South - Charleston for a week for business workshop, what to do in evenings?

We'll be in Charleston for a week (sunday to sunday) and hoping for some tips on good food, or entertainment on weeknights? Never been to SC so not sure what to expect. Staying out by the airport. How about on a Saturday that we have free, any good must see or do?

Thanks

We'll be in Charleston for a week (sunday to sunday) and hoping for some tips on good food, or entertainment on weeknights? Never been to SC so not sure what to expect. Staying out by the airport. How about on a Saturday that we have free, any good must see or do?

Thanks

Spend one evening just walking around around. Look down alleys. Window shop. Enjoy the breezes.

On another evening take a ghost walk.

On Saturday head North on US 17 to the hamlet of Awendaw, SC. Head to the docks and charter a boat, to take you to Bull Island and arrange a pick up time for later in the day. (Make sure you take a napsack with water and food) Just walk the beach. There will be times on your walk that you will think you are the only person on the face of the earth.

We'll be in Charleston for a week (sunday to sunday) and hoping for some tips on good food, or entertainment on weeknights? Never been to SC so not sure what to expect. Staying out by the airport. How about on a Saturday that we have free, any good must see or do?

Thanks

I definitely recommend walking around downtown Charleston for an evening. In fact, I would do it at least twice in a week. There are so many things to see. There is not much to see out by the airport that I know of. The Charleston Visitor Center can set you up with guided tours, maps, ideas, etc.

Hominy Grill is one of my favorite places to eat.

Gamecock mentioned Bull Island. I love Bull Island and have visited many times. You can, indeed, be on a beautiful beach with no one around for miles. However, I would be reluctant to visit in the summer because of the heat and insects. There is only one small shelter on the island and you don't want to be stuck there.
If you do go, you can get there for $40 on the ferry, much cheaper than chartering a boat.

I would check the Charleston City Paper to see what kind of entertainment is available the week you visit:
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/

Spend one evening just walking around around. Look down alleys. Window shop. Enjoy the breezes.

On another evening take a ghost walk.

On Saturday head North on US 17 to the hamlet of Awendaw, SC. Head to the docks and charter a boat, to take you to Bull Island and arrange a pick up time for later in the day. (Make sure you take a napsack with water and food) Just walk the beach. There will be times on your walk that you will think you are the only person on the face of the earth.

Cool thanks, so the city itself is most of the attraction if I'm reading this right? What or where is a ghost walk?

Bull Island sounds pretty, is there much there other than the beach and one structure? Though I'm sure it's unique I get my fill of beaches here at home so I might give it a miss this time unless there are other points of interest out there too.

Onthego15

Thanks for the heads up on Hominy Grill, sounds pretty good on their site. How about barbecue, any tips?

Also looking for some good places to take pictures around town, any areas in particular?

Cool thanks, so the city itself is most of the attraction if I'm reading this right? What or where is a ghost walk?

Bull Island sounds pretty, is there much there other than the beach and one structure? Though I'm sure it's unique I get my fill of beaches here at home so I might give it a miss this time unless there are other points of interest out there too.

Onthego15

Thanks for the heads up on Hominy Grill, sounds pretty good on their site. How about barbecue, any tips?

Also looking for some good places to take pictures around town, any areas in particular?

Since you are from St. Croix, you don't need to go to Charleston's beaches.

Yes, downtown Charleston, the old part of the city is the main attraction. There are dozens, maybe hundreds of interesting old buildings worth seeing and photographing. I would definitely go down to the Battery, which is on the harbor, and walk around White Point Gardens and the surrounding neighborhood. I just visited the Dock Street Theater on my last trip. that neighborhood - Church St. is also well worth visiting. And there are so many others.
Why don't take a look at what the Visitor Center has online as a start:
http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/what_to_see_do~3/attractions~31/

On the outskirts of town are some beautiful old plantations with gorgeous gardens. My two favorites are:

http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

https://www.middletonplace.org/

This music video was filmed in Charleston. It will give you a taste of what it's like to walk around the older parts of town:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap7HzFlOXq4

And I've posted some photos of Charleston in this thread:

http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/charleston-sc-and-surrounding-area-please-share-photos-and-more.5263/

Thanks for the links, there's great sights in that video. Is there a definitive downtown / old town area or streets here and there like you mentioned. Has anyone been out to Fort Sumter, is it worth the trip?

Thanks for the links, there's great sights in that video. Is there a definitive downtown / old town area or streets here and there like you mentioned. Has anyone been out to Fort Sumter, is it worth the trip?

Yes, there is a definite old town area - most of the lower peninsula. It is fairly large, so you would want to concentrate on certain neighborhoods. I would start as far south as possible, along the Battery and walk north and west as far as you feel. If you haven't looked at a map of Charleston, my suggestions will make more sense if you do.
Haven't been to Fort Sumter in 50 years, since I was a kid, so i would hesitate to recommend or not recommend.
When will you be there?

A family member was at the Gin Joint a few weeks ago and recommends their craft cocktails and cheese plate.
http://theginjoint.com/menu.html

alpen1, you will love Charleston when you actually get into the town. The area around the airport is a giant industrial park. Hank's is good for dinner and as Charleston prices go, not too expensive....also the Boathouse for seafood if you want to drive out to Isle of Palms, about half an hour. For lunch, Blossom is good and has free parking...parking is at a premium in town....runs around $18-20 in a lot, mostly no in-out, so ask. There's a great place for lunch called Five Loaves, off the beaten track north of Calhoun, not too far from King St. If you're interested in old Charleston go down King St., look at the antique shops and turn on Tradd St. where you will find a lot of 18th cent. homes. If you can, keep walking down to the Battery...or reverse the route. Huge 19th cent. homes on the Battery and some history as well. See Middleton Plantation, Drayton Hall ( no furniture and not restored, but one of earliest plantations left to see ). Also for fun go see all the Market. A good bit of it is air conditioned now and easier to shop in...sweetgrass baskets (expensive but unique to Charleston ), silver jewelry, pottery, all sorts of things. You asked about what photos to take. There are so many beautiful homes, little alley ways between streets, old churches that you will have trouble choosing what you want to keep. By the way just walk around East Bay St. in the evenings and you will have plenty to do. Have fun!

Yes, there is a definite old town area - most of the lower peninsula. It is fairly large, so you would want to concentrate on certain neighborhoods. I would start as far south as possible, along the Battery and walk north and west as far as you feel. If you haven't looked at a map of Charleston, my suggestions will make more sense if you do.
Haven't been to Fort Sumter in 50 years, since I was a kid, so i would hesitate to recommend or not recommend.
When will you be there?

Great I'll plan on that, I've had a good look at google maps and that's what brought up my question about what areas are the old town area. We'll be there July 15-22.

Great I'll plan on that, I've had a good look at google maps and that's what brought up my question about what areas are the old town area. We'll be there July 15-22.

Charleston has a very good visitor center at 375 Meeting St. where you can get maps, arrange tours and get all kinds of info. Since this is your first trip to Charleston, I recommend that you stop there.
I hope you enjoy Charleston a lot!

Cool thanks, so the city itself is most of the attraction if I'm reading this right? What or where is a ghost walk?

Bull Island sounds pretty, is there much there other than the beach and one structure? Though I'm sure it's unique I get my fill of beaches here at home so I might give it a miss this time unless there are other points of interest out there too.



That's a good way of looking at it, CHS in and of itself is an attraction.

Bull Island is a barrier island with a building or two, but tons of isolated beaches. I love the solitude of it all.

That's a good way of looking at it, CHS in and of itself is an attraction.

Bull Island is a barrier island with a building or two, but tons of isolated beaches. I love the solitude of it all.

Sounds like you and I have had some similar experiences on Bull Island. There is something very, very special about being alone at the ocean with no people, no buildings and no sounds of civilization.

alpen1, you will love Charleston when you actually get into the town. The area around the airport is a giant industrial park. Hank's is good for dinner and as Charleston prices go, not too expensive....\

+1 for Hank's

Sounds like you and I have had some similar experiences on Bull Island. There is something very, very special about being alone at the ocean with no people, no buildings and no sounds of civilization.

I will agree 100% with that, one of the beautiful things of living on a less popular Caribbean island is that there's almost always a beach that's completely deserted. It's very surreal...

alpen1, you will love Charleston when you actually get into the town. The area around the airport is a giant industrial park. Hank's is good for dinner and as Charleston prices go, not too expensive....\

+1 for Hank's

Hanks is quite good.
Hominy has always been a favorite of mine but only for breakfast or lunch. I find their dinner only ok.

FIG is a favorite of mine. Only open for dinner. Lamb ragu ricotta gnocchi is a fav.

Fast and French is a fun lunch spot.

Husk has received a lot of attention lately (Bon appetit best new restaurant of 2011 I think, could be 2010). It's quite good. Open for lunch and dinner.

Caviar and bananas is a good place to grab a sandwich coffee or salad.

Butcher and bee as well for sandwiches


Walking is my favorite activity in charleston. Walking along the battery and looking at the houses is one of my favorite things to do.

FDW

Great I'll plan on that, I've had a good look at google maps and that's what brought up my question about what areas are the old town area. We'll be there July 15-22.

So, did you enjoy Charleston? See anything in particular that you liked?