Travel + Leisure readers love our southern charm. | Photo by Matthew Peacock.
Have you heard the news? Charleston has been named the No. 1 city in the U.S. according to readers of Travel + Leisure - again.
Every year Travel + Leisure has a World’s Best Awards and asks its readers to share their opinions on different travel categories. According to the magazine, over 165,000 readers completed this year’s survey.
Sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value were the criteria cities were ranked by. Readers then rated each section as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. In the end the final score is an accumulation of the averages of the responses.
Our beloved Charleston slid into first place for the 11th year in a row with a rating of 88.63. Some highlights mentioned: Charleston’s friendly locals, historic sites, and dining + shopping options along King Street.
10 Best South Carolina Resorts included four Charleston spots: Post House Inn, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Marina and Resort, and Wild Dunes Resort.
Shark Week at the South Carolina Aquarium| Wednesday, July 12-Sunday, July 16 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston | Free | Have a look at the different programs the aquarium is offering to celebrate Shark Week in the Lowcountry.
Coffee and Conversation | Wednesday, July 12 | 10:30 a.m. | John’s Island Library, 3531 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island | Free | Socialize with other older adults and enjoy some coffee.
The Future of Real Estate | Wednesday, July 12 | 2-5 p.m. | Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St., Charleston | Free | Calling all realtors in the area, get ready to learn about the latest practices in your field and practice your networking skills.
Doggy & Me Wednesdays | Wednesday, July 12 | 3-6 p.m. | Snafu Brewing Company, 3280 Industry Dr., North Charleston | Free | Grab your pup and get ready for a night of ice cream and tail wagging.
Honkytonk Happy Hour| Wednesday, July 12 | 4-7 p.m. | Honkytonk Saloon, 192 College Park Rd., Ladson | Free | Break out your boots to learn and practice your country dance moves.
Thursday, July 13
North Charleston Farmers Market| Thursday, July 13 | 3-7 p.m. | Exchange Ball Park, 5025 Lackawanna Blvd., North Charleston | Free | Feast your eyes on locally grown produce and specialty foods in the community.
Saturday, July 15
Farmer’s Market Slow Roll Bike Ride | Saturday, July 15 | 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. | Newington Plantation Pool, 599 King Charles Cir., Summerville | Free | Join the local community for a group bike ride to the farmers market.
STEAM Saturday: Fireworks| Saturday, July 15 | 10-11:30 a.m. | The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston | $14-$20 | Enjoy firework fun without all of the noise — kids age 6+ can create fireworks in a jar, design a fizzing fireworks painting, form Oobleck that pops, and send a rocket flying sky high.*
Grit Box workouts definitely pack a punch. | Photo by CHStoday team
Mia here. I was able to try out the kickboxing class at Grit Box this week, and it was rocking. The classes combine kickboxing, strength training, and upbeat music to amp up your workout. Follow along in this article to hear about all of the punchy features this gym offers.
What we tried:
When you enter Grit Box, the positive vibes are overflowing — from the cool graphics and designs to the smiling staff.
I was immediately greeted by my coach, Storm, who helped me to feel welcomed and got me set up with my gloves and wraps for boxing.
Once I entered the workout room, the energy was pumped up with synced-up lighting and music to set the tone. For half of the workout, we were guided through kickboxing moves that made me feel like a total boss. Then, Storm showed us all of the moves for the strength circuit portion of class.
Sirinna’s Thai Kitchen has opened in Summerville at 1201 Old Trolley Rd. The eatery features Thai dishes such as chicken satay, tom khai gai, massaman curry, pad Thai + other entrees with gluten free options. (The Post and Courier)
Travel
Breeze Airways announced one-way flights from Charleston starting at $29 as part of its “Stretch It Out” promotion. From Wednesday, Aug. 9 through Tuesday, Aug. 29, discounted rates will be available from Charleston to various destinations, including New Orleans, Orlando, and Phoneix. Check out the other locations here. (WCBD)
Edu
The College of Charleston was named “the finest public liberal arts and sciences institution in South Carolina” in the Fiske Guide to College 2024. The guide highlights CofC’s commitment to liberal arts and sciences education. Along with, providing opportunities for research, internships, and social activities. (The College Today)
Featured
Mixbook gave 3,000 singles a new survey about where in America they would almost like to be proposed to. The Angel Oak tree in John’s Island came in the top ten destinations. Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant and The Battery downtown were also ranked in the top 250 destinations. (WCIV)
Film
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina and Warrior Surf Foundation will premiere a short film on Saturday, July 22 at Mex 1’s West Ashley location. The film focuses on a surf retreat with Veterans graduates of the Warrior Surf program.
Plan Ahead
The third annual Holy Smokes Lowcountry Barbecue Festival’s culinary lineup has been announced. The festival will occur on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. The lineup includes various pitmasters and chefs. (Holy City Sinner)
Wellness
In our latest edition of CHStoday Wellnessin partnership with Roper St. Francis Healthcare: Where to golf in CHS based on your personality; how to pick the right SPF; where to find fresh summer eats like watermelon salad + ceviche; and more. Subscribe.*
It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Shop the deals, including 30% off the TV that looks like a picture frame on your wall.*
Talk
Events
Bite into Viv’s Book Club
Sisters, Margaret and Irene Li were guests for a previous book club at Lenoir. | Mel Taing/Photo by Mel Taing 2022
Calling all foodies. Chef Vivian Howard, chef, author, and tv personality, has announced the new lineup of authors for Viv’s Book Club at her restaurant Lenoir.
Viv’s Book Club is a monthly salon-style conversation with authors from 2-4 p.m. Attendees can expect a discussion of the book, light sips + bites, and a book signing with the author.
Buxton Books will have copies of the books mentioned for purchase at each event.
To buy tickets to to Viv’s book club, you can purchase them online.
It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day sales — aka, discounts on everything from iPads to furniture to nugget ice makers. Surf the sales or check out our picks. Note: Deals may be subject to change.
Family
Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).
Eat
Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.
Arts
Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.
Outdoors
Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.
Happy Hump Day everyone. I’m back in town from a trip to Washington D.C. One of my favorite things is to admire the beauty of Charleston when looking at out of the airplane window. Does anyone else agree?
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