Hi All, a friend and I will be in Charleston SC in April for a wedding, and are coming in a couple days early to check out the city. Anyone out there from the area or have any things that are a "must see?" We definetly want to do a plantation or historian house tour, but also need good restaruants, I think we have our shopping info already covered!

Thanks in advance!

I lived there many years ago and my in-laws live in Myrtle Beach. The house tour by carriage is a must, there are some world class gardens there and you need to visit the USS Yorktown. I was stationed there when she came in, beautiful ship. May not be your bag. I don't know about the diving there, the Gulf Stream is just off shore, if there's any wrecks there would be coral reefs. Which reminds me I need to go get my pictures from Myrtle Beach.

Hi Cynde, I lived in Charleston for 6 months in 90/91. We go back there and Savannah, GA every couple of years. The downtown market is fun (as is all the downtown shopping) I enjoyed the tour of the Old Exchange and if you're a chocoholic, you have to get truffles from Charleston Chocolates on Bay St.

We toured one plantation - I think it was Drayton House. nice gardens and cute little horses. We didn't take the Ghost Walk tour, but I hear it's pretty good. http://www.charlestonghosts.com

Food:
Louis's Restaurant, 200 Meeting Street, is pretty pricey, but it's worth it. He makes the best mashed potatoes and Cream Brulee I've ever eaten. He's a well know chef and has even been featured on the food channel.

Southend Brewery, 161 East Bay Street. Last time we were there (1999), we ate at this place. I had a wonderful apetizer - crab cakes with grits and red pepper sauce (the grits are made with heavy cream and they're heavenly). The rest of the meal was excellent.

Aaron's Deli: 213 Meeting St is a great place for soup or sandwiches for lunch while you're downtown.

I wouldn't waste my time at California Dreaming. it's very touristy and noisy. It has a good view and the food was ok, but I don't think it's special.

Have to say, I got a little bored on the Yorktown. probably because Jim had to stop and read every little picture and sign. LOL It's a big ship and takes a while to get around it. I'm not much of a war or ship buff. Sorry Cecil

I don't know about diving in that area either. I've been deep sea fishing and we had to go out quite a ways.

I was wrong. We went to Middleton Plantation. Here's a pic of the very small horses. They're not pony's, but some of the old working horses. (remember, this was over 10 years ago when I did field work and was still skinny)

wow guys, thanks a lot! cecil, I grew up in san diego and think i will skip the Yorktown (unless my friend really wants to go!) Had a couple of friends join the Navy and so got to go on many tours (I would love to see the US Arizona though). I will have to look up this carrige house thing. cindy, best creame brulee and grits...I am THERE! can't get good grits on the left coast! I lived in DC for a few years and my friend has never been south of NYC, so I really want to show her a good southern plantation or house tour! I will check out all of your suggestions and make a list. If you think of any more, or have pics, or anyone else has input that would be great.

I forgot about Fort Sumter (sp?). That was worth the boat ride, but I love old forts. I've toured them from Maine to Florida.

Jim figured out how to make those grits and red pepper sauce and we had them for new years eve 2000. It's great having someone around who loves to cook.

thanks cindy, i have some research to do! Michael loves to cook too (and he is much better than i am)...hard on the waistline though!

ok, just looked up the info on ft sumter...i gotta see that! do you know if it is just a trip across the bay?

yes, I seem to remember a ferry ride. Oh so long ago....really taxing my memory now. It didn't take long, maybe 1/2 hr to get there. it was worth it, imho.

thanks cindy. i am going to tell my friend that we HAVE to go...is it in the harbor? smooth ride? (she get's sea sick so i think i will have to pump her up with dramamine). I read that the edmonsdston-alston house is open for tours and it is where general beauregard joined the alston's to watch the attack on ft sumter. that is on my list now too!

I get sea sick too. It's a very smooth ride, didn't bother me at all.

I think the Old Exchange is the one with the basement set up as the old gaol. they have figures down there dressed as pirates and other inmates with signs explaining their stories. Also has a small museum with old pottery, guns, utinsels.

oh yeah, the Charleston museum is pretty good, too. Very interesting exhibits on plantations, slavery, needle work and they used to have a mummy. I'm getting homesick.....

Here's the link to the museum page
http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/

this site has a lot of info
http://www.charlestoncvb.com/

here's the link for the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. This one only takes about an hour and it's right downtown on Bay St.
http://www.oldexchange.com/

Cynde Lee loose in Charleston? Oh my, Oh my! I can see it all now!! Heavens....ya'll have a greata time, now, ya heah?! Carole (Shutterbug)

Carole, I wish I was going with her. Hmmmm, maybe it's time for a road trip...it'll only take me 7 hours by car. Oh Jim.......

I say Go For It, Cindy! Don't forget the Purple Hats and Purple gear, tho! LOL. Carole

shutterbug...cynde lee is coming...cynde lee is coming! cindy, come on' up heah gal! i will have to make sure i bring my purple hat!

cindy, thanks for the links. I am going to check them out later today. cecil, i read about the carriage house tours too, still trying to decide which one we will have time for as we will really only have 2 1/2 days to play before the wedding. pictures????i want to see the pics cecil!

OK, your timing is perfect. Here's the few good ones from North Myrtle Beach and Coastal Divers.

Here's a piece of the wreck.



Some kind of fish maybe a Chub.



Massive school.



Another Sea Urchin trying to hide under shells.



A very strange looking starfish.



Ah, the last Reefmaster pictures, that's a camera I wouldn't miss.

Hi Cyn, we went to Charleston on Oct. mainly the see the Hunley. This is the Confederated Sub that was discovered in 1995 and recently recoved. We really enjoyed it. You do have to purchase tickets ahead of time from their website: www.hunley.org