Things to do in Charleston, SC

• Apple

  

  We are looking to spend the better part of a week in Charleston, SC. in either December, January or February.
  
  Any OC recommendations of things to do in Charleston? I'm a history buff so there will definitely be some sight seeing of Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown etc.
• bases_loaded

  

  There was a thread on this sometime in the past. Poogans Porch for a mint julep is always a stop for me. The Daughters of the Confederacy have museum above the old slave market(flea market area). If you want the best crabcake, cornbreads, and sides hit up Barbara Jeans.
• Apple

  

  Thanks bases_loaded. The crabcakes sound good! We definitely need to find some seafood to eat, especially shrimp. We're hoping to stay in the old part of the city. VRBO has some nice rentals that seem pretty cheap.
• Sonofanump

  Take a carriage ride tour of the city, before lunch.
• bases_loaded

  

  Apple;1325677 wrote:Thanks bases_loaded. The crabcakes sound good! We definitely need to find some seafood to eat, especially shrimp. We're hoping to stay in the old part of the city. VRBO has some nice rentals that seem pretty cheap.

  Hymens has some great hushpuppies and good seafood. You won't have too much trouble finding good places to eat though, I think there used to be a culinary school there and some of the graduates stuck around.
• Apple

  

  Seafood should be outstanding but we're also hoping to find some good BBQ. I'm not a very big fan of doing carriage rides. We saw there is a guy who gives walking tours and has one thats called the old city walls. The reviews say he gives a lot of inside stories which should be interesting.
  
  We're also thinking about taking a Pub Tour where they take you around to a bunch of pubs to taste beers. We'll need to hit that tour early on the vacation so we can find a cool place to go back to later!
• Tiernan

  If you are into pubs, one of the best Irish pubs in America is Tommy Condons in the old downtown area. Did a couple of St Paddys there in the 90s.
• bases_loaded

  

  I'm not sure if Charleston does it, know Beaufort and Savannah do...but the haunted bar crawls are fun times..usually have some local history involved.
• dlazz

  http://lmgtfy.com/?q=things+to+do+in+charleston%2C+sc
• mtp2013

  

  Enjoy the southern belles
• Apple

  

  Tiernan;1325698 wrote:If you are into pubs, one of the best Irish pubs in America is Tommy Condons in the old downtown area. Did a couple of St Paddys there in the 90s.

  
  
  I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time at Tommy Condons!
  
  

  bases_loaded;1325712 wrote:I'm not sure if Charleston does it, know Beaufort and Savannah do...but the haunted bar crawls are fun times..usually have some local history involved.

  
  
  I'm fairly certain Charleston has them too.
  
  

  dlazz;1325722 wrote:http://lmgtfy.com/?q=things+to+do+in+charleston%2C+sc

  
  
  I'm bookmarking that page! Thanks
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enforcer

  

  2 of Our favorite places to eat
  
  http://hanksseafoodrestaurant.com/
  
  http://www.stickyfingers.com/default.aspx
• I Wear Pants

  Enforcer;1326023 wrote:2 of Our favorite places to eat
  
  http://hanksseafoodrestaurant.com/
  
  http://www.stickyfingers.com/default.aspx

  I can vouch for these two.
  
  Where are you staying?
  
  I'd suggest maybe doing one of the ghost tours and definitely just walk around the areas with all the awesome old houses, a lot of them are open for tours which you should enjoy as a history buff.
• mtp2013

  

  Visit mtp2013 on the way! :rolleyes:
• Apple

  

  Thanks Enforcer. Both of those places look great!
  
  We've been looking at renting a house or apartment/condo. There's one place on Market they say is near the Ben and Jerry's that looks pretty nice and a decent price. A lot of places seem to be available since it will be winter.
  
  I'd like to check out one of the haunted tours... just not sure she would want to do that! lol!
• vball10set

  My niece is getting married there next October, and this is what she had on their wedding website. Some things may be applicable, some may not, but maybe there's something on here that you're interested in...have fun!
  

  So you’re in Charleston for the weekend. We can fill up your time Saturday late afternoon and evening, but that leaves a lot of time to explore one of the most beautiful cities in America. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of suggestions of things to do or places to go while you’re visiting!
  Angel Oak Tree: The oldest live oak tree east of the Mississippi, this majestic tree is awe-inspiring. It’s big and beautiful and old and has such a southern essence to it. Don’t miss this.
  Charleston Farmer’s Market: Sample jams, buy fruits and veggies, check out beautiful jewelry and handmade furniture, try local ice cream with flavors like sweet corn and cinnamon, bourbon-peach, chocolate pluff mud, blueberry buttermilk, and more! They’ve got plenty of food stands too, from coffee to pretzels to our favorite, crepes!
  Stand Up Paddleboarding: A relatively new Charleston favorite, rent a giant board and go on an instructor-led tour or go off solo! A great activity for getting up close and personal with the dolphins.
  Football: Yes we realize there is some of that football business happening the day we get married. For those night games…. well, sorry friends. For the afternoon games that you can catch before hopping on the boat to support us in our vows, we recommend The Roost in West Ashley’s Avondale area, Kickin Chicken in any of their locations, King Street Grill for a billion tvs with any game you can imagine on (where you can order a mountain of nachos), or Angie’s personal favorite, Mueller’s Pub: $5 bottomless beer, and more importantly, THE Spartan alumni bar. All green and white, and the fight song plays nearly constantly from the juke box. It’s a little slice of heaven for my friends that bleed green.
  South Carolina Aquarium: They have fish! And an albino alligator! And lemurs! It’s a super cool place that’ll keep you busy for a couple hours, and it’s right on the water so you can go have a picnic afterward with some amazing views!
  Carriage tour: Charleston is chock-full of civil war history. Go get you some! Cost more than you’re willing to part with? Put on those stylish sneakers, park at the Battery, and walk around! Go by Rainbow Row, Battery park, up and down Church Street (among others) and see the pineapple fountain. It’s all so very lovely.
  Shopping: King Street is sort of famous for their shopping. I wouldn’t know the stores that are there, but I promise there are good ones. Someone that is good at shopping will tell you.
  Eating: You can see our Food page for some recommendations, but Eating and Drinking, or thinking, talking, or planning on doing either of these things, are pretty much what Charlestonians spend 75% of their time doing. You should join them.
  Beaches: the beaches will still be beautiful and the waters will probably still be warm enough to swim (fingers crossed) in October. Folly is a funky little beach town, Sullivan’s Island is more family oriented, and Isle of Palms is also nice and more family oriented.

• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  bases_loaded;1325672 wrote:There was a thread on this sometime in the past. Poogans Porch for a mint julep is always a stop for me. The Daughters of the Confederacy have museum above the old slave market(flea market area). If you want the best crabcake, cornbreads, and sides hit up Barbara Jeans.

  I second Poogans Porch! Plus, the locals believe the restaurant is haunted, which adds to its lore. I can't remember the name of it, but there is this fish dish where its fried a certain (Southern) way, its their specialty. I didn't get it, but my wife did, and it was amazing ... just do it!
  
  On a side note, Charleston is one of my favorite US cities. When I visited, I had zero expectations, but it is extremely charming with top notch restaurants and amazing history and architecture. Enjoy!
• Apple

  

  Everything I have heard has been good about visiting Charleston. I appreciate everyone who has posted suggestions of place to go and see. I'm thinking we may have to include Poogans Porch... seems like every establishment has some sort of history to it!
• Timber

  Check out some of the roof-top bars in town... pretty cool. The one we frequent when stopping by in on top of a hotel and you can look out over the water etc. they have a pool up there also, and they have heaters and glass along the sides to help in cold weather. It won't be your cheapest drink though I will figure out a name for ya.
• iclfan2

  

  I usually chime in on these Charleston threads because I went to school in downtown Charleston for 3 years. If you are looking for tours, my favorite was the Bulldog rated R tour. A little less ghosts and a little more history of the city..brothels, pirate and such. If you like beer, the Charleston Beer Exchange is the place to go. 7 growler fills, all craft beer, incredible. Anything by the local brewery Coast is awesome too.
  
  For bar B Q - Melvins is a solid chain place, Hometeam is amazing (bar b que wrap with pork, mashed potatoes, corn... so good) - both out of downtown though. Also a down home bbq place called JB's smokeshack is all you can eat and awesome (James Island).
  
  Downtown Restaurants - Hymans is a little overpriced and touristied out, but Poogan's is good, 82 Queen, Husk, High Cotton, Peninsula Grill, Coast, McCrady's, SNOB, Fig (all decently expensive) but good.
  
  Out of downtown - One of my favorite restaurants is Boulevard Diner (not a diner) in Mt. Pleasant or in West Ashley. Awesome food. Shem Creek, if open, serves great fried seafood right on the dock. Sesame has an awesome burger special on Tuesdays and great beer.
  
  Bars- Haven't been in the bar scene for a couple of years but the Gryffindor is a cool experience for a drink (Old school tavern), Tommy Condons is good, Moes Tavern is decent, I have heard Closed for Business is good, Tsunami has solid happy hour, Pearlz has an awesome happy hour (oysters, oyster shooters, house beer).
  
  Things to do in general - There is a farmers market in Marion Square on Saturdays, Carriage Tour is somewhat interesting if it is your first time, walk around the battery, the market in downtown, if you are going with a woman King Street has very good shopping, Patriots point has the Yorktown, Fort Sumter is cool, can drive around Isle of Palms and sightsee giant beach houses, ghost tours...
  
  I'm sure I have missed a ton of stuff, but that is what I thought of off the top of my head.
• Apple

  

  Looks like I have a ton of ideas to look into. Thanks to everyone for chiming in!