Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Free Admission to National Parks – Fall 2010

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Visit one of our national parks on September 25, 2010 or November 11, 2010, without paying admission. The National Park Service offers fee free days every year, and these are the two dates for the fall. Pack a picnic and take family and friends to a state park for a visit. In our area you could for for example visit the Castillo de San Marco or Fort Pulaski.

  • September 25, 2010 – Public Lands Day
  • November 11, 2010 – Veterans Day

Below is a complete list of participating National Parks in our area:

Fort Pulaski
Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia Department of Economic Development

GEORGIA

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island.You still have to pay for the ferry boat ride to the island. Click here to visit the website
Visitor Information: (912) 882-4336 ext. 254

Fort Frederica National Monument, St Simons Island, GA
Spanish and British forces clashed on St. Simons Island in 1792. Fort Frederica’s troops defeated the Spanish troops. Georgia remained a British colony.
Visitor Information: (912) 638-3639
Click here to visit the website

Fort Pulaski National Monument
The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. The fort surrendered, which was a turning point, signaling the end of masonry fortifications.
Visitor Information: (912) 786-5787
Click here to visit the website

SOUTH CAROLINA

Fort Moultrie National Monument – Charleston, SC
The National Park Service’s fee-free weekends apply to Fort Moultrie, a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument. The site is located on Sullivan’s Island and is accessible by car. Fort Sumter is always free – but there is a fee for the ferry boat ride to the fort.
Click here for more information about Fort Sumter

FLORIDA
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – St. Augustine, FL
The Castillo was constructed to defend Spain’s claims in the New World. It was never defeated in battle. The Castillo witness to over 330 years of history and culture and is an impressive place to visit.
Visitor Information: (904) 829-6506
Click here to visit the website.

Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia
Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia

Things to do in South Carolina – September 2010

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Another Labor Day weekend has passed, but September has a lot more to offer in South Carolina. It’s a great time of year to spend time outdoors, to visit festivals or hang out with friends. This is also the month when the big arts event of the year kicks off in Charleston, yes, it’s time for the MOJA Arts festival.

Charleston Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week in Charleston takes place September 8-19, 2010, so it’s actually a little bit more than just your regular restaurant week event. Charleston has become a culinary mecca, so make sure to take advantage of the fixed price special during this event. Go here to read more about Charleston Restaurant week

Seafood, Jazz & Brew – Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island has combined three of our favorite things – seafood, jazz and brew – into one extraordinary event. This event takes place on September 13 – 18, 2010. Get more details on our special events page for Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival.

Scottish Game & Highland Gathering
Come to Charleston to celebrate Scottish heritage and culture in this annual festival taking place on September 19, 2010. The festival offers everything from heavy athletics, to food and dancing.
Click here to read more about the Scottish Festival in Charleston.

Shaggin’ on the Cooper
Lowcountry radio personality Jim Bowers will keep your feet moving with the hottest oldies and beach music around on September 17, 2010.

Irish Italian Festival
North Myrtle Beach has created an unusual combination with this festival, but despite that this is a popular event drawing a crowd. This year the festival takes place on September 25, 2010.

Museum Mile Weekend
On September 25 – 26, 2010, you can get a special deal during the Museum Mile Weekend. You can purchase a special pass for this weekend which allows you to visit as many of the participating museums your feet can handle. Read all about how it works here – Museum Mile Weekend.
If you are two people and can only handle one museum visit, you can get free admission through the Smithsonian Museum Day to a few museums. Just check out the list of participating venues here.

Free Admission to National Parks
You guessed it. The free day is of course also on September 25, 2010.  So unless, you can fly like superman between venues, it looks like you will have to choose between a Museum Day or a National Park Day.  Here is the link to the Free Admission to National Parks for more info.

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival
Thbis popular annual arts & crafts festival returns to Huntington Beach State Park on September 24 – 26, 2010 near Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Here some of the best artisans around gather for a festival in a beautiful setting.

Read more about the festival on our special events page for the arts & crafts festival.

MOJA Arts Festival – Charleston, SC
This month the big arts festival in Charleston begins. MOJA Arts Festival takes place September 23 – October 3, 2010.

Get your tickets now and check out the program.

Read more about South Carolina:

Fall Festivals and Events in South Carolina

Jazz Festivals on the Coast

Taste of Charleston

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Museum Free Day on September 25, 2010

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Every year the Smithsonian Magazine organizes a free museum day. This year Museum Day is on September 25, 2010. This is how it works. You have to visit the magazine’s website and fill out a short form and pick your museum. You can then print out your ticket The ticket is good for free admission on September 25, 2010 for TWO people.

We have added the list of participating museums below.

There are four things to keep in mind:

  • The card is good for you and a guest.
  • The offer is only valid for Saturday
  • The limit is one card per household
  • The card can only be used once

Here is the link to get the ticket.

Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
843-769-2600
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 8:30am – 5:00pm
visit the website

Circa 1738, Drayton Hall has survived the centuries in near-original condition and is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America open to the public. Renowned for its architectural significance, Drayton Hall’s broad vistas and rare period features represent one of America’s most important, undisturbed historic landscapes.

Exhibits
The past is present here in the stories told, the exquisite public places, and quiet, sacred spaces. All-inclusive daily programs and activities include visitor-acclaimed House Tour, Connections Program: From Africa to America, interactive DVD Landscape tour, Nature Walks, African-American Cemetery, and Museum Shop.

Georgetown County Museum
632 Prince Street,
Georgetown, SC 29440
843 545-7020
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 3:00pm
visit the website

Muskets, marshland, and muslin, rice, rivers, and revolution. What do these seemingly unrelated subjects have in common? The Georgetown County Museum offers fascinating connections that intertwine these and many other facets of life that span almost 300 years of American history lived out in the daily lives of the citizens of Georgetown, South Carolina.

Horry County Museum
438 Main Street
Conway, SC 29526
843-915-5320
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 9:00am – 5:00pm

The Horry County Museum is home to artifacts, photographs, wildlife, and a large collection of objects relating to the history, prehistory and natural history of Horry County, South Carolina.
The L. W. Paul Living History Farm is now open for the public.

Exhibits
Coastal Plains Native Americans, Birds of Prey, Black Bear Exhibit, American Alligator, Turpentine & Timber Exhibit, Waccamaw River Exhibit, Influential Women of Conway Exhibit.
The Farm is a one horse family farm of the 1900-1955 era. Visit the family home, barn with live animals, packhouse, tobacco barn, field of crops, woodworking area, grits mill and more.

The Powder Magazine
79 Cumberland Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-9350
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 4:00pm
visit website

South Carolina’s oldest public building, The Powder Magazine (circa 1713) served as an arsenal within the old walled city of Charleston. Interact with historians and see museum exhibits that relate to Charleston’s colonial and American Revolution history. PASSES HONORED ON SUNDAY AS WELL!

Exhibits
PASSES HONORED ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! Eighteenth century artifacts on display and period dressed interpreters on location. Make plans to see our special live presentation of “The Gentleman Pirate” at 3:30pm.

FLORIDA
Amelia Island Museum of History
233 South 3rd Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
(904) 261-7378
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 4:00pm
visit website

The Amelia Island Museum of History, a not-for-profit organization, fosters community and visitor appreciation of Nassau County’s unique history within the broader context of Florida, national, and world history.

Exhibits
Visitors to the Amelia Island Museum of History are invited to “Unlock the Past,” as they enter the renovated 1935 Nassau County Jail which houses historical objects and archaeological finds. Florida’s first spoken history museum highlights the history of the Island of Eight Flags.

Colonial Spanish Quarter
29 St. George Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904)825-6830
Museum Day Hours of Operation: 9:00am – 5:30pm

At Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, visit knowledgeable re-enactors, in costume, in an authentic colonial setting. Visit with a blacksmith, carpenter, leather worker and housewife about 1740s St. Augustine.

Exhibits
The Colonial Spanish Quarter offers you an experience of an 18th century St. Augustine in the Taberna del Gallo (Tavern of the Rooster). Drift back in time while enjoying a cider, cold sangria, or beer in this 18th century tavern setting. On Saturday, September 25, 2010, join in singing as the “Bilge Rats” perform old sea chanteys or Songs of the Sea.

Museum Mile Weekend – Charleston, SC

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Museum Mile in Charleston, South Carolina is an area in historic downtown with lots of museums and cultural sites. As you know, the city of Charleston is rich in history, so the museum density in downtown comes as no surprise. No matter where I go, I always seem to miss out on some of the museums – lack of time and entry fees for a family of four will do that. That’s why I think the Museum Mile Weekend in Charleston is one of the best deals around.

Charleston Museum MileJust buy a weekend pass and explore all 13 sites in the Meeting street area downtown during September 25 & 26, 2010.

To find out more, see what sites are participating, download a map or to get ticket information, visit our special events page for Museum Mile Weekend – Charleston, South Carolina

Fall Festival and Events in Charleston 2010

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Charleston, South Carolina , is the perfect place to visit for a weekend getaway. The beautiful city with its international flair and southern charm, makes it the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend. Charleston is also known for its many restaurant and renown chefs. The city even boosts to popular food festivals every year; BBT Wine & Food Festival in the spring and Taste of Charleston in the fall.

Take a horsedrawn carriage ride around the historic district, and let your guide tell you about the fascinating history of Charleston. When you have limited time to explore, a guided tour is well worth paying for. You’ll get a great overview and you’ll be able to easily figure out where you want to return to for more details. You might also want to stop by the visitor center downtown for maps, brochures and more details.

There’s always a lot happening in Charleston, but here is the list of the big annual events coming up this fall.

2010 MOJA Arts Festival
A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts
September 23 – October 3, 2010

A Swahili word meaning “One,” MOJA is recognized for its ability to bring people together through a celebration of Western and world cultures. Highlighting African-American and Caribbean fine arts, MOJA will showcase everything from gospel, dance, poetry, storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and more. For more information, call (843) 724-7305 or visit www.mojafestival.com.

Charleston Museum MileMuseum Mile Weekend in Charleston
September 25 – 26, 2010
Charleston is rich in history and culture, and the city has several museums.  If this history is something you love, or you want to visit the museums, don’t forget about this special weekend. You can visit the museums at a reduce rate during this time. Read all about it on our page for Museum Mile Weekend.

34th Annual Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens
September 23 – October 24, 2010

This event is sponsored by the Preservation Society of Charleston. Visitors tour breathtaking gardens, private homes, churches and public buildings showcasing architecture from the early Georgian period to the 20th century. The tours explore Charleston’s neighborhoods which emanate with a culture that started in the Colonial area. For additional information, go to our special event page for Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens, Charleston please call (843) 722-4630 or visit www.preservationsociety.org.

Taste of Charleston
October 8 – 10, 2010

The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association hosts this three-day gastronomical extravaganza highlighting lowcountry cuisine. It features some of Charleston’s finest, nationally recognized chefs. In addition to opportunities to sample the chefs’ creations, the event features an Iron Chef Competition, wine and beer classes, an art walk and live music.

Please visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com or call
(843) 577-4030 for more information or read more on our Taste of Charleston page