Afternoon: Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 pm. If rooms are ready, the hotel will be happy to do early check-in. We ask that you be patient about early check-in because the Mills House is a popular hotel with many guests. Road Scholar Check-In: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby area to pick up your arrival packet with your name badge and the up-to-date schedule we’ll review during orientation please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thanks for your understanding. At 5:15 pm, we’ll gather in the designated meeting room upstairs for an informative overview of the program to come plus an opportunity to greet the program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get-acquainted session. We’ll review the schedule, answer any questions you may have, and discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. (If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the hotel front desk.) You are about to embark on a holiday learning adventure planned to present the distinctive history, heritage, and delectable flavors of Charleston and the Lowcountry amid customs and traditions of the season. What better place to ring in the New Year!

Dinner: Dinner will be served in the private dining room reserved for Road Scholar.

Evening: Take the remainder of the evening to begin getting to know one another or just relax and prepare for tomorrow’s full day of activities. If you choose to go for a walk on your own, the Mills House is ideally located for exploring the city’s renowned historic attractions.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Overview of Charleston and Carolina Lowcountry, Historic District Field Trip, Sound of Charleston Performance

Breakfast: Breakfast in the Barbados Room is an extravaganza of tasty delights, from local specialties such as shrimp and grits to a variety of eggs and omelettes, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, cereal, and fresh fruit. The delectable assortment will be offered either as a buffet or you may order off the menu. Dining is in the Barbados Room or the beautiful courtyard (weather permitting).

Morning: PRESENTATION: History & Holiday Traditions. Festive decorations, culinary wonders, and delightful holiday customs lead to New Year’s when Charleston joins the rest of the world ringing out the old and ringing in the new. An expert local historian — co-author of “Charleston's Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon” — will provide an overview of Charleston and the Carolina Lowcountry, emphasizing the craftsmanship and architecture of the homes decked in holiday finery.

Lunch: Lunch will be out at a popular restaurant next to the City Market.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Charleston Historic District. See the neighborhood dressed in holiday finery and go behind the scenes at an historic house to meet the family and enjoy a cup of cocoa. The Palmer Home on the Battery is one of Charleston's most famous houses, built in 1848 by John Ravenel. This private home is now operated as a bed-and-breakfast by third-generation owner, Ms. Frances Palmer. The house is furnished and decorated with antiques dating back two hundred years. As you walk along the historic streets of the Battery, you’ll learn about architectural wonders and local holiday traditions.

Dinner: Dinner will be at the hotel.

Evening: EXTRACURRICULAR ENTERTAINMENT: The Sound of Charleston, presented at the historic Circular Congregational Church (founded circa 1681, current building completed 1892). Enjoy professional performers bringing to life authentic music from throughout the city’s history, ranging from the classical era and the founding of one of America’s first musical organizations, the St. Cecilia Society (1766), through Civil War songs, spirituals, gospel, jazz, some Gullah, and Gershwin. You’ll hear commentary that illuminates the context, words, and meanings of the music. Clap and sing along during this special and memorable journey through Charleston's rich musical heritage.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Middleton Place Plantation Field Trip plus Low Country Buffet, Sweetgrass Baskets

Breakfast: Another breakfast extravaganza in the Barbados Room.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Middleton Place. This National Historic Landmark situated on the Ashley River is a wonderfully preserved, 18th-century plantation that has survived revolution, Civil War, and earthquake. During our field trip, you'll learn that it was the home of four generations of the distinguished Middleton family. We'll explore the house museum, the gardens, and the plantation stableyards as you learn about the people who lived at Middleton Place for more than three centuries. The historic house will be decorated for the holidays much as it would have been in earlier eras.

Lunch: Lunch will be a special Lowcountry buffet at Middleton Place featuring hearty holiday foods served during the plantation era.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP continues: Amid festive period decorations, the House Museum presents an extraordinary collection of original portraits, furniture, silver, china, documents and other objects that belonged to and were used by Middleton family members which reflect their interests, tastes and resources. The collection includes portraits by Benjamin West and Thomas Sully; fine Charleston and London-made silver; a pre-revolutionary breakfast table made by Thomas Elfe, Charleston's most celebrated cabinetmaker; a rare facsimile copy on silk of the Declaration of Independence, and first edition works by Mark Catesby, John James Audubon and other significant artists and authors.

Dinner: Another delicious dinner is served at the hotel.

Evening: DEMONSTRATION: Sweetgrass Baskets. Protected by state law, Sweetgrass Baskets have been a local tradition for nearly 400 years, brought from West Africa by slaves and originally used for collecting rice and cotton in plantation fields. These baskets made from local grasses were also used to carry food from the kitchen building to the plantation main house in preparation for "bringing in" the New Year. Sweetgrass baskets today are used for a variety of purposes, and the craft is regarded as an art form proudly upheld by Gullah artisans. A local resident demonstrates the weaving of baskets starting with the soaking of the grass up to the completion of the basket.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Free Morning With Lunch On Your Own, Afternoon Field Trip at Boone Hall Plantation, Gullah Culture, Evening to Explore and Dine On Your Own

Breakfast: A bountiful repast is provided again in the Barbados Room.

Morning: Begin your personal independent exploration of Charleston. We will research any activities that might be taking place in Charleston at this time of year and share with you. You are within easy walking distance to many of Charleston's churches. You could also hop on a bike taxi, an environmentally friendly pedicab whose driver will take you anywhere in the district at quite reasonable cost.

Lunch: Take advantage of the opportunity to savor the local flavor you prefer while enjoying lunch on your own. We'll offer suggestions for popular favorites.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Boone Hall Plantation. Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working, living plantations — and reputedly, the most photographed — where you can imagine what plantation life was like there in the 1800s. The spectacular avenue of moss-draped live oak trees was planted in 1743 and today forms a magnificent, intertwined, overhead corridor. The classic mansion and grounds display their holiday finery, featuring Christmas trees adorned with locally-made decorations, wreaths of magnolia leaves, and beautiful arrangements. Continuing our field trip, you’ll encounter the plantation’s eight remaining slave cabins and their unique exhibits presenting different themes of Black History. Get a sense of what slavery was like on a Carolina plantation, see different aspects of daily life, how the people worked and lived, their struggles, celebrations, and historical progression.

Dinner: Indulge your taste preferences with dinner on your own. We’ll provide you with a list of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. If you have something very special in mind, you may want to make reservations well in advance.

Evening: FREE EVENING: Explore more of Charleston, enjoy some entertainment, spend the evening with new friends — the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. We'll have a list of suggestions from current offerings.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Calhoun Mansion & Edmondston-Alston Home Field Trips, Happy New Year Charleston!

Breakfast: Enjoy the extravagant breakfast in the Barbados Room.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Calhoun Mansion. A superb testament to local craftsmanship, the Calhoun Mansion is the largest residence in Charleston. This baronial Italianate manor house has been featured on “America’s Castles.” Its 24,000 square feet comprises 25 rooms featuring 14-foot ceilings, ornate mouldings, elaborate chandeliers, a stairwell that reaches to a 75-foot domed ceiling, a music room with a 45-foot covered glass skylight, astonishing decorative painting and lighting designed by Tiffany, 23 period fireplaces, and a grand entrance hall 14 feet high by 14 feet wide and 65 feet long. FIELD TRIP: Edmondston-Alston House. Constructed in 1825, this gracious home commands a magnificent view of Charleston Harbor. It was here that General P. G. T. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861, signaling the start of the Civil War. The collection consists of pieces that belonged to the family, reflecting both personal history and American history. Despite the ravages of war, earthquake, and hurricanes, the house remains much as it has for over 150 years. Decorations for the holidays represent the kind of adornments there would have been in 1860. Compare and contrast the holiday ambience at these two historic homes.

Lunch: Lunch will be at a popular restaurant called Eli's Table located 3 blocks from the hotel. Eli's Table features a new menu offering bold, worldly flavors while using fresh and local ingredients. Named after the owner of Charleston Hospitality Group's son Eli, the restaurant is sentimental for many reasons. With the flair Chef Scott has brought to Eli's Table, guests are treated with a new way to savor their favorite classics.

Afternoon: Enjoy some quiet time or continue your personal independent explorations before our special New Year's Eve dinner event.

Dinner: NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER: Enjoy delicious fare at the Mills House. Launch your celebration of this special night with food and fellowship.

Evening: HAPPY NEW YEAR CHARLESTON! Join new-found friends for independent explorations of what appeals to you. This city-wide, family-friendly program has something wonderful for everyone: comedy, many forms of music including classical, gospel, beach and jazz, dancing, and much more. Everything takes place in and around Marion Square, about 6 blocks from the hotel. (If you prefer to ride, you can take the inexpensive and fun bike taxi, and we’ll be happy to call for you.) The celebration culminates with a fireworks display at 10:15 pm.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: We'll gather for breakfast one last time in the Barbados Room. Time to say farewell to Charleston -- at least for now -- and "until we meet again" to your new friends. Hotel check-out and departures by 11:00 am. We hope you have enjoyed this special holiday learning adventure and will join us for other delightful and rewarding Road Scholar programs in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys..and Happy New Year!

Meals Included: Breakfast