Melvin's Southern BBQ Ribs

If the two of you are grappling with tight schedules, maybe a visit to the Historic Charleston Foundation will be like taking a romantic trip together back in time. Established in1947, this is a nonprofit organization that strives to preserve the historical, architectural and material culture that make up Charleston's heritage. The efforts of this organization help to continue to operate such visually and historically significant sites as the Aiken-Rhett House and the Nathaniel Russell House, as well as provide programs that highlight the area's history. You and your date will not only learn about some of Charleston's interesting past but also embrace the future tighter with renewed enthusiasm.

The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has the distinction of being the site of the country's oldest public gardens that date back to the 17th century. In this historically dramatic slice of nature, you'll find the nation's largest collections of azaleas and camellias. If you want to get a little closer to the natural beauty of this historic attraction, you can opt to take the nature train or boat tour that offer a chance to experience the plantation's wetlands, lakes, forests and marshes. Also, don't miss visiting the plantation's main house, adorned with a striking collection of period pieces and other artifacts that date all the way back to 1873.

The Charleston Museum has always prided itself in bringing aspects of our history together and presenting them in a truly compelling fashion. Among their many exhibits and attractions, you'll find how the role of textiles played a vital part in the Civil War in a popular exhibit called the Threads of War. Also, a similarly themed exhibit focuses on how Charleston survived being under siege during that particular war and how it pressed on to become the vital city that it is today. More interactive adventures like Kids Story and much more continue the museum's rich tradition of reaching into the lives of children who will one day pass the stories and experiences they've learned here along to their own kids.