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10 Things To Do In Charleston This Fall

Featured Image Credit: Charleston CVB

Today is the first day of fall and that means we have a list of the top 10 things to do this autumn in Charleston! Here in the Lowcountry, fall isn’t just about bonfires, apple cider, and pumpkin spice lattes. It’s about perfect beach days, festivals, carriage rides, soaking in some history, fright nights, and sunset cruises.

1.Legare Pumpkin Patches

What says fall better than pumpkins? Legare Farms pumpkin patch is one of the oldest working farms in the nation (since 1725!) They pride themselves in keeping their old traditions while bringing some new age to the farm. They not only have an awesome pumpkin patch but a haunted house, a trail of terror, and a haunted hayride. This a perfect place to spend an autumn day or night!

  1. MOJA Arts Festival

2017 marks the 34th annual MOJA festival. This festival celebrates African-American and Caribbean arts. It has been ranked Top 20 for the Southeast Tourism Society for many years. More than half the events are FREE and the others are modestly priced. MOJA is a great way to kick off fall with a variety of visual arts, music, dance, crafts, children activities and much more!

  1. Fright Nights @ Boone Hall

If you love all things scary, spooky, and creepy – Boone Hall is the place to be. With 4 different attractions (Cemetery of Lost Souls, The Crypt, Wicked Woods Haunted Hayride, and The Gateway) you will be guaranteed to be put in the Halloween spirit!

  1. Museum Mile

Take a stroll on a nice fall day down Charleston’s Museum Mile. Throughout the mile, there are six museums, five historic houses, and four scenic parks. The excursion focuses on the history of Charleston and allows you to take as much time as you would like at each stop.

  1. Ghost Tours

With a long history, comes a long line of ghosts in Charleston. Bulldog Tours offers the largest selection of ghost tours. Most tours introduce the history of famous buildings and neighborhoods. The tours aren’t meant to terrify people but show them the darker history along with maybe a little bit of fright!

  1. Carriage Horse Rides

Carriage rides are one of the most popular attractions in Charleston and there is nothing better than taking one on a nice fall day. Palmetto Carriage Company is Charleston’s oldest tour company. They offer public and private carriage tours and is an easy way to relax and enjoy the changing of seasons!

  1. Oktoberfest

Taking place on October 1st at the MUSC Health Stadium, Charleston celebrates their very own Oktoberfest. This Oktoberfest offers beer, German band, and food. There will be a viewing party for the Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots and the Charleston Battery viewing party at 2 p.m. A Jump Castle Kid Zone will also be there, it’s a great place to kick back, drink and watch some sports.

  1. Old City Jail Tours

The Haunted Charleston Jail tour takes you to all the places where criminals lived and died. The Jail was home to some of the worst criminals, pirates, and Civil War prisoners. The Jail was open from 1802-1939. It is a very scary place and people have seen and heard ghosts inside.

  1. Sunset Cruise

Sunset Cruises are always great in Charleston. Fall is perfect because it isn’t too hot. Some charters such as Ahoy Charleston, have offers that pair with ghost tours and sunset cruises if you’re in the mood for a little bit of relaxation after your eerie adventure!

  1. Second Sunday

Enjoy your Sunday Funday on King Street as half of it opens up for people to enjoy food, music, and shopping. It takes place on the Second Sunday of each month from 1-5p.m. Grabbing a PSL, browsing each storefront with music playing and eating some great food isn’t the worst way to spend a Charleston Fall day!

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ashley landing

This Will Soon Be West Ashley’s Hot Spot

Featured Image Credit: Bartlett, Hartley & Mulkey Architects

Ashley Landing is making a BIG comeback thanks to their new owners. First a brewery and now a toastery… see what Faison Enterprises has in store for Charleston’s first shopping center West of the Ashley.

Built in 1970, Ashley Landing (aka Ashley Plaza) was the first indoor shopping mall built West of the Ashley in Charleston. Conveniently located at 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, between the fork of Old Towne Road and just shy of the I-26 Cosgrove exit, the plaza is perfect for both locals and newly arriving visitors.

The shopping center previously housed two department stores: JM Fields and Condon’s. However, after years of stagnation under prior ownership, Ashley Landing is finally making a comeback —and it’s a big one.

ashley landing

From left to right: JM Fields, Pantry Pride, Revco, mall entrance, Condon’s Department Store. From the Charleston Post-Courier from August 9, 1972. Image Credit: Sky City

Faison Enterprises Inc., a privately-held real estate company, recently acquired the 350,000sf retail center and has big plans up their sleeves. Notable existing tenants include Publix, Starbucks, Pivotal Fitness, Burlington Coat Factory and Red Orchids China Bistro. With the recent additions of Charleston Amish Furniture and Frothy Beard Brewing Company (the neighborhood favorite) drawing in more and more business to the center, it’s no wonder that new stores are now being signed up left and right.

ashley landing

Image Credit: Leroy Burnell/Post and Courier Staff

ashley landing

Image Credit: Charleston City Paper

Ashley Landing will soon be home to The Bicycle Shoppe, Famous Toastery, WingStop, Navy Federal Credit Union and Charleston Stage. The new West Ashley Theatre Center will feature a dance studio, classrooms, and a 150+ seat performance venue.

“We have been bursting at the seams with our current Theatre Education Facility in Mt. Pleasant,” explains Charleston Stage Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education, Marybeth Clark. “This new space is double the size of our old space which will allow us to greatly expand our education programs and to reach even more students each year. Best of all, the new facility at Ashley Landing is centrally located, no more than 15 minutes from Mt.Pleasant, Downtown, James Island, and the North Area. Being less than a mile off of I-26 and I-526, it will be convenient for young people and their families throughout the community.”

ashley landing

Image Credit: Bartlett, Hartley & Mulkey Architects

Additional categories that Faison would like to see come into the plaza include salon/spa, food and beverage, creative offices, and home furnishings/improvement.

Next time you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Ashley Landing. Where else can you do a little shopping, drink some locally brewed beers, grab a Starbucks latte, and some of the best Chinese in all of Charleston?

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labor day weekend

How To: Labor Day Weekend In Charleston

Not sure what to do in Charleston for the Labor Day weekend? We are here to help!

While most locals and boat owners will be out on the water this Labor Day, there are some fun things to be doing around the city.  From music and art to restaurant specials and events, we’ve got you covered.

Music & Dance

  • Charleston Music Confab Panels Day 2 at Charleston Music Hall
  • Low Country Jazz Festival at North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center
  • Pour House celebrates their 15th Anniversary
  • Edisto Beach Music and Shag Festival at Bay Creek Park

Local Events

  • Adventurous Scavenger Hunt around Charleston. Sign up here.
  • Tipsy Tour with Deep Water Vineyard, Firefly Distillery, and Low Tide Brewing.
  • Cast Off Fishing Tournament on Mt Pleasant Pier and Folly Beach Pier
  • Boykin Bash at The Barrel on James Island
  • Freedom Reigns Festival to celebrate collective freedoms of the community

Weekend Art Exhibits

Outdoor Monday Happy Hours

  • $1 off draft beers and $5 off specialty cocktails along with little bites at Bay Street Biergarten from 4-7
  • Reds Ice House has all you can eat crab legs from 6-9pm $34.95
  • $4 drinks and dishes on Edmund’s Oast’s patio from 4:30-6:30
  • Park Café has a great happy hour with $2.75 well drinks, $3 Craft Beer, $5 wine from 4-6
  • Happy hour at Fuel Charleston consists of $3 wells, $2 half shots, $1.25 PBR, $1 off specialty drinks from 4-7

Cheers to your Charleston Labor Day weekend! Hang out in the sun as we wrap up another great summer. Enjoy the cold drinks, music, art, and other events. Most importantly.. HAVE fun & BE safe!

Eat & Drink

frothy beard

Frothy Beard Brewing Company Featured On The Southern Weekend

Featured Image Credit: The Southern Weekend

The Southern Weekend, a popular TV show that offers the ultimate tour guide on how to have the best weekend in the south, paid a visit to one of our very own establishments! Just last weekend, the episode aired that featured none other than local hot-spot, Frothy Beard Brewing Company. The show goes around to the best places in the south and shares their experiences focusing on three main categories: food, travel, and lifestyle. How lucky are we to have one of these ultimate southern destinations right here in Chucktown?

Frothy Beard Brewing actually got their name from a “love of facial hair” as well as being Tolkien fans (author of The Lord of the Rings.) In which, the men would come back from a battle, have a beer, and it would be dripping down their face.

frothy beard

Image Credit: Frothy Beard Brewing Company

The brewery is known for infusing unique flavors into their beers, using ingredients like jalapeño cilantro, watermelon, and cucumber thyme. Holy Water, the name of one of their signature beers, was brought about because the brewery used to be a church. 

What’s a brewery without some delicious food to grub on? Don’t worry, Frothy Beard has that too.

Pizza was incorporated into the mix when an employee, Ryan Dedrickson, started bartending with the company. He sold pizza out of a pizza truck called Zombie Bob’s, whose name stemmed from Ryan’s love for old horror movies and zombies. Frothy Beard decided to bring the pizza and beer together to create the perfect combo for patrons. Like the beer, the pizza has a unique flare to it too. Zombie Bob’s uses beer-infused sourdough to make their breadsticks and monster slices. Beer-infused pizza dough = #droolworthy.

With over 20 beers, monster pizza slices, board games, video games, Star Trek memorabilia, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio with cornhole, Frothy Beard Brewery provides the best place to spend some time on a southern weekend.  If you haven’t been, you NEED to go!

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shane whiddon

Local Businesses Show Support For Whiddon Family

Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Boncek file photo via Charleston City Paper

There is some light to be shed on the tragedy that happened downtown on Thursday, August 24th. A local favorite for brunch, Virginia’s On King, lost their executive chef in a shooting inside the restaurant after a hostage situation. Chef Shan Whiddon was not just a chef, he was a husband and father to two sons. If you have been wondering how you can help out, here are some ways you can donate as well as some events going on in the community that are supporting his family and staff.

-The Charleston Pour House released a statement that they are willing to donate their venue and help organize a fundraiser to aid Chef Whiddon’s family. To help organize or donate food/bev items email vharrispoho@gmail.com or alexharrispoho@gmail.com.

-The Explore Charleston and Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, on behalf of Bennett Hospitality, set up a no fee account for donations.
Make checks payable to Chef Shane Whiddon Memorial Account
Address: 423 King St. Charleston SC 29403, or drop off at any Wells Fargo Bank.

-Chef Jason McKinney, a former friend, and coworker of Chef Shane, set up a pop-up dinner in Charleston to benefit the family this dinner will be $250 per person.
For Details: 404-630-2019 to organize/sell tickets
Needs: 4-6 other chefs to participate
Vendor & Wine donations
Space, Restaurant, or Volunteer space.

-Edmund’s Oast donated 100% of their proceeds to the Whiddon family GoFundMe from 2-5.

-2 Nixons, a pop-up restaurant in Charleston, vowed to give all their gratuity from this past Friday and Saturday to the staff of Virginia’s.

-A GoFundMe account has been created by a neighbor, Terri Thomas Wall. The goal is set for 150k to give to the family.

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hostage situation

Charleston Community Saddened By Loss Of Shane Whiddon

Featured Image Credit: Dustin Waters via Charleston City Paper

It wasn’t that long ago when we were celebrating earning our title for being the #1 city in the U.S by Travel and Leisure. So it seems unreal that just yesterday our eyes and ears were glued to the news and social media after word broke out of hostage situation and a shooting taking place at a popular restaurant on King Street – Virginia’s on King. In the end, chef Shane Whiddon was killed and the shooter currently remains in critical condition.

Before joining Virginia’s on King in 2016, Whiddon worked at Union Provisions, Georgia resort The Sea Island Company, and Charleston Grill.

The owners of Virginia’s on King, Bennett Hospitality, released a statement on yesterday’s shooting and hostage situation:

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by what transpired yesterday at our restaurant Virginia’s on King. We are devastated by the passing of Shane Whiddon, our beloved and well-respected chef and friend. Our thoughts and prayers from Holy City Hospitality and Bennett Hospitality are with Shane’s family, our work family, and the customers and employees who are affected by this awful tragedy. We’re extremely grateful for the incredible teamwork of the many law enforcement agencies and the Mayor of Charleston in handling yesterday’s events. We would also like to thank the Pastor and staff at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church for all the support they provided law enforcement and our staff. The outpouring of support from the community has been remarkable and for that we are very grateful.” —Managing Director of Holy City Hospitality Marty Wall

Because we are such a close-knit community, it always hits home when we lose one of our family members. The shooting at AME church shook the nation, the state of South Carolina, and especially our city that we consider a little slice of heaven.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim. In this time of sadness, it’s a comforting feeling to know that we do have each other.

A GoFundMe has been created to support the Whiddon family during this time.

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The 21 Best Eclipse Moments From Around Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Blake Williams

From Oregon to South Carolina, a historic total solar eclipse awed an entire nation as cities along the path of the eclipse fell into complete darkness for a brief moment on Monday, August 21.

Folks that were within the 70-mile wide path of totality captured the rare and striking celestial phenomenon on camera, as the moon moved between the sun and Earth and completely blocked the solar surface. For a couple of minutes, a dark shadow was cast on our planet.

As the sun re-emerged from behind the moon, it created an astonishing “diamond ring” effect. People from all over came to the Holy City to watch this rare and spectacular event. Here are some of the best moments captured from around Charleston of Monday’s total solar eclipse.

Pretty cloudy day but it was still cool! #eclipse2017

A post shared by Brandon Lata (@brandonlataphoto) on

Lexi + Terran • This wedding blew me away. Not only was it on the day of one of the craziest natural phenomenons I’ve ever seen, it was one of the 5 best wedding I’ve ever shot. I can really only think of one that even comes close to the sheer amount of epic portraits we got from this wedding. • I absolutely cannot wait to blown up everyone’s instagram feed in the next few days. • Massive shoutout to the team at @pinnaclecharleston for bringing this day to life and making it unbelievable! • • • • #eclipse #eclipse2017 #solareclipse #solareclipse2017 #charlestoneclipse #charleston #sony #a7rii #profoto #wedding #weddings #weddingday #weddingdress #weddingplanner #instawedding #engagement #travel #resourcemag #resourceweddings #engaged #weddingphotography #instagood #instalike #kiss #love #landscape #sunset #bride #charlestonwedding #charlestonweddingphotographer

A post shared by Nicholas Gore (@nicholasgoreweddings) on

Image Credit: Mic Smith/AP

Image Credit: NASA

It’s a bird 🦅, it’s a plane ✈️….nope 🌚➡️🌞 #charlestoneclipse #eclipse2017

A post shared by Amy Werner (@amyswerner) on

Image Credit: Blake Williams

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animal society

BREAKING: Local Business Follows Business Regulations

Featured Image Credit: Mike Ledford/ Charleston City Paper

Horse carriage tours were taken off the streets two times on Thursday, August 18 due to high temperatures clocking in at 95 degrees and above. In March, an ordinance was passed by the city that lowered the heat limits for carriage horses to be on the streets to 95 degrees, three degrees lower than the original limit. These new temperature regulations were demanded by Charleston Animal Society, now they complain when they are followed.

The Charleston Animal Society is now accusing the carriage companies of using a “loophole.” They believe the carriage companies ignored protocol and kept the horses on the street for a full hour after the temperature was above 95 and took them back out within a half-hour of being stable.

That wasn’t the case.

animal society

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works

Palmetto Carriage Works posted a statement on their Facebook page to provide some clarity on the situation: “Just a quick update about today. At around 11:50 am this morning we received word from the city that they had 4 consecutive temperature readings indicating 95 degrees. Following proper procedure, we stopped all carriage tours until we received further word from the City of Charleston.”

Well, that statement definitely clears the air. However, Charleston Animal Society thought not only did they not pull them, but they the horses back out. Palmetto Carriage Works also provided a timeline of the event.

“At 12:50 pm we received word that the temperature had dropped below 95 degrees. At that time we also received clearance from the City of Charleston to resume tours. At 1:35 pm we received word that the temperature reading went back up to 95 degrees. Again following proper procedure we made sure that no new tours went out. All tours were off the street by 2:30 pm.”

A story released by ABC News 4 confirmed the carriage companies version of events: “City of Charleston spokesman Jack O’Toole confirms the horses were ordered off the streets Thursday at 11:50 a.m. and 1:35 p.m. After the first instance, it was 45 minutes before the horses were cleared to work again (12:35 p.m.). It was an hour and 10 minutes before the horses were allowed back to work after the second shutdown (2:44 p.m.), according to O’Toole.

animal society

Image Credit: Old South Carriage Company Facebook

So since when did abiding by the law become a “loophole?” The carriage companies followed regulations while completing their usual examinations and procedures on the horses, taking individual temperatures after every tour.  The carriage companies want to ensure the safety of the horses and obey the City of Charleston regulations, something they have done for years and take very seriously.