For Immediate Release, November 2009

Pat Conroy’s South of Broad Walking Tour Launches November 2 in Charleston

The characters and Charleston vistas featured in Pat Conroy’s #1 New York Times best selling novel South of Broad come to life in a new walking tour produced by Old Charleston Walking Tours. Pat Conroy’s South of Broad Walking Tour is a two-hour tour narrated by professional guides, highlighting the streets and sites featured in Conroy’s 2009 hit novel, South of Broad. The walking tour focuses on the beautiful urban setting of Charleston with a history as bittersweet as the lives of the novel’s central characters.

The tour, available Tuesday through Saturday, begins at 11:00 am in the lobby of the Mills House Hotel at 115 Meeting Street (mentioned on page 209 of South of Broad), and ends outside the Gibbes Museum of Art at 135 Meeting Street (mentioned on pages 364 and 366 of South of Broad).

Tour stops linked to the book include St Michael’s Episcopal Church (1761)—oldest church building in Charleston—where characters Chad Rutledge and Molly Huger were married, Legare Street—one of Charleston’s richest and most elegant streets—and the longest throw Leo King has to make on his paper route, Water Street, where key characters in the novel rode out Hurricane Hugo, and the Dock Street Theater—site of Charleston’s first theater (first play performed in 1736)—visited by Leo’s parents on the night of the family tragedy that sets the novel in motion.

Ticket and Package Information
The ticket price of $25 per person includes the walking tour, admission to the Gibbes Museum of Art (featuring the art of Charleston, the South Carolina Lowcountry and the American South), and a choice of one of two signature offerings from Pat Conroy's favorite Charleston restaurant, the aptly named Slightly North of Broad: "Conroy's S.O.B. Cocktail", or a "S.O.B. Classic" dessert. Walking tour reservations are required in advance by calling (843)-568-0473 or online at www.southofbroadwalkingtour.com.

Additionally, a special South of Broad Hotel Package is being offered by the Mills House Hotel. The Package includes discounted overnight accommodations with benne wafer welcome gift (Leo’s favorite), the walking tour, admission to the Gibbes, and special offerings from the restaurant Slightly North of Broad including $25.00 toward a lunch or dinner, a special chef's amuse bouche, a complimentary "Conroy S.O.B. Cocktail" or glass of Maverick private label wine, and more. For information on the South of Broad Hotel Package, visit www.millshouse.com or call 800-874-9600.

Old Charleston Walking Tours
Old Charleston Walking Tours offers a selection of guided walks of Charleston's historic district focusing on a variety of interests including architecture, pirates, the Civil War, slavery and ghosts. The staff is composed of some of the most experienced guides in Charleston including published authors and recognized experts in their fields. Guides have appeared on local, national and international radio and television programs including HGTV, South Carolina ETV, the BBC, and Voice of America. www.oldcharlestontours.com. (843)-568-0473