Located in Charleston County down on the Atlantic Coast, Charleston is the biggest city in all of South Carolina and is also the oldest, being founded in 1670 and named King Charles II of England. Stretching out over more than 127 square miles and being home to around 134,000 people, with close to 750,000 in the full metropolitan area, Charleston has a fascinating history and has grown over the years to become a major economic, cultural, and transport hub for the state of South Carolina. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
3 Best RV Parks in Charleston, SC
- RV Parks in Charleston, SC, Photo: OceanProd/stock.adobe.com
- Campground at James Island County Park , Photo: FotoKachna/stock.adobe.com
- Charleston AFB RV Park, Photo: Lisa F. Young/stock.adobe.com
- Lake Aire Campground , Photo: Andrey Armyagov/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: Tomasz Zajda/stock.adobe.com
More Ideas: The Gibbes Museum of Art
The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, is home to an American art collection that tells the story of the city and connects regional artistic voices from the past and contemporary art genres. In 1888, James Gibbes’ estate was left to the city to build an art museum. Mr. Gibbes was a patron to the arts throughout his life and The Gibbes Memorial Art Gallery was opened in 1905.
About the Gibbes Museum of Art
The building was designed by architect Frank P. Milburn in the Beaux Arts-Style. A studio arts school is established 7 years later and the first director named in 1932.
The GIbbes was the first museum to showcase Solomon R. Guggenheim’s collection of modern art which debuted in 1936 with 128 original works by artists such as Picasso and Kandinsky. In the 1950’s The Gibbes began to shift focus towards their art education programs and in 1969, The Gibbes School of Art opened on Queen Street. The Museum was one of the first Southeastern museums to receive AAM accreditation (1972) and underwent a $1.2 million expansion in 1978.
Over the next two decades The Gibbes becomes home to the Spoleto USA, and becomes one of the forefront museums for contemporary arts in the United States through their exhibitions, scholarship foundations, and visual performing arts. The GIbbes was just reopened to the public after an 18-month renovation project in 2016 and a Five near multimillion dollar restoration and expansion that began in 2011.
Permanent Exhibitions
The GIbbes presents several special exhibitions each year that are designed to be experimental with the platform of contemporary arts. These exhibits strive to promote creativity and new interpretations of art forms with perspectives on community and global issues. These special exhibits can be found in detail with dates on the Gibbes websites. Visitors can always look forward to these permanent exhibitions:
18th and 19th Century American Paintings and Sculpture- This collection spans three galleries (1,4 and 5) and includes works that range from American colonial times to the civil war era. There is an impressive portrait collection of political and military figures, landscape, and neoclassical sculpture. Some of the artists included in these galleries are Henry Benbridge, Angelica Kaufmann, Louis Mignot, and Samuel Morse.
20th Century American Regionalism and the Charleston Renaissance- Found in gallery 6, this exhibit focuses on the influences that French Impressionism and Japanese Woodblock had on American Contemporary Art. Social Realism is a major theme in this exhibit that features many artists and subject matter from Charleston during the years 1915-1945.
Miniature Portraits- Found in gallery five, this exhibit showcases the miniature portraits which were painted for the first time in America in Charleston. The Gibbes is home to one of the most celebrated collection of these portraits with more than 600 works that span 200 years from 100 different artists.
Modern and Contemporary- Gallery 7 encompasses many different forms and mediums of Modern and Contemporary art. Works in this gallery are from the last 4 decades and are exhibited by artists that are local to Charleston and reflect regional themes, human figures, slavery in America, and other elements that are relevant to the culture of the city.
Educational Opportunities and Tours
Visitors are always welcome to take self-guided tours of the second and third floors of the museum where the galleries are located. Tickets can be purchased from the first-floor ticket counter.
Guided Tours- Groups tours are available for adults with at least 10 people in their group. These tours are led by a museum docent, are discussion based and informative. Tours must be requested and paid for in advanced. Curator lead tours are also available for an additional cost that will give groups access to special exhibits.
Public Tours- There are one-hour tours offered with general museum admission at select times. These tours are led by museum docents and are first come first served. Visit the website for more details on schedules.
Classes and Workshops- There are workshops and classes available throughout the week for children as young as 4 through adults. These events require pre-registration. Some events may be one day only, while other may be in a series. These programs change often. Details can be found online.
Special Events
There are many special events hosted at The Gibbes annually including artists opening night receptions, concerts, lectures, forums, meetings, special tours, and fundraising events. Check the calendar of events on the museum website for more details.
The Gibbes is also available to rent for private parties and business functions. Host from 25-500 guests at The Gibbes for a memorable and historical celebration.
135 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, Phone: 843-722-2706
More Things to Do in Charleston
You are reading "3 Best RV Parks in Charleston, SC " Back to Top
More Ideas: Charleston Culinary Tours
Charleston Culinary Tours offer a combination of unique food and drinks and Charleston's history. Each tour features many different bars, restaurants, and also the Farmers' Market to create a combination of elements of a drink or culinary adventure and a historical tour. Participants will have the opportunity to sample some of the best examples of Lowcountry cuisine, as well as meet the chefs, owners, and mixologists. Most of the tours sell out, so those wishing to take a tour need to reserve their spot in advance. Boasting the country's largest historic district, Charleston's historic downtown is perfect to explore on foot. A tour with Charleston Culinary Tours is also a great way to learn about restaurants and bar to return to during a trip to Charleston, SC.
The 2.5 hour Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour features the best of the city's Old and Historic District. Both traditional favorites and new innovations are highlighted at three to four locally owned restaurants. The tour includes a wide range of samples of Lowcountry cuisine, as well as information about the area's history, making it a great tour for first-time visitors. The company's Upper Street Culinary Tour explores the historic Upper King Street neighborhood, which was recently recognized as one America's top ten food neighborhoods. The 2.5 hour tour highlights four culinary innovators who showcase the cooking of the New South, as is a good tour for those who have previously visited Charleston.
The Chef's Farm-to-Table Challenge with Charleston Culinary Tours is a 2.5 hour showcase of the city's award-winning Farmers' Market and some of the best chefs in Charleston. After meeting up with the tour guide and the participating chef for that day, participants will explore the Farmers' Market to choose ingredients the chef will later use to create a multi-course meal for the tour group. While the chef cooks, the guide will lead the group on a forty-five minute walking tour. This tour is only available when the Farmers' Market is open.
The three hour Chef's Kitchen Tour gives participants a chance to meet some of Charleston's greatest chefs and to get some insight into their methods and ideas. The tour visits five restaurants where the chefs will explain the inspiration behind their restaurants, and provide a tour of the kitchens and samples of their food. This tour is great for those wanting to meet some of the city's best chefs, hear their tales, and try food from some of Charleston's greatest restaurants.
Charleston Culinary Tours' Mixology Tour is like a mobile cocktail party. The 1.5 hour tour offers participants a chance to meet some of the city's best mixologists at three different watering holes, as well as enjoy some of Charleston's most delicious, innovative, and exciting cocktails. The mixologist at each location will explain the art and craft of creating cocktails and will give insight into how they are using traditional techniques, as well as using local ingredients.
Back to: Things to Do in Charleston
460 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, Phone: 843-259-2966
You are reading "3 Best RV Parks in Charleston, SC " Back to Top
More Ideas: Drayton Hall
Located alongside the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina, Drayton Hall is a plantation from the 18th century. Today, visitors can explore Drayton Hall, its history, and its historical significance.
In the early 1750s, widower John Drayton moved to Drayton Hall with his two sons Charles and William Henry. Many people regarded Drayton Hall as a “Palace and Gardens”. With the help of scholars, employees at Drayton Hall have been able to understand Drayton Hall’s history and significance in modern times. According to research that took over 40 years, Drayton Hall was the first building that was fully designed and completed with a strong influence of Palladian architecture within the United States. John Drayton’s mansion was influenced by other eras and regions of the world, as his landscapes resembled those of contemporary English, and the interior design of his home had a combination of Charleston and European influence. These worldly influences and significant architectural values ranks Drayton All among the most significant plantations from colonial America.
Drayton Hall comprises over 350 acres where John Drayton had slaves who grew rice, indigo, and cattle for Europe and the Caribbean sugar islands. Drayton Hall was just one out of around 100 different plantations that Drayton owned throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Between the impeccable state of Drayton Hall, its collections, and the surrounding landscape, the slave society’s legacy is preserved for current and future visitors.
The main attraction at Drayton Hall is the mansion itself. Inside, visitors will find a variety of artifacts and art collections from John Drayton. Some of the art within the mansion includes furniture, photographs, decorative arts, and architectural pieces.
The African-American Cemetery is a cemetery dedicated to at least 40 people who were enslaved and free. The earliest dates of this burial ground come from 1790, and historians have indicated this sacred ground has most likely been around longer than that. Richmond Bowens, who is a descendant from one of the enslaved people at Drayton Hall, requested this sacred ground be “left natural”. Bowens spent most of his life at Drayton Hall. He was born there in 1908, and worked there as a gatekeeper and oral historian. When Mr. Bowens passed away in 1998, he was buried on this sacred ground.
The Grounds and Nature Walks allows visitors to explore the 125 acres of land of Drayton Hall. Visitors can roam the grounds and even see a clear view of the Ashley River.
There are a few educational opportunities at Drayton Hall. These educational opportunities include a daily educational presentation, group tours, and a variety of lessons and activities available for schools.
The daily educational presentation at Drayton Hall is Connections: From Africa to America. During this 30 minute presentation, visitors will learn about the connections, experiences, and legacy of the Africans and African Americans of Drayton Hall. With this glimpse into the past, visitors will be able to understand the stories of the enslaved people, their descendants, and the Lowcountry culture that originated from a combination of African and European traditions.
Drayton Hall offers a variety of tours that allow visitors to completely immerse themselves within the history and significance of Drayton Hall. Each tour gives visitors a unique glimpse into Drayton Hall and a specific area of the mansion, surrounding landscape, and history. Some of the tours even include interactive activities or tours of the surrounding Charleston area. The current tours offered at Drayton Hall are:
· House Tour
· Connoisseur Tour
· Historic Charleston Walking Tours
· Archaeology Focus Tour
· Revolutionary War Focus Tour
· Civil War Focus Tour
· African American History
· Connections: From Africa to America
· Carolina Gold Rice Tour
· A Day on the Ashley with Middleton Place
· History from A to Tea with Charleston Tea Plantation
· Wining & Dining in 18th Century Charleston with Madeira Wine Tasting
Drayton Hall hosts a combination of private and public special events throughout the year. The public special events calendar is always changing. So, if you’re interested in attending a public event at Drayton Hall, make sure to check out Drayton Hall’s official website. In order to give you a glimpse into typical special events at Drayton Hall, here are a few of the upcoming public events:
The Future of Drayton Hall: An Insider Conversation is a panel discussion combined with a presentation that will discuss what the future holds for Drayton Hall. This event will take place on February 22, 2017 at 5:30 pm.
Drayton Hall Distinguished Speakers Series has been a series of events from historical distinguished speakers. For this event, the Associate General Counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Will Cook, will present his discussion, “From Charleston to the Grand Canyon: Using Preservation Law to Protect Historic Places and Cultural Landscapes.” This event will take place on March 21, 2017 at 5:30 pm.
Back to: Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina
3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, Phone: 843-769-2600
You are reading "3 Best RV Parks in Charleston, SC " Back to Top