When it gets cold in Charleston, like it has been this week with nighttime temps dipping into the teens and day time highs barely reaching 40, there isn't much to do in the way of outdoor activity. Beach and coats don't make good postcards. Fishing rods and gloves are not compatable. A walk in the open air Old Market isn't as appealing. A stroll along the Battery with the waves crashing the waterfront from the nippy brisk wind loses its nostalgia. A carriage ride through the historic French Quarter loses some of its luster. Even the nighttime ghostly tours leaves you with a chill in more ways than one. There is no snow. You can't ski, tobbagan, or sled ride. You can't make a snow fort with the kids and then destroy it with a snowball fight. Which brings me to a subtle fact that only Northeners can appreciate, snow makes the cold more fun, and when it's cold here, it's just cold. So, what do you do in Charleston when the temperature takes a dip?

You can wait until it warms up because it will surely do that. Cold snaps don't last for long, although this year they have come early and have lasted longer. In the meantime, here are some of the things on tap during these chillier months.
 
Flowertown Players-Theatre on the Square in Summerville-Presenting Same Time, Next Year a Romantic Comedy for ages 18 and up.-January 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 PM, January 16, 23 and 30 at 2 PM.-Purchase tickets
Dock Street Theater-"America's First Theatre" presents A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas December 3 - 19, 2010. Charleston Stage's acclaimed original adaptation magically returns with a wonderful story of Scrooge and his Christmas Eve encounter with three ghoulish spectres. With colorful period costumes, stunning Christmas card sets, magical special effects and scores of actors, singers, dancers and musicians.-Purchase tickets
Footlight Theater-"White Christmas"  by Irving Berlin playing December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8 PM; December 5, 12 (sold out), and 19 at 3 PM. This brand new musical shines with classic Berlin hits like "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean?" and, of course, the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas."-Purchase tickets
North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center-Charleston Ballet Theatre The Nutcracker Dec 17 at 7:30 PM and Dec 18 at 3:00 PM. Charleston Ballet Theatre unwraps its glittering holiday treat with performances that have become the centerpiece of holiday tradition for families throughout the region. Adult tickets are $45.00, $40.00, $35.00, and $25.00. Children 2-12 tickets are $35.00, $30.00, $25.00, and $15.-Purchase tickets
Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” is the one performance this season you shouldn’t miss! Tickets are $88.50, $68.50, $48.50, $38.50, & $28.50 plus applicable fees. Limited Premium Seating and VIP seating avaiable.-Purchase tickets
Holiday Festival of Lights-James Island County Park hosts November 12, 2010-January 2, 2011. Your journey begins with a 3-mile drive through millions of sparkling lights and hundreds of light displays. They also offer a marshmallow roast and a 54 passenger train ride through the park to view the lights. To tour the lights in your car is $10/car and if you'd like you can ride the train around the lake for approximately $2/person and children under 2 are free if they sit in the lap of an adult.
South Carolina Aquarium- Learn all about the animals that call the ocean home at the South Carolina Aquarium. Here there are a large number of hands on exhibits that include information on both ocean animals, and those that call the beach home. Learn in the discovery lab, and then watch a movie about the creatures of the Amazon.-(843) 720-1990
Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash-21st annual Lowcountry Blues Bash 12 days, 25+ venues, 50+ acts Bars, restaurants, hotels, many all-ages venues. Blues performances day & night. Reasonable cover charges and many free shows. February 3-13, 2011 Metro Charleston, South Carolina.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival-Selected By the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event. January 30, 2011, Boone Hall Plantation.(843) 577-4030
The 26th Annual Charleston Boat Show at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex held January 21-23, 2011. Boats and water equipment from 30 of the most popular dealers in America.
Southeastern Tourism Society-Charleston Wildlife Exposition-When: February 18 - 20, 2011. Where: Charleston, South Carolina. What: The largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, SEWE offers something for everyone.-Purchase tickets
Old City Jail-Good stories and a great tour located at 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC. Bulldog Tours is located at 40 North Market St, Charleston, SC or call 843-722-8687

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on Charleston blog Vacation Rick of Charleston. Become a follower and subscriber. Thank you.

We all like to be entertained with a good scare once in awhile. Remember the fun times sitting in a semi-dark room on a stormy night or around a crackling campfire taking turns at telling scary stories and seeing who could come up with the most sinister plot. That was how Mary Shelley gave birth to her first novel now known as "Frankenstein".

Sorrel-Weed House

While vacationing on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, Mary and her friends amused themselves by reading German ghost stories, prompting a suggestion they each write their own supernatural tale. Mary's scary tale was conceived in a waking dream she had one night. She wrote a short story about her horrific dream and later expanded it into the famous novel. Needless to say, her story took the honor of being the scariest tale that infamous night.

Looking for inspiration for a winning scary novel? Savannah was dubbed by The American Institute of Parapsychology as "America's Most Haunted City". The Sorrel-Weed House at 6 W Harris Street at Madison Square was featured on Ghost Hunters and is one of the top ten creepiest places in America. Be sure to take the 10:30pm tour for the greatest affect, if you dare.

Charleston's darker side can most certainly fuel the imagination and inspiration for a winning frightful tale. Travel Channel designated Charleston "America's Most Haunted Places". Take an inside look at Charleston's haunted Old City Jail, enter the Provost Dungeon, or visit Poogan's Porch where Zoe makes her presence known. Walk the streets, bars, and cemeteries while the guides of Bulldog Tours amuse you with the tales and stories of the not so holy side of the Holy City.

Take your search for nighttime fun and storytelling entertainment a step further and consider what the Footlight Theatre has to offer October 28, 29 30 and November 4, 5, 6 at 9pm. "The Weir" by Conor McPherson will be presented by the Footlight Players. "The Weir" takes place in a small tavern in rural Ireland where local men swap spook stories in an attempt to impress a young woman who recently moved into a nearby "haunted" house, but the tables get turned on them when she tells a tale of her own. Old-fashioned story telling guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Ticket price ranges $10-$15. Footlight Players Theatre is located at 20 Queen Street.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on travel blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and beyond.