Charleston advice anyone?

[WDWAurora]

We're thinking of going for a weekend and I was wondering if anyone had any site-seeing advice. We'll be arriving in the evening on Friday (8-9ish) and leaving on Sunday maybe around 2-4.

DH would love to hit the beach if there's a public one and he'd like to limit the historical stuff. I LOVE all the historical places, so we'll probably do a mix.

I'm also looking to expand on my photography hobby, so if you can think of anything great to shoot while I'm there, that will help.

Any tours you would suggest, or specific activities? How is the aquarium? This is somewhat of a budget trip, but we want to have fun. If we go, it will be an anniversary trip, so any romantic ideas would help also. Thanks for any info you can give us!!

 

[pperfectmom]

There are some lovely b & b's if you don't have a room yet. The open air market is fun and the food is amazing. There are several old cemetaries that would be good for photos and a waterfront park where you can sit in a swing and people or boat watch. The only beach I've been to close by is Edisto Island which is probably 45 minutes away. It has an awesome state park with about 2 miles of beach front and great shell collecting. Have fun!!

 

[TLHB70]

My family went for a short trip over a weekend. It was beautiful and we had fun. However, we definitely needed longer!!!!!!! There is so much to see and do. We really only had one full day and one half day to do things because we left home after DH got home from work on Friday. He had to be back at work on Monday. It just wasn't enough time. We visited the air-craft carrier and submarine there. That was awesome. We went to the IMAX theater and aquarium. Also we went to the market. That was great! When I returned home I emailed my friend that once lived there. I told her all that we had done, and I told her how much I loved it. I also told her that we wanted to go back. She sent me a "must see" list for my next trip. Since she lived there I kept it because I figured she must know the highlights. I have copied and pasted her list for you. **Remember that I have not done these so I don't know anything about them to help you out. This is just her tips after living there.
Hope this helps!



points of interest in Charleston:



Middleton Place and Gardens (They reenact actual plantatnion labor from the 1800's)

Magnolia Plantation

The Battery (park) and all houses that are opening for touring (see them all!)

Before you do anything, take the horse and carriage tour that is
usually located around the Battery somewhere.

Fort Sumter (First shot of Civil War was fired here)

Mt. Pleasant

Isle of Palms

Sullivan's Island

Folly Beach

Meeting St and the open air Market as well as the exclusive shops

King Street

Broad Street

Ask around about the restaurants because they have some excellent ones

Because of the wealth in Charleston, there are some very, very expensive shops along King St.

Try to go to the Spoleto Festival at least once. Call or go online and check the schedule for events. It is an international event that encompasses two weekends in April and maybe May, but for sure April. It is so hot then there. It is very humid. We saw the Westminster Boys Choir, Itsak Perlman, Yo Yo Mah or whatever the famed cellist is, an old tap dancer and all kinds of different things over the years we were there. They used to have a jazz festival during the same time at one of the plantations and I think it was Magnolia.

 

[luvflorida]

If you do a search under my name, you'll find a thread, Vacationing in Charleston SC. It was posted a few months ago and there are some pics if you're interested.

MY daughter, 15, and I took a road trip to Charleston last April, and we loved it! It's a beautiful place with lots to see and do and plenty of friendly people. For beaches, we visited Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. Downtown Charleston is very charming and I'd highly recommend the horse and carriage tours. It was fun and very informative.

There are tons of helpful hints and information on the thread from people who live there or have visited there.

 

[RadioNate]

for a shrot trip I'd recommend a carriage tour, there you'lll get your history but it won't be an all day historical outing. The tours depart from the market area so you might as well check that out while you are there.

There are also some nighttime walking tours. I had friends do a 'bar' tour once that went to several older bars (where they drank) and learned about their history. They really enjoyed it.

I'd choose Island of Palms over Folly Beach if I had to choose one.

The aquarium is small.

 

[swanmom]

My DH, who travels all the time and has eaten in restaurants all over the world, really loves a restaurant in Charleston called "Poogan's Porch." Don't miss it. If you google it, you'll see lots of great reviews.

 

[WDWAurora]

I like the open air market. I went when I was a kid, and a few times in high school, so I know a little, but I haven't been in years and never as a "grown up."

What did you think of the aquarium TLHB70? I read some reviews that weren't great.

 

[TLHB70]

What did you think of the aquarium TLHB70? I read some reviews that weren't great.

It was ok. Honestly, I wouldn't go again. I hated going to the IMAX and aquarium while there because there was so much other stuff to see. To me, an aquarium and IMAX are things that we can do anywhere almost. Charleston has too many other things to do. I didn't like wasting time doing the IMAX and aquarium. However, DH and my girls love aquariums so we hit them anytime we are around them. I have been to many others that are bigger and better.

 

[WDWAurora]

Great info, everyone. I do think we'll skip the aquarium for this trip. We might eat at Poogan's Porch for lunch one day. Dinner is probably a little too expensive, especially since DH is not very adventurous when it comes to food. He'd like the burger/sandwich menu for lunch.

I found a tour online that is 2hrs for 15ish bucks that does the battery and some houses around there and some other stuff. It sounds good, but I don't know if we should just wing it or not.

 

[NCRedding]

I thought the aquarium was too expensive for what is actually there, so I would skip it. I enjoyed the carriage ride and harbor boat tour combo--gave us a nice overview of the city, and we got to see dolphins!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

It's been 14 years, but I remember really enjoying Charleston. I always associated it with the start of the Civil War, and the harbor tour that includes a stop at Fort Sumter is not to be missed. But I didn't realize that most of the historical homes and stuff were from the Revolutionary period. My friend (former college roommate) and I also toured a couple of homes, walked through the market, and had some fabulous food! We were only there for about 24 hours, so didn't get to go to any of the plantations or beaches etc. I'd love to go back and take DH with me, it's a beautiful city.

 

[WDWAurora]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'm going to compile it into one list, research from there, and try to form somewhat of an itinerary. It's hard going somewhere like this where I don't know every inch of the city, like I do at Disney!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Please go to The Boathouse for dinner one night. They have a location on Isle of Palms, and one in Downtown Charleston. Food is fantastic---decor and location is better on Isle of Palms (ask for a table right on the water, sometimes you'll see dolphins swimming in the inlet).

 

[TLHB70]

I have a question for all of you that have done the city tour. I am allergic to animal hair so I can't do carriage rides for long or I end up miserable. I tried it in NYC, Central Park, and ended up with swollen eyes for dinner. Is there some type of tour like this that will not use a horse drawn carriage so that I can do it? I love horses, but I end up sneezing, sniffling, with swollen and itchy eyes. I would love to do a city tour without horses. Is that available?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I have a question for all of you that have done the city tour. I am allergic to animal hair so I can't do carriage rides for long or I end up miserable. I tried it in NYC, Central Park, and ended up with swollen eyes for dinner. Is there some type of tour like this that will not use a horse drawn carriage so that I can do it? I love horses, but I end up sneezing, sniffling, with swollen and itchy eyes. I would love to do a city tour without horses. Is that available?

We have done some walking tours at night (ghost tours) and rented bicycles and did our own touring. We rented cute bikes, 4 people could sit on them, two people side by side in the front (both pedaling) and the back. The were covered also so it wasn't too hot. Sorry I can't remember where we rented them, but I'm sure if you asked around downtown someone could point you in the right direction. Walking ghost tours are everywhere.........easy to fine one.

 

[HOGFAN]

eat at Hymans. Its fun to walk around and read the little plaques they have on the tables where celebrities have sat.

 

[Figment22]

I have a question for all of you that have done the city tour. I am allergic to animal hair so I can't do carriage rides for long or I end up miserable. I tried it in NYC, Central Park, and ended up with swollen eyes for dinner. Is there some type of tour like this that will not use a horse drawn carriage so that I can do it? I love horses, but I end up sneezing, sniffling, with swollen and itchy eyes. I would love to do a city tour without horses. Is that available?

There are several motorized tours available which leave from the Visitors' Center. They actually cover more ground than the carriage tours which leave from the Market. I love the carriage tours but the motorized tours do have the advantage of air conditioning! The tour guides are very good whichever way you decide to go.

Here are a few websites for the motorized tours:
http://www.dointhecharlestontours.com/
http://www.talkofthetowne.com/
http://www.graylineofcharleston.com/

 

[maryssasmom]

my ex went to school at the Citadel, so that is a nice place to see, not sure if you can still go there to see the beautiful buildings. Of course the open air market and Magnolia Plantation are nice places too.

 

[HOGFAN]

you can actually stay at the old Citadel that they turned into a hotel. VERY cool.

 

[christineann]

I would skip the aquarium - we locals think it's overpriced. If you all want a reasonably priced supper (you mentioned burgers, etc.) I would recommend Sticky Fingers or Wild Wings, both near the market in the city. Jestine's is also very good, "Southern" food. We think the Boathouse is nice but very expensive.

We love the Fort Sumter tour. I used to work for Historic Charleston Foundation, and I used to take my kids there often. We also like Patriot's Point. The plantations are great, but that is at least a half day visit to one. Middleton Place has formal gardens, Magnolia has more natural or woodsy areas.

If you want to go to the beach, I would suggest Isle of Palms or Sullivans Island (adjacent to each other).

I hope you have a great visit. If you have any questions, just ask