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Too cool for school

By Rebekah Bradford

DAN CONOVER
The Post and Courier

City Lights Coffee on Market Street in Charleston.

Mic Smith
The Post and Courier

Basil

Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier

Marion Square

There's something special about going to school in Charleston, and every August brings a wave of new and returning students to the Lowcountry. While there are literally tons of guidebooks for tourists about what to see and do around town, it's pretty slim pickings for the collegiate crowd.

So, consider this an insider's guide to being a student in Charleston.

It includes things like cool coffeehouses, where to score vintage clothes (for cheap) and the best places to see great bands, plus lots more.

So whether you're an incoming freshman, a transfer student or heading into your final year of college, you'll find everything you need to have a great year right here.

Marion Square: C of C's unofficial quad

On any given day when the weather's nice, Marion Square probably has a greater concentration of students than anywhere else downtown.

There's sunbathing, study groups and jam sessions. Plus, major sections of the grass are used for touch football, Ultimate Frisbee and soccer games. The farmers market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and "Movies in Marion Square" is held in the spring and fall.

Heidi Isenbarger, 20

College of Charleston, sophomore

English major

"I like Marion Square because it's a good place to study when it's not too hot."

The caffeine buzz

It's impossible to overstate the role of a good coffeehouse in the life of a College of Charleston student.

Whether it's providing that much-needed jolt of caffeine before class or a convenient place to meet for study sessions, coffeehouses downtown see a lot of student action. Kudu (4 Vanderhorst St.) has comfortable chairs, an outdoor patio area and free Wi-fi. City Lights Coffee (141 Market St.) is an intimate spot with free Wi-fi, great tunes and a program where the 10th coffee is on the house. Rutledge Coffee and Cream (511 Rutledge Ave.) serves breakfast all day, uses organic fair-trade beans for its coffee and has free Wi-fi.

Chris Willoughby, 21

College of Charleston senior

History major

"City Lights on Market has great coffee. Plus, they play good music and the place feels very personal."

Vintage and other shopping

If you're a student in Charleston, great shopping is literally right around the corner, and King Street is a favorite destination. Popular spots include American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, B'Zar, BCBG, 52.5 and the new Apple store. Community Thrift, 5300 Rivers Ave., makes the drive up to North Charleston worhtwhile for its cheap prices and great finds. Children's Cancer Society Thrift Store, 835 Savannah Highway, has an amazing selection of secondhand clothes, plus it's a great resource for putting together a Halloween costume.

Tori Campbell, 20

College of Charleston junior

English major

"When I have money, I like to go to Saks."

Hitting the beach

With summerlike weather from March to November, it's no wonder spending a day at the beach is a favorite extracurricular activity. Folly Beach is the No. 1 spot with the college crowd because it's close to town and has The Washout, which is the best place to surf in the Lowcountry. Sullivan's Island also has a great beach.

Will Granberry III, 20

College of Charleston junior (spending semester in Prague)

Communication major

"I go to the beach when I can. Sullivan's is my fave' 'cause it's classy."

Good eats

For a city this size, Charleston has a lot to choose from when it comes to food. Here's a list of some students' favorite places:

--Five Loaves

--King Street Station

--Juanita Greenberg's

--Basil

--Mellow Mushroom

--Waffle House

--Harris Teeter

--La Hacienda

Liz Earle, 20

College of Charleston junior

Communications major

"THE hangout is the Daily Dose on James Island every Friday night at 10 p.m. It's got live graffiti shows, live music, independent films, art sales, good food, good mood and good people."

Live music

Charleston has a lively music scene and also draws some big names like Ryan Adams, Wilco, Rilo Kiley and Nas who just played at the Music Farm (www.musicfarm.com).

The Village Tavern in Mount Pleasant showcases some great under-the-radar bands. For upcoming shows, check out the club's Web site www.village-tavern.com

The Tin Roof in West Ashley is a new favorite, where you can catch great local bands. Check the Web site at www.myspace.com/westashleytinroof.

The bar scene

Turning 21 is a major milestone for most students, and a lot of them head down to the Market area when they finally do. Popular watering holes include Mad River, Pearlz and the Rooftop bar at Vendue Inn. Other favorites downtown are Blind Tiger, Upper Deck, A.C.'s and Silver Dollar.

History, culture & other stuff

There's more to being a student than keggers and skipping class.

Most will admit there's something special about going to school in Charleston, and that it's important to take advantage of what's here. When asked what they liked, students mentioned the architecture, Spoleto, the parks, Redux (art) studios, how walkable downtown is, art galleries, shows at Sottile, the water, indie films and documentaries at the Terrace, Footlight Players Theatre, friendly residents and the city's colorful past.

Sara Bennett, 21

College of Charleston senior

Marine biology major

"Everyone should do a shot on the Rooftop bar with the great views of Charleston all around."

Katy Stubbs, 21

College of Charleston junior

Pre-law

"I love the history!"

AND THE STAFF SAYS ...

Admittedly, most of The Post and Courier's staffers have been out of college for quite some time.

But we here at Preview decided to give the staffers a chance to voice what they would recommend to students attending college in the Lowcountry. Here are some real — and we assume, imagined — suggestions.

Catch a College of Charleston basketball game and a Citadel football game. — Ken Burger, Post and Courier sports editor/columnist

1) Sunday karaoke nights at the Upper Deck: If you're not careful, you'll really end up regretting your Monday-morning hangover, but it's a great way to relax before you dive back into a full week of classes, work and other life dramas. It's even better if you don't need any liquid courage to get up and belt out your favorite Prince song. 2) Monday Night Blues at East Bay Coffee House: A great place to go if you're an aspiring poet, an even better venue if you're an inspiring one. You can pretty much get away with any form of visual performance, although poets and singer/songwriters/acoustic guitarists are the most common ones. The regulars are a very welcoming crowd of all ages and life experiences. Starts around 7 or 8 p.m. 3) Kronic Coffee: For times when you need to get out of your dorm room and off the peninsula, this coffee shop on James Island is the perfect retreat. It's worth the trip away from the usual fanfare of downtown and offers some of the best homemade deli sandwiches, quiche, desserts and flavored coffee drinks in these parts. It's got wireless and it's very likely you'll hear whoever's working behind the counter sing along with whatever tune is playing. — Sophia Rodriguez, Post and Courier reporter

Beyond the bar scenes and local music scenes, students should be encouraged to take advantage of all the culture that Charleston offers: plays, chamber music concerts, Charleston Symphony Orchestra concerts, historic home tours, etc. Many of these have reduced prices for students. Education is more than just going to classes and focusing on a degree. — Angie Blackburn, Post and Courier copy desk chief

The new Apple store on King Street, the gay dance club (can't remember the name of it), chocolate martinis at High Cotton, Kudu Coffee, Artist & Craftsman Supply, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, Parasailing. — Harriet McLeod, assistant Community News editor

Blues on the Dock at Bowens Island. — Douglas Pardue, The Post and Courier's special assignments editor

Drive all night one Friday from Charleston to Columbus, Ohio, to watch an OSU football game — Philip M. Bowman, Post and Courier sports writer

(Suggest) where to buy coonskin hats, beanies with propellers on them and fur coats. — Rick Nelson, Post and Courier metro editor

The Cooper River Bridge Run, and improving your chip time each of the six years you are in school. — Gene Sapakoff, Post and Courier, sports writer/columnist

See Bull's Island. There's no better way to savor the natural beauty of the Lowcountry coast than to spend a day on this undeveloped barrier island in northern Charleston County. It's reachable by a ferry that usually runs twice a day. If you go in the fall, be sure to bring serious bug spray. — Robert Behre, Post and Courier reporter/columnist

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