Out & About

The Cooper River Bridge Run is the best organized and the best conducted 10-K race in the world. It includes world-class competition in a unique setting and puts runners & walkers of all skill levels together in one fun-filled day – all in a race that offers spectacular views of Charleston Harbor as runners run across the famed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Come out Saturday, April 2, 2016 and join all the race festivities. What are you waiting for Charleston?

What's the best thing about Saturday mornings in Charleston? Strolling the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square in the heart of downtown Charleston. Open during the spring & summer season on Saturdays 8:00 am – 2:00 pm! What's in season right now? How about asparagus, beets, cabbage, radishes, parsley and strawberries! There are food vendors, food trucks, crafts and live music – this is no time to sleep in!

The Culinary Village is truly the heart of the Charleston Wine + Food festival and is buzzing with activities and excitement all weekend long! Your day pass to the Culinary Village is a full day experience … don't miss everything this premiere festival in Charleston has to offer. Charleston Wine + Food starts THIS Wednesday, and runs March 2-6 – for more info: www.charlestonwineandfood.com

Call your friends and mark your calendar NOW for Charleston Restaurant Week, January 6-17, 2016 … someone is going to need to take a VOTE on just where to eat! Everyone's going to love the chef-designed PRIX FIXE menu at some of Charleston's most renowned restaurants. Prix Fixe literally means "fixed price." It is a French term that refers to a type of limited menu featuring a pre-selected list of dishes at a set price. Charleston Restaurant week give's you a chance to try that "must see" restaurant that's been on your bucket list! Check out the list of participating restaurants …

Make your reservations now!

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – known as SEWE to the locals, comes to Charleston's famed Marion Square in February! Celebrating Wildlife, Art & the Sporting Life, SEWE is 3 days of action packed exhibits including Dock Dog competitions, Birds of Prey exhibitions and wildlife presentations from Jack Hanna. This popular event draws sportsmen and nature lovers from all over the world. February 12-14, 2016. Get your tickets today!

Grab your dancing shoes, and come aboard!

You guessed it! It's time to purchase your tickets to the annual Yorktown Countdown, Charleston's largest, exclusive, New Years Eve celebration aboard the USS Yorktown. Ring in the New Year with family and friends from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM, listen to live bands and DJ's from all imaginable genres including dance, funk, rock, hip hop, 80's and Top 40 Billboard hits. While aboard you will enjoy fabulous views of the Charleston Harbor, we can't think of a better way to usher in 2016!

What's better then eating out at one of Charleston's finest restaurants? Eating out at FIFTY of them! It is that time of year again, SOUTHERN LIVING'S TASTE OF CHARLESTON, at Boone Hall Plantation, will be taking place this Sunday, September 27th. Be sure to purchase your ticket and come help celebrate the event's 35th Anniversary. Enjoy sample size portions from world-renowned chefs, beer and wine, and live music by Super Deluxe.

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

FOOD, FILMS & FUN!

Don't miss Charleston's Food and Film Festival, November 11th – 13th … This is NO ordinary movie night so don't expect ordinary movie snacks. The Food and Film Festival is the only festival in the world where you can watch food films and then eat those foods right there in the theater! Be sure to check out "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" and all of the other spectacular food films screened at the Cedar Room at the Cigar Factory.

HAPPY EATING!

Find out more and purchase your tickets HERE

When you hear the term PRIX FIXE you know 2 things … You’re going to need to find a Frenchman for the answer and it must be CHARLESTON RESTAURANT WEEK!! Prix Fixe literally means “fixed price.” It is a French term that refers to a type of limited menu featuring a pre-selected list of dishes at a set price. CHARLESTON RESTAURANT WEEK, SEPT 9-20, 2015, is an opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry as participating restaurants offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Check out the list of participating restaurants and make your reservations now!

We just added a chic, luxurious studio to our portfolio of luxury vacation rentals and we couldn't be MORE excited! This elegant studio located on Morris Street in Radcliffeborough provides all the luxuries of a trendy New York-style loft all within walking distance of the "Upper King Street" corridor, Charleston's trendiest district for shopping, dining and nightlight. Book now to reserve for your next weekend getaway – what are you waiting for? Contact maryt@luxurysimplifiedgroup.com at Luxury Simplified Retreats for all the details … or book directly at www.vrbo.com/746218

Now you can experience our newest luxury vacation home for 20% off (select dates). THE OASIS, located on breathtaking Folly Beach, is an elegant beach home with 4 bedrooms & 3 1/2 baths. With open living spaces, a gourmet kitchen, spacious wrap-around porches and a private, black-bottom pool, THE OASIS is the perfect way to relax and cool off after a day spent walking the beach. View THE OASIS here, then contact Luxury Simplified Retreats for dates and availability: maryt@luxurysimplifiedgroup.com

DON'T MISS this chance to celebrate America's Independence like the locals do … a holiday tradition on the Edge of America, the annual 4th of July fireworks display is set to take place on Folly Beach on Saturday, July 4th. The fireworks will be launched from 2nd Block East, next to the Folly Beach Pier. Locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy the Independence Day display, which will begin at 9:30 pm.

JOIN US Thursday, June 18th at 6:30pm at the Terrace Theater in Charleston as we present "Small is Beautiful – A Tiny House Documentary." This inspiring film showcases the journey of families that have embraced the micro housing movement and made a commitment to living a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle in houses that are between 200-500 sq. ft. Isn't it time we started the conversation about including micro housing in Charleston's urban landscape?

View the trailer and buy your tickets here.

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA brings the spotlight of the international arts community to shine brightly on Charleston, SC. This nearly 3-week long performing arts festival brings world renowned opera, theater, music and dance to a variety of performance venues around Charleston. SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA 2015 is slated to be Charleston's premier event for 2015. Spoleto's Opening Night Gala is Friday night, May 22nd …check out the schedule and purchase your tickets before the top performances sell-out!

What's the best thing about Saturday mornings in Charleston? Strolling the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square in the heart of downtown Charleston. Open during the spring & summer season on Saturdays 8:00 am – 2:00 pm! What's in season right now? How about asparagus, beets, cabbage, radishes, parsley and strawberries! There are food vendors, food trucks, crafts and live music – this is no time to sleep in!

The Cooper River Bridge Run is the best organized and the best conducted 10-K race in the world. It includes world-class competition in a unique setting and puts runners & walkers of all skill levels together in one fun-filled day – all in a race that offers spectacular views of Charleston Harbor as runners run across the famed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Come out Saturday, March 28th and join all the race festivities. What are you waiting for Charleston?

Charleston comes alive during Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week^®, one of the premier fashion weeks in North America since its founding in 2007. This year's event is March 17-21st, 2015 under the tents in the heart of downtown in Marion Square. This is simply a D A Z Z L I N G week showcasing emerging designers, breakout models and even the latest Bridal styles on the runways. Don't miss it – this is going to be spectacular!

Let the countdown begin to Charleston's preeminent spring festival - BB&T Wine+Food Festival!! With a local food culture rich in tradition, James Beard Award-winning chefs, and the best city to visit in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler's 2014 Readers' Choice Awards, the festival infuses home-grown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers and food enthusiasts. March 4-8, 2015. Make your plans now!

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is a three-day celebration of wildlife and nature through fine art, conservation education, sporting demonstrations, food, drink and the people who honor them all. The largest event of its kind in the US, SEWE makes its home in Charleston, South Carolina and plays host to hundreds of artists and exhibitors, plus experts in wildlife and nature art. There's something for everyone this weekend FEBRUARY 13-15 … don't miss it! www.sewe.com

If you're looking for something a little different for the big game on Sunday, head to Bay Street Biergarten for Southern fare Bavarian-style! Dig into pretzels and brats while the Patriots play the Seahawks. Oh yeah … and did we mention the beer? www.baystreetbiergarten.com

What does it mean when you combine the breathtaking grounds of Boone Hall Plantation and 80,000 pounds of oysters? Sounds like an Oyster Festival, of course! It's time for the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association 32ND ANNUAL LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER FESTIVAL, the world's largest oyster festival and named one of the "top 20 events in the southeast" by Southeastern Tourism Society. Grab your friends for a day of fun … and shucking! JANUARY 25, 2015 – Don't miss it!

Mark your calendar NOW for the upcoming Bacon & Bourbon 2015 "A Night of Brown Water Debauchery & Cuisine." This fundraiser, sponsored by the Junior League of Charleston, features creative bacon dishes by Charleston's leading chefs combined with tastings of some of the South's rarest bourbons. Ticket includes: Unlimited samples of bacon dishes and bourbon, Live Music, Laser Skeet Shooting, Bull Riding Championship, Cigar Cabana. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain Street. Don't miss it!

www.baconandbourbonsc.com