Local Guide | FAQs about Charleston

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 12-14,2010
Charleston,SC
http://www.sewe.com

Now in its 28th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world's foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education.

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts.

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

The Francis Marion Hotel is proud to be a location for two Southeastern Wildlife Expo events this year:

• Landscapes and Locals Art Exhibits: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Sunday in the Carolina Ballroom.
  
  
• Saturday Brunch with Birds of Prey: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Colonial Room. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets: http://www.sewe.com/storeitem.php?id=40

Charleston Food and Wine Festival 2010
March 4, 5, 6, 7, 2010
For schedules and tickets
call (843) 727-9998
www.charlestonwineandfood.com 

 This world-class culinary festival showcases the talents of local and nationally-recognized Southern chefs in a city widely acclaimed for its Lowcountry cuisine. This first annual must-attend event also features some of the country’s most renowned sommeliers. Seminars, food tastings, a dine-around and culinary village are highlights of the weekend.

Camellia Walks
Middleton Place

Blooming during the depths of winter, the fragile beauty of camellias enhance the Middleton Place Gardens with thousands of blossoms, from pristine white to all shades of red and pink. Enjoy and learn more about these spectacular flowers on a Camellia Walk, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday beginning February 7th and continuing through March 26th, 2009. These special guided tours will begin at 11:00 a.m. and last approximately an hour and a half. Advance reservations are required.

Camellias, a southern landscape favorite, show off a blaze of color throughout the winter months. Family tradition holds that in 1786, French botanist Andrè Michaux gave the Middletons the first four camellias to be planted in an American garden. Today, Middleton Place has over 3,500 camellias including many rare varieties as well as one of the original Michaux plants, the Reine des Fleurs or "Queen of Flowers." The Camellia Walks highlight many of these unique historical plants as well as the hundreds of camellias that form the allees in the formal gardens.

There is no additional fee for the Camellia Walks, but reservations are required. Regular Garden admission, adults $25, children (7-15) $5, 6 and under are free. For reservations and additional information, call Middleton Place at (843) 556-6020 or visit the website at www.middletonplace.org. The 2009 Camellia Walks are sponsored by AT&T Real Yellow Pages.

Cypress Swamp Kayak Tours
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
MIddleton Place

Come explore a black water cypress swamp by kayak. A qualified naturalist will give basic safety and paddling instructions before leading you deep within a tupelo and cypress filled forest. Explore this magical 1,100 acre cypress swamp and discover plants and animals that thrive under the 120 foot tall trees. 3 hour tour; $65 per person. Reservations are required; contact the Outdoor Center at 843-266-7492.

Ashley River Guided Kayak Tours are also available on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. A trained naturalist will lead you through the tidal creeks that feed the pristine marshlands around the Ashley River. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will interpret the flora, fauna, rice production, and the historical importance of the river. Both guided and self-guided exploration is offered by reservation only.

Charleston's Museum Mile on Meeting Street
http://www.charlestonsmuseummile.org

Charleston's Museum Mile offers visitors the most comprehensive array of historical and cultural attractions in downtown Charleston. It is situated along Meeting Street and runs from the Charleston Visitor Center to the Nathaniel Russell House. Charleston's Museum Mile initiative will help locals and visitors understand how easy it is to navigate this cultural corridor.

Along the Mile visitors can discover six museums, five nationally important historic houses, four scenic parks, a Revolutionary War powder magazine, ten historic houses of worship and five historic public buildings including the Market and City Hall.

For a complete Charleston schedule, visit www.charlestoncvb.com.