Boone Hall Plantation And Gardens-Yesterday And Today

Associated with the discriptions of many of Charleston's historical sites is the word "antebellum". The term refers to pre-Civil War America, especially the pre-Civil War culture in the southern states. Quite simply, the historical site existed before the Civil War. Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens is an antebellum plantation.

The large Colonial Revival house presently standing on the plantation is not the original, so the house is not antebellum. The original house built of wood in 1790 no longer exists, but the famous Avenue of Oaks, a 3/4 of a mile long run of live oaks on both sides from the driveway's beginning to the front house gates created in 1743, are still gracefully towering over Boone Hall's entrance like a portal to the past. NBC Daytime television says is "a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C."

Avenue of Oaks

Throughout the year there is always something going on at Boone Hall besides immersing yourself in Southern culture and the history of the plantation. Festivals and special events are scheduled that include something for everyone. I have attended these events in the past and plan to attend this years upcoming scheduled events, especially the one featuring Charleston's culinary lineup. Love the mahi-mahi morsels.

Piggly Wiggly BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for Sunday Sept. 5, 2010 and starts at 12 noon with the gates opening at 11am. Headline performers for this year's event: "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" also featuring "The Dillards". Don't know who "The Dillards" are? Watch re-run episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and when you come across the episode with a hillbilly family band called the Darlings you will have the answer or click here. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. For children 6-12 $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.

The Scottish Games & Highland Gathering is featured each September. Experience Olympic type competition of the heavy athletics sporting events or the mastery of Scottish music with over 25 bagpipe bands highlighting Scottish country dancing and fiddling, and Celtic rock dressed in kilts.

Finally, want to see the Lowcountry's largest snow-cone? The 30th Annual Taste of Charleston will be held on October 8-10, with the Main Event at Boone Hall on Sunday where you can see the snow-cone take shape. This yearly event showcases a sampling of culinary treats from more than 45 of Charleston's favorite casual and fine-dining restaurants. Named one of the "Top 20 events in the Southeast" by Southeastern Tourism Society. Food, wine, specialty and imported bears, and live bands. Time: 10:30am-5pm. Tickets: $12.00. Full event tickets and prices.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston.

Charleston's Nighttime Fun Should Include a Trip To The Footlight Theatre

We all like to be entertained with a good scare once in awhile. Remember the fun times sitting in a semi-dark room on a stormy night or around a crackling campfire taking turns at telling scary stories and seeing who could come up with the most sinister plot. That was how Mary Shelley gave birth to her first novel now known as "Frankenstein".

Sorrel-Weed House

While vacationing on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, Mary and her friends amused themselves by reading German ghost stories, prompting a suggestion they each write their own supernatural tale. Mary's scary tale was conceived in a waking dream she had one night. She wrote a short story about her horrific dream and later expanded it into the famous novel. Needless to say, her story took the honor of being the scariest tale that infamous night.

Looking for inspiration for a winning scary novel? Savannah was dubbed by The American Institute of Parapsychology as "America's Most Haunted City". The Sorrel-Weed House at 6 W Harris Street at Madison Square was featured on Ghost Hunters and is one of the top ten creepiest places in America. Be sure to take the 10:30pm tour for the greatest affect, if you dare.

Charleston's darker side can most certainly fuel the imagination and inspiration for a winning frightful tale. Travel Channel designated Charleston "America's Most Haunted Places". Take an inside look at Charleston's haunted Old City Jail, enter the Provost Dungeon, or visit Poogan's Porch where Zoe makes her presence known. Walk the streets, bars, and cemeteries while the guides of Bulldog Tours amuse you with the tales and stories of the not so holy side of the Holy City.

Footlight Players Theatre

Take your search for nighttime fun and storytelling entertainment a step further and consider what the Footlight Theatre has to offer October 28, 29 30 and November 4, 5, 6 at 9pm. "The Weir" by Conor McPherson will be presented by the Footlight Players. "The Weir" takes place in a small tavern in rural Ireland where local men swap spook stories in an attempt to impress a young woman who recently moved into a nearby "haunted" house, but the tables get turned on them when she tells a tale of her own. Old-fashioned story telling guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Ticket price ranges $10-$15. Footlight Players Theatre is located at 20 Queen Street.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston