The Plan

Of course, this is just an outline for your week in Charleston. You make adjustments as necessary. Be sure to check the weather for the week of your visit and plan your beach fun for the clear days. You are the boss!

• Day One: Travel days are always tiring, so day one and the last day will be lighter activity days. Get settled into your hotel or bed and breakfast and freshen up. This afternoon would be a good day to take in South Carolina’s amazing aquarium. It is located on Calhoun Street, not far from downtown Charleston. Cost is $15.00 per adult and $8.00 per child. Some hotels offer discounts for the aquarium, so make sure to ask! If you want to take in an IMAX movie, check it out. Then, you can take the trip to Fort Sumter, said to be the location of the first shot of the American Revolution. There is also a Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center where you can learn all about the events leading up to the war. If you choose to do all of these activities, there are combination prices that will help defer costs. Then, plan dinner right there at Fountain Walk at one of the casual, water-front restaurants. Stroll around after dinner visiting the specialty shops and art galleries of Fountain Walk. You might want to top it off with ice cream from Wholly Cow Ice Creams and Coffee Beans.

• Day Two: Today is “history day” only it will be a lot more fun than history in school! Charleston is an absolute treasure grove of historic sites.
o A good beginning is to take the carriage ride tour of downtown Charleston with “The Old South Carriage Company.” The tour will not only give you a taste of the old south as you ride in an open carriage behind horses, but the drivers inform passengers of the history of significant spots all along the way.
o Visit the Heyward-Washington House on Church Street. The home of Thomas Heyward, Jr. is Charleston’s Revolutionary War House. Heyward was a Charleston Patriot and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington also stayed in this house in 1791 during a tour of the nation.
o Also visit the Nathaniel Russell house only about a block away. It is a beautiful home from the 1800’s surrounded by lavish gardens. It is considered a national historic landmark and is considered one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings. You will get lost in another time among the fantastic antiques and the “floating” staircase.
o Make your way to Charleston’s High Battery, a park with Revolutionary War cannons and guns. There is also a water fountain, known as the “little angel” as well as a beautiful view of the ocean. Evening strolls here are especially popular.
o The Aiken-Rhett house is also a must on your historic tour of Charleston. It was the home of South Carolina governor William Aiken and his wife. They meticulously furnished the home with beautiful furniture from their trips to Europe. There are still slave quarters on the property too!
o For a different type of history, visit the Thomas Elfe House in the Historic District. Elfe was a cabinet maker who became one of the most highly acclaimed craftsmen in Charleston. His home was built before 1760 and displays beautiful woodwork as well as antiques from that period.
o Finally, visit one of the most historically rich sites in the United States. The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, built by the British in 1771, the dungeon is below the exchange house. The building looks much like it did when George Washington danced in its grand hall.

• Day Three: For the third day of your trip you’ll go to Ashley River Road. There you will want to visit Drayton Hall, a fabulous plantation home along the river. In that same area, visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. This is also a fine plantation as well as breathtaking gardens. If you have the energy, add some more experience and knowledge of South Carolina history go to the High Battery to view Civil War cannons and guns.

• Restaurants in and around Charleston: While in the city make sure you treat yourself to lunch or dinner at your choices of these top places:
o Bubba Gump Shrimp Company-99 South Market Street
Peninsula Grill-112 North Market Street
Slightly North of Broad-192 East Bay Street
Bookstore Café-412 King Street
High Cotton-199 East Bay Street
Circa 1886- 149 Wentworth Street

• Days Four through Six:
These will be your more relaxed days of the trip. Head out to one of the beach spot mentioned above and experience all the area has to offer. As you pack up to leave the city, you may want to go through Mount Pleasant and visit Patriots Point Maritime and Naval Museum to tour the USS Yorktown, a naval ship which was a part of D-day and amazing maneuvers in the Pacific. It became known as the “ship that would not die.” While in Mt. Pleasant, have lunch at Sticky Fingers Restaurant and Bar. It’s a hot spot for good barbeque. While beaching it, if you really want an “away from it all experience” take the ferry out to Bulls Island one of these days. It is a deserted beach and is guaranteed to be quiet! Make sure to take lunch, though!

• Day Seven: On your last day check out of your beach place and while driving back through Charleston, stop at the Olde City Market located between Meeting Street and East Bay Street. You will love the unique outdoor shopping experience. You may want to pick up some of the locally made Gullah baskets or artwork. These will be important mementos of your trip to South Carolina!


Sources:
http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/
http://www.greenvillesclodging.worldweb.com/index.html