Charleston, SC

[cjnix29]

We are heading to Myrtle Beach, but want to do a day in Charleston. Anyone have any suggestions of what not to miss. I am hoping just spending the day there won't break the bank. Restaurants..sites, etc. any suggestions would be wonderful!

 

[mom0299]

Charleston is a beautiful city to walk in. You can park at the Visitor's Center and explore the exhibits there. Just a few blocks away is also a nice park and some beautiful churches with wonderful old cemeteries. It may sound strange but DH and I like to look at old graveyards. There is so much history. There are some signers of the Constitution buried in Charleston. You can continue walking down toward the slave market that is full of vendors and little shops. Continue further down Meeting Street and eat lunch at Hymans's Seafood. DO NOT miss this restaurant. If you walk all the way to the end (which is what we usually do, but it's a long walk) you'll end up at the Battery and you will see some gorgeous old homes along the way. On your walk back take a left at the Battery and another left to head back up toward the Visitor's Center. This will take you past Rainbow Row.
That's the inexpensive way to see Charleston. You could also take a buggy ride tour and see a lot of the same things. We've done that once, but I can't remember the price. You can get all of that information and even buy tickets at the Visitor's Center. There are boat rides around the harbor and tours of Ft. Sumter as well. All of that info is at the Visitor's Center. They are all good tours, but it will cost more than just walking on your own.
Enjoy! Charleston is a great city!

 

[mom0299]

duplicate post

Sorry

 

[Princess Nancy]

It is 120 miles and 2 1/2 hours of driving each way?

It is not Highway driving. Seems a long way for a day. Parking itself it pretty high.

If you do decide to go I would be sure to have a well laid out plan.

It is a lovely city and fun to enjoy! It is very historical. DH loved it. Kids enjoyed it but thought it was alot of walking and alot of history tour.

 

[MaggieBailey]

We are heading to Myrtle Beach, but want to do a day in Charleston. Anyone have any suggestions of what not to miss. I am hoping just spending the day there won't break the bank. Restaurants..sites, etc. any suggestions would be wonderful!

We used to live in Myrtle Beach and visit Charleston pretty frequently, love it there! It's a lot of walking and exploring, if you are a tea person, the tea plantation is great - love to eat at Poogan's Porch - they have great fried chicken! Very beautiful along the battery - all those gorgeous houses! I agree with the other comment, to check the visitors center.... They might have some inexpensive things listed! I like to look on tripadvisor.com before we go anywhere just to see what's out there. Ooh! And a historical carriage ride is great! Have fun!! When you're in Myrtle Beach, if you are ice cream people I have to recommend Painter's -- they have the best ice cream ever. Yum!!

 

[feezle]

I love the Battery. I would also recommend a Fort Sumter tour and Boone Hall either on your way to or from Charleston. Boone Hall is a bit pricey but it is my second favorite place on Earth.

 

[Nina1]

Oh my...one of my favorite places on earth. So beautiful it doesn't even seem real. Kind of like the reality version of WDW. While it's a bit of a long drive from MB for a day trip, I wouldn't hesitate to go. Park at the Battery. Parking is free along the street. Then, start walking. Check out the homes, take a historic home tour, visit the old graveyards - as a PP said, you will see some of the signers of the Constitution and then...eat. Again, as a PP said, Poogan's Porch is delicious (Poogan is buried in the front yard); however, that being said, our favorites are 82 Queen, Slightly North of Broad, Magnolia and a new place we discovered a few months ago, Husk. You absolutely cannot go wrong at any of these. If you have time, take a ferry over to Patriot's Point.

Magnolia and Boone Plantations are breathtaking, but I don't know that you'll have time.

If at all possible, stop on John's Island and check out the Angel Oak. You have to see it to believe it. It's roughly 1500 years old and takes up over 18,000 square feet of space. Amazing.

I just can't say enough good things about Charleston. Have a wonderful time!

 

[MaggieBailey]

Oh my...one of my favorite places on earth. So beautiful it doesn't even seem real. Kind of like the reality version of WDW. While it's a bit of a long drive from MB for a day trip, I wouldn't hesitate to go. Park at the Battery. Parking is free along the street. Then, start walking. Check out the homes, take a historic home tour, visit the old graveyards - as a PP said, you will see some of the signers of the Constitution and then...eat. Again, as a PP said, Poogan's Porch is delicious (Poogan is buried in the front yard); however, that being said, our favorites are 82 Queen, Slightly North of Broad, Magnolia and a new place we discovered a few months ago, Husk. You absolutely cannot go wrong at any of these. If you have time, take a ferry over to Patriot's Point.

Magnolia and Boone Plantations are breathtaking, but I don't know that you'll have time.

If at all possible, stop on John's Island and check out the Angel Oak. You have to see it to believe it. It's roughly 1500 years old and takes up over 18,000 square feet of space. Amazing.

I just can't say enough good things about Charleston. Have a wonderful time!

Ohhh!! The Angel Oak! I can't believe I forgot to mention that - yes, a must see!!

 

[gerald]

For best pizza south of the Mason-Dixon line head to Monza on King St.



http://www.monzapizza.com/

 

[deezeealum]

Oh my...one of my favorite places on earth. So beautiful it doesn't even seem real. Kind of like the reality version of WDW. While it's a bit of a long drive from MB for a day trip, I wouldn't hesitate to go. Park at the Battery. Parking is free along the street. Then, start walking. Check out the homes, take a historic home tour, visit the old graveyards - as a PP said, you will see some of the signers of the Constitution and then...eat. Again, as a PP said, Poogan's Porch is delicious (Poogan is buried in the front yard); however, that being said, our favorites are 82 Queen, Slightly North of Broad, Magnolia and a new place we discovered a few months ago, Husk. You absolutely cannot go wrong at any of these. If you have time, take a ferry over to Patriot's Point.

Magnolia and Boone Plantations are breathtaking, but I don't know that you'll have time.

If at all possible, stop on John's Island and check out the Angel Oak. You have to see it to believe it. It's roughly 1500 years old and takes up over 18,000 square feet of space. Amazing.

I just can't say enough good things about Charleston. Have a wonderful time!

GReat restaurant suggestions! My parents left Charleston this AM after spending their anniversary there and went to S.N.O.B, Magnolia's, 82 Queen and in past trips have been to Poogan's. Too funny!!
OP have a great trip, Charleston is absolutely one of the most beautiful cities!

 

[gerald]

Oh....Fleet Landing is also very good.

 

[DizneyDogs]

Fort Sumter was quite interesting

 

[Millermom0606]

we lived there for three years and never went to any of this....... thank goodness we are going back later this year LOL

It really is a beautiful place and old and interesting... I loved it down there Go to the Charleston Candy Co. if you would like an amazing candy apple..... my ODD was kinda addicted LOL

 

[GJM]

It doesn't take 2 1/2 hours to get at all - it is a very easy drive down Hwy. 17 I think it takes us a little over an hour hour and a half. I use to commute more then that in NJ. I go to the AF Base in Charleston a couple of times to food shop and I do this in one day.

We love to just walk around, go to the Market, take a buggy ride. The last time we parked at the visitors center and they have trollys you can get on for free to take you around.

 

[Theosus]

I hate driving in downtown charleston, but one you park it's great. The old slave market is a great place to find local crafts. I got some great hot sauce there a few months ago. King street is nice too... Lots of shops of all kinds. Never been to NY, but wife says it reminds her of NyC.
We always park in a public garage just south of market street (behind bubba Gump shrimp on the map). They don't gouge you like some public on street parking and there's no meter to go back and load.
The battery is nice to look at, but really it's just a park.

 

[Telle]

I grew up in Charleston. I would say battery and market. Parking is free at the battery but sometimes tuff to get a spot. There is a public parking near the market by the cruise ships for a fee. You really don't have to pay for anything else. Rainbow row on east bay st. hyman's seafood is close to market(palmetto beer local brewery, boiled peanuts). Have fun!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I was born and raised in Chucktown and unfortunately moved to Atlanta 1 wk ago today.
If you have kids, the Children's Museum is fun and not too expensive. I can't remember the price, as we had an annual pass. It is behind the visitor center. If you arrive early in the morning you can get a meter spot on the street right there.
As others mentioned, Waterfront Park, the Battery, The Market, and Rainbow Row all all free to wander around.
I would try to eat at Jestine's Kitchen on Meeting Street. Good southern cooking!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I currently live in Charleston, so WELCOME!

As a PP mentioned, it's not 2.5 hours, more like 1.5 (depending on which part of Myrtle you're staying in.) The drive is straight down Hwy 17, but is REALLY boring (through the Francis Marion National Forest,) so be sure you have snacks, gas, and restroom stops taken care of before you get south of Pawley's Island because there aren't many options of places to stop.

As for places to visit, it sort of depends on whether you want to do 'touristy' things or 'local' things. It also depends on whether you want to park once downtown and stay put, or if you're willing to drive around the area. Some of the previously mentioned things might require even more driving.

Many of the restaurants mentioned are great (don't go to Hyman's...it's too touristy ) If you're up for adventure, there's a speed boat tour that goes around the battery http://www.thrillercharleston.com/ and carriage tours are always charming and informative (google for coupons because they tend to be expensive.)

If you're going to visit the market, there's a parking garage on Hasell St that we use that's pretty close to the market, but sort of off the path that most people don't know about it (shhhh...don't tell ) You also get to walk past the stables for one of the carriage companies as you exit the garage so you can say hi to the horses

 

[dis-happy]

It's not fancy but I always head to Jestine's Kitchen when I get a chance. Definitely southern cooking and quite yummy!

 

[ricktib]

Lots of parking garages around town nowadays. I'd recommend Patriots Point if you have a few extra hours. For food, all of the above are good, but for seafood I would add any of the 4 or 5 places on Shem Creek (same side of the Cooper River as Patriots Point). All are great seafood places and they range from bar & grill atmosphere (Red's Icehouse) to fine dining (Water's Edge). All are right on the inlet where the shrimp boats are parked, and all provide great views, especially at sunset. I'm here, so PM with any specific questions.