<p>I know it’s late notice, but we’ll be going to Charleston tomorrow afternoon until Sunday morning. Any suggestions for this short stay? Fun places to eat or see? Thanks.</p>
<p>Take one of those carriage rides through the historic district. It may be pricy but the one we took was really good.</p>
<p>Charleston Place is in the center and one of the best in town. We liked Sticky Fingers BBQ for good food and value. Thought S.N.O.B. was overrated. Same for Hominy Grill and Jestine’s Kitchen…</p>
<p><a href=“Charleston Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation | Fodor’s Travel”>Charleston Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation | Fodor’s Travel;
<p>We were in Charleston in August. Loved it. </p>
<p>We found a little place that was a few blocks south of the main shopping and tourist area, but loved it. You sit at counters and get to talk to other people across from you. We happened to hit it on fondue night. Fun and reasonable. It’s called<br>
Gaulart and Maliclet Caf</p>
<p>Make sure you go down to the Battery, walk around, check out the view. You can see Ft Sumter from there. I don’t recommend taking the boat ride out to Ft Sumter unless you just enjoy boat rides and want to see Charleston from the water. It is usually 8 million degrees at Ft Sumter, it’s just a pile of bricks, and you have to wait a while for the boat to take you back.</p>
<p>The outdoor Market is great for buying all kinds of stuff, nice artsy stuff, junky touristy stuff, etc. (When people tell you it’s the old slave market, it’s not where slaves were bought and sold. It’s the old Slave’s market, where they went to buy goods/food for the household. So don’t get too freaked out.)</p>
<p>Definitely take a carriage tour. Charleston has tons of great history and great restaurants downtown.</p>
<p>If you have any younger kids with you, Charleston has a really nice Aquarium along the Cooper River. If you have any military buffs with you, cross the Cooper River Bridge to Mt Pleasant and go to Patriot’s Point. They have an aircraft carrier from WW2, a destroyer and a submarine. You can explore them to your heart’s content if that’s your thing.</p>
<p>Many thanks for all the great suggestions. Keep them coming – I’ll be checking the computer until 10:30 tomorrow morning. lol.</p>
<p>Oh, I also very much appreciate the “it’s a waste of time to go there” suggestions.</p>
<p>Every time I’ve been to Charleston, there wasn’t enough time to see everything. I don’t have any “waste of time” moments. I heartily agree that you should do one of the carriage “tours”–very interesting. I don’t remember if you said whether it was a family trip or not. If you are a couple, and the evening is nice, I’d also recommend renting one of the bicycle taxis to drive you around some of the homes in the “South of Broad” area. We went to a wedding in one of those homes a couple of years ago. It was truly incredible (the only wedding I’ve ever been where all the men attending wore tuxes). I definitely felt dowdy next to the Southern elite, but they were all lovely people!!! (and the string quartet playing on the veranda DIDN"T play “Celebrate good time, c’mon!!” ) Make sure and go to the market. I haven’t spent the money that the sweetgrass basket ladies charge, but they are incredible to watch. Enjoy!!!</p>
<p>If you have time, get out to Wild Dunes and stick your toes in the sand. Pretty beach.</p>
<p>jym626 - you can go to Isle of Palms (where Wild Dunes is), but Wild Dunes itself is a private resort and you have to have a pass to get in (my parents have a condo there). I agree, it is truly beautiful.</p>
<p>Oops-- sorry for the confusion. There is an accessible public beach on Isle of Palms with cute little stores, if memory serves me correctly. And maybe your parents will invite the OP ,as a CC “friend”, to get thru the gate ?? :D</p>
<p>The ‘sweet grass ladies’ are in actuality are Gullah people. Some of the downtown carriage drive can give you a brief description of this fascinating culture, part of the Sea Islands group of people. Make sure to see the interesting architecture of Battery area houses, including the ironwork by African-American craftsmen (before Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock ruin the neighborhood with ‘remodeling’ projects).</p>
<p>Oh, just saw this thread and the OP is already gone! We have a duplex in Charleston where d lives while attending school there, and are in Charleston at least 4 times a year. Still haven’t seen everything I want to see, although sometimes we just go and veg at the beach. We make it a point to try at least one new restaurant every time we’re there, although we have a few favorites. One of the best and most interesting we’ve found is the Wreck, in Mount Pleasant. Very hard to find, had to drive around awhile, but it’s on the fishing docks near the Old Village. No reservations, cash only, but it was definitely worth it, both food-wise and setting. The Hominy Grille is a favorite, only several blocks from our house. Breakfast is the best there!</p>
<p>Sorry jym626, I should clarify - my parents are PART-owners of a condo in Wild Dunes. They’re not there this week so they can’t invite someone. Too bad, it is a beautiful place. And yes, there are cute shops/restaurants near the public access beach on IOP.</p>
<p>second vote for Sticky Fingers and Battery. Also, check out the College of Charleston and/or Citadel.</p>