American Gardens Turns Downtown Charleston Into an Open-Air Cinema This Fall

A classical multi-tiered fountain lit in blue at night in a Charleston plaza or park, surrounded by bare trees wrapped in warm white string lights, with outdoor seating and a few people walking nearby.

Charleston doesn’t need another reason to charm you. It’s found one anyway. American Gardens, a one-acre green oasis nestled between King and Meeting streets, is hosting its inaugural “Movie Nite in the Park” series. Every Thursday evening through October 29, the park’s Grand Lawn transforms into a free outdoor theater. Bring a blanket, some popcorn, … Read more

The Cast Off Fishing Tournament at Mount Pleasant Pier

Wide view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (cable-stayed span) and the parallel Mount Pleasant Pier stretching into Charleston Harbor, with green shoreline, buildings, and a water tower in the distance under overcast skies.

On the coast of South Carolina, September follows its own rules. The summertime crowds have subsided. Earlier, the light turns golden. The fish have begun to move in ways that make serious anglers extremely happy, and the water temperature is still in the low 80s, which is warm enough for a full day on the … Read more

5 Hidden Sandbars and Quiet Corners on Charleston Beaches Tourists Miss

Aerial dusk view of the Folly Beach pier stretching into the Atlantic, with the town's shoreline and hotels beyond

Charleston’s primary beach access points witness the same scene each summer. On Center Street, cars circle to park. The sand is crowded with strangers, coolers, and umbrellas. Honestly, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms are deserving of their fame, but elbow room is the price of that popularity. The good news is as follows. The … Read more

Foam Frenzy Classic: The Surf Contest That Gives Back at Folly Beach

Surfer paddling through breaking whitewater in a wetsuit

Some surf contests exist purely for bragging rights. This one exists for something bigger, and that’s exactly why it deserves your attention. Every September, the Washout at Folly Beach fills with surfboards, spectators, and a genuine sense of purpose. The Foam Frenzy Classic isn’t just another contest on the calendar. It’s a fundraiser built entirely … Read more

The Charleston Coastal Anglers Tournament: 41 Years Old and Still Catching

Forty dollars. Twelve species. A mystery fish worth five hundred bucks that nobody knows until weigh-in. The Charleston Coastal Anglers 41st Annual Fishing Tournament is the Lowcountry’s most community-rooted fishing event, and still one of its most fun. Most fishing tournaments on the Carolina coast come with big boats, bigger budgets, and offshore coordinates that … Read more

Charleston’s Cruise Era Has Officially Ended

A large white cruise ship sailing on calm water during a golden sunset. The vessel is viewed from another boat (railing visible in foreground), with soft orange and blue twilight colors in the sky and a distant shoreline on the horizon.

Charleston just closed a chapter. For over a decade, Carnival Sunshine turned Union Pier into a floating small city every few days. Passengers rolled suitcases past cobblestones and disappeared onto gangways. That scene doesn’t happen anymore, and as of this summer, it’s not happening at all, even for quick stops. Let’s break down what actually … Read more

We Scoured the Carolina Coast, and These are the 10 Best Wedding Venues

A joyful group of wedding guests and the bride and groom standing on the beach at sunset. Everyone is facing the ocean with their arms raised in celebration. The bride and groom are kissing in the center while the guests cheer around them under a golden sky.

These iconic beaches and stretches of shoreline make them the 10 Best Wedding Venues on the coast. Think you have to haul off to the islands of the Caribbean or even further to the shores of Fiji to find the best place to get hitched? Hot take: The best beaches on the Carolina Coast rival that of even … Read more

The 24th Wahine Classic Turns Folly Beach into Surf Central

Folly Beach doesn’t do subtle in late July. For one weekend, The Washout transforms into the beating heart of women’s surfing on the East Coast, and locals plan their whole summer around it. The Folly Beach Wahine Classic returns for its 24th year on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 2026. Nearly 250 competitors … Read more

This 134-Year-Old Business Was Just Named Best Seafood Restaurant on the Carolina Coast. Again.

Side-by-side seafood dishes on a wooden table: Left, a white bowl filled with shrimp topped with melted orange cheese sauce, crispy bacon bits, and fresh herbs. Right, a whole fried fish platter with lemon wedges, fried shrimp, hush puppies, and a side of creamy macaroni and cheese.

Started by a Jewish immigrant selling underwear on Meeting Street, Hyman’s Seafood has become one of the most iconic restaurants on the planet. The wait is long. The hush puppies are legendary. Go anyway. Before it served a single shrimp, Hyman’s Seafood sold underwear. W.M. Karesh, a Jewish immigrant from eastern Europe, opened Southern Wholesale … Read more

The Holy City of Charleston Has Some Very Unholy Handicaps

Charleston, South Carolina is one of America’s great golf cities, with courses ranging from a $20 muni walk-on to the toughest layout Pete Dye ever built. Here’s where to tee it up, when to go, and what the tourists miss. Is Charleston a Good Golf Town? To ask the question is to answer it, but … Read more