All About Charleston
Guide Sections
Charleston offers a splendid mix of events and activities to stimulate the mind, body and spirit. Some of the more interesting ones appear below though it represents barely a drop in a vast ocean of activities.
Music and Theater
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra is conducted by music director David Stahl and is the largest year-round performing arts organization in South Carolina. The orchestra performs a wide spectrum of music for adults and children through its five concert series: Masterworks, Sotille Chamber Orchestra Series, Charleston Pops, Saturdays in Town and Small Fry. The Spoleto Festival is an annual event bringing together artists from all musical spectrums--from opera to spiritual.
Under the klieg lights, The Charleston Stage Company performs plays and musicals at the historic Dock Street Theatre.
Art
There are approximately 10,000 objects to view at The Gibbes Museum of Art. The museum focuses on American artifacts from a Charleston perspective. The collections include paintings from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, sculptures and photographs. Thomas Kincaide's work is the focus of The Planters Inn Signature Gallery. The gallery houses one of the largest collections of works by “The Painter of Light” in the country. The Verner Gallery is the oldest fine arts gallery in Charleston and presents the works of many of Charleston's Renaissance artists.
Museums and Exhibits
The Karpeles Manuscript Museum is one of seven Karpeles museums in the country. Charleston's low-country African-American heritage is preserved at the Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture. Papers, photographs, oral histories and other materials are maintained in the archives. The Jewish Heritage Collection of the College of Charleston's Robert Scott Small Library recounts the Jewish experience in South Carolina from colonial times to the present. The United Daughters of the Confederacy display Charleston's Southern Pride with a collection of Confederate artifacts. Charleston's contributions during the Cold War are displayed at the Cold War Submarine Memorial Foundation.
For the aquatic lover, there is the South Carolina Aquarium. You will have to catch the Dolphins in the Cooper River, however, since South Carolina prohibits keeping Dolphins in captivity. A bonus: next door you will find Ship Shapes Maritime Arts & History Center, a lovely place to learn about all things maritime, and even do some shopping, as they sell nautical-themed antiques and model boats.
Beaches
For quieter times, Charleston Waterfront Park has 12 acres of shrubbery, trees and benches overlooking the water. The park includes a 400-foot long wharf and fishing pier. Nearby Beachwalker Park furnishes sandy beaches and 450 feet of designated swimming area. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Folly Beach is located near Charleston and has a nice selection of seafood restaurants. Isle of Palms is known for its sandwich shops as well as its waterfront.
Shopping
Blink! is one of Charleston's unique stores offering a selection of ceramics and jewelry from a variety of artists. Boomer's Books and Collectibles is Charleston's biggest used books store with over 35,000 pre-owned titles. Charleston Market downtown offers a wide selection of art, jewelry, clothing books and collectibles. Century House Antiques has collections of Chinese and English porcelain from the 18th and 19th centuries. Chapter II Books places the spotlight on books about Charleston and books by Charleston-based authors.
Sports Charleston is home to several sports teams. The South Carolina Sting Rays, a Buffalo Sabres affiliate, were in the playoffs each of their first eight years of existence beginning in 1993. The Charleston Swamp Foxes have seen less success in their young history, but provide the city with a local Arena League-2 football team. The Charleston River Dogs baseball club is a Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the South Atlantic League.
The Harbor And what would a large body of water be without boats? Charleston Harbor has several opportunities for fun boating. The Ocean Sailing Academy provides U.S. Sailing Certification courses from the Charleston Harbor Marina and Bohicket Marina. For experienced sailors, the academy also charters boats as large as 46 feet.
If you like to fish, Fin Stalker Charters boasts year-round fishing with Charleston native Captain Chris Chavis. Captain Chris is a 20-year veteran fishing in Charleston's waters. Captain J.R. Waits, of Fish Call Charters, is another experienced guide, who will take the experienced and the novice on light tackle and fly-fishing excursions.
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Top things to do in Charleston
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