Road trip! Tell me about Charleston, SC!

[auntpolly]

We're planning a road trip (end destination, you know where -- like we have a choice or something!!! )

One of our stops is Charleston, and I've been reading about Ashley River Road -- sounds really interesting! Anybody know anything about it? Or anything else we should do in the area?

I also am making my family go to St. Augustine Beach because we used to go there when I was a kid -- is that a good idea or am I making a mistake. Anyone have any restaurant suggestions for either area?

Thanks in advance!

 

[auntpolly]

Shameless bump -- nobody knows Charleston?

I've never been there and I won't be there long -- don't want to miss anything good!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

There's lots to do in Charleston. I don't know anything special about Ashley River Road, but there's plenty of other things to do. You can go shopping at the City Market, take a buggy ride, tour a historical home, visit Ft. Sumter, the aquarium, the list goes on and on. Be sure to go to the Battery.

 

[auntpolly]

Be sure to go to the Battery.

What's this?

 

[CarolinaBlue]

It's an area down by the river. There's a walkway and also a nice little area with park benches and a gazebo. It's a beautiful place.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Try this website for more information: charlestoncvb.com We love going to Charleston. As a matter of fact, we'll be there next weekend.

 

[auntpolly]

Thanks!

 

[RadioNate]

There are a few Charleston threads that had some good information. We lived in Mt Pleasant which is just north(ish) of Charleston. I've never heard of Ashley River Road.

With limited time I'd suggest a carriage tour and maybe a boat tour of the harbor/ft sumter. The Battery/Rainbow Row/White Point Gardens is also a great place to just stroll around and take in the sites/history.

The market is great to walk through.

I'd spend the day downtown. Start your day in the market area and book a carriage tour. Walk the market while you wait for the tour to start or between the carriage and boat tour. Eat lunch in the market area and then walk down to Rainbow Row and the Battery. It's kinda a long walk but it'll get you in shape for WDW.

You can also walk the shops on King street. or do a historic house tour if you have time.

 

[mumto2]

and there is lot to do, depending on how much time you have, and what your priorities for your stay are.

If you want beach - Isle of Palms is gorgeous, and Folly Beach is nice too.

If you want unique, historical, etc:

No trip to Charleston is complete without visiting the market. The market is a combo indoor/outdoor shops and vendors. Everything from $3 touristy junk (which my 7 yo DD adores shopping for) to high end jewelry, housewares, clothing, etc.

If you have never done a carriage tour, I'd recommend it. If you've done one somewhere else, they are very similar. Fun, but not necessarily a must-do. Be warned, I've been on several, and no two narrations are ever exactly the same (poetic license is not unusual )

A walk down the Battery is nice - it is the harbor front and the home of the famous "Rainbow Row" (the original old mansions all painted muted shades of peach, yellow, blue and green). Great for adults, but depending on the time of year, can be dull for kids and get them a bit hot and cranky.

Waterfront park is very nice. Basically a long pier with oversize porch swings, fountains for the kids to play in, and a shady park to enjoy an icecream cone. Near one end of the battery.

Depending on the age of your kids, we like CharlesTowne Landing. Can be tricky to find if you are not a local, but well worth the effort. It is a state park with tons of open fields for the kids to run wild in, a small "zoo" populated with animals the original settlers would have come across, a restored ship from Elizabethan times (no way would I have crossed the ocean in that thing!!!!), and very often historical reenactments. Last time we were there, there were a cobbler and a blacksmith. Other times, there have been women cooking, spinning, etc. charlestowne.org is their site

Not sure what the significance of Ashley River Road is , so can't help you there.

Charleston is known for its amazing restaurants. Be warned, the ones downtown can be very $$$$. If you are into seafood, we make it a point to eat at the Charleston Crab House every trip. They have a couple of locations; we usually go to the one on Wappoo Creek, which was recently made famous on Flip this House on A&E. We went back Tuesday night for the first time since the renovation, and the food is still great. You can eat on the dock and watch the boats go by (and watch them raise the drawbridge a time or two). Again, not somewhere too touristy. charlestoncrabhouse.com is their site.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[auntpolly]

I've been reading about this: http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/South_Carolina/byway/Ashley_River_Road.html

Do you guys call it something else?

 

[RadioNate]

I've been reading about this: http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/South_Carolina/byway/Ashley_River_Road.html

Do you guys call it something else?

Ok, I thought you were talking about a tourist destination called "Ashley River Road" rather than the actual street. I've heard of the street but just as a street not as some destination itself (like a Beale Street or other 'famous street'). Most people just say they are going to Middleton Place or Magnolia Plantation. Both places are cool.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Yeah, that is where Drayton Hall and Middleton Place are located. They are historic homes that you can tour. Drayton Hall is the oldest preserved plantation house in America open to the public. Middleton Place is an 18th century rice plantation that has beautiful landscaped gardens. They filmed parts of The Patriot (Mel Gibson) there. How much time are you spending in Charleston? Touring homes can take up a lot of time. I would take a buggy ride, walk through the market, and go to the Battery. The buggy ride covers alot of the historical area.

 

[auntpolly]

Ok, I thought you were talking about a tourist destination called "Ashley River Road" rather than the actual street. I've heard of the street but just as a street not as some destination itself (like a Beale Street or other 'famous street'). Most people just say they are going to Middleton Place or Magnolia Plantation. Both places are cool.

They sound cool! My family used to drive around the south all the time when I was little and we never went there. I'm excited!

 

[auntpolly]

How much time are you spending in Charleston? Touring homes can take up a lot of time. I would take a buggy ride, walk through the market, and go to the Battery. The buggy ride covers alot of the historical area.

Not much time -- a day and a half. We are driving from OH and making stops all the way down to WDW. We usually fly, DH has so many FF miles. DD has never done a road trip like this! We are planning picnics and want to see every "biggest ball of twine" and "mystery hole" and "welcome rest stop" that we can fit in!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Charles Towne Landing is currently closed. Not sure what they are doing but they cut down all of the trees in front of the main gatehouse.

Ashley River Road is Highway 61 that hugs the Ashley River. You get to Magnolia Gardens and Middleton Place from that highway. The drive is gorgeous all the way up to Summerville with all of the old oak trees and the spanish moss hanging off the trees.

 

[Papa Deuce]

It's an area down by the river. There's a walkway and also a nice little area with park benches and a gazebo. It's a beautiful place.

Very nice. We visit the BAttery all the time when we go!

 

[Papa Deuce]

May I add a visit to the South End Brew Pub? Good food and drinks, not pricey.... near the market.