Charleston, South Carolina

[fredhashway]

I'll be visiting Charleston for the first time next month. I already have my hotel booked (The Market Pavilion Hotel) but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for things to do, places to eat or any "must sees". I welcome all suggestions.

[lippincottfarm]

Hi, Are you going to rent a car or stay within the confines of the city?

[fredhashway]

We will be renting a car to get around, but we'll only be there for a long weekend so we're likely to spend all our time in Charleston and its immediate environs.

[funtimes]

Hello - You will LOVE Charleston!!! Definitely go to the central market - history unfortunately dictates that this was originally a slave market - now a wonderful artisan market with lots of straw baskets etc. If you are lucky a festival may take place while you are there - Spoletto music festival is our favorite - usually in spring and centered at the market. Definitely tour the waterfront - many ships docked here - you can take a boat tour that will showcase various ships - make sure to stop at the waterfront park with cannons ... detailing important and interesting South Carolina history.Definitely explore by car and on foot the fabulous residential architecture - many homes have inner gardens so peak through fences if you must - if you are lucky a homes tour may be going on - check with your hotel - homes tours are often fundraisers in Charleston. Enjoy and have some crabcakes for us ...Funtimes

[fredhashway]

Thank you! Our hotel overlooks the market, so I expect that will be our first stop. Your other suggestions sound great, too. Any tips on where to eat?

[funtimes]

Sorry to say I'm better at recalling places, history and food - but not names of restaurants. The food varieties and temptations stay on my mind longer than the names of particular restaurants. Good Luck!

[fredhashway]

Oh I see...so you can tell me all about the fried green tomatoes and she-crab soup, but not where to find them. Can you tell I'm hungry already? I'll take notes when we're there next month and if I make any great discoveries, I'll post them here.

[CMDAVILACLI]

Try: 82 Queen, an old restaurant in the historic district. The She Crab soup is amazing! The rest of the offerings are just as good. This was our best meal in Charleston.

Enjoy! Cathy

[fredhashway]

Thank you, Cathy! I'm jotting that down right now.

[funtimes]

That Does sound good! I'll mark that down too - as for my memory...I do enjoy wine with thesefantastic meals perhaps that explains it Ha! Ha!