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| Shopping |
 | | Charleston's shops are fun - even if only to window shop. The colonial and 19th century atmosphere adds to your shopping experience, particularly in the historic areas. King Street - named for King George I of England - provides sixteen blocks of shopping temptations - antique shops are a special draw on this street. Market Street and Meeting Streets are excellent, too.
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| Artwork: There are a number of excellent galleries featuring works by local artists. It's especially meaningful to find something that depicts a home, street scene, plantation, or sea view you've visited.
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| Sweetgrass Baskets: You'll find these handmade baskets sold throughout the city, but particularly along the sidewalks of Meeting Street and in the Old City Market. The basket-making craft - once a heavily guarded secret - is now passed on to any and all who show interest. Their simple designs prove remarkably sturdy.
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| Food Samplers: These make perfect gifts for the folks back home, but it'll take some willpower not to open the boxes, cans, and jars of tea cookies, pecan pralines, she-crab soup, Benne wafers, and cinnamon apple butter. Suggestion: to make a really special gift, buy a sweetgrass basket and pack your own. If you're beginning your cruise here, leave the boxes, cans, and jars sealed so there's no hassle on your return to the States. Better yet, have the store ship your purchase for you.
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| Lighthouses: Lighthouses make unique gifts - not the real things, of course, but miniature replicas or paintings. There are a number of local lighthouses (Georgetown, Sullivans Island, Harbourtown, etc.) that deserve special attention.
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| Maps: If you're into maps, Charleston is your heaven. Street maps, harbor maps, Revolutionary and Civil War maps, nautical chartsĄthey're all available here. A very few are originals, but most are excellent reproductions. Protect your purchase by having it framed and mailed home.
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| Spoleto Festival Posters:Whether your visit coincides (late Spring) with this world-famous Charleston festival or not, the various posters depicting the event make for terrific gifts, suitable for framing.
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| Tapestry Tote Bags: Here's a great idea, and practical, too. Pick up a sturdy, lined, tote bag featuring scenes from historic Charleston (churches, lighthouses, townhouses, carriages, etc.). They make for great gifts and can carry a lot of stuff! Here's a fashion note - those whimsical handbags you've seen on the arms of Hollywood's famous are created by Charlestonian Mary Norton. You can buy the flowered, feathered, beaded, or jeweled bags at Moo Roo, a tiny shop on King Street. | |  |
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