Charleston gets adventurous

Published August 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm by Chris Giganti.

Filed in: Outdoors, Travel, Offbeat, National Geographic Adventure, adventure, rankings. References: National Geographic Adventure, The Post and Courier.

Charleston gets adventurous

Flickr user megnificence

Middleton Place was one of the major reasons for Charleston’s inclusion on the list, because of its horseback riding and nature walks.

National Geographic Adventure has named Charleston one of the top 50 “next great adventure towns.” You can check out the complete list here. Unfortunately they don’t say much beyond the list online, but if you want to know more, the September 2008 issue is out today at newsstands and has the complete story.

Here’s a short description from National Geographic Adventure:

Think of Charleston as the jock in the Southern belle set. With new offshore ecotours and surfing at nearby Folly Beach, the pretty city’s outdoor action now matches its good looks. Locals kayak the Ashley River, horseback ride from the historic Inn at Middleton Place, or hike among cypresses.

Meanwhile, The Post and Courier has a write-up on the distinction, and reporter Brian Hicks tells readers a little about Charleston’s adventurous side:

Ethan Fried, who does communications for the magazine, said that for the list, National Geographic Adventure selected “innovative towns that aren’t just prime location spots now but also smart choices for the future.”

The magazine is especially impressed with Middleton Place.

Hicks also speaks with locals involved in the outdoors industry to get their take on Charleston’s adventure scene. And you can detect a hint of sadness in the fact that the “secret is out,” it seems.