Any Charleston, SC Budget tips??

[jacksmom]

Hi! We are taking ds to Charleston for the weekend next month for his 13th birthday! I have done some research and there seems to be tons to do! Just wonder if anyone has any budget ideas?? Thanks in advance!

 

[fairestoneofall]

there are quite a few free things to do here.

fort moultrie (you can pay to go in the main fort, or you can go in the other part of it for free during the day)

charles pinckney house (across the street from boone hall plantation, which you pay to tour. but charles pinckney is free.)

local beaches

walking tour of downtown (some cemeteries are open--they are old, beautiful and interesting)

waterfront park (hop on a swing and enjoy the view)

the open-air market (although, it will cost you money if you buy something )

also, there are different plantations you can tour that do charge an entry fee. my favorite is boone hall, followed by magnolia plantation.

make sure you get dessert at kaminsky's (downtown in the market area)

those are just the things i can think off of the top of my head.

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

if you're into nature things--stop by the visitor center counter downtown(you have to ask someone for this one) and ask for a map to Angel Oak, it is the most unbelievable tree that you and your son will ever see--might get him some brownie points with his science teachers if he takes in pics and tells about the tree's history--I know a tree, but seriously it's surreal. It's not that far from the visitor center maybe 15 or 20 minutes..

 

[mrsgus06]

The Angel Oak Tree is on Johns Island and is awesome. There is also the aquarium down town. I have taken the ghost walk at night through the different cemeteries which was kind of cool. Charles Towne Landing is a state park with a small zoo. Carolina Ice Palace is a good place to go ice skating. Most of all, try to eat at Bessingers BBQ. They have the best onion rings and bbq around!

 

[jacksmom]

Wow! Wonderful suggestions! I look forward to the tree! Thanks for the restaurant suggestions also! My ds has already requested a Ghost Tour!

 

[pkwoo84]

I highly suggest doing a walking ghost tour in downtown. Lots of historical info but really fun too!

 

[ohanaMAMA]

We <3 Charleston! There is a ton to do there. We spent a whole day there and only spent money on food. The Angel Oak is a MUST see (free) The Battery on the water is also free. We loved the market and watching the Gullah women make sweet grass baskets. Rainbow row is not far from there and there is a SC civil war museum above the market. (free)

Be sure to check out "jestine's kitchen" Its an amazing place to eat that has been featured on Food Network and in Southern Living Magazine. AWESOME fried chicken! YUM.

 

[tower_of_terror_luvr]

Walking around the battery is very fun and free. You have to get a cupcake from cupcake on King Street.

 

[tammymacb]

I'm sorry. But, if this trip is for a sons 13th birthday. I think he'll find some of these suggestions a little boring...

I have a 13 year old daughter, and live in Mount Pleasant ( I work in Downtown Charleston, we live about 20 minutes from the city )

First of all, I hope you have good weather. We do have a few nice beaches at Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, but in February, don't plan on it being warm enough to enjoy them.

You son would probably like the slave market. Just because kids like to buy stuff. IMO, it's a bit like a straw market in the Caribbean, with lots of knick knack souvineers...but the basket makers are interesting.

Boone Hall is really nice. My DH grew up with the owner and we go over to visit, so I've never done it the "touristy" way, but the scenery is beautiful, there are horses, old slave houses and the Cotton Dock is lovely.

We also have the SC Aquarium downtown. If it's cold, I'd guess your son would enjoy that.

I do agree with Kaminskys. Best desert place ever. That and Marble Slab ice cream on the Isle of Palms connector.

For a bit of fun, try dinner at Tommy Condon's on Church Street. They have a live Irish Band playing after 8 PM ( they're off Mon and Tues ) Often a good laugh, and good music. Just don't stay too late on Fri or Sat night as they will lose their G rating a some point.

If you have any specific questions just ask.

ETA, I do agree with the Ghost Tour. One of the "touristy" things I really enjoy doing when we get guests in town.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Glad you started this thread!

DH, DM, and DDad and I are all going on a cruise from mom's 65th bday in Sept that leaves out of charleston, and since it's only a 5 day we are going to vist charleston for a couple days after the cruise, and are looking for somethings to do.

Any suggestions on places to stay. Mom wants to be on the bus line, so we don't have to worry about driving.

Thanks!!!

 

[newtodis]

Love, love, love Charleston! We're a little over an hour away and try to get up there as often as we can! My boys are 5 and 3 so I'm not sure what's "cool" for a 13 year old! There's tons to do for sure -and surprisingly a lot is free which is a huge bonus. It might be warm enough during the day to walk on the beach but certainly not for anything like swimming or anything else. If he's into shells and shark teeth, check out Edisto Beach outside of Charleston. We always find tons of treasures on the beach!! It's not a huge tourist thing so you'll find tons of different shells and stuff which my boys love.

I'll keep thinking on it but feel free to PM if you have any other questions. We used to vacation in Charleston and stayed in Mt Pleasant which is how we moved down here and wouldn't change a thing! I love it here!!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I LOVE Charleston!!! Not sure if it's budget, but our family loved Patriot's Point - very cool - and Queen Ann's Revenge restaurant on Daniel Island.

http://www.patriotspoint.org/

http://www.qarevenge.com/

We did a ghost tour, but also the Gullah tour, and enjoyed both very much.

 

[feezle]

I love Charleston! I am a huge fan of the North and South miniseries and aside from Disney, Boone Hall is my favorite place on earth.

 

[NCRedding]

Glad you started this thread!

DH, DM, and DDad and I are all going on a cruise from mom's 65th bday in Sept that leaves out of charleston, and since it's only a 5 day we are going to vist charleston for a couple days after the cruise, and are looking for somethings to do.

Any suggestions on places to stay. Mom wants to be on the bus line, so we don't have to worry about driving.

Thanks!!!

Charleston driving is very easy, except downtown can be crowded. You may want to consider driving and parking at the visitors center and catching the downtown shuttle from there. It does cost to park there, though I am not sure of the charge. There are also two hotels very close to the visitors center: the Embassy Suites and a Hampton Inn. Closer to town is the Best Western King Charles Inn which includes free parking and is usually not too expensive. Be prepared: its location is wonderful, but the hotel itself is very basic and not the most modern. We had issues with noise when we stayed there.

 

[floridascgirl]

The aquarium is a fantastic. If you are interested in a downtown carriage tour, I have a friend who drives for Classic Carriage Co. His name is Matt and he is so knowledgeable. I'm sure that he would give you a great tour. If you plan to walk around downtown, there is LOTS of shopping to be done on King Street...plus lots of eating. There is a restaurant every few yards.

Folly Beach is a fun beach with a laid-back, funky atmosphere. Sullivan's Island beach is a bit more traditional. If you decide to head out to Angel Oak (about 20 min. plus from downtown), make sure you stop to eat lunch at the Fat Hen on Johns Island.

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks for all the great ideas! We are definately planning on visiting Patriots Point and the Aquarium! We also want to do a Ghost tour and the Carriage tour sounds nice also! I also want to see the tree and would like to try and do a Plantation Tour, any ideas on which one??? I am also taking note of the restaurnt ideas and will fit them in as well!

 

[Batch]

I went to Charleston for the first time in July and have been back a few times since...I fell in love with the whole area! Anywho, another vote for Boone Hall. My best friend got married in October and the reception was at the Cotton Dock. It's such a beautiful place. As for restaurants, I was introduced to Kickin' Chicken in downtown Charleston and I pretty much think it's amazing!

 

[fairestoneofall]

okay, i'm going to be the odd person and say that i don't think our aquarium is worth what they charge. if you have been to another aquarium, ours is seriously lacking. it's very small and takes two hours at the most.

and we used to be members, when my kids were younger. so, i've been there quite a bit.

 

[minniebeth]

Just out of curiosity for those who have been: how long would you set aside for touring Boone Plantation?

What is the difference between "The Battery" and Waterfront Park?

Also, if anyone knows the area or has stayed, if you could choose between the Hampton Inn Historic District or the Embassy Suites Historic District, which would you recommend on what you know?


Thanks!!

 

[fairestoneofall]

Boone Hall includes a house tour. I'd say it's 20-30 minutes long (i'm guessing, it's been awhile). And then, you can tour old slave cabins and the rest of the grounds. So, you could easily spend several hours there. We do and we don't normally do the house tour anymore.

The Battery is a row of gorgeous houses along the water. It also has White Point Gardens, which is a small park. There are different Civil War things here. But they are currently renovating the gazebo and so a lot of it is roped off right now. You can also walk along the water.

Honestly, I prefer Waterfront Park. This park is bigger and includes a dock with swings and tables. You can also walk even further out on the dock and lots of places to sit and relax, or have a picnic. It also has two large green areas with two fountains (one is the famous pineapple fountain). There are many benches in shaded areas. Honestly, it is one of my favorite spots in Charleston. I'm a photographer and I do a LOT of sessions in this area because I find it so beautiful.

However, they are within walking distance of one another. And you can't go wrong just touring the downtown area--even going from one park to another.