Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
Local visitors to one of oldest historic plantations can take advantage of discounts and freebies through the rest of the year and into 2026. Drayton Hall is marking its 50th anniversary of being open to the public by offering on-the-house tickets on select days. Drayton Hall Preservation Trust said the free admission is available Nov. 15, Dec. 20, Jan. 10 and Feb. 7. The promotion is being funded by the Decorative Arts Trust and private donors. Pre-registration is required. During the special admission days, visitors can engage in Colonial games and demonstrations, meet archaeologists and explore the property’s preservation site in the Great Hall and active excavation site at a late 1600s well. Beyond the free days, the attraction is also offering a local discount. Through February, residents of Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties get $10 off the general admission rate. Active-duty military can also take advantage of the offer, which requires proof of residency. Tickets for Drayton Hall are normally $29 to $32. The historic site at 3380 Ashley River Road is open from Wednesday through Monday. Hotel BAR The long-planned Montford Hotel is heading back to the city's Board of Architectural Review for preliminary approval. The Huger Street project, which is proposed for a vacant lot south of the Meeting Street onramp to the Ravenel Bridge, was given conceptual approval in Apri. Developer Sunju Patel, representing TMGOC Ventures, has previously said the lodging is expected to be part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Plans for the 150-room hotel have depicted four- to eight-story structures with public and guest amenities that include first-floor and rooftop restaurants, bars, ballrooms and a pickleball deck. The BAR meeting is set for Nov. 12 at 4:30 p.m. in the public meeting room at 2 George St. TMGOC is a partnership between Patel’s The Montford Group of Charleston and Florida-based Opterra Capital. The joint venture previously opened the nearby Moxy Hotel on at 547 Meeting St. in 2023. The two companies have other long-planned developments in the works. They include the triangular 191-room Thompson by Hyatt where Morrison Drive and Meeting Street converge. UK kudos Charleston is making headlines abroad, earning a bronze ranking as “City of the Year” from a U.K. travel publication. RNY Magazine's 2025 America Awards recognize top destinations and exceptional services across the tourism industry on the other side of the pond. The Holy City was bested by Chicago and New York while finishing ahead of Boston, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. Local tourism marketing agency Explore Charleston said a LinkedIn post that the recognition by RNY is a “testament to our region's timeless charm, creative spirit and global appeal.” “While international travel to the United States continues to face headwinds, global travelers are clearly captivated by Charleston’s timeless allure,” the group said.
