travel
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Lowcountry
Charm
CHARLESTON’S ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY, DINING, AND SHOPPING MAKE
THE SOUTHERN CITY AN IDEAL ESCAPE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
BY SARAH CROSLAND
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COURTESY OF THE COTTAGES ON CHARLESTON HARBOR
C
harleston is hard to resist in any season. Summer is the seaside city’s
most popular time of year with afternoons at the beach and balmy
evenings dining al fresco at one of its famed restaurants. But for those
hoping to indulge in the historic town’s culinary and cultural scenes—and avoid
the crowds—there’s no better time than the holiday season.
While downtown Charleston is brimming with inns and hotels, just across the
Ashley River visitors will find one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The Cottages on
Charleston Harbor (www.thecottagesoncharlestonharbor.com) includes 10 luxe,
waterfront cottages with panoramic porch views reaching from Sullivan’s Island
and Fort Sumter to the church steeple-dotted Charleston skyline. Each charming
cottage features two bedrooms decorated in soothing hues, and a high-ceilinged,
airy kitchen and living area with large windows and French doors opening
onto the wide, screened-in porch. On cooler days, cozy up next to the cottage’s
fireplace as you soak in the view or bring a blanket to the porch’s hammock where
the only distractions are the swaying palm trees and lapping water.
The Cottages on Charleston Harbor offer waterfront views, cozy living
spaces, and the chance to explore the historic area via bike.
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After a historic carriage ride down cobblestone streets, stop in for a modern
dinner at The Ordinary, which offers towers of chilled shellfish, craft cocktails,
and a stylish ambiance.
CARRIAGE PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLESTON VISITORS BUREAU. THE ORDINARY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ORDINARY.
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And while the cottages offer plenty of on-site allure
from private chef services to beach cruisers for exploring the nearby historic Patriots Point, their biggest draw
may be their close proximity to the colorful streets of
downtown Charleston. Just a quick drive over the picturesque Ravenel Bridge, Charleston’s world-renowned
restaurants and shopping beckon holiday season visitors.
The biggest challenge when traveling to Charleston
may be choosing where you have time to dine. The
small city is chockablock full of so many famed chefs
and restaurants that it’s impossible to sample them all.
Plan on spending at least one evening in the trendy
and revitalized upper King Street. The Ordinary (www.
eattheordinary.com), which is housed in a 1920s bank
building, serves up soaring shellfish towers in its boisterous dining room. Just down the street The Grocery
(www.thegrocerycharleston.com) offers legendary Lowcountry fare with a modern twist in a cozy and convivial
spot that was once a furniture warehouse. After dinner,
stop in the nearby Cocktail Club (www.thecocktailclubcharleston.com), a second-story craft cocktail bar and
rooftop terrace with a modern speakeasy feel. Order
a round of potent drinks with playful names like Your
Husband’s Mistress, a sweet-meets-smooth concoction
of gin, Lillet Rouge, lime, orange blossom water, and
bitters. Craving a late night snack? Venture even further
up King Street to Butcher & Bee (www.butcherandbee.
com). The sandwich shop offers a post 11 p.m. menu on
weekend nights, making it a favorite spot for indulging in craft beers (it’s Charleston’s only BYOB) with its
signature burgers long after dark.
On the other end of King Street, you’ll find some of
the best shopping in the Southeast, making it a perfect pre-holiday destination.
Start your day with brunch at Husk (www.
huskrestaurant.com), the Southern-inspired
and locally-sourced spot consistently named
as one of the city’s best restaurants. Decadent dishes like black pepper biscuits with
housemade sausage gravy or fried softshell
crab with eggs, sausage, and potato hash, are
the perfect fuel for a day of perusing the city’s
shops. Just around the corner from Husk is
Billy Reid boutique (www.billyreid.com), an
elegant store offering clothing and accessories
from the esteemed Southern designer. Other
top shops you won’t want to miss include
Indigo & Cotton (www.indigoandcotton.
com), a menswear store packed with classic
American-made garb; Mac + Murphy (www.
macandmurphy.com), a charming stationery
store with stunning paper goods; and Hampden Clothing (www.hampdenclothing.com),
a style-savvy women’s clothing boutique.
Continue your shopping stroll around the
neighborhood where shops feature familiar
names from Pottery Barn and Apple to Louis
Vuitton and Gucci.
And no trip to Charleston is complete
Plan on at least one meal at Husk, an award-winning restaurant serving up Southern fare with a modern twist.
Debbie Peretsman ...
Your Charleston Connection.
Successfully Selling Charleston’s finest historic and coastal
Luxury properties.
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HUSK PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUSK.
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Sold
Sold
Under
Contract
Listed
Listed
843.259.8199 • 53 Broad Street Charleston, SC 29401
[email protected] • HandsomeProperties.com
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without pausing to take in some
of the city’s rich history. The
holiday season offers its own
celebratory version of the past
with many local historic destinations festively decorated. Stop in
the Edmonston-Alston House
(www.edmontstonalston.com),
ensconced in twinkling candlelight and vintage holiday décor,
or visit the 270-year-old Drayton
Hall (www.draytonhall.org) for
African-American spiritual music
choir concerts. And be sure to
save some time for Charleston’s
signature tourist attraction, its
historic carriage ride tours. Cozy
up on an Olde Towne Carriage
(www.oldetownecarriage.com)
that’s been converted to Santa’s
sleigh for a nostalgic ride down
cobblestone streets and past the
city’s most famous landmarks. The
tour’s finish with hot cocoa and
roasted marshmallows is the perfect end to a day spent celebrating
the season in this Southern city.
Drayton Hall is one of the many local historic sites that celebrates the holiday season with festive decor and performances.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLESTON VISITORS BUREAU.
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