Charleston, South Carolina

Today's Charleston has much to offer her tourists. We've discovered that one one of the best ways to get acquainted with Charleston is on foot. It's not only good for your mind, it's good for your body. You can plot your own course with a map and good guide book. This is the best way to learn about the Confederate Homes and how the Civil War affected Charleston. You could also join a guided group with Charleston Walks. Plan on about 3.5 miles to cover the Historic District. It's not strenuous, and you will be stopping often to view monuments, houses, historical markers, etc.

Folly Beach, whose name comes from an old English word meaning "heavily wooded" is a short drive from Charleston. It offers good restaurants and bars and it's a delight for beachcombers. My Folly Beach photos

Fig is a local favorite! 232 Meeting Street, Historic District.
A.W. Shuck's - Seafood Warehouse Restaurant and Raw Bar
Charleston Crab House - Southern Seafood, dinner, happy hour
Tommy Condon's Restaurant and Pub - Historic Downtown Area
Peninsula Grill - Historic Downtown Area
Charleston Grill - in the Charleston Place Hotel
Bubba Gump - Historic Downtown Area
East Bay Crab Shack - Historic Downtown Area
Pavilion Bar & Cafe -Like rooftop dining, bar and great food?
Hank's Seafood - Corner Church and Haynes (Historic District)
Circa 1886 - 149 Wentworth St.
Robert's of Charleston - 182 E. Bay St. (Hear Robert sing!)

Take a Carriage Ride through Historic Charleston and the Battery!
Palmetto Carriage Tour
Old South Carriage Company

Visit Charleston's major attractions:
South Carolina Aquarium at Charleston
Historic Charleston Foundation
Visit Fort Sumter and take a Harbor Tour
See history unfolding. HL Hunley history, recovery, tours
HL Hunley
Cypress Gardens
Spoleto Festival (May 23 - June 8, 2008)

Shopping in Charleston
Be sure to visit the City Market in the heart of the Historic District. Here's where you'll find the famous handmade Sweetgrass Baskets (sewn with longleaf pine needles and strips of palmetto leaf) as well as a multitude of crafts, souveniers, jewelry, art, etc. on display inside the covered Market area. You'll also find many small specialty shops and restaurants. Charleston Place is located on the first floor of the Charleston Hotel in the Historic District. If you like shopping in style, then the Shops at Charleston Place are for you. Even if you buy nothing in the many botique shops, you'll love the polished marble floors, columns, grand staircases and mammoth chandelier. There's something here for everyone including your most discriminating Aunt Tillie!

Other great shopping places:
Citadel Mall
Northwoods Mall
Millennium Music
Earth Fare - The Healthy Supermarket

Hurricane Hugo:
My sister-in-law Sara (see photo on left) was living in Myrtle Beach when Hurricane Hugo made its visit inSept. 1989. If you came here looking for information about Hugo's impact on Charleston, here's a link!

Looking For Free Coupons?
Tourist Pack of Charleston offers free coupons for Ghosts & Legends, Charleston Walk, the SC Aquarium, as well as plantations, restaurants and tours. Tourist Pack Free Coupons.