- Take in an overall view of Charleston’s Historic District by using one of the sightseeing tour services
Not a bad idea, although I’ve never done it
- Water tour
ditto
- Town of Mt. Pleasant
Great restaurants, but are you looking for anything else?
The Old Village
I had never heard of the “Old Village.” I mainly go for the restaurants.
Shem Creek
Restaurant Row
Boone Hall
I’ve been there for the Oyster Festival (it was just a few weeks ago), but no other time. A nice place to visit, but the staff seemed really snooty.
- Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
** Never done this, but I’ve heard it’s nice**
- Folly Beach
** One of Charleston’s two main beaches This one is on the south side. The other is the Sullivan’s Island/Isle of Palms area on the north side. The northern beaches are a little more touristy, where Folly is a little more homey.**
- Cypress Gardens
no info
- Nature Tour
These can be fun, or awfully dull, regardless of where you go. It’s always a crapshoot.
- Ghostwalk (too touristy?)
Unless you believe in ghosts, I wouldn’t bother.
- Wildlife Refuge (I love wildlife so I would love to take a hike through one of these)
see comment on "Nature Tour"
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Ace Basing National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge
Santee Coastal Reserve
Francis Beidler Forest
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Congaree Swamp National Monument
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
These various areas are as far away as two hours north of Charleston (like the Sandhills), and almost two hours south (like Savannah). Most of the others are within an hour or so
And 82 Queen: That is without a doubt Charleston’s pearl among restaurants–at least by reputation. The food is good, no doubt, but portions are small, and prices are high. It might be good to do it just to say you have, but I go to Charleston several times a year, and I haven’t been there in many years.
Some restaurants that I can vouch for though:
Vickery’s: There’s one downtown, and one on Shem Creek. I’ve been only to the one on Shem Creek, and I can recommend it very highly. Bring an appetite, and save room for dessert (and that can be a challenge).
Shem Creek Bar & Grill, Ronnie’s, RB’s: All on Shem Creek. All are good.
South End Brewing: This is downtown (on the peninsula). A wide variety of foods. (They have a website, but I don’t know it off-hand. You can check out their menu there.)
Gilligans and Gilli’s: These are on the south side (of the peninsula). Gilligan’s is a seafood restaurant, and Gilli’s (in the same shopping center) is a throw-peanut-shells-on-the-floor steakhouse. Just don’t order the “Buffalo Burger.” State law requires them to be cooked to the point that they’re slightly harder than a brick the same size.
Coconut Joe’s: Isle of Palms. This is a good seafood restaurant.
T-Bones: Several locations. I always go to the one in the market area on the peninsula. Obviously, a steak joint.
Garibaldi’s: Also in the market. A little more expensive than the others, but the quality of their seafood is without question.
Also in the market, and in numerous downtown stores, you can see markers in buildings that show the water level when Hurrican Hugo stormed ashore in September 1989.
Visit the Battery (the end of the peninsula), and take a gander at the old houses in the Tradd St area.
If I think of anything else, I’ll post again.