South - Charleston, SC -- rent a car?

I'm considering a weekend trip to Charleston. From what I've read, it's a very "walkable" city, which sets off some warning bells in my mind about renting a car. If I rent a car, am I going to be able to park it in the historic parts of the city?

I'm trying to decide whether to rent a car and stay in an economy hotel, or to forego the rental car and stay right downtown. I'd prefer the latter, except that I'd have to forego seeing the historic sites outside of downtown.

Appreciate any advice!

A car is a burden in Charleston - and you are correct, the money ca be better spent on the additional amount it costs to stay downtown.

But I have a suggestion that I have personally used in the past.

(1) Rent for just one day to get to the beaches or plantations outside of town; or

(2) if you have a later afternoon or evening departure, go to the airport in the morning, rent a car drive to the out of town locations that day, and reutrn the car at the airport prior to your flight.

Renting at the airport is quick and efficient.

....rented one day and hoofed it/bussed it the others. However, those have been cities with excellent public transit (eg PHL).

If I were to rent a car for the full week, is there any place where I could park it nearby, and walk into the historic district? Or even take a cab?

Charleston has a good deal of street parking, both metered and time-limited. It is quite ample, especially during the week. It also has several garages that are more or less a few blocks from the best parts of the historic district (a garage in the middle of the historic district would kind of ruin the effect.)

And I have been many times, only once staying outside of the Historic District, and regretting that decision, as it is always nice to be able to walk a few blocks and return to a hotel, especially given that I always want to be downtown for Charleston's dining in the evening, and because Charleston can get a bit hot even through November. If you are interested in a budget-conscious historic district hotel, I recommend the Indigo Inn.

Walking within the historic district is quite easy, and it allows you to spend more time noting the architecture and gardens than driving

I will also add that at times, when I have driven from Virginia over a long weekend, I have needed to park, and have literally not used the car until I was on my way out.

The only city activity that cannot be accessed by foot is the dock for a Ft. Sumter cruise (well, it can be, but it is more of a hike than I would do on vacation). There are regular busses, and $7 cabs, however, to that dock if Ft. Sumter is on you list.

Should you have a car, count on $10 per day to park.

An airport cab is perhaps $25

As a South Carolinian I say skip the car rental. Driving in the historic district can be a nightmare of one way streets, horse drawn buggys, bicycle cabs, and people who are walking. Your hotel will have parking but it will be expensive. The city lots are all around and, while less then the hotel, you never know what might happen to the vehicle when parked there.

You didn't mention hotel accomodations but I guess you have that covered. My favorites are Charleston Place and the Embassy Suites Historic District (not as convenient for walking but lots of history).

All of this is my opinion but I try not to drive in the Historic district. Goos Luck