Charleston Nights

There's nothing better than spending a day exploring historic Charleston…except maybe enjoying Charleston after dark. When the sun goes down, the city comes alive. As the antebellum homes and storefronts light up, the city takes on a mystical and romantic persona. Visitors mingle with locals as they stroll through Waterfront Park to bask in the gentle sea breezes drifting inland off the harbor. Others wander the church graveyards in search of lost souls with tales to tell; or take an evening horse-drawn carriage ride along cobblestone streets. Even with so much to see and do, the core of every memorable Charleston night is its lively and varied restaurant and nightclub scene.

It's hard to imagine a city that takes its food more seriously than this magnificent South Carolina coastal community. A truly memorable Charleston dining experience begins with tasty starters to whet the appetite and set the night in motion. Many of the restaurants in downtown Charleston feature the perfect combination of taste and texture to accompany a favorite before-dinner cocktail or glass of wine. Succulent appetizers, from tempting traditional to luscious Lowcountry to tasty tapas, prime the taste buds for what's to come.

Entrée menus at the city's numerous fine dining establishments are always evolving, always cutting-edge. In fact, one favorite pastime in the city seems to be the search for the perfect meal…served with its ideal wine companion. No doubt, Southern hospitality is at its best when a sommelier or knowledgeable waitperson helps diners find a superb wine, chosen to match the restaurant's distinctive cuisine and ambience.

And then there's dessert, that dinner finale that creates a lasting impression. These sweet and savory treats, including many Southern specialties, add a flavorful ending to a meal to remember.

But the night is still young. A trek along Charleston's "entertainment corridor"—which stretches outward from East Bay Street paralleling the eastern shore of Charleston Harbor then turns west to include both sides of historic Market Street and beyond—invites patrons inside to enjoy music, refreshments, and great conversation. Many restaurants are open late and welcome visitors to their bars and lounge areas.

The more adventurous can follow the trendsetters up King Street to partake of the hippest club scene in town, a place where the patrons can expect the most colorful, eclectic and stimulating adult beverages and appetizers Charleston has to offer.

To experience Charleston to the fullest means sampling Charleston and all its wonders after dark…when yesterday and today come together to create a lasting impression of the South's most hospitable and gracious city.

The Audubon Gallery Not just a gallery, but a Charleston destination since 1987. Located in the heart of the antique district The Audubon Gallery is the only local gallery to specialize in the finest Natural History and Sporting Art from the 17th - 20th centuries. A sportsmans paradise with a fantastic selection of paintings, etchings, limited edition fine art prints, antique wildfowl decoys and wood carvings by local artisans. Audubon's "Birds of America", Natural History Art by Besler, Redouté, Clark, Benson and many others. Contact Joel Oppenheimer Inc., The Natural History Art Gallery.

McCrady's Inventive cuisine. Fresh from the farm. Named one of the Top Ten Restaurants in North America by Opinionated About Dining. McCrady's Restaurant, located in an historic 1778 Georgian public house, offers an award-winning dining experience with the best of new Southern cuisine. Chef Sean Brock was awarded the 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast for his talented mix of modern skills and classic antebellum recipes. Sensationally presented dishes one of Charleston's most extensive wine lists. Private dining available in the spectacular Long Room, Gallery, Chef's Room or Cypress Room.

Bernie Horton Gallery A native of rural North Carolina now living at the edge of the marsh, Bernie Horton paints fine art originals reflecting the beauty of his surroundings --- most recognized for his light-filled lowcountry landscapes, marshes, beaches and people. Bernie captures the moods and emotions of all the different seasons and times of day. Each painting is approached from an impressionistic standpoint, yet to the eye, they have a realistic quality because of his concentration on perspective, proportion and attention to detail. Visit or find Bernie Horton Gallery on Facebook.