What to do over a weekend in Charleston? (Sumter, York: where to stay, mortgages)

[eadams2]

Hi all -
My boyfriend and I are thinking of taking a quick weekend trip to Charleston this summer. I haven't been there since I was a little kid and my boyfriend has never been there.

Any suggestions for places to stay and things to do while we're there? We're not looking to spend too much money (we both have mortgages to pay!!) and we enjoy just relaxing and sightseeing.

All suggestions are appreciated

Thanks!

[salatheel]

You have to have breakfast at the Hominey Grill! Simply the best breakfast I ever had. Awesome sausages,bacon,and french toast! You could go check out one of the plantations or hang out at the beach. Take a ghost walk at night with one of the guided tours or hang out at Battery park and look for dolphins.

[SoccerMom811]

Carriage tour for sure. Touristy, but fun. Dinner at Pennsylvania Grill. Drive up to Isle of Palms for some nice beach time. Charleston is so beautiful!

[GoCubs]

Uhhh. SoccerMom881 must have meant Penensula Grill, but if you are on a budget, I wouldn't go there. I agree with Homminy Grill for breakfast or lunch and Jestine's downtown for lunch or dinner. This is real "Lowcountry" food with good value. For us, just walking around downtown south of Broad St. is a fun and romantic time, the cost? Nothing,to look at the fine homes and gardens.

Where to stay? Most places in downtown Charleston are "expensive" but I'd pick The Mills House Hotel. Cheeck it out at millshouse.com Good Luck!

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by eadams2

Hi all -
My boyfriend and I are thinking of taking a quick weekend trip to Charleston this summer. I haven't been there since I was a little kid and my boyfriend has never been there.

Any suggestions for places to stay and things to do while we're there? We're not looking to spend too much money (we both have mortgages to pay!!) and we enjoy just relaxing and sightseeing.

All suggestions are appreciated

Thanks!

I prefer the Days Inn on Meeting Street. Not fancy, but the price/location is worth it. Like people have mentioned, there are tons of places to eat. I'd get brunch at the Hominy Grill, get some She-Crab Soup at 82 Queen, and grab some drinks on the rooftop of the Vendue Inn. Some good (expensive) restaurants are Rue de Jean, Magnolia's, and the Peninsula Grill, among others. I'd recommend Sullivans Island if you're going to the beach, but there are other options.

As far as tourist stuff, you can go see Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, the houses on the Battery, the aquarium, the Market, the Angel Oak (1,400 year old tree), the Yorktown, the old churches, the plantations, Mepkin Abbey, etc.

[SCBeaches]

Free stuff includes the beaches (if you're young, Folly Beach down by the washout where most of the surfers and young crowd go), walk down through the Market downtown, Waterfront Park, and out to Angel Oak on Johns Island (cute little gift shop and a resident basket weaver are there too), and don't forget a walk down Murray Blvd. along the waterfront and through the Battery - Whitepoint Gardens. Things that cost: a carriage tour, Ft. Sumter, a plantation (I prefer Middleton Place to take my guests to ), the Aquarium, etc. There's SO much to do...just take your pick and have fun!

[sgibbs2007]

Originally Posted by eadams2

Hi all -
My boyfriend and I are thinking of taking a quick weekend trip to Charleston this summer. I haven't been there since I was a little kid and my boyfriend has never been there.

Any suggestions for places to stay and things to do while we're there? We're not looking to spend too much money (we both have mortgages to pay!!) and we enjoy just relaxing and sightseeing.

All suggestions are appreciated

Thanks!

My fiancee' and i went to the SC Aquarium last Sat. it was nice. You could also check out the IMAX and take a Ft Sumter tour. There are lots of things to do in the Chuck

[njkate]

Just returned from Bluffton & savannah 2 weeks ago.
Did a real fast day trip to Charleston and must go back for an extended weekend....beautiful city, lots of history & charm, people very hospitable
way to much to see & do in one days time.

[winston2000]

You may want to consider staying at a bed and breakfast. I go for a long weekend twice a year with friends to eat and shop- we always stay in the historic district in a B&B. It is about the same price as a hotel or cheaper- yet so much more charming. I stay in a carriage house on either King Street or one on Church Street.

Charleston bed and breakfast & inns. Find the perfect Charleston B&B lodging on BedandBreakfast.com.

Historic Charleston Bed and Breakfast - Charleston, SC - Short-term and Long-term Accommodations

I am all about the food, so I will give you my favorite casual fun places:

Gaulart & Maliclet/Fast and French 98 Broad St. 577-9797. Cheeses, soups, salads, sandwiches, soup and daily specials with a French twist. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Mon. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Tue.-Thu. 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri., Sat. until 10:30 p.m. (THis place is off the charts good- I go every day for lunch when I am there)

For drinks- the hip young crowd goes to the Pavillion Bar at the Market Pavillion Hotel. Rooftop bar with a pool and fabulous view of Charleston Harbor:

The Market Pavilion Hotel, Charleston, SC

My favorite new casual dining:

Rue de Jean - located on John Street- try the mussells, trust me.

Put on you sneakers and spend a morning running/walking through the neithborhood below Broad Street- peek into some of the most beautiful gardens anywhere- FREE!

Have fun!

[eadams2]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I'm looking forward to checking some of those places out