Hidden Gems

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everybody, and welcome, Welcome back to the show. After
a couple of week a atis, we just had to
have a little little downtime, so we did a staycation,
which brings me to this podcast right now. Our staycation
is where we live, which happens to be Charleston, South Carolina.
So we're talking all things Charleston. We've been talking this

(00:23):
for like two months now and we're just going to
continue right along. And as I'm sitting in my studio
right now, overlooking not overlooking, but way way way in
the distance. If I look out the window and the
waiting area, I can see the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, which
is breathtaking in itself. And it's not part of old Charleston,

(00:46):
that's for sure, but it is an absolute masterpiece. And
that's when you know you're in Charleston. Man. When you
see that bridge in the distance, you're like, here we go,
Here we go. So I'm very proud to be from Charleston.
Trying to to teach a few you know, how to
get here, what to do once you get here, to

(01:06):
make it fun and memorable, how to do a mix
of touristy things as well as some things that just
the locals do for the most part, and there's plenty
of both to do, and I think it really it
really adds to your to your visit here. So if
you're coming to Charleston, now we've talked about restaurants, and

(01:29):
we could do nothing but talk about restaurants in Charleston.
As matter of fact. That's a good idea, and I
think maybe I'm going to add that to my list
and just go have everything we do, we're gonna do
a restaurant review. And each week I'm going to have
a review of a restaurant and we're just going to
go down the list and because they're almost all incredible,

(01:52):
and of course we would start with Hall's chop House,
my favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite favorite, but I have other
favorites too, but don't don't tell the people that hauls that.
So it's what I want to do today, is I
want to talk a little bit about, uh, discovering the
hidden gems, the things just a little off the beaten path,

(02:15):
you know, because Charleston's pretty big place. It's not huge,
but there's a lot going on in places that you
just don't really know about or ever hear about. But
they're really cool places, and there could be some great
experiences for you while you're coming into town. So beyond
the well trodden paths of Rainbow Row and the Charleston

(02:39):
City Market and Fort Sumter and you know, all the
all the churches and steeples that make it the holy city,
beyond all that there lies so many hidden gems just
waiting to be discovered by you, the intrepid traveler. All right,

(03:02):
you just got to do a little research, and we're
going to help you do that. So venturing beyond the
typical tourist trail unveils a different side of Charleston, a
city rich not only in its meticulously preserved grand architecture,
but also it's quieter, more intimate corners that whisper tales
of its vibrant past. This is where the true essence

(03:23):
of Charleston's character resides. It's the subtle details and unexpected
discoveries that lie just off the beaten track. And you
know what I'm talking about. So you know, you've all
been to the places, the tourist places, and one day
you're just out there and turn, you take a wrong turn,

(03:45):
or you purposely take a wrong turn, and then you
look up and there's this cool little place and you
just happen to walk into it. You strike up a
conversation with either someone who's patronizing this particular establishment, or
the owner of the establishment, or it's just some people
that work there, but it changes your whole trip. I

(04:06):
mean that happened to me in Florence, Italy. Completely lost obviously.
I mean I can hardly speak English, much less speak Italian.
So I was lost and there's this little bitty restaurant.
I walk into. This's nothing with Charleston, I apologize. I
want to change it. I walk into this little bitty place, obviously,

(04:29):
very family owned, didn't speak a lick of English or
anything else that I even resembled. So finally the owner
comes out, who's the also the chef, I guess, and
he tries to start to communicate with me, and you know,
I'm like, we could not figure out. Finally, he rubbed

(04:50):
his stomach like, you know, are you hungry, And I
was like, yes, sir, yes, sir, I'm hungry, so he said,
and then he goes, you know, like he's tipping up
a glass. Are you thirsty? And I said yes, yes, yes,
So he disappears and then I think it's his daughter's
come back with this big caraf of red wine. And

(05:11):
they sent me down at this table. There's only like
three or four other people in the blaze, and they
poured me a glass wine. And that is the best
red wine, blend, varietal, whatever you want to call it,
I have ever had to this day. It was amazing. Yes,
I finished that caraff and since I didn't know where
I was going when I left and I didn't have

(05:32):
any time to be there, I had two of them,
and I had some of the best pasta and bread
and all that kind of stuff. I mean, it was
absolutely amazing. And if I happened to gotten a little
bit lost and been brave enough to walk into this
place not going to lick at the language, I never
would have had that experience. And that was probably That's
probably the story I tell the most about that entire

(05:52):
trip to Florence. And i'spent at least that's been eight
days in Florence. So that's what I'm getting at is
we come to Charleston, don't be aid to step off
the beaten path and go have your own experience and
have something to talk about that's a little bit unique
to you. That that when you get back home that
nobody else has any idea exists. So one of these

(06:14):
hidden gyms is the old City Market, right, So it's
less visited and a lot more rustic than the than
the main market square. So the main Market Square buzzes
with activity constantly, just a short walk from there reveals
a smaller, quieter structure, a bunch of structures that once

(06:39):
housed artisans and tradesmen. These buildings often are overlooked because
they offer a different view, like into the into the
past of Charleston, it's more of a view of the
working class history, history often overshadowed by the city more

(07:00):
prominent narratives. Right, if we all think age of Charleston,
and we think of the elegance and the opulence and
the wealth and the big ships, and you know from
a from you know, a time long ago, and there
is still a lot of wealth in Charleston. But you know,
that's kind of what people people imagine. So so here

(07:23):
I'm talking about just think about the scent of freshly
tanned leather, the rhythmic cling of blacksmith's hammer, the hushed
conversations of weavers particulously crafting their intricate designs within these
just modest walls, very simple structures. Today, some of these
buildings may may have small independent shops or galleries, allowing

(07:49):
visitors unique opportunities to support the local artisans while connecting
with the more authentic side of Charleston's heritage. Look for
signage or inquire with local shopkeepers to learn more about
historical significance of these often unknoted structures. Their understated charm
is a testament to the enduring spirit of the city's

(08:11):
everyday people like me Who's I lot myself into a
room for ten hours a day and do a few
podcasts who Who's, and that their contributions are integral to
Charleston's rich history. Another rewarding detour leads to the less

(08:31):
visited churches and cemeteries nestled in Charleston's residential neighborhoods. Yes,
there are a lot of churches with awesome steeples. That's
why they call it the Holy City. I think there's
more churches and steeples within like a square mile or
something like that, and anywhere else in the country. It's

(08:52):
pretty amazing. They're all beautiful in their own way. While
Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in the French Huguenot Church rightfully
at tract considerable attention. Exploring the smaller, less known places
of worship reveals a fascinating diversity of religious traditions that
have shaped Charleston's social fabric. These churches often boast unique

(09:13):
architectural styles, reflecting the diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds of
the city's population throughout the centuries. Spend some time wandering
through these places. These just awesome. They're very quiet sanctuaries.
Appreciate the subtle details of their design and the sense
of peace and tranquility. They offer a stark contrast to

(09:36):
the buztling energy of the city center. And that's true. Man,
you do Charleston downtown for three days or so, you're exhausted.
There's so much to do when you're just constantly going.
Furthermore one of my favorite words. I feel very sophisticated
when I say that. Furthermore a visit to some of
Charleston's historic cemeteries. And there's a lot of cemeteries all

(10:01):
over Charleston and in Mount Pleasant, which is right across
the bridge from Charleston. Even some on Sullivan's Island and
Ala Palms, which are right off the coast of the
Barry Island rough off the coast of Charleston in Mount
pleasant So such as Magnoia Cemetery or the Old City
Cemetery offers a disappointed and reflective experience. These hallowed grounds

(10:25):
are not merely repositories of the cities departed. They are
living museums, showcasing elaborate funeral art and providing a window
into the lives and stories of past generations. Many of
these cemeteries are located within walking distance of the more
popular tourist attractions, making them easily accessible for a contemplative

(10:51):
escape from the crowds. You know, and if you're around
the Halloween time, you know, Charleston's pretty haunted. So some
of these graveyards and cemeteries, I bet they come alive.
I'm a scaredy cat, so I won't do the I
won't do the ghost tours because I live here and
I might not be able to sleep at night because

(11:12):
there's a lot of them. But anyway, Charleston's charm isn't
solely confined to the historic structures. The city's natural beauty
extends beyond the well known waterfront park. Exploring the city's
many hidden alleyways and cobblestone streets offer a century experience
unmatched by the more polished tourist areas. And this is

(11:34):
what I'm talking about. Just getting off the main streets
into some of the back alleys. You're going to be safe.
You don't have to worry about that. And suddenly there's
there'll be a little wine bar, or they'll be a
little a coffee shop, or you know, whatever, whatever your

(11:54):
thing is. It'll be a little bookstore that also serves wine.
You know, that's a great combination. Get someone to read
to you while you're sip in your wine, because if
I had, you know, too much wine, I doubt I
could read anymore. But I like to listen to people read.
I get tired of reading and talking so much. Anyway.
It really there's so many things that I can't even

(12:15):
begin to listen them, But I am going to list
them at the end of all of this when we're done.
So do that. Don't be afraid to do it. It
just it reveals so much more of Charleston's true character.
The sounds of the trickling water from hidden fountains, and
they are everywhere. I guarantee it. The rustling leaves of distance,
murmur of the city's life behind the harmoniously I totally

(12:41):
lost my thought there, but it does. It creates a
serene and captivating atmosphere. Take your time. It's Charleston anyway.
You don't have to be in a hurry. If anybody
asked me, what's the one thing that I dislike most
about living in a tourist city or town like Charleston,

(13:02):
South Carolina? I love all of it, But the one
thing that I wish people would do is slow down
because people like me. You know, I was born in
South Carolina. I've lived in Charleston for thirty years. Let
me think about that in nineteen ninety two. Yeah, thirty
thirty something years, and it's just slower, you know. So

(13:26):
don't pack a million things, don't be a spreads you know,
a spreadsheet, care and just just go see things to
not you know, mark them off the list. That's not cool.
Go and enjoy, you know, sometimes take a couple of
days and just fly by the seat of your pants,
see where you end up, and don't if you get

(13:47):
into a place that you really enjoy, why do you
have to leave just to get to the next spot.
You don't have to. If you're stopping in for one
cup of coffee somewhere and suddenly that cup of coffee
turns into two or three because you've met some people
that you enjoy talking to, you don't have to get
up and leave. Matter of fact, in Charleston, we think
that's rather rude. Or maybe you end up at in

(14:10):
a wine bar or some small little restaurant and you're
sitting at the bar and you strike up a conversation
with somebody. You don't have to leave. Enjoy that moment.
Enjoy the moment, all right. And if someone offers to
buy you a drink or a little something, and that
person is a local, they're probably not hitting on you, okay.

(14:32):
And in that sense, that's kind of what we do
in Charleston nice. We like to take care of our visitors.
We want you to come back. Now. Sometimes we may
want you to go home too, but we definitely want
you to come back. So you know, next time, I'm
going to get into the culinary scene, which I've already
hit on a little bit this time, but I'm running

(14:53):
over so we're going to do that. No, no, no, We're
going to go against the grain next time, and I'm
going to list out some of the really cool hitting
gems so you know what to look for. All right, Then,
you guys have a great day. I think I'm gonna
head down to Hall's Chop House and get me a
little bit of steak and a nice big glass of wine.

(15:16):
How about that. So until we talk Charleston next time,
y'all have a great day, string a bunch of those
great days together and I'll see you then. And God
bless