Budget things to do in Charleston, SC in November

[Aurora D]

My daughter and I are headed to Charleston for 3 days. We're looking for a nice downtown hotel for about $100 a night. In addition, free or cheap things to do and restaurant recommendations. I saw on Restaurant.com gc's for The Swamp Fox, Virginia's on King and Joe Pasta's. Anybody familiar with these? Thanks!

 

[NJGirl]

I love going to the Open Air Market and walking around to see what the vendors are selling. I've also taken a narrated tour (inside a lil fancy shuttle type van) a couple of times about the history of Charleston and it takes you around the city. Every driver gives you a different perspective and different facts so you learn something new each time. I just came back from there a few weeks ago and had the best tour I've had and my dad agreed. We used "Talk of the Towne" tours. They can be found on the web. I want to say it was 30 dollars or so for the two of us to go. It was a 90 min tour and totally worth it. The tours leave like every hour or half hour from the downtown Vistors Center. We've also taken the boat out to Ft Sumter and toured the fort where the Civil War started. Not sure they run those in November as I usually go down in Oct.

Enjoy Charleston! It's beautiful and I always make it a point to go when I visit my dad in SC.

 

[NJGirl]

Adding that I love "CupCake" for cupcakes. Its located on King Street a block or so behind the Visitor Center (which is on Meeting Street). Best red velvet cupcakes I've had...beats all the famous NYC bakeries I've been too.

King street also has all the exclusive shops....if you want to shop, you can find it on King Street.

 

[Aurora D]

Thanks! I read about the market. I'll also look into that tour company. Anybody else? Restaurants, lodging?

 

[Danibelle]

I would check Expedia or Travelocity. I did get a good rate once at Residence Inn. It is not right downtown though. There is a Jim and Nick's barbecue, Vickery's, T-Bonz, and Charleston Crab House in that area. Good luck! Charleston is a great city.

 

[dis-happy]

Love the food at Jestine's Kitchen. Southern style (my favorite entree is the pecan crusted chicken) and very reasonable prices. Save room for dessert!

 

[laurafergie]

We just came back from Charleston visiting DS. Loved the city - it is either GORGEOUS or the houses are falling down. Didn't seem to be a middle ground.

Good luck finding a hotel in the historic area for 100. We sure couldn't - but it was a football weekend for the Citadel and a Cruise weekend (saw the ship docked) so maybe you can find one. We stayed in the Hawthorne Suites out on Rt 17. It wasn't a bad drive in. There are lots of hotels along this road that looked good..Best Western, Holiday Inn, Comfort Suites to name a few.

We used a restaurant.com GC for Toast on Meeting St. The restaurant is attached to the Days Inn downtown, but the food was very good and moderately priced. In fact, we also ate at the famous Hymans and I liked the food at Toast better! Go figure.

There was a cool Farmer's Market beside the Old Citadel on Saturday. A vendor was making fresh donuts!

We checked out the Market and did some shopping, - also tons of shops up and down Meeting , King and side streets with a restaurant on every corner.

We walked along a waterfront park with gorgeous fountains and just kept walking east along the river. We passed "Rainbow Row", beautifully colored row houses and ended up at the Battery. It was a great walk and gave us time to absorb the atmosphere and appreciate the superb architecture.

Also wanted to mention that The Citadel has a cadet parade every Friday for free and their museum is free also.

 

[TinkMomma]

Just wanted to add that if you go to the visitor's center, there are TONS of pamphlets for walking or riding tours. Most are pretty inexpensive. We live in Summerville, about 20ish miles west of downtown Chucktown, and are down there all the time. One of my favorite things to do is walk around White Point Gardens. Don't forget Riverfront Park with the pineapple fountain! And I'm not sure how old your daughter is, but we love the Museum Mile. The Children's Museum in particular. There are usually deals to be had for Ft. Sumter, the Yorktown, and the aquarium in a bundle. A lot of us locals enjoy Wild Wing to eat, Hyman's and Noisy Oyster are good. King Street Grill is good. There is a LOT of good food to be had down here!! We love walking the market. Just a word of advice - while driving, be aware of lanes that must turn either left or right. All of a sudden Meeting St. is only one lane each direction!! Haha!

Oh! And if your daughter is older, one of our favorite things to do is head over to Theatre 99. It's a comedy club on Meeting behind the Bicycle shop. Shows on Wed are only $5, and on Fri and Sat, they are $10. Really really good comedy club. Anyway, if you need more information, feel free to PM me! We love Charleston, and are so glad we moved here.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

My BFF from college relocated to Charleston, she LOVES it. try this site http://www.things-to-do-in-charleston.com/

 

[swilshire]

We got a great Priceline rate on a weekend in North Charleston. Not quite as convenient, but we saved a ton of money and it was the Embassy Suites.

Sheila