Charleston Farmers Market

Founded in 1989 with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, the Charleston Farmers Market fills Marion Square at 329 Meeting Street, in the heart of the Historic District. The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs produces it with the Parks Department and Special Events Committee. In 2005 the revitalized square welcomed the market back and the Charleston Save the City Committee gave it the Three Sisters Award; in 2008 Travel + Leisure ranked it among the top 10 farmers markets in the nation. Stalls carry Lowcountry produce, plants, herbs, and cut flowers, from spring strawberries to fall pecans, plus breakfast and lunch vendors, small-batch jams, honey, hot sauces, hand-rolled pasta, artisan breads, live entertainment, and juried crafts.

Our take: Go hungry enough for breakfast or lunch from the prepared-food stalls, and look for strawberries in spring and pecans in fall.