Charleston Suggestions

[jessp1021]

I need hotel, dining, and attraction suggestions for Charleston..we would prefer something near the historic district but are really open to any ideas right now!

 

[mward73]

We spent Thanksgiving in Charleston. Stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Riverview. We had a 2br hotel so my parents could stay with us and help with the kids (our dog could come, too!).
They have a free shuttle in the evenings to/from downtown. The rest of the time, we just drove and parking wasn't a problem. We did a carriage tour of the historic district, went to the aquarium, Fort Moultry and Fort Sumpter. DH and I got out one night for "date night" and went to some hole in the wall place called Cru Cafe - it was soooo good! It came highly recommended, we were skeptical at fist since it's so small and just in a little house, but we were pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the meal (a little pricey, but it was a "treat" for us).

 

[FoodLover]

Jestine's Kitchen serves awesome Southern/Low Country/Soul food. They don't take reservations, so you have to wait in line to get in. We waited an hour, and believe me, I absolutely hate waiting in line, but it was SO worth it!

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=346

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Our two favorite restaurants in Charleston are Fleet Landing and Hyman's Seafood. Some people believe Hyman's is too touristy, but we've had excellent, reasonably priced meals there. I love their shrimp & grits!!

 

[blondietink]

We always stay in Mt. Pleasant ... the hotels are much cheaper. There is a Red Roof and some other moderate hotels right as you get off the bridge from downtown Charleston. Takes like 5 or 10 minutes max to get into the historic district. Always can find a place to park.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

www.things-to-do-in-charleston.com
This may give you some ideas

 

[disneystacy]

We stayed at The French Quarter Inn and its right in the middle of everything( we didn't use our car once), they offer champagne and ladyfingers at check in, a wine and cheese tasting at 5:00pm and milk and freshed baked cookies at bedtime) you also get to choose from 7 different kinds of pillows for sleeping. First class service.. Across the street from the hotel is the market and all the carriage companies give tours right across the street as well. We LOVED the hotel. We went to Circa 1886 (awesome meal and they have a restaurant.com coupon we used), Hymans Seafood (very good Po'Boy sandwhich), High Cotton (excellent shrimp and grits) and Magnolia's for brunch (really good) and Poogans Porch (awesome Fried green tomato sandwhich).

 

[*Flower*]

Check out 2 Meeting Street Inn: http://www.twomeetingstreet.com/

Depending on your budget, it's a beautiful place- and right near the action.

And here's a list of the restaurants that we love going to:

http://www.tristandining.com/
http://www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com/ (all 3 of these are great)
http://www.39ruedejean.com/
http://www.vendueinn.com/html/top-restaurants-charleston.asp (The Library at the Vendue Inn)

And that's just the tip of the iceberg!!

 

[*Flower*]

I forgot this one:
http://www.josephsofcharleston.com/

Really yummy! And the 'museum mile' should be interesting......

 

[Tooth Fairy]

I second Two Meeting Street Inn. We spent our honeymoon there 26 years ago...it was wonderful. Very well kept and charming!

 

[cm8]

I need hotel, dining, and attraction suggestions for Charleston..we would prefer something near the historic district but are really open to any ideas right now!

Here is a sight if you still need more ideas
http://www.sciway.net/

hope that helps!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I need hotel, dining, and attraction suggestions for Charleston..we would prefer something near the historic district but are really open to any ideas right now!

We stayed at the Charleston Place hotel for Christmas one year. It was located in the historic district and it was a very nice hotel.

We only spent 4 nights, but we got to see Middleton Place and the USS Yorktown while in Charleston.

www.charlestonplace.com

 

[jessp1021]

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far..I forgot to add in this is a hubby and I only trip I am going to check out the Two Meeting street in now..I have looked at the Francis Marion (they have a package where you can get tickets for either the aquarium, a carriage ride, or the fort each day of the trip) so I am debating on that one?

 

[*Flower*]

The Francis Marion: http://www.francismarionhotel.com/ is across King Street from Marion Square, where the city's Christmas tree is set up.

And depending on when you're coming, this is going on through the 19th. It's good natured fun- we enjoy it:
http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102561678119/img/7.jpg

And if you're coming earlier- Second Sunday is a lot of fun. The city closes King Street to motor traffic and turns it into a pedestrian street for the day. It's a great opportunity to take a leisurely walk down a great shopping/historical area without having to dodge vehicles right and left.

 

[Swalphin]

We stayed at The French Quarter Inn and its right in the middle of everything( we didn't use our car once), they offer champagne and ladyfingers at check in, a wine and cheese tasting at 5:00pm and milk and freshed baked cookies at bedtime) you also get to choose from 7 different kinds of pillows for sleeping. First class service.. Across the street from the hotel is the market and all the carriage companies give tours right across the street as well. We LOVED the hotel. We went to Circa 1886 (awesome meal and they have a restaurant.com coupon we used), Hymans Seafood (very good Po'Boy sandwhich), High Cotton (excellent shrimp and grits) and Magnolia's for brunch (really good) and Poogans Porch (awesome Fried green tomato sandwhich).

I second French Quarter Inn, it is a great location and beautiful. I got it for 1/2 price on priceline, bid your own price or whatever they call it. We love the restaurant S.N.O.B
Slightly North of Broad, they have great specials each night, prix fix. It is right around the corner from the French Quarter Inn.

 

[EeyoreEma]

We always stay on Isle Of Palms and just drive over to Charleston, but here are some of our favorite restaurants:

Poogan's Porch
Magnolia's
S.N.O.B (Slightly North of Broad)
Tommy Condon's
Hominy Grill

Have fun - one of my favorite places to visit!

 

[Jenna07]

Poogans Porch for lunch (the fried chicken is amazing)

Old Towne Grill and Seafood - small Greek place on King Street - great food.

Try a ghost tour at night - they can be a bit cheesy - but more entertaining than the boring carriage rides during the day.

Spend at least one day just checking out the city on foot. You have to walk the black market, shop on Kings Street, Go down past Rainbow Row to the Battery and then check out the museums/graveyards/churches/small shops along the way.

Boone Hall Plantation is worth the drive and if I remember correctly isn't expensive. Its a working plantation and they have a big marketplace on Hwy 17 that is worth checking out even if you don't go.

Never shelled out the big bucks to stay there since I live only 2 hours away - but I always hear great things about the Planters Inn.

 

[Aurora D]

Just visited Charleston for the first time in November. Since this is the budget board I'll tell about all our budget experiences(all wonderful!). We stayed at the Sleep Inn in Mt. Pleasant-less than $100 a night, included hot/cold breakfast each morning, safe and clean, just over the bridge to the city. Used Rest.com gc's to eat at Toast, Virginia's on King and the Swamp Fox. Visited Boone Plantation (I think it was $16 a person, but they were having a Civil War reenactment the day we were there so it was worth it in my opinion). Drove over to Folly Beach and walked around-Free! Visited the Angel Oak on John's Island-Free! Walked everywhere and heard history from local shopkeepers-Free! And, the VERYBEST thing we did was go to Theater 99 on Wednesday night. For $5 a person you experience an improvisational comedy show. It was hysterical. We are still "quoting" parts of it. Even my brother, an entertainment snob, thought it was the best thing he'd seen in a long time. I can't recommend it enough. You must reserve tix ahead of time by calling the box office. For 3 days(including travel expenses for 3 people0 we spent $800. Have a great trip!

 

[minniebeth]

We usually stay at the Hampton Inn in the historic district, simple but nice.
Our fav. restaurants have all (but one) been mentioned, but just reiterating them because they are worth visiting in our opinion:

Hyman's Seafood
Jestine's Kitchen
39 Rue de Jean
FIG
and my personal favorite: Poogan's Porch!

Charleston is a beautiful city, enjoy!

 

[Swimalie]

My husband and I went to Charleston about 11 years ago (wow, that long?!) and loved it. I can't remember where we ate but I know we stayed in Mt. Pleasant. One of the main things we did was a tour of Ft. Sumter. I highly recommend it. It's not only a great tour but the boat ride out there is really nice as well. We also did Patriots Point where you can tour several military ships. I highly recommend this as well. I am afraid of deep water (yes, I know I'm a swimmer and afraid of water) but I loved this. The air craft carrier is so neat to see the levels and such.

Enjoy. Charleston is such a great city.