Autumn Years Spring 2024

a trip. There are rooftop bars, hidden outdoor courtyard bars and breweries aplenty as well. Be sure to sample low country staples of shrimp and cheesy grits and collards during your trip. PLANTATIONS From mid-March to mid-April, azaleas are in peak bloom. Middleton Place, a plantation along the Ashley River about a 15-mile car ride from downtown, is a fabulous place to see them. The 65-acre property includes formal landscaped gardens, stable yards and a glimpse into plantation life in the 18th and 19th cen turies. A tour is also available for those interested in learning about the genera tions of enslaved who lived and worked on the plantation. Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantations are two other options to consider.

Lecture room and display of historical artifacts at Old Exchange Building in Charleston. © GWYN GOODROW | DREAMSTIME.COM

RESTAURANTS & BARS Charleston is a foodie’s delight, with dining options ranging from fine din ing to food trucks. Upper King Street is a thriving area for restaurants, and the Explore Charleston website is the place to begin researching options before

behind the outfield. You might also catch a glimpse of actor Bill Murray, one of the team’s owners and its official Ambassador of Fun. SHOPPING Charleston’s King Street retail corridor affords shoppers the opportunity to ex

plore local, luxury and boutique establishments in a small-town, Main Street USA atmosphere. For an open-air shopping experience, walk through the Charleston City Mar ket, one of the country’s oldest public markets and home to more than 300 vendors. The market is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and is a great place to find tastes of Charles ton and hand-crafted souvenirs to bring home as memories of your trip.

© JERRY COLI | DREAMSTIME.COM

Historic Magnolia Plantation located in Charleston.

58 AUTUMN YEARS I SPRING 2024