Visiting Charleston in April - Where To Stay And How To Get Around?
May 24, 2015, 3:55 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Visiting Charleston in April - Where To Stay And How To Get Around?
I'm visiting Charleston in April of next year with my parents (both pensioners but in pretty good shape). We're looking to do the tourist thing - my dad definitely wants to see Fort Sumter and other Civil War related sites and spots of interest but my mum and I wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Any folks here able to advise on the best general location in the city to look for a hotel (any hotel recs would also be gratefully received - we're looking at decent 3*/4* properties and chains are fine)?
Also, is it relatively easy to get around the city on foot in April? I know that it's very humid in summer but don't know if April's likely to also be unbearable. If it's not walkable, will I need a car or is there a public transport/taxi option that's reasonably priced?
No doubt I'll have other stupid questions as April draws nearer so apologies in advance!
1F
Any folks here able to advise on the best general location in the city to look for a hotel (any hotel recs would also be gratefully received - we're looking at decent 3*/4* properties and chains are fine)?
Also, is it relatively easy to get around the city on foot in April? I know that it's very humid in summer but don't know if April's likely to also be unbearable. If it's not walkable, will I need a car or is there a public transport/taxi option that's reasonably priced?
No doubt I'll have other stupid questions as April draws nearer so apologies in advance!
1F
May 24, 2015, 7:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
I'm visiting Charleston in April of next year with my parents (both pensioners but in pretty good shape). We're looking to do the tourist thing - my dad definitely wants to see Fort Sumter and other Civil War related sites and spots of interest but my mum and I wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Any folks here able to advise on the best general location in the city to look for a hotel (any hotel recs would also be gratefully received - we're looking at decent 3*/4* properties and chains are fine)?
Also, is it relatively easy to get around the city on foot in April? I know that it's very humid in summer but don't know if April's likely to also be unbearable. If it's not walkable, will I need a car or is there a public transport/taxi option that's reasonably priced?
No doubt I'll have other stupid questions as April draws nearer so apologies in advance!
1F
Any folks here able to advise on the best general location in the city to look for a hotel (any hotel recs would also be gratefully received - we're looking at decent 3*/4* properties and chains are fine)?
Also, is it relatively easy to get around the city on foot in April? I know that it's very humid in summer but don't know if April's likely to also be unbearable. If it's not walkable, will I need a car or is there a public transport/taxi option that's reasonably priced?
No doubt I'll have other stupid questions as April draws nearer so apologies in advance!
1F
Downtown Charleston is very walkable. There is lots to see and do downtown.
Fort Sumter ferry leaves from downtown.
There is also much to see outside Charleston. For example April is a wonderful time to see the gardens. Also, if your Dad really wants to see lots of Civil War sites, he may want to get outside downtown.
There are many tour companies operating in Charleston, so it is possible to get to outlying sites without having your own car.
May 25, 2015, 6:04 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
http://palmettocarriage.com/tours/ca...or-tour-combo/
Also, I enjoyed the walking tour provided by:
http://www.charlestonfootprints.com/
If you are new to Charleston, it's good to do a couple tours with pros before you strike out on your own. They will help you get a sense of what is there to see and do. Also Charleston's Visitor Center is an excellent source of info.
There are already a number of threads in this forum on Charleston. Be sure to check them out, too.
May 28, 2015, 1:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA
Posts: 268
I spent about 4 months working on an audit in Charleston and really liked the Hampton Inn Historic District. It's a great location (right off King St, just north of Calhoun) and easily walk able to lots of great restaurants and sites.
Just a few blocks south of that is the Renaissance which is very nice (more expensive).
+1 on the carriage tour! That's been my favorite "touristy" thing in Charleston!
Just a few blocks south of that is the Renaissance which is very nice (more expensive).
+1 on the carriage tour! That's been my favorite "touristy" thing in Charleston!
Jun 15, 2015, 7:22 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: T82
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,845
We were in Charleston last week for one day...our first time. Loved it.
We ordered a free booklet from the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is about 100 pages long:
http://www.charlestoncvb.com/
We did a tour to Drayton Hall, which we loved. There are other plantations, but we didn't have enough time. Would love to go back for a week. Charleston is so full of history.
Can't recommend a hotel because we were on a cruise ship that was docked there for the day.
We ordered a free booklet from the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is about 100 pages long:
http://www.charlestoncvb.com/
We did a tour to Drayton Hall, which we loved. There are other plantations, but we didn't have enough time. Would love to go back for a week. Charleston is so full of history.
Can't recommend a hotel because we were on a cruise ship that was docked there for the day.