What’s the best time to visit Charleston?
The Lowcountry is blessed with a sub-tropical climate, meaning Charleston has mild winters and hot summers. Tourist season peaks in May, for good reason — although the midday air temperature is still comfortably in the 80s, the water is warm enough for swimming and the evenings are cool.
Charleston’s beaches stay busy through September, despite sweltering and sticky July and August days. If you visit in mid-summer, allow time for afternoon rests and trips to the beaches. Fortunately, the long days allow for pleasant evening activities, from sipping drinks by the water to walks downtown.
Winter nights rarely freeze in Charleston, although February and March bring their share of frost. Those who make the trip this time of year are rewarded with major attractions virtually free of crowds. The flowers may not be in bloom yet, but having Middleton Place or Magnolia Gardens all to yourself is priceless.
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On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What are the best things to do in Charleston?
We have a lot of great beaches. We have a rich history of overly friendly people and Southern hospitality. Downtown and the former slave market are worth a walk-through. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what this city has to offer, a carriage tour is definitely worth it. If you’re into art, we have some unbelievable museums in Charleston. And Charleston Grill is an awesome place to listen to live jazz. -
On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What are the best places for brunch in Charleston?
Butcher & Bee is a great little restaurant. It’s a made-from-scratch place. It used to be a little hidden gem, but not anymore. It’s definitely doing it right. It has a relaxed atmosphere. Also Fat Hen on Johns Island is another good pick for brunch. -
On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What are the best Charleston neighborhoods?
I live on James Island, and we love it. It’s 10 minutes from the beach and downtown. If we didn’t live on James Island, we’d probably live on Mount Pleasant. Our favorite place to daycation is Goat Island. You can only get there by boat. It’s behind the Isle of Palms and separates the Intracoastal Waterway. We roast oysters and pigs out there. And we even got married out there. -
On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What’s the best time to visit Charleston?
The months between March and the beginning of May when it’s not too hot is when you want to be outside. As soon as it hits 90 degrees, Charleston is hot, muggy and sticky. November to March, I want to work in the kitchen because it’s not too hot in the kitchen. -
On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What are the best Charleston restaurants?
FIG is one of my favorites. On the outskirts of downtown is The Glass Onion. We eat there about once a month. It’s a place my daughter can be herself and we can still eat great food. Slightly North of Broad will always be a restaurant that I love. It was one of the newer restaurants when I moved to Charleston. I have not had a bad meal at The Macintosh. Wild Olive on Johns Island has high-quality food and ingredients. I encourage people to get out and go there. -
On April 8Craig Deihl answered the question:
What are the best Charleston museums?
The Charleston Museum — it’s the oldest museum in all of the country. But I also think of a museum when getting on the boat and visiting places like Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie at Sullivan’s Island. Even though they aren’t technically museums, they are living museums. Even down by The Battery is a living museum. Really, the entire city is a museum. -
On March 27Amanda Arnold answered the question:
What are the best Charleston food experiences?
Next time I'm in Charleston, I'd love to try The Ordinary, a seafood hall and oyster bar set in an old bank in downtown Charleston, which opened in December 2012. The menu is jam-packed with every possible hot and cold seafood delight, all purchased from local fisherman — peel and eat shrimp, clam cake, Maine lobster ceviche, lobster bisque — which can be washed down with a fine wine, craft beer or an aperitif.
On Easter Sunday, downtown Charleston’s streets are filled with colorful ladies’ hats, I was delighted to learn when we headed to High Cotton for Easter brunch. This tidy, top-notch restaurant with lovely heart pine floors, exposed brick walls and knowledgeable servers offers contemporary low-country-style cuisine made with local ingredients. For brunch, try the Carolina Shrimp and Grits — Andouille, okra, tomatoes, garlic and serrano shrimp broth — or the Southern Breakfast Cassoulet — sunny-side up eggs over pork belly, shredded duck, butterbeans, red pepper jelly, sweet corn and tomatoes.
But truth be told, my favorite Charleston haunt is The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, a hole-in-the-wall, locals favorite set on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, S.C., just across the picturesque Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston. The screened-in restaurant may look more shabby than chic, but it serves excellent, authentic low-country-style seafood — grilled, fried or broiled scallops, shrimp, oysters and crab (served with tartar and cocktail sauce) — and scrumptious South Carolina sides like hush puppies, fried hominy, red rice, slaw and she-crab soup. Even the banana pudding is exceptional. You won’t need to dress up for this beachy, creek-side eatery — the food is served on paper plates, beer comes in a can and every table receives a bowl of boiled peanuts to start. If there’s a wait, have a drink on the dock and take in the views of the marsh and the fishing boats.
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On March 27Amanda Arnold answered the question:
What are the best Charleston food experiences?
Next time I'm in Charleston, I'd love to try The Ordinary, a seafood hall and oyster bar set in an old bank in downtown Charleston, which opened in December 2012. The menu is jam-packed with every possible hot and cold seafood delight, all purchased from local fisherman — peel and eat shrimp, clam cake, Maine lobster ceviche, lobster bisque — which can be washed down with a fine wine, craft beer or an aperitif.
On Easter Sunday, downtown Charleston’s streets are filled with colorful ladies’ hats, I was delighted to learn when we headed to High Cotton for Easter brunch. This tidy, top-notch restaurant with lovely heart pine floors, exposed brick walls and knowledgeable servers offers contemporary low-country-style cuisine made with local ingredients. For brunch, try the Carolina Shrimp and Grits — Andouille, okra, tomatoes, garlic and serrano shrimp broth — or the Southern Breakfast Cassoulet — sunny-side up eggs over pork belly, shredded duck, butterbeans, red pepper jelly, sweet corn and tomatoes.
My favorite Charleston haunt is The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, a hole-in-the-wall, locals favorite set on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, S.C., just across the picturesque Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston. The screened-in restaurant may look more shabby than chic, but it serves excellent, authentic low-country-style seafood — grilled, fried or broiled scallops, shrimp, oysters and crab (served with tartar and cocktail sauce) — and scrumptious South Carolina sides like hush puppies, fried hominy, red rice, slaw and she-crab soup. Even the banana pudding is exceptional. You won’t need to dress up for this beachy, creek-side eatery — the food is served on paper plates, beer comes in a can and every table receives a bowl of boiled peanuts to start. If there’s a wait, have a drink on the dock and take in the views of the marsh and the fishing boats.
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On March 15Amanda Arnold answered the question:
What are the best Charleston food experiences?
My favorite Charleston haunt is The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene, a hole-in-the-wall, locals favorite set on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, S.C., just across the picturesque Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston. The screened-in restaurant serves authentic low-country-style seafood — grilled, fried or broiled scallops, shrimp, oysters and crab (served with tartar and cocktail sauce) — and scrumptious South Carolina sides like hush puppies, fried hominy, red rice, slaw and she-crab soup. Even the banana pudding is exceptional. You won’t need to dress up for this beachy, creek-side eatery — the food is served on paper plates, beer comes in a can and every table receives a bowl of boiled peanuts to start. If there’s a wait, have a drink on the dock and take in the views of the marsh and the fishing boats.
On Easter Sunday, downtown Charleston’s streets are filled with colorful ladies’ hats, I was delighted to learn when we headed to High Cotton for Easter brunch. This tidy, top-notch restaurant with lovely heart pine floors, exposed brick walls and knowledgeable servers offers contemporary low-country-style cuisine made with local ingredients. For brunch, try the Carolina Shrimp and Grits — Andouille, okra, tomatoes, garlic and serrano shrimp broth — or the Southern Breakfast Cassoulet — sunny-side up eggs over pork belly, shredded duck, butterbeans, red pepper jelly, sweet corn and tomatoes.
Upscale beach town Sullivan’s Island, just 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, is populated with the most gorgeous historic beach homes and its beaches are unusually peaceful. I recommend visiting for lunch at Poe’s Tavern, which sits just a couple of blocks from the beach and serves a creative selection of gourmet burgers (the Annabel Lee is topped with a Charleston-style crab cake) and fish tacos. Plus, its outdoor seating allows you to breath in the salty air.
And last but not least — the Jack’s Cosmic Dogs hotdog (and fries … and soft serve sundae). This Isle of Palms roadside hotdog eatery set in a cinderblock building that’ll take you back to bygone era serves some seriously delicious dogs. Try the Galactic dog — homemade chili, cheddar cheese, cole slaw and spicy mustard — and the restaurant’s fresh-cut fries, made with 100 percent peanut oil. And don't forget some soda pop — a little Cheerwine is sure to refresh after a day at the Isle of Palms beach. -
On February 12Sarah Gleim answered the question:
What are the best places to stay for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival?
Charleston chefs and restaurants aren’t the only ones getting in on the culinary action. Many of the hotels and boutique inns are participating as well, providing a variety of packages with festival tickets. The historic Elliott House Inn’s Sip and Savor offer includes accommodations for Friday and Saturday, two tickets for the Vineyard Voyage aboard SpiritLine Cruises on Saturday, and the Lowcountry Jazz Brunch on Sunday, plus a wine and cheese reception. The Inn just completed a two-year renovation and is located in the heart of the Historic District.
You can’t get much closer to the festival than the Francis Marion Hotel — it’s across from the main tent’s entrance. Book the hotel’s two-night Food and Wine Lover’s package, and choose two tickets (per night) to some of the most popular events, including the Grand Tasting Tents, the Jailhouse Shake-Up party, Every Day with Rachael Ray + Manchester Farms Quail Present At Home with Celebrity Tastemakers, and the SieMatic Presents Passport to Pairings at the historic Thomas Bennett House downtown.
If you love history as much as food, consider the John Rutledge House Inn’s Food + Wine Gastronome package. The historic inn is just one of 15 surviving homes once owned by a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and the only one that welcomes overnight guests. Built in 1763, the John Rutledge House Inn is a few blocks from Francis Marion Square. Booking a room here gets you two nights at the inn, plus tickets to the SieMatic Presents Passport to Pairings event, Every Day with Rachael Ray + Manchester Farms Quail Present At Home with Celebrity Tastemakers, Saturday morning at the Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents, and the Lowcountry Jazz Brunch on Sunday.
But the most exclusive package is probably the Wentworth Mansion’s Food + Wine Gourmand — it includes three nights in a mansion suite at the historic Wentworth Mansion. The fully restored inn was built in 1886 as a private residence and is in downtown Charleston’s Historic District. Tickets to the festival include Thursday night’s Opening Night Party: Salute to Charleston Chefs at the South Carolina Aquarium; access to the Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents on Friday afternoon; and seats at Wentworth Mansion’s Circa 1886 restaurant’s Perfectly Paired Dinner prepared by executive chef Marc Collins and New York’s Jesse Schenker from Recette Restaurant. You’ll also get passes to Saturday’s Vineyard Voyage and Republic Reign’s Cocktail Dinner, as well as the Sunday morning Jazz Brunch at Lowndes Grove Plantation.
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On February 12Sarah Gleim answered the question:
What are the best things to do at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival?
With more than 85 food-related events, you’ll have no trouble finding one that speaks to your taste buds. If you want to learn about Charleston’s food history, the Soul Food Shuffle day trip is for you. Local farmer and food writer Jeff Allen leads you on a tour through the celebrated soul food Charleston is known for. You’ll make several stops, including Ernie’s for okra soup and flavorful lima beans, and Bertha’s Kitchen in North Charleston for its famous macaroni and cheese, turkey prioleau (a slow-cooked rice-and-meat stew) and bread pudding. $150, March 1, 10:30 a.m., various restaurants.
You won’t want to miss the Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents. This is where you can indulge in cuisine and cocktails from more than 80 food and beverage vendors. But it’s also home to the SCE&G Celebrity Kitchen, where you can view live cooking demos; the Avalon Wine Outdoor Living + Grilling Area, which also features live grilling and tastings; a Book Signing Tent; and the Whole Foods Market Wine Shop. $85, various times March 1-3, Marion Square Park.
Neighborhood restaurant and bar Closed for Business hosts the best bash for beer lovers. The Allagash Brewing Company Craft Beer Dinner is a five-course tasting of Closed for Business’ Southern pub grub paired with Allagash’s Belgian-style ales. $125, March 2, 7 p.m., Closed for Business, 453 King St.
End the festival on a high note at the traditional Lowcountry Jazz Brunch at the historic Lowndes Grove Plantation. The three-course brunch includes fare from a variety of Charleston’s top restaurants, signature Southern Bloody Marys and mimosas, and live music from local favorite The Mark Sturbank Group, featuring Quiana Parlor and Quentin Baxter. $125, March 3, 11 a.m., Lowndes Grove Plantation, 266 St. Margaret St.
