"When in Charleston"
The time of year that you get married in Charleston will help guide you and your guests as to what's going on and what to do around town. The classics are always a fun and safe bet - carriage rides, walking around historic downtown Charleston, Ghost Tours, and shopping in the market place. If your guests have several days to spend in town, it's always nice to see the plantations and go to the beach. It's also good to know when other big events are taking place because booking sleeping rooms might become more difficult and costs might be higher.Coming soon: listing for Charleston Tours, Plantations, and beaches
Major Annual Events:
January/February - Lowcountry Oyster Festival at Boone Hall http://www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com/oyster_festival.phpFebruary - Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
March - Charleston Food and Wine Festival
April - Cooper River Bridge Run http://www.bridgerun.com/ (brings over 20,00 people to Charleston)
April - Family Circle Cup Tennis, Daniel Island
May/June - Spoleto Festival USA (brings 30,000 people to Charleston)
June - Charleston Harborfest (Tall Ships) http://www.charlestonmaritimefestival.com/
November/December - Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island
About Charleston
The city was founded as Charlestown or Charles Towne, Carolina in 1670, and moved to its present location (Oyster Point) from a location on the west bank of the Ashley River in 1680; it adopted its present name in 1783.
Little Known Facts about Charleston, SC
1) Charleston boasts the first public college, museum and playhouse in the United States.
2) George Gershwin composed his well known opera Porgy and Bess while living on Folly Beach, South Carolina. Porgy and Bess are buried in the James Island Presbyterian Church graveyard.
3) The first game of golf played in the United States took place in Charleston, South Carolina.
4) North America's longest cable-stayed bridge spans the Charleston Harbor. The Arthur J. Ravenel Jr.
Bridge connects historic Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
5) The first shot to be fired in the Civil War was fired by Citadel Cadets stationed on Morris Island
Do you know a fun fact about Charleston that you would like to share? Please let us know Charleston Fun Facts email.
Seven Wonders of the Lowcountry - Scenic beauty and historic structures - chosen by readers of the Post and Courier
Johns Island - Angel Oak: "This beloved old tree rivals any ancient tree anywhere in the world. She has survived Hugo and many storms before that, as well as the earthquake of 1886. Her branches skim the ground to welcome the generations of Lowcountry residents who have admired her beauty." Maribeth Minschwaner.
Charleston lies on a fault line known as the Woodstock fault, which geologists have determined was caused by a subterranean lava "bloom" that cracked tectonic plates millions of years ago. The adjusting layers caused a severe earthquake in Charleston on August 31, 1886, destroying hundreds of homes throughout the city and damaging many more. Because of the shaking effect that the earthquake shocks had in knocking down walls in many homes, thereafter a number of houses in the city were adorned with metal rods passing through joists and connected by bolts on outer walls. These earthquake bolts can be seen in the form of stars, crosses or round plates on many older homes around Charleston.
Downtown Charleston - The Battery: "The most visited and amazing part of the lowcountry is The Battery. Each week thousands of people stroll, meander, jog and watch the seagulls, sailboats and the sunsets. Horse-drawn carriages and tour buses jockey for space to gawk at the magnificent views" Dee Pridgen
Charleston - Mount Pleasant: "The largest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere delivered under cost more timely than expected. The view is magnificent. The pedestrian walkway is so great." Jane Thornhill
Berkeley County - Cypress Gardens: "A living swamp that is open to the public" Brenda
Charleston County - Fort Sumter: "This fort, which required over 30 years to reach approximately 90 percent completion, must rank as the most lengthy construction process in the history of South Carolina. It took eleven years to ship enough loads of granite to raise a foundation to nine feet above sea level. In addition, Fort Sumter earned an enduring place in our country's history as the place where the Civil War began." Russell Horres Jr.
Banks of the Cooper River - Mepkin Abbey: Walkers and bikers regularly enjoy the entrance avenue of oaks...Mepkin Abbey is more than a place of beauty and serenity and prayer; it is holy ground where heaven and earth meet. Laura Ellen Truelove
Charleston area Plantations: Middleton Place and Magnolia Gardens - because of their immense beauty and incredible capacity to relax the spirit and help unwind the stress. A canoe or paddle boat ride is like traveling back into time. I confess to wondering just what it must have been like in bygone days when travel back and forth was by the waterways and how it must have been even more beautiful then" Chaplain Bill Herrmann
