Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

By Mark A Leon

You don’t need a $200 dinner reservation to have a memorable night out in Charleston.

Sometimes the perfect date is much simpler: two glasses of wine, something delicious to share, a beautiful view and someone you love.

Charleston is filled with places where you can slow down, take in the scenery and enjoy a little romance without making a major production of it. Here are five of our favorite spots for an affordable, casual evening with a view.

1. The Watch Rooftop at The Restoration

The Sunset Classic

Location: 79 Wentworth Street, Charleston
Website: The Watch Rooftop⁠

If you’re looking for that classic Charleston rooftop-at-sunset moment, The Watch is hard to beat.

Perched above The Restoration Hotel, The Watch offers sweeping views across the rooftops of historic downtown Charleston. The atmosphere is stylish but relaxed, making it an especially good choice when you want something romantic without committing to a formal dinner.

The best part? You can keep the evening wonderfully simple.

Our recommendation: Two glasses of rosé and a plate of truffle fries. Arrive before sunset, find a rooftop seat and watch the city turn golden.

It’s the kind of Charleston evening that feels much more expensive than it actually is.

Perfect for: Sunset, anniversaries, first dates or simply reminding someone you love that they’re pretty great.

2. The Rooftop at The Vendue

French Quarter Views & Vacation Vibes

Location: 19 Vendue Range, Charleston
Website: The Rooftop at The Vendue⁠

There’s something about being above the rooftops of the French Quarter that immediately makes an ordinary evening feel like a vacation.

The Rooftop at The Vendue offers panoramic views of Charleston’s historic buildings, church steeples and surrounding skyline. It’s lively without feeling overly formal, making it a great place to meet for a drink rather than committing to an entire evening of dining.

Order something bubbly, grab a small plate to share and settle into one of the rooftop’s comfortable corners.

Our recommendation: Two glasses of sparkling wine or rosé and a shareable snack. Come about 30 minutes before sunset so you can enjoy the changing light over the historic district.

Perfect for: A spontaneous date, visiting friends or a little midweek escape.

3. Fleet Landing

Waterfront Romance Without the Fuss

Location: 186 Concord Street, Charleston
Website: Fleet Landing⁠

For couples who would rather watch boats than rooftops, Fleet Landing delivers a completely different kind of Charleston romance.

The restaurant occupies a former naval building that sits directly over the water, giving diners beautiful views of Charleston Harbor. There’s something wonderfully Lowcountry about sitting beside the water with a glass of wine while boats move through the harbor.

And you don’t necessarily need to make it a full dinner.

Our recommendation: Order two glasses of wine and share something from the raw bar or choose a small bite to enjoy together. Grab a spot where you can watch the water and linger a little longer than you normally would.

The setting does most of the work.

Perfect for: Waterfront sunsets, seafood lovers and couples who like their romance with a little sea breeze.

4. Ellis Creek Fish Camp

Marsh Views & Lowcountry Casual

Location: 1243 Harbor View Road, James Island
Website: Ellis Creek Fish Camp⁠

If your idea of romance involves marsh grass, water, a breeze and absolutely no dress code, Ellis Creek Fish Camp might be your place.

Located along Ellis Creek on James Island, this casual seafood spot has the kind of outdoor setting that makes you want to stay awhile. It’s relaxed, unfussy and quintessentially Lowcountry.

You can grab a drink, order something small and find a spot outside overlooking the marsh.

Our recommendation: Two glasses of wine, a shareable appetizer and an outdoor table as the sun begins to disappear. Don’t worry about making it fancy. The scenery already is.

Perfect for: Casual couples, outdoor lovers and anyone who thinks flip-flops can be romantic.

5. California Dreaming

Sunset Over the Ashley River

Location: 1 Ashley Point Drive, Charleston
Website: California Dreaming⁠

Sometimes you simply want to sit outside, have a drink and watch the sun disappear over the water.

California Dreaming has long been a casual Charleston-area destination for waterfront views, with its location overlooking the Ashley River. The outdoor deck is particularly appealing when the weather cooperates, offering a relaxed setting for an evening drink.

This is not about dressing up. It’s about finding a good seat, ordering something cold and watching the river change colors.

Our recommendation: Two glasses of wine and a snack to share on the deck around sunset. Stay long enough to watch the sky go from blue to pink to orange.

Perfect for: Casual dates, sunset chasers and anyone who believes the best nights don’t need an itinerary.

The Perfect Charleston Date Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

There is something wonderfully Charleston about keeping romance simple.

Two glasses of wine.
One plate to share.
A beautiful view.
A little breeze.
Someone you love.

That’s it.

You don’t need a white tablecloth or a seven-course tasting menu. Sometimes the most memorable Charleston evenings happen when you simply find a beautiful place, order a glass of wine and give yourself permission to sit there for a while.

And if we had to choose one?

The Watch at sunset. Two glasses of rosé. Truffle fries. Someone special.

That’s a Charleston date night worth remembering.

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Shortwave Kitsch Is Bringing Old-School Radio Drama Back to Charleston This Weekend

August 14–15, 2026 | Gage Hall | Downtown Charleston

Looking for something a little different this weekend? Step back into the golden age of radio — with a distinctly Charleston twist.

Shortwave Kitsch returns to the stage at Gage Hall for three live performances featuring the sounds, storytelling and theatrical fun of a 1940s radio show reimagined for a modern audience.

The company describes its productions as real-life theatrical presentations of classic radio-style entertainment, complete with performers, sound effects and stories performed live in front of an audience. Each show features two episodes of new and old Shortwave classics.

🎙️ FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

Shortwave Kitsch: What’s the Pitch?!

🕢 7:30 PM
📍 Gage Hall
4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Kick off the weekend with What’s the Pitch?!, an evening featuring two episodes from the Shortwave Kitsch collection.

Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 day of event.

Tickets & event details⁠

🎭 SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 — MATINEE

Shortwave Kitsch: The Screaming Abdabs!

🕝 2:30 PM
📍 Gage Hall
4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Prefer an afternoon show? The Saturday matinee brings The Screaming Abdabs! to the stage, again featuring two episodes of Shortwave Kitsch’s new and classic radio repertoire.

Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 day of event.

Tickets & event details⁠

📻 SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 — EVENING

Shortwave Kitsch: What’s Buzzin’, Cousin?

🕢 7:30 PM
📍 Gage Hall
4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Round out the weekend with What’s Buzzin’, Cousin? — another live presentation featuring two episodes of Shortwave Kitsch’s unique blend of theatrical storytelling and vintage radio-show nostalgia.

Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 day of event.

Tickets & event details⁠

📻 WHAT IS SHORTWAVE KITSCH?

Think 1940s radio theater meets live Charleston performance art.

Shortwave Kitsch recreates the experience of listening to an old-fashioned radio drama — except you’re sitting in the audience watching the magic happen in front of you. The performers bring the stories to life with theatrical performances and live sound effects, creating an experience that is part theater, part nostalgia and entirely its own thing.

The company celebrates Charleston’s vibrant arts community and encourages audiences to support local theater, music and the arts.

📍 THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

Friday, August 14 — 7:30 PM
What’s the Pitch?!

Saturday, August 15 — 2:30 PM
The Screaming Abdabs!

Saturday, August 15 — 7:30 PM
What’s Buzzin’, Cousin?

Location: Gage Hall, 4 Archdale Street, Charleston

Tickets: $20 advance / $25 day of show

If you’re looking for an entertaining way to spend the weekend — and want to experience something that feels wonderfully different from the typical Charleston night out — tune in, sit back and let Shortwave Kitsch take you somewhere between the golden age of radio and the modern stage.

Learn more & buy tickets at Shortwave Kitsch⁠

Photo Credit: Shortwave Kitsch

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By Mark A Leon

There are certain days on Folly Beach when the ocean seems to become something more than water.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, surfers, families, volunteers and supporters will gather at the Folly Beach Pier for one of the most meaningful days on the island’s calendar: Surfers Healing Folly Beach.

For families of children with autism, the day offers something beautifully simple — the chance to experience the ocean in a completely different way.

Riding waves. Breaking barriers.

Surfers Healing was founded with a powerful idea: introduce people living with autism to the unique experience of surfing and allow the ocean to become a place of freedom, connection and possibility.

The organization describes its mission as enriching the lives of people with autism through surfing. Its camps are offered free of charge, relying on volunteers, supporters and donations to make the experience possible. 

At the heart of the experience are the waves.

Participants head into the water on tandem surfboards with experienced surfers and volunteers. Together, they paddle out, wait for the right wave and ride back toward shore.

It may look like surfing.

But for the families involved, it can mean so much more.

A different kind of beach day

For many people, a morning at the beach is something ordinary — sand between your toes, salt in the air, the sound of waves rolling toward shore.

For families navigating autism, however, a crowded beach or unfamiliar sensory environment can present challenges.

Surfers Healing creates an environment where those differences aren’t obstacles. Instead, the beach becomes a place to explore, participate and simply have fun.

And there is something particularly fitting about doing it on Folly Beach, a community that has long embraced its quirky, independent and welcoming character.

The 2026 Folly Beach camp will take place at 1 Center Street, at the Folly Beach Pier next to the Tides Folly Beach Hotel. Current event information lists the camp for August 19, with volunteer shifts beginning at 7 a.m. 

More than a surf camp

The magic of Surfers Healing isn’t limited to the children who get on the boards.

It reaches parents watching from the beach.

It reaches siblings cheering from the shoreline.

It reaches the volunteers who spend the day helping families experience something they may never have imagined possible.

And it reaches the larger Folly Beach community.

Surfers Healing has been bringing its message to Folly for years. Local coverage of the program has described the event as an opportunity for children with autism to catch waves and experience the freedom of the ocean. 

The organization calls its camps a “quiet revolution” — one built not through complicated technology or grand gestures, but through something wonderfully elemental: a person, a surfboard and a wave. 

August 19 on Folly

The 2026 gathering promises to once again transform the Folly Beach Pier into a place filled with surf, smiles and encouragement.

For participants, there will be waves to chase.

For families, there will be memories to make.

For volunteers, there will be hands to lend.

And for everyone watching, there will be a reminder that sometimes the most powerful form of inclusion is simply opening the door — or, in this case, opening the ocean.

Because on Folly Beach, the water doesn’t ask who you are before sending a wave your way.

It simply comes.

And on August 19, hundreds of people will be there to ride it.

Surfers Healing Folly Beach 2026
📍 Folly Beach Pier, 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC
📅 Wednesday, August 19, 2026
🌊 A free surf camp for children with autism and their families. 

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ON SEPTEMBER 11TH

9/11 Day is the nonprofit that founded and leads the National September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance. As we prepare to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, 50,000 volunteers in 50 cities will come together to pack 20 million meals for people experiencing food insecurity. We are organizing the largest day of service in American history and we need your help!

Event Support Volunteers do not pack individual meals but instead are the support and backbone to the event’s success, helping welcome participants, lead meal-packing teams, keep supplies moving, and ensure the event runs smoothly. Volunteers must be 18+, and all positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Event Support Volunteer Opportunities (Assigned as needed)
Table Captains – Lead and energize meal-packing teams
Heavy Lifters / Runners – Keep supplies moving and meal-packing stations stocked
Hospitality & Registration – Welcome, check in, and assist volunteers
Set-Up & Break-Down Crew – Help prepare and reset the event space

Learn more about the event and register for Charleston directly HERE.

Together, let’s honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through compassion, unity, and service. We hope you’ll join us for what will be our most meaningful and ambitious year yet.

Event Details

Charleston Meal Pack for 9/11 Day – Set Up Day 

Join us in packing 20 million meals for the September 11 National Day of Service & Remembrance (“9/11 Day”)

This email includes everything you’ll need to know. Please read it all the way through. Thank you for registering to participate in our Set Up Day for our 9/11 Day Meal Pack for Charleston on Thursday, September 11, 2026 at the Gaillard Center in Charleston. We are grateful for your willingness to be a part of this nationwide effort (visit 911day.org).

Date/Time: Thursday, September 10, 2026 1-5p

Location: Gaillard Center – Grand Ballroom, 95 Calhoun Street Charleston. Garage and street parking is available, and CARTA use from the Visitors Center and carpooling is suggested.

WHEN TO ARRIVE 

Please plan to arrive promptly before our 1 p.m. start. All participants will go through a quick registration/check-in process in the ground floor lobby. You can wear a fanny pack or small bag for phone/keys/light wallet and water bottle but please leave valuables at home or locked in your car. There is no locked storage on site.

HOW TO GET THERE AND WHERE TO PARK 

33 Alexander Street Charleston = garage entrance

Located at 95 Calhoun Street, the Gaillard Center’s Grand Ballroom in Charleston (note: the Grand Ballroom is an exhibition hall, adjacent and connected to the Gaillard performing arts venue – different building).

GARAGE: Look for the garage entrance on 33 Alexander Street, with 600 parking spots. You will receive a parking voucher after the event to “chase” your ticket upon exit to cover your parking fees that day for support staff only.

Alternative if full: the nearby Aquarium Garage on 24 Calhoun Street has plenty of parking just a short walk to the Gaillard, but leave time to find parking and make the 10-minute walk. Neither garage takes cash and is card-only. The venue is ADA compliant. For more details on parking and accessibility, click here.

WHERE TO GO ONCE YOU ARRIVE   

Once you have parked, proceed out of the garage to the Calhoun Street entrance and you will see the Grand Ballroom in the exhibition hall side, across the lobby from the performing arts side. Once you enter, look for the check-in table and show your registration check-in confirmation on your phone – we will direct you from there. 

WHAT TO BRING

• Ticket: Please have your ticket ready for check-in, either printed or accessible on your phone. You can find your ticket in the confirmation email sent by noreply@order.eventbrite.com.
• Bag Restrictions: We discourage volunteers from bringing purses, backpacks and large totes, all of which are subject to search.
• Food & Drink: Food and drinks are not allowed in the meal pack area. You may bring a water bottle.

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear comfortable and casual clothing. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. The facility is air-conditioned but dress comfortably to lift, pack, and move. It is best to leave jewelry and valuables at home. No weapons or firearms of any kind will be permitted. Permanent jewelry and hard-to-remove piercings (such as nose rings or cartilage piercings) are permitted.

WHAT TO EXPECT

After registration, our set up day for Charleston Meal Pack for 9/11 will be fun and energizing experience setting up supplies and ingredients for the next day’s event, when 500 more volunteers will create red lentil jambalaya meals for the Lowcountry Food Bank to distribute to those in need. Supplies and ingredients include setting up tables with table coverings; bins, bags, boxes and laminators to seal the bags, and of course, all the food ingredients at about 50 stations. 

TRAINING ZOOM CALLS: OPTIONAL FOR SET UP VOLUNTEERS 

We will hold two Support Staff Zoom calls to give you an overview of the day and your role. You may attend either call; this is an optional 30-minute introduction, and we highly recommend that you do.

Links:

TUESDAY 9/8 11AM: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8077427872?pwd=nukMHxxZFkvzZ5drt5LDA1h0xbUcp8.1&omn=84578346476

WEDNESDAY 9/9 6PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8077427872?pwd=nukMHxxZFkvzZ5drt5LDA1h0xbUcp8.1&omn=83794795416

Video of meal pack operations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnJxFG4E4jw

THANK YOU again for your willingness to serve as part of this important effort.  With your help, we will provide much needed support to food-insecure families in the Lowcountry. 

See you Friday, September 11th!  

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Photo Credit: Matt Stone/Boston Herald

By Mark A Leon

Dog owners in the Summerville area have a brand-new destination to enjoy with their four-legged companions. GoDog Dog Park Bar officially opened its doors on July 29, 2026, bringing a unique combination of off-leash recreation, craft beverages and community gathering space to the rapidly growing Nexton development. 

Located at 652 Scholar Way in Nexton, the membership-based dog park and bar is the second phase of the GoDog campus, which first introduced premium daycare, boarding, bathing and training services in 2025. The addition of the outdoor social space completes the company’s vision of creating a one-stop destination where dogs receive exceptional care while owners enjoy time with friends and neighbors. 

Unlike a traditional dog park, GoDog’s newest attraction is designed to be as enjoyable for people as it is for their pets. Guests can relax with beer, wine and other beverages while watching their dogs play safely in a secure, supervised environment. Membership requirements and vaccination policies help ensure a safe experience for every canine visitor. 

The concept has become increasingly popular across the country, combining the social atmosphere of a neighborhood bar with the energy of a community dog park. For many pet owners, it offers an opportunity to meet fellow dog lovers, work remotely outdoors or simply unwind after work without leaving their pets at home.

GoDog founder Ben Eberdt previously said the company designed every aspect of the campus to meet the needs of both pets and their owners. Nexton’s walkable, pet-friendly environment made it a natural choice for South Carolina’s first GoDog location, creating a destination that extends beyond pet care into community building. 

The opening also reflects the continued growth of the Nexton community, which has attracted new restaurants, retailers and recreational amenities as one of the Charleston region’s fastest-growing mixed-use developments. The addition of the Dog Park Bar further strengthens Nexton’s reputation as a lifestyle-focused destination for residents and visitors alike. 

For dog owners across Berkeley and Dorchester counties, GoDog’s July 29 opening provides more than just another place to let pets run free—it creates a new social hub where friendships can form on both ends of the leash. Whether stopping by after work, spending a weekend afternoon outdoors or meeting fellow pet lovers, the new Dog Park Bar offers a fresh way to enjoy life with man’s best friend.

GoDog Nexton Dog Park Bar

• Address: 652 Scholar Way, Summerville, SC 29486
• Opened: July 29, 2026
• Features: Membership dog park, outdoor bar, daycare, boarding, bathing and training services.

Follow their journey on Instagram.

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Photo Credit: GoDog

By Mark A Leon

Three development sites are forcing the Holy City to confront what lies beneath its streets

Charleston likes to call itself a living museum.

But beneath some of its newest construction projects are people who were buried here long before anyone imagined cranes, parking garages, student dormitories or luxury apartments.

In the past few years, human remains and historic burial grounds have emerged as an increasingly uncomfortable part of Charleston’s development story. At one construction site, workers unexpectedly uncovered dozens of graves. At another, more than 50 graves were found beneath a stadium. And at a third, the city is debating what should happen to a proposed student residence hall on land that was once a municipal cemetery believed to contain thousands of graves.

These aren’t murder mysteries. They are something more complicated: Charleston’s forgotten dead coming back into the conversation.

1. Courier Square: 74 graves beneath King Street

In May 2025, construction at 635 King Street, part of the Courier Square development, uncovered 74 unmarked graves.

The discovery occurred on land that was once associated with St. James Methodist Church, founded in the late 18th century. Historical evidence suggested there had been a cemetery there, but the graves were not visibly marked when modern development began.

The discovery was a reminder of how easily Charleston’s historic burial grounds can disappear from the visible landscape.

The remains were ultimately slated for reinterment at Bethany Cemetery after Charleston City Council approved a plan developed with the church, cemetery officials and preservation organizations.

But the bigger question remains: How many other graves are beneath Charleston properties where no one knows they are there?

2. Johnson Hagood Stadium: More than 50 graves beneath The Citadel

Then came another startling discovery.

During construction associated with renovations at Johnson Hagood Stadium, crews uncovered more than 50 unmarked graves containing human remains. The affected area was beneath the eastern side of the stadium, where construction was underway.

Subsequent reporting identified approximately 54 possible 19th-century gravesites. Archaeologists have been painstakingly removing and documenting the remains.

The discovery is particularly significant because this was not an unknown cemetery in the broadest historical sense. Charleston has known for years that the area was associated with historic burial grounds.

And yet, more than a century later, people were still building over it.

The episode illustrates a fundamental problem with Charleston’s historic landscape: the absence of a headstone does not mean the absence of a grave.

3. 106 Coming Street: The cemetery that may contain thousands

Perhaps the most consequential case is also the one where construction has not yet produced a new discovery of human remains.

At 106 Coming Street, the College of Charleston is pursuing plans for a major student housing complex. But the property sits on land that was once an 18th-century municipal cemetery. Historic Charleston Foundation describes the site as a former municipal burial ground and has raised concerns about preservation, memory and development.

The project has become controversial precisely because archaeologists and historians believe the ground could contain the remains of thousands of people.

The College has said the final design will depend in part on archaeological findings, public input and state preservation requirements.

And the debate is no longer theoretical.

In July 2026, the College began demolishing the long-vacant building currently on the property as it moves forward with redevelopment efforts.

That means Charleston is approaching a potentially extraordinary archaeological moment: what happens when construction begins digging into a cemetery that may contain thousands of forgotten Charlestonians?

Charleston’s buried history is much larger than three sites

These three locations aren’t isolated curiosities.

In 2013, construction associated with the expansion of the Gaillard Center uncovered the remains of 36 people of African descent dating to the 18th century. The discovery ultimately led to the creation of the Anson Street African Burial Memorial, which now serves as a place of remembrance.

The story of the Anson Street burial ground is particularly important because it demonstrates what can happen when archaeology, descendants and the community are given the opportunity to transform a construction discovery into something more meaningful.

The people whose graves were uncovered weren’t simply archaeological specimens.

They were someone’s ancestors.

They were mothers and fathers, children and neighbors. They lived in Charleston, worked in Charleston and died in Charleston.

And then, over generations, their cemetery disappeared from the city’s collective memory.

The uncomfortable question

Charleston is experiencing extraordinary growth.

Historic buildings are being restored. Old industrial properties are becoming residential developments. New hotels, apartments and student housing are appearing on land that has passed through centuries of different uses.

But Charleston’s history isn’t confined to its buildings.

It is in the ground.

And the more the city digs, the more it is discovering that the past isn’t always safely contained behind museum glass.

Sometimes it’s underneath a foundation.

Sometimes it’s beneath a parking lot.

Sometimes it’s underneath a football stadium.

And sometimes it may be directly beneath the next place Charleston wants to build.

That creates an uncomfortable challenge for a city that markets its history as one of its greatest treasures:

How do you develop the future without disturbing the people who made the past possible?

The recent discoveries at Courier Square and Johnson Hagood Stadium — and the controversy surrounding 106 Coming Street — suggest that Charleston may have to answer that question much more often in the years ahead.

Because in the Holy City, the most important historical landmark may not always be the building standing above the ground.

Sometimes, it is the ground itself.

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Photo Credit: Historic Preservation Society of Charleston

By Mark A. Leon

After years of strategic investment and modernization, Century Aluminum has reached a major milestone at its Mt. Holly aluminum smelter in Goose Creek, restoring the facility to 100% operating capacity and strengthening South Carolina’s role in America’s manufacturing resurgence.

The company invested $50 million to restart previously idled pot lines at the Berkeley County facility, an expansion that will create 150 new permanent jobs while increasing the plant’s workforce to more than 750 employees.

The project also delivers a significant boost to the nation’s industrial capacity. With the additional production coming online, Century Aluminum estimates the Mt. Holly expansion will increase overall U.S. domestic aluminum production by approximately 10%, reinforcing the country’s ability to manufacture a critical material used in aerospace, automotive, defense, construction, and consumer products.

Located in Goose Creek, the Mt. Holly smelter has long been one of South Carolina’s most important manufacturing assets. Aluminum produced at the facility is essential to supply chains that support everything from lightweight vehicles and military equipment to beverage packaging and infrastructure projects.

The investment comes at a time when domestic manufacturers are placing renewed emphasis on expanding U.S.-based production and reducing reliance on imported materials. By bringing previously idle production lines back into service rather than constructing a new facility, Century Aluminum was able to accelerate the expansion while creating high-paying manufacturing careers in the Lowcountry.

For Berkeley County, the announcement represents another major economic development victory. The addition of 150 permanent positions not only strengthens the region’s manufacturing workforce but also generates broader economic benefits for local businesses, suppliers, and service providers that support the plant’s operations.

Century Aluminum’s expansion underscores the continued momentum of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector, which has attracted billions of dollars in investment across automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, and industrial production. As one of the few remaining primary aluminum smelters in the United States, the Mt. Holly facility plays an increasingly strategic role in supporting domestic manufacturing and national supply chain resilience.

With the expansion complete and the smelter operating at full capacity, Century Aluminum is positioned to help meet growing demand for American-produced aluminum while providing hundreds of stable, skilled manufacturing jobs in the Charleston region for years to come.

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The Ultimate Charleston Fall Bucket List: Oysters, Pumpkins, Porches, Live Oaks & Lowcountry Magic

By Mark A Leon

☐ 1. Take a slow morning walk down Church Street
Start at St. Michael’s and wander toward White Point Garden, taking in the historic homes and hidden gardens along the way.

☐ 2. Photograph the fall light on Rainbow Row
Go early or late in the afternoon when the pastel facades glow.

☐ 3. Wander through the French Quarter
Explore the galleries, boutiques, churches and historic streets around Meeting and Broad.

☐ 4. Tour a historic Charleston home
Fall is an especially beautiful time to experience Charleston’s architecture and interiors.

☐ 5. Take part in the 50th anniversary of the Preservation Society’s Fall Tours
Throughout October, the Fall Tours offer access to historic houses, gardens, neighborhoods and architectural sites.
Fall Tours information⁠

☐ 6. Walk the Battery at sunset
Watch the harbor turn gold as the sun drops behind the city.

☐ 7. Explore the historic alleys
Linger in Philadelphia Alley, Stoll’s Alley and the other small passages that make Charleston feel like a living museum.

☐ 8. Visit the Charleston Museum
Spend an afternoon exploring Charleston’s history, natural history and Lowcountry culture.

☐ 9. See Charleston from the water
Take a harbor cruise or get out on a kayak or paddleboard for a completely different perspective of the city.

☐ 10. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride
Tour the historic district at a slower pace while learning about Charleston’s architecture and history.

🎃 Pumpkins, Gardens & Country Roads

☐ 11. Get lost in the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch corn maze 🎃
A Charleston fall classic. The Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is one of the area’s biggest autumn traditions.
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch⁠

☐ 12. Pick out the perfect pumpkin

☐ 13. Take a hayride at Boone Hall

☐ 14. Walk beneath the Avenue of Oaks at Boone Hall

☐ 15. Visit Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
The gardens, walking trails, swamp and historic landscape take on a completely different character as temperatures cool.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens⁠

☐ 16. Experience Magnolia’s “Journey to Indigo”
This 2026 exhibition explores indigo’s history, cultivation and artistic legacy in the Lowcountry and runs through November 15. 

☐ 17. Visit Middleton Place
Explore America’s oldest landscaped gardens, the house museum and historic stableyards across 110 acres.
Middleton Place⁠

☐ 18. Walk the grounds of Drayton Hall
Take your time exploring one of America’s most significant preserved plantation houses and its surrounding landscape.
Drayton Hall⁠

☐ 19. Visit a Lowcountry farm stand

☐ 20. Take a fall drive down Highway 61
The road from Charleston toward the Ashley River plantations is one of the prettiest drives in the area.

🌿 Get Outside

☐ 21. Explore Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Walk the elevated boardwalks and trails through former rice fields and Lowcountry wetlands. 

☐ 22. Hike at Francis Marion National Forest

☐ 23. Explore James Island County Park
Charleston County Parks offer miles of trails, recreation and outdoor programs throughout the Lowcountry.
Charleston County Parks⁠

☐ 24. Watch the sunset at Folly Beach

☐ 25. Walk Sullivan’s Island before dinner

☐ 26. Bike the Ravenel Bridge pedestrian path
Choose a crisp fall morning and take in the harbor, downtown skyline and Mount Pleasant.

☐ 27. Go kayaking on Shem Creek

☐ 28. Look for dolphins from the harbor

☐ 29. Spend an afternoon at Angel Oak
Stand beneath one of the Lowcountry’s most remarkable living landmarks on Johns Island.

☐ 30. Have a picnic beneath the live oaks

🦪 Eat & Drink Your Way Through Fall

☐ 31. Eat your first oyster roast of the season
Fall and winter are oyster season in the Lowcountry. Find a local roast and settle in.

☐ 32. Order a bowl of shrimp and grits

☐ 33. Have an outdoor brunch on a cool morning

☐ 34. Visit the Charleston Farmers Market
The Marion Square market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. through November 21, 2026, with local produce, food, artisans, crafts and live entertainment.
Charleston Farmers Market⁠

☐ 35. Buy something delicious you’ve never tried at the Farmers Market

☐ 36. Take a Charleston food tour

☐ 37. Have a Lowcountry seafood dinner at sunset

☐ 38. Attend the Food & Wine Classic Charleston 🍷
The 2026 festival is scheduled for November 13–15, celebrating Charleston’s culinary scene with chefs, wine and food experiences.
Food & Wine Classic Charleston⁠

☐ 39. Head to Summerville for Oktoberfest 🍺
The 2026 celebration is scheduled for October 3 at Hutchinson Square, with German food, music and family activities. 

☐ 40. Find a patio with a fire pit and stay for sunset

🎶 Arts, Culture & Fall Events

☐ 41. Experience the MOJA Arts Festival
The 2026 MOJA Arts Festival runs September 24–October 4, celebrating African-American and Caribbean arts and culture through music, dance, theater, visual art, storytelling and more.
MOJA Arts Festival⁠

☐ 42. Attend Riverfront Revival 🎵
Darius Rucker’s Charleston-area music festival returns to Riverfront Park October 9–10, 2026.
Riverfront Revival⁠

☐ 43. Spend an evening gallery hopping downtown

☐ 44. Discover a Charleston-made work of art
Make a point of buying something created by a local artist rather than taking home another mass-produced souvenir.

☐ 45. Visit the Gibbes Museum of Art

☐ 46. See a performance at the Dock Street Theatre

☐ 47. Attend the Charleston Literary Festival 📚
The annual festival returns in November with intimate conversations featuring acclaimed authors.
Charleston Literary Festival⁠

☐ 48. Catch an outdoor movie under the stars
Freshfields Village and other Lowcountry communities host seasonal outdoor film events. 

☐ 49. Attend a Halloween event 👻
From spooky historic tours to family-friendly celebrations, check the Charleston event calendar for October happenings.
Explore Charleston Events Calendar⁠

☐ 50. Spend an entire fall day doing absolutely nothing on a Charleston porch ❤️
Coffee in the morning. A good book. A breeze through the live oaks. Maybe an oyster roast later. No schedule required.

🍂 And One More Thing…

Make your own Charleston fall tradition.

Maybe it’s buying a pumpkin every October. Maybe it’s the first oyster roast. A Saturday morning at Marion Square. A walk on Folly Beach after dinner. An annual photograph beneath the Angel Oak. Or simply wandering downtown with no destination.

Because the best part of fall in Charleston isn’t checking everything off the list.

It’s slowing down long enough to remember why you love this place.

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Healthy Churches 2030 Roadmap Tour: Upgrade Your Health Agenda

Free health event hosted in North Charleston, SC, Saturday, August 29

Richmond, VA – The Balm In Gilead, Inc. is bringing the Healthy Churches 2030 Roadmap Tour: Upgrade Your Health Agenda, to North Charleston on Saturday, August 29, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Charity Missionary Baptist Church, 1544 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405.

What is your health agenda? Individuals, families, congregations and communities at-large are invited to attend the conference and explore the answer to this question. Attendees will receive life-saving health information, hear from medical experts and more. Lunch is included.

The event will also feature a special musical performance by acclaimed gospel artist VaShawn Mitchell, a seven-time Stellar Award winner, three-time GMA Dove Award winner, and multiple GRAMMY nominee. 

“When families have access to the care, knowledge, and resources they need, entire communities prosper. We’re committed to removing the barriers that stand in the way of health equity and ensuring every family has the opportunity to thrive with dignity, hope, and opportunity,” said Dr. Pernessa C. Seele.

Register at Roadmaptourcharleston.eventbrite.com

Conference Presenters:

• Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, Founder & CEO, The Balm In Gilead, Inc.
• Felicia Veasey, MHADirector, Community Health Roper St. Francis Healthcare
• Brenda Hughes, MPH Lowcountry, Community Engagement Team Manager South Carolina Department of Public Health
• Regina L. Nesmith-Dimery, MS Community Engagement Manager Pee Dee Public Health Region S.C. Department of Public Health
• Cary Goodman Program Consultant, The Balm In Gilead, Inc.
• Stephen Kohn, EdD Financial and Health Advocate

Roadmap Tour Schedule

AUGUST 29 –North Charleston, SC
SEPTEMBER 12 – Richmond, VA

RoadmapTour.BalmInGilead.org

The Roadmap Tour is part of the Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative, a multifaceted effort driven by the principles of Healthy People 2030, a program led by the Department of Health and Human Services.   

The Healthy Churches Roadmap Tour is supported by Bristol Myers Squibb, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and the American Kidney Fund.

About The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

Founded in 1989, The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, has developed an international reputation for providing an insightful understanding of religious cultures, values, and extraordinary abilities to build strong, trusted partnerships with faith communities throughout the world. By working with national, regional, and local faith-based partners, we establish grass-roots health delivery systems and increase the number of individuals who have the knowledge to lead in areas of health promotion, disease prevention, screening, and disease management. To learn more, visit www.BalmInGilead.org.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – ESPN Events has officially announced the six teams participating in the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, set to return for its 18^th year at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. This year’s event will be held on November 20 and 22 and consist of three standalone games on each day, with each team playing one game on November 20 and one game on November 22.

The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech.

Matchups, tip-off times, and ESPN network designations for all games will be announced in the coming months.

Team Highlights

• Dayton (Atlantic 10) has posted five consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Anthony Grant. The Flyers are coming off a 25-win season in 2025 and an NIT quarterfinal appearance.

• Minnesota (Big Ten) is led by returning senior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points and led the team with 6.8 rebounds per game last year.

• Northwestern (Big Ten) made the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in 2023 and 2024, reaching the Second Round both years.

• Oklahoma State (Big 12) finished the 2025-26 season 20-15 and reached the NIT Second Round. The Cowboys are led by returning senior guard Kanye Clary, who averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists last year.

• Utah (Big 12) Head Coach Alex Jensen begins his second season back at his alma mater, looking to take another big step in returning the Runnin’ Utes to national prominence as they battle in the Big 12 Conference.

• Virginia Tech (ACC) is led by senior forward Amani Hansberry, who averaged 14.3 points per game and earned NABC First Team All-East Region honors.

Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic is in its 18th year. Past Classic champions include Utah State and Clemson (2025), Drake (2024), Houston (2023), College of Charleston (2022), St. Bonaventure (2021), and Florida (2020).

The family-friendly event provides participating teams with a week of competition, practice, and unique experiences throughout historic Charleston. The Charleston Classic website offers information on things to do in the historic city, tickets, and additional event details. Tickets will go on sale after the matchups and game times are announced later this summer.

Pre-Sale Signup

For first access to premium seats and the lowest prices, sign up today:

Event Ticket Information – ESPN Events

About Shriners Children’s
Shriners Children’s improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.

About ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In the 2025-26 academic year, the 35-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, the premier regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events accounted for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

Follow ESPN Events on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube pages.

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