Very last minute trip to Charleston, need recommendations, please!

[rnorwo1]

Hi,
We just decided to take a quick, last minute trip to Charleston the week after Easter. We've never been, and it'll be a 12 hour drive from Louisiana. It'll be the 5 of us, my MIL and FIL, and maybe BIL, SIL, and nephew. I prefer VRBO rentals with a large crowd, but they are awfully expensive, and it looks like most of them are outside of Charleston. Can anyone give me any advice on which areas outside of Charleston are reasonable to stay, in terms of distance? I expect we will want to see the historic parts, the fort, etc. I am fine with one of the beach places, but I didn't want to get too far away from Charleston. It looks like budget hotels in Charleston are mostly booked already.
Any help is appreciated!

 

[SplashM12]

Hi,
We just decided to take a quick, last minute trip to Charleston the week after Easter. We've never been, and it'll be a 12 hour drive from Louisiana. It'll be the 5 of us, my MIL and FIL, and maybe BIL, SIL, and nephew. I prefer VRBO rentals with a large crowd, but they are awfully expensive, and it looks like most of them are outside of Charleston. Can anyone give me any advice on which areas outside of Charleston are reasonable to stay, in terms of distance? I expect we will want to see the historic parts, the fort, etc. I am fine with one of the beach places, but I didn't want to get too far away from Charleston. It looks like budget hotels in Charleston are mostly booked already.
Any help is appreciated!

I don't know your budget, but we stayed at the Doubletree in Charleston historic district. It was a perfect location to walk to everything. Never moved the car once. Restaurants, shopping, market and horse-drawn carriage rides for historic tours are right there.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I stayed here last year and it was a really nice place in a very nice center in a nice area...
You could do 2 suites for about $400/night total...breakfast and some dinners paid for...
http://homewoodsuites3.hilton.com/e...ton-charleston-mt-pleasant-CHSHWHW/index.html

 

[Moramoon]

We stayed in Isle of Palms for our honeymoon and loved it. You can find 2 bedroom condos very reasonably priced. I'd suggest checking Island Realty. As far as distance it was about a 20 minute drive into Charleston.

 

[rnorwo1]

Right now, my budget is as cheap as possible! Once we figure out who all is coming, I'll know more I guess. The priority is Charleston, so I think we'd like to stay a bit closer. But, budget is always king, so we will see!

 

[bravestmerida]

Agree that Isle of Palms is lovely. We rented a condo across the street from the beach and our complex also had a pool. Bought groceries on the way to the condo at the grocery store off the connector - Winn Dixie, maybe?

We loved eating at Sesame Burgers in Mt. Pleasant. They have great specials (I think our burgers were 1/2 off). Also loved Jack's Cosmic Dogs in Mt. Pleasant.

Preferred Isle of Palms to Charleston so we could relax a bit more outside of the city atmosphere. Day trips, or even just a few hours, were so easy to do.

 

[OhMari]

I do not know where to stay in Charleston, but you are going to be very close to Savannah-a day trip there would be worth the stop.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I'm assuming Charleston SC, not NC. If not, disregard my info.

From December:
We stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center. Loved it. We had a suite overlooking the atrium. Excellent free breakfast, and evening cocktail hour (loved the rum punch!!).

Loved the aquarium.
There is a Moon Pie shop there.
Queology has amazing wings.
Big Billy's Burger Joint is really good. It's within walking distance of the hotel.
Jim N Nick's BBQ has amazing tacos.

If you drive though, don't eat at South of the Border taco stand. It is horrible.

If you like, I have a few pictures of the places we went to. I can post them.

From a few years ago: We went for a scout trip. We stayed on the USS Yorktown; saw all the ships, fort, etc. Was a good time. Ate at The Glass Onion and The Tattooed Moose. Both were very good (the Moose was better).

 

[rnorwo1]

Thanks for the info! If it were just us, we are very flexible and could stay anywhere. My in-laws are not as flexible, but at least now I have multiple options to present to them.

We are actually planning on stopping in Savannah; my oldest son wants to look at the school there (SCAD).

I'm assuming it'll be too cold to swim anywhere the week after Easter?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thanks for the info! If it were just us, we are very flexible and could stay anywhere. My in-laws are not as flexible, but at least now I have multiple options to present to them.

We are actually planning on stopping in Savannah; my oldest son wants to look at the school there (SCAD).

I'm assuming it'll be too cold to swim anywhere the week after Easter?

I wouldn't be too sure - I was swimming in VA Beach a few years ago in late April/early May...and SC is gonna be warmer...it might be perfect (and it will definitely be perfect for pools)...

 

[mmmagique]

If you can in any way afford it, go to Hall's Chophouse! It's amazing! A short drive to John's Island will take you to the Fat Hen. It's a wonderful French restaurant without the high prices. (it's very authentic, however!)

As far as accomodations go, if you don't mind an old hotel with the old fixtures and room sizes (I loved it!) then the Francis Marion hotel is a great option. Right in the heart of downtown, and EXCELLENT customer service.

 

[fredflintstone]

You actually picked a good time to come to Charleston! The kids will be back to school after Spring Break and college is back in as well! Depending on what your ultimate plan is and how long you are coming for will really determine where to stay. Charleston is a pretty expensive, mainly cause it is so touristy! Start with your must do's. If your plan is just Ft. Sumter, Patriot's Point, Charleston Market area, you can do that in a day or 2...depending. If you are here on a Friday you can check out the Citadel parade as well. For me I would probably split it into 2 days and drive downtown, staying out of the city. Downtown is absolutely beautiful, but you don't have to spend a lot just to stay down there to enjoy it. If you stay just 20-30 min away, you will be just fine doing a day trip or two down there and checking out other areas. One of my favorite drives was to the winery here, and visiting the tea plantation. My favorite restaurant right now is Five Loaves, it is so fresh and good. You have to go to Perfectly Frank's in Summerville, I mean it was on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives! There is lots to do here, by lots, I mean lots to do! Just depends on what your plans are! If you need help with any planning, just ask away!

 

[Judique]

I stayed here last year and it was a really nice place in a very nice center in a nice area...
You could do 2 suites for about $400/night total...breakfast and some dinners paid for...
http://homewoodsuites3.hilton.com/e...ton-charleston-mt-pleasant-CHSHWHW/index.html

We stayed there last year also and it was quite nice! Not that far from Charleston - just a ride over the bridge into town. Some shopping and a Target right around the corner.

 

[rnorwo1]

Thanks for all the recommendations!! There will be 10 of us now, so we will definitely look at these outer areas. I'm finding more space for less money in the beach areas, so that will probably be the route we go. It will be a nice break for the kids. I didn't know there was a winery, my MIL will love that! I have gone from panic to excitement, thanks!

 

[ICan'tWait]

Isle of Palms is a good location to visit everything in the area. The home tours downtown are great. I think I've been on them all and the only one I didn't care for was Calhoun Mansion. The horse and buggy tours are fun too. I've found some great Groupons in the past for touristy stuff like the plantations and buggy tours.

 

[Branflakes]

James Island is a fun beautiful place for family vacations.
http://ccprc.com/68/James-Island-County-Park
Click where it says campsites to see the rates for the cottages. Really reasonable imo. They sleep 8 so maybe you could rent 2..?
There is a ton to do there and it's not far from historic Charleston. You can drive or they have a shuttle for $10pp.
Just another option.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Our family went to Charleston last summer and we LOVED it! We stayed in a condo on Folly Beach. Charleston Oceanfront Villas. Perfect location as you can walk to dining and shopping in downtown Folly Beach. It is also right next door to the only hotel so you can rent chairs and umbrellas for the day with no effort We loved the laid back, family friendly atmosphere of Folly Beach. We will definitely return!

It was about a 20 - 25 minute drive into downtown Charleston for touring and to go shopping or to visit other landmarks in the area. It was great visiting downtown but coming back to the oceanfront condo for relaxing on the huge balcony watching the waves, walking out on the pier, and being able to eat-in if we were tired of dining out.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We loved our trip to Charleston last spring. Although we actually stayed on seabrook island. It was a long drive into Charleston. The traffic in Charleston was really bad. We went on a fun kayak tour at Folly beach. We learned a lot about the ecosystem. I highly recommend it! We also went to Bulls island which was north of Charleston. That was probably the highlight of the trip. The boneyard beach was amazing! We arrived after the tide went out and saw all kinds of star fish and shells. We also came face to face with a huge alligator in the path.

Just hanging out on seabrook island was a great experience. Very nice beach. We could walk down and see dolphins strand feeding at the inlet. This was something I'd never heard of before. The house had a pool and hot tub which we actually used a lot during the first week of April. There were also kayaks at the rental house and a marsh. I was absolutely amazed at the huge difference in low tide vs high tide! It was so interesting to see it daily.

 

[SUSIEQ]

The traffic in Charleston was really bad.

Ain't that the truth!
The traffic in and around Charleston is HORRIBLE!!!

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

We live in the area. We moved down here 3 years ago. Traffic is an absolute nightmare -sorry. It is a fact, though. You would be better off looking in the outer vicinity of Charleston for lodgings. Those right in Charleston are $$$. Our personal favorites for dining are Pages Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant, RB's Seafood on Shem Creek, and Bessingers Barbecue. We love going to Kiawah beach but it is a DRIVE. You can visit the Angel Oak on your way. The drive is gorgeous. Folly Beach is wonderful for collecting shells and shark teeth. We really enjoy strolling along the Battery looking at all ofor the beautiful homes then walking up to King Street and the Market. We always make a day of it. Every time we find new art galleries and shops to visit and eateries to try out. All of the small cemeteries and churches are so enchanting. The Tea Plantation is free to visit as well. We are hoping to go soon. That might be a fUn trip! I love living here. Have a wonderful trip!!