 |
 |
Around Charleston...
|
|
|
It's tremendously useful to stop at the Charleston Visitor Reception & Transportation Center at 375 Meeting Street, (843) 853-8000, when you first arrive in the area. You'll easily recognize the renovated train depot. You can park there and tour downtown without the headache of searching for elusive parking spaces. Also, you'll enjoy the video display and the quantity of free maps and brochures describing the spots you'll want to tour. Guided walking tours for the hearty, bus tours for the less adventurous, water tours by reservation or the famous carriage tours are our preference when we want someone to explain what it is we're seeing. The architecture and the culture of the past two centuries are preserved and displayed in a magnitude in Charleston found in few other areas. Among the churches, house museums and formal gardens are stories of earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and wars. The center is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Charles Towne Landing, on S.C. 171 between I-26 and U.S. 17, is an unusual state park. It's an interpretation of the first English settlement in South Carolina, which took root on the plantation site in 1670. It was first established as a site for celebration of the state's tricentennial, then later converted to a state park. The exhibits, 17th-century garden herbs and the animals in natural habitat, will interest the whole family. The park is open year-round. You can enjoy 7 miles of pathways via guided tram tour. For more information, you may call (843) 556-4450. The Charleston Museum at 360 Meeting Street is the oldest museum in America. It showcases the memorabilia of early Charlestonians and defines the social and natural history of the coastal region. The special Discover Me room will occupy your children for hours, as they can touch things as well as learn about toys and clothes from past children's lives. Call (843) 722-2996 for information about hours and prices. The Battery is a seaside park where you can walk or drive among the cannons, statues and monuments telling of people and events of the American Revolution and the Civil War. Once a significant defense site for the city, it now plays host to laughing children, biking athletes, strolling retirees and blushing brides. Other activities in the Charleston area worth including in planning a golf trip are the numerous festivals. Whether you love seafood, music, crafts or any combination, you will find a festival that shows it all. One of the best is the popular annual jazz festival, where young and old spend the day in the park sunning and schmoozing and soaking up the brass vibrations. The Blues and Heritage Festival usually runs for a week in March and includes a variety of music and venues. One of the great parts of the Charleston experience still remains the beach activity on the neighboring islands, such as Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Johns Island. Think about biking, walking, fishing, swimming or just relaxing with a book while watching the kids shovel sand over your feet. If you really like nature, take a ferry to Bull Island and explore the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. It's 20 miles north of Charleston and is a pristine wilderness of 64,000 acres home to dolphins, egrets, pelicans and herons including 250 species of birds. Call (843) 928-3411 for information on a day trip to these barrier islands.
|
|
|
We've found an abundance of
great restaurants throughout the Charleston and Mt. Pleasant areas, on
both sides of Shem Creek, the port for the area's fishing fleet. Our picks
are often in downtown Charleston because it's such a unique town.
We offer our recommendations based on the quality of food, of course,
as well as on the service and all-around dining experience, but also for
the downtown atmosphere itself. It's only a few miles from wherever you
will golf or stay. You can put your vehicle into a parking garage since
street parking spaces are hard to find. Then walk around and get a feel
for the place--the cobblestone streets, the beautifully restored
buildings, the market in the town's center.
Late-night dinners are fashionable, and jazzy dessert cafes or watering
holes are open into the wee hours for the crowd that mingles college
students with fun-loving golfers and Charleston professionals, not to
mention an occasional film star who happens to be on location.
Unless otherwise noted, restaurants are in Charleston proper. Refer to
our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. 82 Queen Fine wines accompany elegant lunch, dinner and sometimes Sunday brunch of classic Lowcountry foods served in a historic building created from two townhouses wrapped around a garden courtyard. It's one of the locals' favorite spots for socializing. Cuisine includes veal, beef, fowl, lamb and fresh local seafood. BJ's Broadstreet Cafe Home of the BJ Burger, this cafe is inside the Music Farm across from the Visitor's Center downtown. BJ's is the place for a quick lunch on weekdays or a late night pizza treat. Check out the burgers or sandwiches from the barn or from the coop, or try chicken wings prepared with a special recipe and a choice of dips. Beers and juices are varied. Bocci's Italian Restaurant Some of the best crusty bread you will ever sample is made at Bocci's. Try to save room for a calzone or the pasta with special sauces, then for pastries galore. You would swear you were in Northern Italy if you didn't step out into the bustling historic downtown of Charleston after a lusty lunch or dinner experience here, all accompanied with suitable wines. Chef & Clef Restaurant This is a great place for a late Sunday morning champagne brunch or daily lunch while you listen to fine jazz. Dinner of a special Lowcountry gumbo, beef, pork or seafood is good also, or stop by for a jazzy flambé dessert after a dinner elsewhere and a downtown walk. The different floors for different music styles are interesting and always popular with every age group. Hyman's Seafood Company Fresh seafood at Hyman's includes extensive shellfish selections and 15 or more fish choices daily. The non-seafood lover will also find chicken, pasta, beef and deli sandwiches. It's a casual setting in an old warehouse, and Hyman's Half Shell is next door shucking our favorite stuff as fast as anyone can guzzle it with hot spicy sauce. It's a fun atmosphere, where crowds are often spilling out onto the sidewalk for lunch or dinner. L'Attitude South "A maverick waterfront kitchen," they call it, this almost-hidden restaurant overlooking Shem Creek. It offers happy hour and dinner daily and a Sunday brunch. Sunset and creek views are spectacular, and the food preparation and service match just fine. A starter to try is the inside-out yellow tomato sandwich with ciabatta bread and basil oil. You've never had this tomato sandwich at home. A typical Southern entree here is shrimp and andouille sausage over creamy grits with veal-stock gravy. Or try the five-spice duck breast with whipped sweet potatoes accompanied by chow-chow with tiny green bean and red onion salad. Cappuccino, espresso or cordials go great with Key lime pie to finish. We always look forward to a meal here. Louis's Charleston Grill Nationally recognized as one of the country's best restaurants, Louis's provides a culinary experience beyond that of any ordinary dining room. You should choose this for one of your most special meals. Louis Osteen uses regional foods splashed with ingenious touches of Lowcountry tradition and prepared with his traditional French training. Choose a basic beef, seafood, chicken or veal dish, but don't expect it to be basic. Take some extra time, and maybe a few extra bucks, and you'll savor the evening you spend with Louis. One-Eyed Parrot Reservations and stress are both unacceptable here. Go for the Caribbean-style seafood, tender steaks, island-style rum punch or piña coladas. Stay for the fun. Lunch starts at the beach level at The Banana Cabana where you can go barefoot and sit in the sun on a beautiful beach. You may enjoy the cheeseburger of paradise or the seafood burrito. For dinner upstairs, begin with tapas (Spanish for "appetizer") such as fried artichoke hearts or conch fritters. Then try the parrot paella, a medley of shrimp, chicken, sausage with yellow rice, peas, pimentos and tomato rouille. Much food and fun is ready for you here after golf on the two beautiful neighboring Wild Dunes courses. You'll understand why it's called paradise. Oyster Factory This is a choice seafood restaurant where you are guaranteed to enjoy oysters raw or cooked any way you like plus complimentary fish chowder and crab dip with a dinner entree. Salads, sandwiches, steaks or prime rib also are good here. Lunch and dinner are served daily. It's often crowded, and you will notice that everyone's having fun along with the great food. Saffron We highly recommend the fresh homemade bread, such as Charleston sourdough, and some healthy and tasty dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner any day. A great salad is the East-West kiwi salad that includes slivered chicken with hearts of palm, kiwi, mandarin orange and fresh pineapple on greens. Mediterranean specialties of roasted lamb or saffron chicken also are good and spicy. European pastries, croissants, Danishes, muffins and other daily delights must go home with you on any trip here. For wholesale or retail goodies, check out the Saffron Bread Factory at 1001 Harborview Road on James Island, (843) 762-7636. Shem Creek Bar & Grill Dine indoors or outside in the gazebo overlooking the tidal waterway, or just order from Sloppy John's, Shem Creek's oyster bar, for fresh shucked oysters and clams on the half shell. For lunch, dinner or weekend brunch, the daily specialties are fresh seasonal offerings such as she-crab soup, seafood gumbo or cioppino (shrimp, oysters, scallops, fish, clams and mussels stewed with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic and wine over fettuccine). Shem grilled seafood is a specialty with Charleston red rice and fresh vegetables. If you've had your fill of seafood, try the grill thrill of filet mignon, ribeye steak or teriyaki chicken. The food and fun are great, and the view matches. Southend Brewing Company The atmosphere is casual and friendly, set in a huge old warehouse where you can see several floors from your table or from the glass elevator. Food is good here, and golfers will feel at home for lunch, happy hour and dinner. Choose a fish special of the day or any variety of seafood, steak or chicken. You can hang around the huge bar area and find a lot of people having fun. Check on weekend evenings for live music. The original Southend is in Charlotte. Sticky Fingers For ribs and barbecue to eat here, ordered to go, catered or delivered overnight from a mail-order catalog, Sticky Fingers can do it all. Included on the extensive menu are lunch salads and sandwiches or burgers with low-calorie or no-fat choices. We recommend a dinner special of barbecue pork or half a rotisserie chicken. Side dishes of dirty rice or cinnamon apples round out any meal nicely. The kids menu is sure to please. Be sure to take home a catalog and think about the luxury of receiving these sticky delicacies via FedEx in any city. TBonz Gill & Grill All three locations serve lunch and dinner until late night in a friendly casual atmosphere. Steaks are a specialty, of course, but you may also choose fresh local seafood, Lowcountry dishes or grilled salads. The children's menu is a treat, and desserts from Kaminsky's, also located at the Mt. Pleasant and downtown restaurants, are the finest homemade creations you could ever imagine to go with specialty coffee drinks. Full service bars also are in each location. The Trawler Open daily for lunch, dinner or raw bar, this famous restaurant with a view of the creek specializes in the steam pot crammed with every imaginable seafood or the famous fish stew and crab dip. A shellfish mixed grill or broiled sea scallops are among our favorites, too, or choose delicious beef or chicken anytime in the middle of the huge seafood menu. Vickery's Many of the appetizers are large enough for an average eater's entree. Try something made with black beans and dirty rice, and go ahead and pour pepper gravy over your fries so you'll know you've been to the South for a meal. Lots of cayenne and Cuban flavored dishes are tempting. Save room for chocolate diplomattico or bourbon pecan pie for dessert. Micro, domestic, import and draft beers number more than you can name. If beer's not your thing, the wine list is varied, and the award-winning double martinis are famous. The original Vickery's plus two others are in Atlanta, so if it's good enough for both of these Southern cities, it's worth a try for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch of good things like Cuban Benedict or a big ugly biscuit and sausage gravy. You'll see a college crowd mixed with professionals and golfers of all ages.
|
|
|
Where to StayYour best trip to Charleston
will include someone special and a stay in one of the historic bed and
breakfast homes downtown. Man or woman cannot live on golf alone, and a
little history tinged with romance adds to any experience. When it's too
dark to golf any longer, it's time to enjoy a winter fireplace in your
bedroom or a summer sunset from the veranda (you know we spell and
pronounce it "verandah" in the Lowcountry) while you turn the
clock back several hundred years. We also recommend a few nice hotels and
some basic places for a quick golf trip with no frills.
Please call for information or to book reservations before arriving.
You will find many venues filled during the height of summer tourist
season and during some festival or convention weekends. Unless otherwise
noted, accommodations are in Charleston proper. Refer to our Preface for
an explanation of the pricing code. The Ashley Inn Bed & Breakfast This historic inn, c. 1832, is close to the Charleston Visitor Center from which you can easily bike, walk or take a horse-drawn carriage to tour the downtown or drive quickly to any number of golf courses or beaches. The lovely pink house is an architectural treasure. Sausage soufflé, creamy Southern grits casserole with zucchini and cheddar biscuits, and hazelnut peach syrup over crunchy (different!) French toast are breakfasts here you will long remember. Also, the piazza (side porch) setting overlooking the Charleston garden will be a treat during breakfast, afternoon tea or evening sherry. The six guest rooms and suites are furnished with antique four-poster, pencil post or canopied rice beds. All have private bath, air conditioning and cable television. Charleston Place In the heart of the historic district, this hotel with 440 rooms stands out for its elegance and newness in a city filled with otherwise restored antiquity. Splurge on the club floors where you receive personalized service fit for royalty. Louis's Charleston Grill, one of the most noted restaurants in America, is in this hotel, along with a complete health club, indoor-outdoor pool and world-class boutiques including Polo, Gucci and many other names you will recognize. The location is easily accessible from any golf course, and you will find the downtown attractions a nice diversion. Hampton Inn-Riverview Hotel This is a modern high-rise atypical of Charleston architecture but providing the Hampton Inn's standard quality in 177 rooms and continental breakfast along with a view of the Ashley River. Also, it's convenient to the popular California Dreaming Restaurant and not far from downtown for browsing or touring. more importantly, it's near the main routes to all of the golf courses to boot. Historic Charleston Bedand
Breakfast This organization represents more than 60 properties, all of which are private homes with owners who share their area's stories along with extraordinary beds and homemade Southern breakfasts. They include spacious and elegant suites in historic homes aged at least a century or two. The bed and breakfast inns are furnished with antiques and often have piazzas overlooking their own private garden or courtyard or maybe a lake, the Ashley River or the Charleston Harbor. Ask for the size, location and price that suits you. Holiday Inn Going above and beyond the clean and comfortable atmosphere at most Holiday Inns, this is an elegant property with 158 rooms, many overlooking the harbor, just minutes away from Charleston or the golf courses in Mt. Pleasant. A pool, fitness center and sauna are available, and you will appreciate the concierge level's service if you want to be treated accordingly. Kiawah Island Resort The resort includes four golf courses, two tennis complexes, three pool complexes, the 150-room Kiawah Island Inn, four restaurants and lounges, shopping arcades and two meeting centers. Also, 350 villas and 22 private homes are for rent. The island is 21 miles from Charleston (though it's close to an hour's drive) and showcases 10 miles of wide beach. You may rent bicycles and catamarans to breeze around the 10,000-acre island. Kamp Kiawah is a supervised program for children ages 3 to 11, and a teen program includes late-night movies, photo scavenger hunts, basketball and volleyball tournaments, dance contests, billiard tournaments and pizza parties. Families find sand sculpture contests, movies, Jeopardy games, bingo, ice cream socials and aqua aerobics planned. Staff biologists guide interpretative nature excursions. They include off-island tours by boat or tractors, marsh creek canoe excursions, birding walks, night beach walks and bike tours. This resort choice is superb if you want to play courses by Player, Nicklaus, Dye and Fazio and include a family vacation. Laurel Hill Plantation This country bed and breakfast inn is halfway between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, in a location ideal for reaching golf courses a few miles in either direction. Overlooking the marsh, islands, waterways and the Atlantic Ocean, the plantation house is a restored version of the 1850 historic home that was destroyed in the 1989 hurricane. Four charming guest rooms with private baths are furnished with simple traditional antiques. The hearty country breakfast will be a great start to a day of golf, and the serene fishing pond will be a place to return for recuperation from any stress the course may have inflicted upon you. You could also hide away here for a long vacation and never think of busy city life. Seabrook Island Resort Ultimate golf, tennis, equestrian and senior citizen packages, along with villa rates, are among the choices you will have here among Seabrook's 160 units. If you're looking for a full family vacation with a multitude of activities along a sun-drenched Southern island, choose this resort 23 miles from Charleston, and you'll never want to leave. Twenty-Seven State Street This private residence was built in the early 1800s in the French quarter of the original walled city. The two carriage house suites are furnished with antiques and reproductions and include kitchenette and private bath along with a spacious combination bedroom and living room. A veranda brings sea breezes from the harbor two blocks away. Fresh fruit and flowers, a large country breakfast in your suite, newspaper, cable television, phone and bicycles are included amenities. Paul and Joye Craven welcome you to their charming modern accommodation with old-world flavor. Wild Dunes Resort Boating, tennis, swimming, biking, dining and entertainment add to the golf amenities of this resort. The island is 15 miles from Charleston and totally removed from the traffic and history. If you really want to play golf, and someone else in your party really doesn't, this resort is a perfect compromise, with more than 300 vacation villa rentals near all the recreational choices for a leisurely stay.
|
|
|
Discount shopping for your golf equipment and accessories is popular in Charleston. Good choices that also have unusually wide selections for women are Charleston Golf Center, 1663 Savannah Highway, Charleston, (843) 763-0800; Pro Golf Discount, 966 Houston Northcut, Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-2255; and Edwin Watts, 2037 Sam R. Henberg Boulevard, Charleston, (843) 763-1995.
|
|
|
The best golf instruction will be found among the professionals at the top resorts. Call in advance to ask for an appointment. Other instruction is limited to L.B.'s, 6656 Dorchester Road, Charleston, (843) 552-1717; and The Practice Tee, 3251 U.S. Highway 17 N., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 884-1144.
|
|
|
Continue to Beaufort Courses |