Chimney Sweep in Sullivan’s Island, SC

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Sometimes, small towns leave a lasting mark bigger and better than the world's most sought-after destinations.

Greeted with “how ya doin‘?” instead of “keep it movin” where you feel like just another face in the crowd, the South is teeming with hidden gems and quaint getaways that will have you coming back again and again.

For example, when I visit Texas on occasion, I often find myself seeking out the small towns of Grapevine, Gruene, and Socorro, depending on where I am in the state, but certainly not Dallas or Austin.

Same goes for any state, but in this case, you may want to skip out on the tourist crowds of ever-so-trendy Charleston in favor of an idyllic, pint-sized island just 20 minutes away.

Practically a stone's throw from one of the South's most popular cities to indulge in rich history, epic eats, and timeless charm is Sullivan's Island, offering many of the same delights without hordes of visitors and overpriced menus.

This 3.5-mile-long barrier island is nestled along the Atlantic between numerous neighboring islands and, yes, Charleston.

Typically, you might hear of most vacationers making their way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina's renowned coastal vacation spot lined with beachside resorts and a buzzing boardwalk, but Sullivan's Island has gotta be the state's best-kept secret.

Those seeking a tranquil beach getaway should look no further than Sullivan's Island, boasting a very walkable rustic downtown easy to peruse local shops, galleries, and bar-hop if you please.

While you may not see restaurants run by acclaimed chefs featured by the Food Network, among others, as you will in Charleston, you will discover homey southern comfort foods intermixed with “catch of the days” straight from the source.

Better yet, you won't have to spend a fraction of your paycheck on a cup of coffee since there's no Starbucks, a small example portraying the island's far less touristy vibes without the eyesores of chain restaurants ruining the townscape's character.

Originally named O'Sullivan Island after early settler Captain Florence O'Sullivan, the “O” has since been dropped, but many historic sites remain.

Having played a significant factor through multiple wars, including ground zero for the Battle of Sullivan's Island in 1776, tourists can visit preserved structures like Fort Moultrie, holding intriguing exhibits and sweeping views of the surrounding scenery.

Fort Moultrie also overlooks Fort Sumter, another significant site, but you'll need to detour back to Charleston to be able to reach the ladder via ferry.

While it may be tempting to grab a bite to eat in one of the country's most popular foodie cities, Sullivan's Island's food scene is nothing to sleep on, with exceptional seafood and mouthwatering barbecue that will have you asking for extra napkins.

Southern Living hyped up a few different spots, depending on your palate. If you're up to slurping down oysters, check out The Longboard's ‘Happy Hour'.

If you're the type to nibble every last bit of ribs, then Home Team BBQ is just for you. But, if it were me, I'd be feasting on a burger at Poe's Tavern, an establishment dedicated to famed poet Edgar Allan Poe, who was stationed on Sullivan's Island as a private in the Army in the 1800s.

Who woulda thunk it?

As delightful as Sullivan's Island's main strip and as fascinating and photo-worthy as the numerous historic sites may be, at its core, this island is a year-round beach destination.

Sullivan's Island Beach holds an impressive 4.7 Google Rating, largely in part due to so much open space, unlike, say, Myrtle Beach.

Station 18 Beach is also a tranquil spot, boasting white sand and calm waves, just like Sullivan's Island Beach.

One of the most underrated aspects, once you leave Charleston proper, is the ability to island-hop the region.

Next to Sullivan's Island, just past a small canal inlet, is Isle Palms Beach, well worth a day trip to see what it's all about with equally scenic beaches.

But where should you stay? You won't find name-brand hotels here. Sullivan's Island is all about cozy rentals.

Lining the shores from Sullivan's Island through next-door Isle of Palms are rows of beachside cottages.

You can book in a variety of ways, such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or by searching local agencies.

There's still plenty of occupancy to cap off winter with a relaxing getaway. I scoured the interwebs for the perfect seaside cottage, and this one is my favorite.

Costing $410-ish per night, it's located directly next to the aforementioned Fort Moultrie and with immediate beach access and walkable to Sullivan's Island's Nature Trail.

Plus, who would say no to free wine at check-in?!

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Jason Stanhope has spent the last 17 months establishing a strong culinary identity at Lowland in Charleston.

The restaurant inside The Pinch boutique hotel, where he was hired to be executive chef in September 2023, went through multiple menu iterations after it debuted two months later.

Eventually, Stanhope found a way to fit his style of cooking, which he honed over 15 years at FIG, into Lowland's three-story former private residence that dates to 1834. Several favorites have emerged, from his fresh pasta, biscuits and crispy quail to a delightful celery salad with dates, walnuts and long shavings of Prairie Breeze cheddar.

The chef, who won a James Beard Award while working under Mike Lata at FIG, had found a new home at Lowland. But he's about to start a job at different restaurant in the Charleston area.

He wasn’t looking for another venture, but the right opportunity — one that enabled him to be a part-owner for the first time in his career — is pulling him away from the George Street restaurant and out to a familiar destination on Sullivan’s Island.

“I feel like I’m leaving while the party is just getting good,” Stanhope said. “The concept has come a long way since day one.”

Stanhope said Lowland is in a strong position with its current team. Randall Cook, CEO and co-founder of Lowland operator Method Co., echoed that sentiment.

"Chef Jason Stanhope has been instrumental in making Lowland into the incredible place it is today — a cherished neighborhood establishment as well as a nationally acclaimed restaurant," Cook said in a statement. "We deeply appreciate his leadership and the passionate and talented team — both in the kitchen and the front of the house — that he has cultivated and who are ready to usher Lowland into its exciting next chapter."

In the coming months, Stanhope will transition into his new role as executive chef and partner at Sullivan’s Seafood & Bar, originally opened as Sullivan’s Fish Camp in 2022. Current operators Ben and Kate Towill — who transformed the former island staple Sullivan’s Seafood Restaurant into a breezy establishment with a 1970s-inspired beachside aesthetic — are no longer involved in the restaurant.

Sullivan’s is owned by Wes and Betsy Fuller, Jeremy Graves and, now, Stanhope.

“Renovating Sullivan’s was such a privilege for us, and Kate and I are thrilled that Jeremy and Jason are taking it over and on to its next chapter,” Ben Towill said in a statement. “I know Jason shares our deep love and respect for Charleston’s incredible farmers and fishermen, and we cannot wait to come back with our family as guests.”

Stanhope consulted with Lata, owner of FIG and The Ordinary, and well-known chefs like Ashley Christensen and Pat Martin, before making the decision.

The 2015 James Beard Award winner realized that the Sullivan’s Island establishment gave him a sense of place and framework for cooking the kind of locally inspired food he’s passionate about. He also envisions his kids, 4 and 7, growing up with the restaurant.

“This felt like an opportunity for me to truly be in control of my own destiny,” Stanhope said.

The restaurant will transition back to its fish camp roots, Stanhope said, though he anticipates upcoming shifts to happen gradually. He eventually envisions a place where guests can order a basket of expertly fried fish next to light, bright plates filled with local vegetables.

“I’m excited to do some fish camp classics,” Stanhope said. “But I’m also excited to take what people think a fish camp is and show them that it can evolve, like everything.”

As for the restaurant’s ambiance and décor, patrons can expect little to change under Stanhope’s watch. The chef credited the Towills with building “an amazing dining room” with a functional and visually appealing design.

Sullivan’s Island diners can look forward to seeing Stanhope roam that bright dining room starting this spring.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp will continue to operate as it has during the transition. For more information, visit sullivansseafoodandbar.com.

For the first time in more than two years, a Blood Moon total lunar eclipse will be visible in the night sky above South Carolina. More accurately, it will be a Worm Blood Moon. And it will be visible across all of North America.

The moon will appear full starting the evening of March 12 through the morning of March 15.

On March 14 (the night of March 13), however, Earth will pass between the Sun and the full moon — casting an orange-brown shadow across the moon. The event will start three minutes before midnight, when the moon moves into the Earth’s partial shadow. This really will become visible around 1:09 a.m., according to NASA.

Passing from the lower left to upper right, the planet’s shadow will completely cover the moon at 2:26 a.m. — starting a 65-minute window of the total eclipse, reaching its peak at 2:59 a.m. before ending at 3:31 a.m.

The shadow will continue to move across the surface of the moon until 6 a.m., when the eclipse will end.

Native American tribes in what is now the southern U.S. called the March full moon the Worm Moon, in reference to the earthworm casts that appeared as the ground thawed, NASA reports, citing the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. Tribes in the northeast called the March full moon the Crow Moon.

The next total lunar eclipse that will be visible above South Carolina will be June 25, 2029. This one will impact people’s sleep a little less, as it will reach its peak around 10:30 p.m., according to TimeandDate.com.

The last total lunar eclipse visible here was on Nov. 8, 2022. In January 2019, there was a Super Wolf Blood Moon, thanks to a total lunar eclipse during a supermoon.