Happy Friday All,
So, Irish might be headed to South Carolina for a wee vacation. I'm hoping, that some of you
familiar with Charleston and the area, can leave some info in the comments about:
Things to see
Best breakfast
Best Pubs
GO/ NOGO areas
Nice Lodging, It doesn't need to be a 4-5star just someplace that is decent to stay at.
Rental car? Is there plenty of parking in the various areas?
We well be going to some different areas outside of Charleston, so any other recommendations would be appreciated for sure.
Thanks in Advance
Your humble host.
well. I do hope he does enjoy his trip. makes sense to ask the locals for help with kind of intel. as you almost never find out the best spots to eat or crash with a 'guide" book. I remember finding a small hole in the wall diner that made the best meatloaf I ever had in a working part of town many years ago. and after my 2 or 3 time there, then they really started to tell me about where to go and eat and whatever.
ReplyDeleteand if there is a old gasoline station with some old guy working there, ask him as he will know where to go for whatever you may want. dave in pa.
Patriots Point
ReplyDeleteSecond this, it's a must.
DeletePatriots Point, is a must
DeleteBear in Indy
Also The Battery, fortified seawall and promenade.
DeleteWe vacationed is SC last summer but stayed at Kiawah Island so I have no recommendations for lodging in Charleston. But we did a daytrip to Charleston and really enjoyed the carriage tour -- our guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. We learned a lot from that tour and set off on our own exploring the area. Really loved the history, culture and architecture.
ReplyDeleteIt was years ago but the best restaurants are supposedly south of Broadway. One exception was known as SNOB or slightly north of broadway.
ReplyDeleteGo see Fort Sumter in the morning to raise flag , Battery Point , Bowens Island for fresh oysters .
ReplyDeleteWalk the Ravenel Bridge at daybreak , So much to enjoy .
ReplyDeleteI love the oysters there but that is me. You won't have a problem finding great low country restaurants with plenty of shrimp and grits.
ReplyDeleteI'm an OBX guy, never made it (yet) to SC.....
ReplyDeleteHyman's Seafood or Bertha's kitchen for lunch and Chubby Fish for dinner. Go hungry for all. For breakfast Broken Egg Cafe, Toast All Day, or the trusty Waffle House. Do a Ghost Tour downtown and the Pirate tour. Late Spring you could go to Folly Beach. I could spend a week there and only scratch the surface on things to do and places to eat.
ReplyDeleteThis was my post. I have a new computer so thigs are not quite right. WIN 11 sucks.
DeleteYes, it does. Microsoft never leaves well-enough alone; Win 7, XP, Win 10. I'm so old I started out in Windows for Workgroups back in the 90s. I'm now learning Linux and enjoying it. Screw Microsoft.
DeleteGo to Hank’s
DeleteIf you are downtown, you can get by fine with car service/taxis. Most of it is walkable (and it is a great city to walk around). I typically check hotels on priceline just to see who you can get a good deal with. Again, plenty of hotels there. Depends which one is the best value at a particular time.
ReplyDeleteI did not go to Fort Sumpter last time I was there, but that is on my to do list. I just read Erik Larson's book on the subject.
Been a few times. Parking is not easy, but you can find/pay. Hotels in the “downtown” usu have parking, but also charge.
ReplyDeleteRestaurants- assuming still open-
SNOB’s, Magnolia’s, a couple of what appear to be “greasy spoons”
To the north and west of the Market had excellent shrimp/fish baskets. Touristy places on the river/waterfront- ok, but “Meh”.
Several others to the east and south of the Market, too.
Not familiar with decent pubs.
Most of the inns around downtown are fine. Hamilton Garden Inn has been consistently good for many years.
We stayed at the Indigo Inn. Nothing fancy, but clean, walking distance to much of old Charleston .
ReplyDeleteThe Church and Union restaurant - good food, just don't start reading the ceiling !
Hank's Seafood - excellent seafood .
Husk - we've only eaten at the Husk in Nashville, but the food there was excellent, so I'd expect the same here .
And one more thing- the cheesy carriage ride(s) are worth it if you’ve never been- different routes thru old town, with history added in.
ReplyDeleteOut at Patriots point you tour an aircraft carrier. I forget which one. The boat ride and tour out to Fort Sumter is interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing about that carrier is the make of teh last aircraft to land on it. While it was being towards Charleston, and still outside the seaway to the harbor, a Piper Cherokee did a touch and go on the flight deck.
DeleteIt is has been a while since visiting, but I know from firsthand accounts that subguns and grenades would be handy in some parts of the town1.
ReplyDeleteHave fun. In all sincerity, there is a ton of history (the battery, slave auction, etc.) and some beautiful gardens in and around Charleston. Enjoy.
I can suggest a visit to Patriots Point. The USS Yorktown is there. Plus lots of other stuff.
ReplyDeleteHymans seafood, poogans porch, patriots point naval and maritime museum
ReplyDeleteThe South Carolina Aquarium. We have live diver shows, interactive backstage tours, the Turtle Hospital, otters, eagles, and all manner of critters all native to South Carolina. East Bay Deli and Fleet Landing Restaurant are all within walking distance, as are parking garages and open-air parking.Harbor Tours and Fort Sumter ferry are right next door.
DeleteLots of good stuff already, but recommend some breweries - Westbrook Brewing has some amazing stuff that is highly sought after (seriously a beer drinker and collectors destination spot on a world class scale), Charles Towne Fermentory (very small downtown brewery, but really interesting crafting going on here), Holy City Brewing (good beer and food with some pretty good entertainment). There are about a dozen more, and I do not want to take away from any of them, but these three are what I consider the not to be missed brewers of the Charleston area. -Brewer96
ReplyDeleteLewis BBQ, best TX BBQ in the southeast. John's island go see the angel oak tree. I lived there for 15 years, best to go before heat and humidity set in.
DeleteI used to frequent a place called the Bizzie Bee Social Club on Hwy 78 in North Charleston right off of 26 I think. It's a membership place, but you can walk in and buy a card for a dollar. A lot of veterans hang out there. I believe the club was started by a Navy veteran.
ReplyDeleteThe actual address is 9422 Hwy 78, Ladson, SC 29456. If you want to call before going, the number is (843)553-2552.
This was right before Covid so hopefully it's still open, ergo the phone number. There was also a great food truck in the parking lot if you like Mexican food.
Best advice is to not go.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I grew up in Charleston. We lived on Tradd Street, south of Broad. I left in the mid-2000s; sold the house for a fortune. Charleston has changed too much and even though the houses are there, the charm is gone.
DeleteReds Ice House and other bars on Shem Creek. Nice park opposite side of Reds. You can walk out to the water and see the dolphins. Have fun Al.
ReplyDeleteBoone Hall if it's not too cold or early in the year.
ReplyDeletelast two or three times I went to Hymans it was terrible - SeeWee Diner out near Awendah more better
ReplyDeleteThe oldest tobacco shop in the USA is downtown. Very cool
ReplyDeleteSide trip to Beaufort & MCRD Parris Island
ReplyDeleteWalk around the Battery. If any of the old mansions are open for tourists, take the tour. The old Huguenot church is quietly beautiful. If you need a parking space, pray hard.
ReplyDeleteWe go fairly regularly. We enjoy Paige’s Okra Grill and Poes on Sullivan Island. Patriots Point and Ft Sumpter are both great history and if you have time go see the Hunley submarine at the old Navy base up the Cooper river It’s only open on weekends now so heads up
ReplyDeleteSecond on the Hunley! Very interesting! Have fun, Irish!
DeleteTom762
Forgot to add the bbq - not been in a while but used to love Rodney Scotts
DeleteFood: Chareleston Crab House for the she crab soup, and whatever other seafood you happen to like. RuRu's Tacos are great, and the menu entertaining, plus they make a mean jalapeno margarita. There's also a good (bit pricey) Gaucho Brazilian steakhouse in that area.
ReplyDeleteFor sightseeing, Patriots Point as others have said. The old Exchange & Provost building is well worth a tour, and the pier nearby has some decent views.
Just stopped by, hoping. But no FFFF. Please, Irish, it's not gone forever, is it?
ReplyDeleteFood and Drink at The Blind Tiger, Big Gun Burger (phenomenal burgers and PBR Cans).
ReplyDeleteDrinks only at The Griffon and Burns Alley Tavern. The Tavern at Rainbow Row (liquor store since 1686). Dunleavy’s on Sullivans Island (Irish CAN’T go wrong there…).
Best for last; VFW Post 3137 (Post on the Coast) Isle of Palms.
Agree with the Ft Sumter recommendations, and add the Huntley museum. https://www.hunley.org/?utm_source=google%20my%20business&utm_medium=profile
ReplyDeleteThe ghost hooker tour is pretty cool. But, for some reason, the more money you give the ghost hookers, the loader they moan.
ReplyDeleteThe museum and another place where the resurrected Confederate submarine is. Definitely the Battery. Some of those cannons may be the actual ones that fired on Ft. Sumter. - Henry
ReplyDeleteDont go if your foot is in a cast or imobilizing boot. Cobblestones.
ReplyDeleteFor some "REAL" food, try the Okra Grill! Great food - great variety! Might be a nice break from a lot of seafood!
ReplyDeleteIts been a bit since I've been there and the last time was for business. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and I recall some difficulty with the rental car due to it being a Sunday afternoon. I was able to get something, but it wasn't ideal because they only had one car left; it was a purple Dodge Magnum wagon. Not my style, but it got me moving.
ReplyDeleteThe next day I parked somewhere on the West Side to make phone calls (in my purple Dodge Magnum wagon) and I was promptly approached by some local young men, who (believe it or not) politely explained I was in the wrong neighborhood, especially in a purple Dodge Magnum wagon. So I would avoid the west side based on this experience. I agree with the previous post, Berthas Kitchen. I believe I had the fried pork chop and it was legit. That area is sketchy after dark as well. I think its Meeting Street? I carved out time for the Ft Sumter tour and it was definitely worth it. I hope that helps sir
It's a ways but go tour the battlefield at Cowpens.
ReplyDeleteFriday parade at The Citadel is always an attraction. Campus is beautiful and it is always a spectacle to see these young men and women on parade with a classic military style pass in review.
ReplyDeleteI've always stayed at the Kings Courtyard Inn. Its a medium priced hotel with reproduction antiques, ladies will love it. Its walking distance to everything. Prices are higher on weekends and in season. You will feel like you are in a 5 star hotel.
ReplyDeleteOysters - I like mine raw, but in Charleston they roast them. Give it a try.
Shrimp and grits - this is the signature dish of Charleston. Every chef puts their own spin on it.
pp 14-21 of my alumni magazine has a lot of info for visitors: https://issuu.com/pikappaphi/docs/fall_2024_issuu
Meeting Street is the main boulevard. One street over, on King Street, is where you find all of the galleries and antique shops - great for window shopping.
Last time I was there, some group put on an evening walking tour of fine homes downtown. Was a real cool experience. I think there was a brochure in my hotel lobby or something. Charleston has a unique style of architecture so it was a very interesting experience.
Hunley museum and Magnolia cemetery where the crew is buried. Probably the last Confederate funeral held.
ReplyDeleteUSS Yorktown museum ship. There’s also a submarine memorial. As far as eats/beverages there’s a place called the Griffon which is damn near 300 years old. Hell of a place and highly recommended!!!!
ReplyDeletePages Okra Grill in Nexton (Summerville), the BEST Southern cooking; Bessingers Bar B Que on Savannah Hwy. Walking along the Battery and anywhere downtown. Carriage ride for a bit of canned history. The USS Yorktown at Patriot's Point, the Hunley, Ft Sumter and Ft Moultrie. Wave as you go past me in St George (Exit 77 on I-95)!!
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with Charleston, SC, but since I'm from Western NC, my advice to you is stay far away fron Asheville, NC
ReplyDeleteBizzie bee is closed, Hymans is shit; from your content I’m assuming you like a good steak - check out Halls Chophouse, all in for two you’ll spend $300 but it WILL be the best steak you’ve ever eaten and the service in the one on King St is a one of a kind experience. For seafood check out Bowen island Restaurant near Folly Beach (local oysters from the creek and fresh shrimp).
ReplyDeleteAs someone whose wife wants to visit here, thanks for the suggestions! I'll tuck this away to pull off some surprises.
ReplyDeleteSorry this is a bit late, but here you go. Great city. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteBooze
Prohibition bar
The Tavern at Rainbow Row (oldest liquor store in the US – 1686)
Food (no particular order)
The Ordinary for dinner. Tried
The Darling
Felix
Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar
Indaco after having a drink at
Virginia’s on King. We tried to have lunch at
Leon’s
Little Jack’s Tavern
39 Rue de Jean.
Sullivan’s Fish Camp
Other
Fort Sumter Museum
Two Sisters Tours (guided walking tour of Charleston)
Patriot’s Point Museum (USS Yorktown); also a good restaurant nearby called Post House Inn
Finally - someone mentioned 39 Rue de Jean! Seconded - try the Coq au Vin.
DeleteWHERE THE HELL DID THIS "HAPPY FRIDAY" CRAP COME FROM?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to visit the Confederate batteries that blew the shit out of that Yankee hellhole called Ft Sumpter
ReplyDeleteLived here for 35 years. Really nice place to visit(or live.) Carriage tour for sure, Hymans is a tourist trap, lots of nice hotels downtown or across the river in Mount Pleasant, plenty of cars to rent, Tommy Condon's Irish Pub downtown is a landmark (imho a little pricey) , take the boat to Ft. Sumpter, walking tours are fun. I run the backstage in a theater in North Charleston and there are several theaters in town if your taste runs that way. Go to the beach at Sullivans Island and try the seafood on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. Parking is pretty bad but what do you expect from a city that was never really planned. Don't forget The Battery. Beautiful homes. We have a couple of museums and an aquarium. Bring money have a vacation. People are very nice and helpful. I'm from old California and felt right at home.
ReplyDeleteFleet Landing has some of the best food in the southeast. Other great places to eat have already been mentioned by others. Charleston is a foodie’s paradise. Parking is tough, but with enough circling around you can find metered parking. Walking is the best way to see downtown Charleston. All of the historic tours are worth it. If you are there on a Friday check out the Citadel’s Friday parade if the cadets are in school. In my younger days I had to “check out“ the parade every Friday…😉
ReplyDeleteMillers for Breakfast and have the Unicorn Grits......Patriots point I will also second.
ReplyDeleteWe had lunch at 82 Queen and it was excellent (with a Sazerac). If the azaleas are in bloom, Magnolia Gardens. Say hi to Bill Murray for me.
ReplyDeleteAny recommendations would gladly be offered in person if you would consider letting us buy you a few Irish whiskeys at Republic on King Street Tuesday-Thursday this week? Least we can do for so many inspirational posts that celebrate good housewife porn, car porn and food porn all at the same time. Gruntessa will argue about whether Jamesons or Bushmills is best, and if you can agree with her we might get out alive without the cops being called. Just respond to associated email if this happens to be the right week.
ReplyDeleteIrish, enjoy mate, so much to do there now, and the Battery area is cleaned up and the city is safe, as long as you don't stray. I agree on Condons, gotta get a wee dram and toast the motherland...
ReplyDeleteIF, you are so inclined, head on down to HHI, wonderful island to visist, the best beach ever o nthe east coast, and on the top 10 in the US...
We have lots of festivels, etc., going on here..
If anyone likes country music, head to HHI in Sept for the Country Music Jam, a week of hearing the songs on the radio, sung by the top artists, but this is all done by the actual writers...The music is great, but the back stories are the best!
https://hiltonheadislandjam.com/
Sláinte
Try Savannah and the 8th Air Force Museum. Hike out to the Boneyard at Hunting Island State Park
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few ornate fences and gates to look at by one famous blacksmith if you are into that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteBeen a minute but I stayed on the peninsula, Mill House maybe? Wasn’t far from Market St, good bar / restaurant right across the side street. No better tips but I love the place when it’s not July! - Roaddevil
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank all of the commenters for I too am planning a visit to Charleston. I was last there in 1965 as a boot fireman assigned to the USS Leahy DLG16. Seventeen years old and fresh from California, very wet behind the ears. $32.50 every 2 weeks didn't go very far for liberty, but nobody questioned me when I placed a quarter on the bar at any of the fine establishments on Reynolds Ave, aka "the strip". I did make it downtown and saw the slave auction location and out to Folly beach, the pier had a juke box and there was dancing. Seems the hit song at that time was "Baby Let Me Bang Your Box", have never seen it since. Managed to get my 1 and only tattoo without a chick's name by a guy in his 70's at that time. There was a Woolworths with a lunch counter, and I remember being a little amazed by the breakfast offerings, everything was "with grits", never had grits in CA. Had "locker clubs" on the strip 'cause there was no wearing civvies on board ship in those days. The ship was 4 years old when I went aboard, the Navy scrapped it a few years ago, never considered I'd outlive the ship. I'll be taking copious notes on where and what to see and where to avoid as well. If my ol' sea daddy Odell Kiser was still with us I'd have him take me back to the Cadillac Club if it's still around. I believe this is my first post Irish and I'd like you to know that I'm amazed at how quickly the Fridays come around these days and its always my special Friday evening treat to see your offerings, THANK YOU for all you do!!
ReplyDeleteFolly beach
ReplyDeleteAngel oak on johns island
ReplyDelete