Garden Party Charleston-Style

Garden Party Charleston-Style

Share This Post

It is no secret that Charlestonians savor a slower pace of life—one that invites friends and neighbors to gather on a piazza at sunset and linger long after twilight has set in. The splendor of spring heralds the return of picnics and al fresco parties—a pastime that takes its cue from Charleston’s charming “city set in a garden” ambiance.

We want to share this lovely time of year with you! Today’s post has two parts: Charleston Picnic & Garden Party. Keep reading to discover some of our favorite tastes, tips, settings, and sights!

flourish

Have a picnic in Charleston


pick_a_deli

Pimento cheese, duck confit, or sorghum brownies… a great selection of gourmet sandwiches, green salads, and Lowcountry favorites is available for carry out in Charleston. For added ease, click the “View on Map” tab to see the physical location of your options.

{click here}

 

parks_abound

Here are a few highlights of Charleston’s scenic public places:

Brittlebank Park
More than 15 acres on the bank of the Ashley River with picnic tables, park benches, a playground, shade trees, and onsite parking. Ideal for families.

 

Chapel Street Fountain Park
A pocket-size enclave of greenery surrounded by beautiful private homes in the Mazyck-Wraggsborough neighborhood. Ideal for romance.

 

Hazel Parker Playground
While many visitors to Charleston are familiar with Waterfront Park and White Point Gardens, or “The Battery” as it is commonly called, this intimate spot located on East Bay Street is often overlooked. Ideal for families.

 

Hampton Park
The rich history of this sprawling 64-acre park has been documented by the Charleston Horticultural Society, which created an audio walking tour called Layers of the Landscape. Enjoy the heirloom rose collection, large pond, and nature trails. Ideal for walking off that extra brownie.

 

Washington Square
Hear church bells, horse-drawn carriages, and local accents drift past this shaded park tucked away behind a series of gorgeous iron gates. You’ll find it at the intersection of Broad and Meeting streets, which, incidentally, is referred to as “Four Corners of Law.” It may also be accessed from cobblestone-lined Chalmers Street. Ideal for soaking up Charleston ambiance.

 

Waterfront Park
This 12-acre greensward that overlooks the Charleston harbor is popular year-round thanks to its swings, benches, and two refreshing fountains. Ideal for snapping a souvenir photo in front of the Pineapple Fountain.

For a more complete list of picnic spots, visit the Charleston Parks Conservancy website.

{click here}

 

picnic

We love to see people enjoying their time in Charleston. Share photos of your picnic by using the hashtag #Charlestonly when posting to social media.

 

flourish

Charlestonly Garden Party

In 1950, the Junior League of Charleston compiled hundreds of family recipes for Charleston Receipts, a spiral-bound cookbook that, as a testament to its timeless appeal, is still in print today. The storied collection of local flavors starts with a dozen festive party punch recipes— Charleston Light Dragoon Punch, Cotillion Club Punch, St. Cecilia Punch, and so forth.

We salute the ladies and gentlemen who invented the Legaré Street Punch, “a very palatable drink with plenty of authority,” and the Champagne Punch recipe, which yields a whopping 650 servings.

How is that for a hint at the enthusiasm with which Charlestonians like to entertain?

Charlestonly Party Punch

Cheese straws, shrimp canapés, pickled okra—all of our favorite cocktail party bites are also found within Charleston Receipts. What you won’t discover in the tradition-steeped cookbook is our favorite tip for a modern twist on cheese straws. Here it is:
Charlestonly Cheese StrawEarlier this week, we packed up our lunch, threw a cheerful linen over a card table, borrowed a few curios from the bookshelf, and carried chairs into the garden for an impromptu party. We had such a delightful time that we did it again the following day with tea and dessert! And as we make plans to dine outdoors with a whimsical theme for the third time in one week, we wholeheartedly agree… a Charleston Garden Party is always a good idea!

Charleston Garden Party

GardenPartyPost_2


GardenPartyPost_3

GardenPartyPost_4

GardenPartyPost_5


GardenPartyPost_7





GardenPartyPost_6

GardenPartyPost_8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Culinary Scene Posts

Culinary Scene

Q&A with Charleston Chefs

Tahini, champagne, and chicken fried halibut cooked in buttermilk. Read all sorts of savory tidbits in this week's Charlestonly post!

Ready to Visit the City Voted #1 in the United States by Readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure?

Discover Events

Request a Visitors Guide

Where should we send your visitor guide?

*We will not sell or give away your personal information. Your privacy matters to us.

Would you like to receive e-mail updates about deals and events in Charleston?
May we send you offers from our partners?
Interests










Request a Digital Visitors Guide

contact_sendemail
udf_544













udf_659