“What’s New” In Charleston, South Carolina

If you’re interested in visiting South Carolina and want to find out more about new venues, activities, events and much more, then look no further . . .

NEW HONORS AND AWARDS

TripAdvisor 2006 Travelers' Choice Awards
French Quarter Inn and Holiday Inn – Historic District were both honored as winners of TripAdvisor's 2006 Travelers' Choice Awards. French Quarter Inn came in 2nd Place in the “Top 10 Luxury – U.S.” category and 20th place in the “Top 100 Luxury – World” category. While the Holiday Inn – Historic District took home 6th Place in the “Top 10 Hidden Gems – U.S.” category. These awards are selected by millions of travelers on tripadvisor.com and across the internet.

21 East Battery Bed & Breakfast Named Among Best Undiscovered Inn’s for Romance
The 21 East Battery Bed & Breakfast was named among the best undiscovered inns for romance, according to the official list for 2007 distributed by BedandBreakfast.com. The 21 East Battery Bed & Breakfast was among only five inns mentioned in the South and the only inn in South Carolina to make the esteemed Best Undiscovered Inns for Romance list. Visit bedandbreakfast.com/about/press.aspx.

Woodlands Resort & Inn Achieves Top Honors From AAA
For the eleventh consecutive year, AAA has bestowed upon The Dining Room at Woodlands the prestigious Five Diamond Award, the only South Carolina restaurant to receive that designation form the nation’s largest travel organization. In addition, Woodlands once again received a Five Diamond rating for its luxurious accommodations. Call 1-800-774-9999 or visit woodlandsinn.com.

Mobil Travel Guide Honors Woodlands Resort & Inn
For the fourth consecutive year, the Mobil Travel Guide bestowed upon Woodlands Resort & Inn and The Dining Room at Woodlands one of the travel industry's most coveted ratings - the Mobil Five-Star Award. This award maintains Woodlands’ elite status of being one of only three properties in North America currently to hold a Mobil Five-Star rating for lodging and dining. Woodlands also holds the only Mobil Five-Star ratings in South Carolina. Call 1-800-774-9999 or visit woodlandsinn.com.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

It’s Getting Hot in Here
Opening in April, the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center will house the oldest fire trucks in America. Enthusiasts and casual observers alike can learn about fire safety, the history of fire fighting and marvel at the evolution of these amazing vehicles. The innovative museum and the Heritage Corridor Museum will share a roof with the freshly minted North Charleston Visitors Center. The museum features an indoor playground. Visit northcharleston.org.

The Art Institute of Charleston
With its first day of class slated for April 2, 2007, The Art Institute of Charleston will occupy approximately 48,000 square feet in downtown Charleston. Initially, The Art Institute of Charleston will offer bachelor’s degree programs in Culinary Arts Management, Graphic Design, Interactive Media Design, Interior Design, and Photographic Imaging; and associate’s degree programs in Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts with a concentration in Baking & Pastry, Graphic Design and Interactive Media Design. Visit artinstitutes.edu/charleston.

Pat and Vanna Highlight Charleston
Pat and Vanna graced the Holy City to tape three weeks of shows in front of a live audience at the North Charleston Coliseum in January. The shows feature numerous area sites and will air Feb. 2-23, 2007. This hugely popular show has 46 million viewers per week, is seen 209 national markets, and airs in 36 foreign territories worldwide! For more information wheeloffortune.com.

NEW ON THE RETAIL SCENE

Palmetto Hammock & Resort Shoppe
Palmetto Hammock & Resort Shoppe is housed in Market Street’s only freestanding building and has 1,000 square feet of retail display space. They offer resort apparel, art and jewelry, a variety of gift items and – of course – hammocks. Their customers are especially captivated by the distinctive hanging chairs from Outback Chair Company. Since you sit up in a hanging chair, many people find them to be more comfortable for lounging, reading, and chatting. Visit outbackchair.com.

NEW EVENTS

Ashley Hall Tour of Homes
Some of Charleston's most beautiful private homes and gardens will be part of the Ashley Hall Tour of Homes and Gardens on April 21st from 2-5pm. “The Ashley Hall Tour of Homes and Gardens grants unprecedented access to some of the most gorgeous homes in the downtown Charleston area. Visitors will enjoy private access while supporting the Alumnae Scholarship Fund,” says Barbara Bush, proud Ashley Hall Alumni. All proceeds will benefit the Ashley Hall Alumnae Scholarship Fund.

First Annual Charleston Fashion Week
Charleston magazine presents the first annual Charleston Fashion Week, a five-night celebration of fashion and Charleston’s burgeoning retail and design community. Beginning March 20 through March 24, 2007, downtown Charleston’s historic Marion Square will echo New York’s Bryant Park during NYC Fashion Week with enclosed tents filled with the latest designer wares. Visit charlestonfashionweek.com.

Customer Appreciation Day at Charleston County Parks
Come enjoy all the play with none of the pay. On Sunday, March 18 take advantage of free gate admission to Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center, North Charleston Wannamaker, Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands and James Island County Parks. Plus, take advantage of free parking at Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms County Parks, as well as the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, where fishing is also free for the day. Visit ccprc.com.

Spring Tour of Historic Pineland Village
Pinopolis, S.C. is a historic pineland village located in the Low Country of Berkeley County. On April 21st, 2007, the village will open its doors to welcome visitors, historians, and anyone else interested in walking along the sandy paths amid the pines. Seventeen historic homes and churches will be open to the public, as well as Wampee Plantation. Proceeds from the tour will go toward restoration of the Old Pinopolis Village Post Office and other projects already being carried out by the Berkeley County Historical Society. Visit pinopolissouthcarolina.com.

The Brass Pirate Treasure Hunt
The Brass Pirate store in the Rainbow Market will host a Charleston history treasure hunt for the public on Saturday, April 7th in downtown Charleston. Prizes will be given away to the top 5 finishers, who will be trying to complete the hunt in the shortest time possible with the most correct answers. It’s geared for all ages and takes you off the path to discover facts and stories about historic Charleston. Visit thebrasspirate.com.

Now Playing at Charleston IMAX Theatre
Hurricane on the Bayou takes viewers on a breathtaking tour of one of the most vibrant places in America, the Louisiana bayou and the city of New Orleans. Tragically, the local wetlands are eroding into the sea leaving the entire region more vulnerable to major hurricanes. Hurricane on the Bayou offers an emotional portrayal of this environmental calamity and the effects of one of the most devastating natural disasters, Hurricane Katrina. Visit charlestonimax.com.

NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Market Pavilion Hotel
Market Pavilion Hotel has unveiled a host of new innovations designed to make high-level business programs more productive, fun and stress-free with new "Serenity Series" and "Experiential Breaks," designed to inject levity and stimulate creativity. Boardroom Butlers have also been added, allowing meeting hosts to convey needs without having to utter a word. Visit marketpavilion.com.

Coastal Cigars
Coastal Cigars is now offering their own house blend, comprised of the finest Dominican and Honduran tobaccos, that’s rolled and aged in Charleston. The new cigar name is Carlos Villa, the Spanish translation for “Charleston”. The Crianza will be aged for six months, the Reserva for twelve months, and the Grand Reserva for two years, compared to the industry-standard forty-five days. The Carlos Villa is sold by visiting coastalcigars.com.

NEW EXHIBITS

Turtle Sightings on the Rise
Turtles of all colors and creative whim will soon take up residence around Charleston for the new South Carolina Aquarium exhibit, Turtles on the Town. Beginning in 2007, fiberglass loggerhead sea turtles will be transformed by South Carolina artists and displayed at locations throughout the community during the summer. Modeled after successful community art projects such as Cows on Parade in Chicago, Turtles on the Town will raise funds and awareness for the conservation programs of the South Carolina Aquarium. Visit turtlesonthetown.com.

Gibbes Museum of Art Announces New Acquisition
Eastman Johnson’s Dinah, Portrait of a Negress joins the Gibbes’ collection as a visual representation of the strength of enslaved African-Americans. The subject of the painting is thought to be modeled after abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who helped over 300 slaves escape the oppression of the South via the Underground Railroad. The painting is currently on view at the Gibbes as part of the exhibition Art in the South: the Charleston Perspective. Visit gibbesmuseum.org.

Color Explosion at the Charleston Museum
All the colors of the spectrum will be visible in an original Charleston Museum textile exhibition running May 18, 2007 to April 18, 2008. Clothes to Dye For: Colorful Textiles from the Charleston Museum Collection will explore the many shades of fashion in this prismatic display of four centuries of clothing, accessories and textiles. Visit charlestonmuseum.org.

Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Opens New Exhibit
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry opened a new exhibit, Make it Move, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Young Clement Rivers law firm. Make It Move, on loan from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, is a 500 square foot interactive science exhibit that explores the world of simple machines. Visit explorecml.org.

NEW TOURS

“Charleston Photo Tours” A New Walking Tour
Charleston Photo Tours, a walking tour that provides historical facts, shows you where to take excellent photographs and the best way to capture the mood and beauty of Charleston’s surroundings. A professional photographer gives the best angles and settings on your camera to assure you have a photograph to brag about. Visit charlestonphototours.com.

Original Charleston Walks Launches Gibbes Museum of Art Discovery Tour
Original Charleston Walks and the Gibbes Museum of Art have partnered to present the Gibbes Museum of Art Discovery Tour, a 90-minute tour that brings the creative characters of Charleston to life. Professional guides provided by The Original Charleston Walks make the tour a lively blend of art, story-telling and history. Tour participants begin by viewing the artistic treasures of the Gibbes Museum of Art and follow the museum experience by walking the same streets and sites that inspired such creative Charlestonians.

Charles Towne Landing Goes Digital
The newest way to tour Charles Towne Landing is by MP3 player. The park has installed an audio tour system on its history trail to help visitors better understand the site where the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina was established in 1670. The play time for the recordings totals about 40 minutes and the tour generally takes about 90 minutes. Visit southcarolinaparks.com.

NEW PACKAGES

Circa 1886 and Wentworth Mansion Offer Delectable Treats for Valentine's Day
Thoughts of love, savory bites and sweet temptations are wafting through the air at the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Wentworth Mansion and its onsite restaurant Circa 1886. On Valentine's Day, Circa 1886 will offer a sumptuous five-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Marc Collins, and Wentworth Mansion will offer an indulgent one-night escape for those seeking to linger in the romantic setting of the historic inn. Visit wentworthmansion.com.

Girls Getaway
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Resort is offering a special package for women who want to relax and spend quality time together. The “Girls Getaway” package is designed to create a relaxing retreat for women of all ages and walks of life - from those with stressful jobs to homemakers with a family of small children - and to encourage conversation and camaraderie. The package includes: luxurious ocean view hotel accommodations, daily breakfast at the Jasmine Porch restaurant, dinner at the elegant Ocean Room restaurant, a one-hour spa treatment and roundtrip transportation into nearby Charleston for a shopping visit. Visit thesanctuary.com.

For further information on all of the above, contact Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB), CharlestonCVB.com.