Local Guide | FAQs about Charleston

Charleston Harborfest 2009
June 26 -29, 2009
http://www.charlestonharborfest.org

Charleston Harbor Fest is a true harbor-wide celebration of the sea. Attracting visitors and locals alike, this event is family-friendly and loads of fun for all ages.

From the classic beauty of sailing ships, wooden boats and pirates giving their best “Argh” to the interactive educational exhibits, Charleston Harbor Fest offers an array of activities. You can be as hands-on as you want from tame to adventurous. Tour the ships, enjoy the scenic waterfront and relax with a beverage and fine Lowcountry fare

Charleston Riverdogs Baseball
April – September 2009
360 Fishburne Street
Charleston, SC 29403
http://www.riverdogs.com

Charleston County Splash Zone
http://ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=10
Charleston’s three family waterparks are the hottest spots in town during the summer months.  Each waterpark offers a fun, family adventure at a reasonable price. 


Splash Island Waterpark, tucked within Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, is a water playground designed for toddlers to pre-teen children.  Get a taste of the Caribbean with the island-style play structures and slides at James Island County Park’s Splash Zone Waterpark.  Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark is located in North Charleston within Wannamaker County Park.  It is the largest waterpark in the Charleston area, and is suitable for kids of all ages.

Camellia Walks
Middleton Place

Blooming during the depths of winter, the fragile beauty of camellias enhance the Middleton Place Gardens with thousands of blossoms, from pristine white to all shades of red and pink. Enjoy and learn more about these spectacular flowers on a Camellia Walk, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday beginning February 7th and continuing through March 26th, 2009. These special guided tours will begin at 11:00 a.m. and last approximately an hour and a half. Advance reservations are required.

Camellias, a southern landscape favorite, show off a blaze of color throughout the winter months. Family tradition holds that in 1786, French botanist Andrè Michaux gave the Middletons the first four camellias to be planted in an American garden. Today, Middleton Place has over 3,500 camellias including many rare varieties as well as one of the original Michaux plants, the Reine des Fleurs or "Queen of Flowers." The Camellia Walks highlight many of these unique historical plants as well as the hundreds of camellias that form the allees in the formal gardens.

There is no additional fee for the Camellia Walks, but reservations are required. Regular Garden admission, adults $25, children (7-15) $5, 6 and under are free. For reservations and additional information, call Middleton Place at (843) 556-6020 or visit the website at www.middletonplace.org. The 2009 Camellia Walks are sponsored by AT&T Real Yellow Pages.

Cypress Swamp Kayak Tours
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
MIddleton Place

Come explore a black water cypress swamp by kayak. A qualified naturalist will give basic safety and paddling instructions before leading you deep within a tupelo and cypress filled forest. Explore this magical 1,100 acre cypress swamp and discover plants and animals that thrive under the 120 foot tall trees. 3 hour tour; $65 per person. Reservations are required; contact the Outdoor Center at 843-266-7492.

Ashley River Guided Kayak Tours are also available on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. A trained naturalist will lead you through the tidal creeks that feed the pristine marshlands around the Ashley River. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will interpret the flora, fauna, rice production, and the historical importance of the river. Both guided and self-guided exploration is offered by reservation only.

Charleston's Museum Mile on Meeting Street
http://www.charlestonsmuseummile.org

Charleston's Museum Mile offers visitors the most comprehensive array of historical and cultural attractions in downtown Charleston. It is situated along Meeting Street and runs from the Charleston Visitor Center to the Nathaniel Russell House. Charleston's Museum Mile initiative will help locals and visitors understand how easy it is to navigate this cultural corridor.

Along the Mile visitors can discover six museums, five nationally important historic houses, four scenic parks, a Revolutionary War powder magazine, ten historic houses of worship and five historic public buildings including the Market and City Hall.

Charleston Farmers Market

April 11-December 20, 2009
Location: Marion Square

The Twentieth Annual Charleston Farmers Market will operate every Saturday from 8:00am until 2:00 pm, from April 12 – December 21, 2008. A special Holiday Magic Market in Historic Charleston will operate during the month of December.

The Charleston Farmers Market is available each Saturday morning in the beautiful Marion Square, between King and Meeting Streets at the edge of Calhoun Street. The park at Marion Square has long been the center of festive activities, and is the perfect tranquil setting for the Farmers Market. Nestled beneath beautiful trees with plenty of room for families to gather and children to play, the Farmers Market comes to life each Saturday morning and offers an abundance of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers. While strolling the Charleston Farmers Market, a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunches are available while listening to a variety of live entertainment.

The Farmers Market also offers an amazing assortment of juried arts and crafts, providing the best selection and most talented local artisans. The celebrated Charleston Farmers Market is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and is dedicated to the support and advocacy of Lowcountry Farmers and Growers.

CHARLESTON FARMERS MARKET WEEKLY FEATURES INCLUDE:

The Lowcountry’s Finest Local Produce * Artisan’s Alley * Ask a Master Gardener from the Clemson Extension Service * FacePainting * Pony Rides for Children * Jump Castles * Vendor Demonstrations

AirTran Service
From May 24, 2007

Charleston, SC will welcome AirTran. AirTran’s service will begin on May 24,and travelers can begin booking on February 22. AirTran offers connecting service to cities including Washington, DC, Boston and New York, as well as west coast destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Travelers can get more information at www.airtran.com or by visiting www.chs-airport.com.

For a complete Charleston schedule, visit www.charlestoncvb.com.