What's Happening in Charleston:
April 5- Sept 3
Minor league baseball team Charleston RiverDogs, a class A South Atlantic League Yankees affiliate, play regular games all summer at Joe Riley Park on the Ashley River, just up the street from the City Marina
July 4
Fireworks over the Charleston harbor from Patriots Point
7 pm: South Carolina Aquarium 4th of July Celebration, on the Riverside Terrace, with barbecue from Smoky Oak
Taproom, music and riverfront viewing of the harbor fireworks.
July 11-14
10th Annual MegaDock Billfishing Tournament, Charleston City Marina
Aug 9-12
PGA Championship, Kiawah Island Ocean Course, www.kiawahresort.com, or call 843-768-2912.
Aug 16-18
Key West Boats Fishing for Miracles King Mackerel Tournament Fundraiser, Ripley Light Marina, 843-214-1408, http://fishingformiracles.org
Sept 27-Oct 28
Fall Tours of Charleston Homes & Gardens, tickets: http://preservationsociety.org
Sept 30
Southern Living's "Taste of Charleston" at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant
October 5, 2012
French Quarter Art Walk, serving wine and fine art, 5-8 pm, at a number of galleries downtown, 843-805-8052
December 7, 2012
French Quarter Art Walk
Jan 25-27, 2013
Charleston Boat Show, indoors at the Charleston Area Convention Center
Feb 14-17, 2013
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the largest wildlife art/nature event in the nation
What to See:
Farmer's Market every Saturday morning in Calhoun Square, at Calhoun & King streets.
Gullah Tours, 843-763-7551, www.gullahtours.com
Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Road, (843) 556-6020, A pristine former plantation located six miles up the Ashley River, with exquisite gardens and exhibits. Architecture purists should skip the house tour and visit neighboring Drayton Hall Plantation, a perfectly preserved Palladian mansion on the National Historic registry.
Where to Dock:
Charleston City Marina/Ashley Marina, 843-723-5098
Ripley Light Marina,843-766-0908
Charleston Maritime Center, 843-853-3625
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, 843-284-7062
Mariner's Cay, 843-607-4254
St. Johns Yacht Harbor, 843-557-1027
Bohicket Marina, 843-768-1280
Where to Stay:
Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth Street, wentworthmansion.com, (843) 853-1886, 5-star lodging with a superb spa, Urban Nirvana, and the most romantic restaurant in town, Circa 1886. Three blocks from City Marina.
Vendue Inn, 19 Vendue Range, (843) 577-7970, vendueinn.com. Located closer to the Cooper River, with lavish breakfasts, free bicycles for guests and a roofop bar.
Francis Marion Hotel, 387 King Street, (843) 722-0600, francismarionhotel.com, conveniently located , many amenities, and reasonable rates.
Where to Eat:
Hominy Grill, 207 Rutledge Avenue, 843-937-0930, hominygrill.com
Fig Restaurant, 232 Meeting Street, 843-805-5900, eatatfig.com
Husk, 76 Queen Street, 843-577-2500, huskrestaurant.com
Morgan Creek Grill on Isle of Palms, 843-886-8980, morgancreekgrill.com
R B's on Shem Creek, 843-881-0466
Red's Ice House on Shem Creek, 843-388-0003
