USA TODAY International Edition
Venture off the tourist path in Charleston
CHARLESTON, S. C. – This is one of America’s most- visited cities year after year. First- timers check out the City Market, take a bus or carriage tour through downtown neighborhoods dripping with history or visit Fort Sumter and see a plantation or two. All are major attractions – must- sees for thousands.
The handful of highlights is the agenda of most tour operators. Surface-scratching is their business model built on visitor appeal, tour length and logistics.
But there’s much more to see and do. Here’s where top travel pros in the area suggest for an added value “something different”:
See Charleston by water
“Kayak tours are lot of fun,” says John LaVerne, owner of Bulldog Tours. “Or rent a kayak at Wild Dunes or Shem Creek, and explore on your own.
“More tourists take it than locals, but the Schooner Pride sunset cruise is pretty amazing. It goes close to Fort Sumter, and at sunset, it parks off the Battery and the antebellum mansions behind it. The price is incredibly good.”
There’s great boating an easy drive from downtown, too, he says. “Out Bohicket Road, near Kiawah Island, Holy City Sailing does charter sailboats and cruises.”
Christina Knoth of Lowcountry Walking Tours suggests an in- town option: Ride the water taxi that crosses the Cooper Bridge between downtown and Mount Pleasant. “Just going back and forth between the stops gives you great views of the skyline, the Cooper bridge and the harbor.” An all- day pass is $ 12.
Do a bridge walk
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is a modern marvel, a visually stunning cabled span that elegantly holds eight lanes of U. S. 17 over the Cooper River.
Any time of year, the views from its pedestrian lanes are sumptuous. The bridge, Lynn Seldon says, “has become a playground for walkers, runners and cyclists, morning to night, while the busy weekends have their own party vibe.”
Visit Charleston’s oldest suburb
Mount Pleasant, at the eastern end of the bridge, is Charleston’s oldest suburb.
“That part of town is a best- kept secret that will take your breath away,” LaVerne says. “Pitt Street is the hub of the small downtown, and near Pitt Street Pharmacy, you can take a Segway tour.”
Do a cemetery walk at St. Philips
Tommy Dew of TD’s Walking Tours hits the historic high spots in downtown Charleston – but he says what’s in the ground makes it under- the- radar cool. St. Phillips Episcopal Church Cemetery is a “virtual South Carolina hall of fame,” he says.
Pick up a free brochure at the church and find the location of the graves of statesman John C. Calhoun; Edward Rutledge, who signed the Declaration of Independence at age 26; and Charles Pinckney, dubbed “Constitution Charlie” for his role as a signatory in 1787.
Catch a wave or a fish at Folly Beach
South of downtown, Folly Beach is where locals go to enjoy laid- back, Key West- style ambiance. Walk the beach and the long fishing pier. It’s prime for relaxation, says Benjamin Criscitiello, director of tourism for Pineapple Tour Group, which offers bus and walking tours of Charleston.
See where ‘ The Patriot’ and ‘ The Notebook’ were filmed
Cypress Gardens, a pastoral attraction in Berkeley County, is out of range for short guided tours – about an hour north of downtown, in Moncks Corners – but its 170 acres offer miles of trails through Lowcountry gardens and swamplands.
Hollywood has been here: You may recognize locations featured in Mel Gibson’s Revolutionary War movie, “The Patriot” ( 2000), the Civil War film “Cold Mountain” ( 2003) and the 2004 tearjerker “The Notebook.”
Chow down
There’s no shortage of restaurants and great seafood – or tourists. Once discovered, Lowcountry dining spots can sprout lines and waits. Foodies may want to opt for one of several culinary tours instead.
Lynn and Cele Seldon suggest Chez Nous, a tiny, elegant spot that uses local ingredients in its French and northern Italian- inspired fare.
Christina Knoth suggests heading to Shem Creek, the maritime/ dining area in Mount Pleasant, where solid seafood restaurants ( and a nice boardwalk) line the water. Her favorite? Tavern and Table.
LaVerne suggests heading to rustic Bowen’s Island Restaurant, about 25 minutes southwest of downtown Charleston on one of the marshy isles leading to Folly Beach. It’s famous for fried shrimp and oysters. He’s addicted to viewing its wild landscapes at sunset.
Dew takes a different approach: Go for good bar food at scruffy places locals frequent. “Moe’s Crosstown Tavern has a killer burger. I’d also suggest Tattooed Moose.”
Embrace your inner chef
Several tour operators offer culinary visits to Charleston’s top restaurants – but why not learn to cook with one of the pros?
Lynn Seldon says, “Bob Waggoner was the longtime chef at the Charleston Grill, and he now offers often sold- out cooking classes in a contemporary Market Street kitchen and dining space. The 2- to- 3- hour classes feature different menus every night and include convivial cooking instruction, active participation and a tasty dinner.”
Take in a magic show
One of the hottest tickets, according to LaVerne, is the new, 50- seat Holy City Magic club where illusionist Howard Blackwell and guest artists perform.
Shop at Historic Charleston Foundation
You can find sweetgrass baskets and other local crafts at the Historic City Market.
But Lynn Seldon, who co- authored “100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die” with wife Cele, suggests walking three blocks south to the shop operated by HCF.
There you’ll find quality items, from notecards to home furnishings, in a less stressful environment. “The foundation works with talented artisans to create beautiful objects that reflect the vibrant urban city.”