Take the Taste of the Charleston Lowcountry Home

The secret to why the Charleston area offers so many fine dining experiences is because much of the produce srve in local restaurants is grown locally. Even a number of marvelously flavorful heirloom vegetables—those old, open-pollinated varieties that have stood the test of time—harvested from local farms and gardens show up in the kitchens of Charleston's finest restaurants.

The tastes of Charleston are easily available to residents and visitors, alike, through a number of public venues. Perhaps the most popular is the Charleston Farmer's Market. The park at Marion Square in downtown Charleston is the perfect setting for the Farmer's Market. Nestled beneath beautiful trees with plenty of room for families to gather and children to play, the event comes to life each Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering an abundance of the freshest local produce, as well as plants, herbs and cut flowers. While strolling through the Farmer's Market, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch and listen to a variety of live entertainment. The Farmer's Market also offers an amazing assortment of juried arts and crafts, providing the best selection and most talented local artisans. The celebrated Charleston Farmer's Market is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs.

Just across the Cooper River, the Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market offers another perfect opportunity to buy fresh, locally grown produce while enjoying the afternoon with your loved ones. Open on Tuesday evening beginning at 4 p.m., this family-friendly event showcases the area's treasure trove of fruits, vegetables, flowers, preserves, dips, breads, pies, and numerous other delectable treats. Savor a fresh meal prepared by one of our irresistible food vendors while enjoying live music. Also available for your assistance are the Clemson Extension Master Gardeners. This event is sponsored by the Town of Mount Pleasant.

While in Mount Pleasant, you may want to stop by Boone Hall, one of America's oldest working plantations, which has continously grown crops for over 320 years. Once known for cotton and pecans, the plantation still actively produces peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as many other fruits and vegetables for visitors to buy. Boone Hall's U-Pick fields are open in season, and operate two produce stnads on both sides of Highway 17, just north of Mount Pleasant.

Another plantation where you will find tastes to take home is the Charleston Tea Plantation, America's only tea garden. The plantation is located on Wadmalaw Island — nestled far from the fast pace of downtown. Educational tours, trolley rides thru the scenic tea fields and a visit to the Plantaion gift shop for American Classic Teas is an experience unique to the lowcountry. Learn more about the tea plantations.

Also convenient to Johns, Seabrook and Kiawah Islands is Freshfields Village. Fresh produce, butcher-cut meats, convenient location for sundries, books, or for a quick cup of coffee. Freshfields Village has the down home friendliness of Mayberry and Main Street. As they say at Freshfields Village, come shop at the crossroads of uptown and down home!

Daniel Ravenel - Sotheby's Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty has the connections and insights of nine generations of Charlestonians. Daniel Ravenel SIR is an independent and locally owned company that only staffs counselors who are native to, or well-established in Charleston. We are familiar with every detail of the Charleston real estate market. We know the Battery to the Beaches and everything in between, and this makes us better able to anticipate and more importantly act on opportunities. Nearly $1 billion in real estate transactions since 1983.

Coleman Fine Art Fine art gallery, framemakers and restoration studio. Coleman Fine Art has been representing regional and national artists for over 30 years. The gallery specializes in Contemporary American paintings of both the American Impressionist and Realist schools. Currently representing John Cosby, Marc R. Hanson, George Strickland, Kevin MacPherson, Mary Whyte, Gregory Packard, W. Jason Situ and Galust Berberian. Located in historic downtown Charleston and within walking distance of all major hotels. Located on Church Street.

Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre Conveniently close to Charleston, Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is upscale shopping with a classic southern style. Find over 65 national brands and unique local shops, including: Caché, Men's Wearhouse, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap, Bath & Body Works, J.Jill, Coldwater Creek and Francesca's. Home-made crafts, mouth-watering dining and tree lined streets to stroll. Take a movie break at the luxurious Palmetto Grande 16-screen theatre. Spend an hour or spend the entire day! Check website for coupons and special events.