is hardly off the beaten track. This delicious ice cream parlor crafts homemade flavors from pop tart to your classic vanilla. You’ll find their storefront on Beaufain and King Street open 12 p.m. – 10 a.m. With traditional and vegan options, Off Track is sure to please everyone in your family.

Park Circle Creamery

You know it, you love it. It’s the famous Park Circle Creamery. This North Charleston ice cream shop is offering a free scoop this National Ice Cream day for its first 150 customers. Grab a friend and enjoy a cone from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Eat & Drink

Best Fried Chicken in Charleston

If there’s one thing Charleston does well, it’s fried chicken. This Southern delicacy is a must-have during a visit to the Holy City. Fried Chicken is a staple here, so much so that we have a day dedicated to celebrating the dish. While nothing beats your age-old family recipe, our local restaurants run a close second. Craving this down south dish? Well, you will be after reading our list of the best fried chicken Charleston has to offer.

Here’s a round-up of the best places to get fried Chicken in Charleston on National Fried Chicken day, Monday, July 6th.

Boxcar Betty’s

You’ll want to get a second helping after a visit to Boxcar Betty’s. The local’s favorite gourmet fried chicken sandwich is award-winning, actually. Betty’s took home Buzzfeed’s “Best of Sandwich Shops in SC” title in 2019. With locations in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley, you’re never too far from a Boxcar!

Leon’s Oyster Shop

Don’t be fooled by the Oyster Shop name, Leon’s features delicious fried chicken alongside they’re famous seafood. This old garage turned restaurant will leave you licking your fingers. If the table’s feeling hungry, order the Leon’s Big Chicken Platter for the whole bird and two large sides.

Dave’s Carry Out

If you aren’t paying attention, you might accidentally miss this hole in the wall restaurant. Nestled in the historic neighborhood on the corner of Morris and Coming, Dave’s Carry Out serves food for the soul. While they’re not open on Monday, you can stop in on Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. for their home recipe style fried chicken wings.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Buttermilk biscuits and petit fried chicken, can you think of anything better? Callie’s has it all at their King and Market street locations. You’ll want to add a side of pimento cheese to this decadent dish. Make sure to get em’ while their hot, Charleston!

Edmund’s Oast

Grab your lunch box, or should we say Edmond’s Oast’s “Lunchbox.” This fried chicken sammy is all the entre you could want and more. If you’re dining with friends, go for the “Porch Picnic,” as you won’t want to go hungry. Head to Edmund’s Oast on Morrison Drive from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. for a lip-smacking bite of fresh fried chicken.

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Charleston Farmers Markets to Check Out

Making plans for the weekend? Join local Lowcountry farmers as they open for essential goods as mini-markets during COVID-19. You don’t have to forgo your favorite stands and sellers. They’re now available under new guidelines and restrictions. With plenty of farm-fresh produce, you’re sure to find what you need while enjoying the displays.

Downtown Charleston

This farmers market is known for its music, delicious food, and lively atmosphere. Though its 2020 Opening Day is still TBD, its return will be filled with all of the above. You can find the sellers at Marion Square on King and Calhoun St. from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays, pending its return.

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market

Open as an essential farm goods supplier, the Mount Pleasant farmers market offers a festival-like atmosphere to their approach. The Coleman Boulevard gathering is still open for business during COVID-19, though their vendor list has since been limited. Join the band of vendors every Tuesday from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. for live music and organic crops.

Sea Island Farmers Market

As of May 17th, Sea Island’s back every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hosted at Charleston Collegiate’s campus, this farmers market is a paradise for produce. Each vendor sells their goods as a way of bringing the community together. Check out their calendar to see what’s on the lineup.

James Island Farmers Market

Join James Island locals for “Sunday Brunch” behind The Pour House on Maybank Hwy. Recently voted best Pop-up Market by Charleston City Paper’s “best-of” awards, you can expect high-quality goods from this welcoming locale. Open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a Sunday-Funday you can enjoy with the family!

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Local Artist Feature

Charleston is known for its delicious southern meals, vast scenery, and blissful beaches, but there’s one thing often overlooked. As a city filled with creatives who are inspired by their surroundings, Charleston facilitates a spot for up and coming artists. The pastel buildings and sunkissed waterways are inspiration a-plenty when it comes to artistry. Today, we’ve gathered a roundup of local artists we love that we think you’ll love too.

Gaston Locklear

Locklear draws his inspiration from graphics found on billboards, urban walls, and other public spaces. His art acts as what he explains to be “a parallel to the human experience.” The Garden City Beach, SC natives’ intricate designs are purposely open for interpretation.

Kellie Jacobs

Think pastels and waterways when you think Jacobs. The College of Charleston grad designs landscape paintings through her own form of expression. Her use of dreamy pastels paired with detailed textures is a match made in heaven. You can find her work hanging at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Southeastern Publishing Company, Inc.

Emily Allyson a.k.a. Southern Blonde Salt

The Bluffton native behind Southern Blonde Salt is inspired by the animals and sights around her hometown. Featuring oysters, redfish, and ocean landscapes, her style is imminent of life in the Carolinas.

Lynne Hardwick

Hardwick’s art hangs in the Lowcountry Artists Gallery located on East Bay St. Her love for meeting people and connecting with spirituality act as a spark for such abstract pieces. With many layers and strategic color blocking choices, her paintings are a reflection of life in Charleston through an entirely new lens.

Sam Malpass a.k.a. Badway Creative

If you’ve been to places like Saltwater Cowboys, The Vendue Hotel, or Ro Sham Beaux, you’ve seen artwork by Sam Malpass. Malpass is a travel-inspired artist who enjoys richly saturated hues and liquid impressionist brush strokes. Her murals and paintings are a staple to the Charleston area because of her knack for capturing the soul of each subject.

Events

Safe Sounds at Firefly Distillery

Not all concerts are canceled this summer! Now in regulation with social distancing, Firefly Distillery announces “Safe Sounds,” a seven week-long outdoor concert series which began June 12th.

Listen to live music every Friday and Saturday night throughout the months of June and July. Stocked with beer, wine, and local food trucks, this outdoor arena can be enjoyed by up to four guests in each 10×10 safe space.

In order to respect social distancing, Firefly has several precautionary measures in place. Aside from general suggestions of hand-washing, Firefly has several safe spaces on their field so guests are evenly spread out. With 8-ft distances between each 10×10 square, you won’t have to stress about keeping apart. All common surfaces are sanitized after each customer’s use, and several hand sanitizing stations are scattered around the premises.

At this week’s concert on Saturday, June 27th you can expect performances from The Majestics and Lady & The Brass with special guest DJ Natty Heavy. All sets are 21+ with doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime at 7 p.m. Leave your furry friends at home and kick back on the greenspace. Each Safe Space Square is available for four friends starting at $25.00 an individual ticket.