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Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 35 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
Southern houses and porches - the two pair up as perfectly as peanut butter and bananas. Sometimes referred to as a piazza or veranda, a porch can transform an ordinary house into a warm, inviting - and sometimes stunning - home.
But the fronting structure of a house is more than just another pretty architectural face. Porches are essential retreats that beckon us to catch an elusive cooling breeze while hiding from the heavy-handed Southern sun, outdoor parlors for welcoming the morning with a mimosa or chatting with neighbors over a glass of iced tea; the favorite "room" of the house where you can gently rock to the sound of an afternoon shower or be lulled by the pulsing spark of fireflies on a summer night.
Great porches exemplify the graciousness of South Carolina living, and you are invited to experience that richness. Enjoy a time-honored Southern pastime by pulling up a chair and sitting a spell on some of the state's grandest porches.
Porch-sitting is an artform at the Veranda on Main.
Veranda on Main, Abbeville
It's easy to get wrapped up in the warmth of the generous porches at Veranda on Main in Abbeville. This Southern Greek Revival beauty was built in the mid-1800s and has plenty of romantic porch space for morning coffee, afternoon tea or plain old relaxing. Situated on Abbeville's historic Main Street, this bed and breakfast is close to downtown and the famed Abbeville Opera House.
A history rooted in romance sets the mood when you stay at Breeden Inn.
Breeden Inn, Bennetsville
Porches, porches, porches, porches - there's no shortage of them at Breeden Inn in Bennettsville. It's a definite advantage to having four elegant guest homes on one lush property. Pick a porch and sink down in an oversized bamboo reading chair, channel your childhood with a turn on an old-timey glider, enjoy an al fresco breakfast or secure the Gathering Room, which once served as a summer sleeping porch. For the ultimate in privacy, the Robin's Nest suite in the Garden Cottage has its very own porch with views of the garden, a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat.
The stately columned porch of the Wilcox in Aiken offers an inviting spot to sit outdoors.
The Willcox, Aiken
One of the most coveted pleasures at The Willcox in Aiken is spending time on the stately columned porch, which runs the length of this historical residence now operating as a grand hotel. The Colonial Revival architecture makes it easy to imagine you're part of the 19th-century aristocracy that favored this equestrian town during the Gilded Age. Grab a rocker and match wits with your partner over a game of chess, or sip a glass of wine before retiring for the night. The surrounding magnolias and live oaks add to the relaxing Southern aura.
Stately accommodations are steeped in history and Southern hospitality at Cuthbert House in Beaufort.
Cuthbert House Inn, Beaufort
Waterfront elegance and cool breezes lure respite seekers to the ample veranda of the Cuthbert House Inn in Beaufort. Serene views, complete with Spanish moss and magnolias, are a specialty at this antebellum bed and breakfast that sits on the Beaufort River. The veranda is the place for daily social gatherings, where you can chat up fellow lodgers, enjoy sunset cocktails and bask in the surrounding natural beauty.
Husk is one of Charleston's most popular restaurants.
Husk, Charleston
Snagging an outdoor table at Husk is a lesson in planning ahead, but one well worth your foresight. The façade of this iconic Charleston eatery captures all the flavor of the South with first- and second-floor verandas that draw the eye and the crowds. Dine on some of the finest eats in the nation beneath the gentle whir of ceiling fans. One look and you'll agree that the charm and ambiance of these outdoor dining rooms are an integral part of Husk's allure.
Edmondston-Alston House, Charleston
A three-story piazza is the architectural hallmark of this antebellum modified Charleston single-house, but it's the view that will take your breath away. Tours of this historical property include the piazza, where you will thrill to panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. From that perspective, Gen. P.T. Beauregard observed the April 12, 1861, attack of Fort Sumter, which heralded the onset of the Civil War.
The shady Kaminski House porch reflects the simple elegance of days past.
Kaminski House Museum, Georgetown
The colonnaded piazza of Kaminski House in Georgetown offers a charming example of courtship, Old South style. There you'll find a joggling board, a Southern-style bench supported only at the ends so that the middle "joggles." In the early days of this antebellum home-turned-museum, young couples would meet on the porch and sit on opposite ends of the joggling board with a chaperone in the middle for good measure. If the chaperone approved of the arrangement, he or she would leave the couple alone for a few golden moments, during which time the young lovers would joggle up and down on the board until they were finally sitting shoulder to shoulder. Plan a visit to test your joggling skills or snag a comfy rocker and watch others give it a try.
Abingdon Manor is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Abingdon Manor, Latta
With more than 2,000 feet of veranda space, Abingdon Manor in Latta is a porch-sitter's dream. Claim your spot and rock the afternoon away with the property's lovely gardens as a focal point. Fascinating fact: The wood for the country inn's 40 columns was sourced from trees grown on the land of original owner, James H. Manning. The Greek Revival architecture paired with the seemingly endless Southern-style verandas makes Abingdon Manor one of the most visually stunning inns in South Carolina.
The Victorian porches of the White Home create a dramatic façade.
White Home, Rock Hill
There are no rockers or swings, but you won't want to miss seeing this Rock Hill stunner. The Gothic porch of the White Home, a replica of the one added to the house in the mid-1800s, reflects design trends that became popular in the 1840s. Considered one of the earliest examples of Victorian style outside of Charleston, this historical house shows off the intricate, highly decorated trimmings of its porches to impressive advantage. Once your eyes get their fill, step inside to view the exhibits and learn more about the town and property
Enjoy breakfast with garden views from the porch at Sunrise Farm.
Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast, Salem
Homey. Warm. Tranquil. The wraparound porch at Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast in Salem is a special place where pastoral views banish all traces of fast-paced living. From the comfort of a wooden rocker, savor freshly baked cookies, do some bird watching and imagine what the view was like a generation ago. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this home offers plenty of beautiful scenery to satisfy the most demanding porch sitters
Flowertown Bed and Breakfast, Summerville
This charming c. 1889 Victorian offers has one of the prettiest front porches in Summerville. The grounds of Flowertown Bed and Breakfast add to the appeal with award-winning gardens and meandering pathways that surprise with hidden garden rooms, fountains, arbors and quiet sitting areas. Relax with a cold glass of sweet tea and drink in all that Southern charm. Then, stroll the shady sidewalks of Summerville and find out why it, too, is called "Flower Town."
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 35 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
