Having had my position cut at school and with a year to retirment I decided to retire early. Now it's time to do some things I have had on the "Bucket List".
The wife and I have always wanted to tour Charleston so this fall, probably October, we will be heading down there. The plan is to take Amtrak from Syracue to NYC and then on to Charleston and return the same way. We expect to spend 3 days in the Charleston area.
I have checked out the hotels in the historic district and find a huge difference in rates. Do any of you have a favorite place in the historic district that you would recommend?
Also looking for any tips that you may have related to this trip.
Thanks in advance.
Joe Urda Groton, NY
Posted by TBlack (Member # 181) on :
Joe, My daughter looked at the college of Charleston once as a possible choice, so we twice had the opportunity to stay at a Holiday Inn downtown (I guess that's the historic district). Perfectly fine hotel; you can cover all of downtown on foot from there. I think the big decision is where to eat, as there are several good restaurants in that town.
TB
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Joe,my biggest advise is to male sure you are not traveling on the Palmetto when csx is fixing the tracks. We didn't know that and ended up being bussed 3 times on non airconditioned busses and gettng to Chas.in the middle of the night. We still refer to that trip as the train from the underworld. There is a web site that is very good charlestonnavi-gator.com. I suggest the boat to Fort Sumpter, the Gulah bus tour and also a horse drawn carriage ride.(do this first then you can decide what to see or do). I have been there 3 times and still haven't seen everything. Ft. Moultrie is also very interesting.Can't help you with lodging as we stay with cousins.
Posted by rresor (Member # 128) on :
The Amtrak station is in North Charleston, about as far out of town as the airport, so be prepared for a longish cab ride.
As far as places to stay, there is an Embassy Suites that is in a historic building, and the old Francis Marion Hotel has recently been refurbished and reopened. The Holiday Inn is just around the corner from the Francis Marion. Both are well located.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
A good website from the North Carolina DOT is linked below.....they generally have an announcement when 'scheduled trackwork' is going to cause a service disruption for any of the Amtrak trains serving North Carolina.
If you go to the aquarium there is a very active railroad next to it. If you visitor center it is the SC railroad freight station. The other standing railroad buildings are 1 warehouse, SC railroad station, the castle station, sc railroad car shops, sc ports engine house(very active), SAL freight house, Charleston charleston trolley barn, ACL baggage area across the track from the amtrak station, and a lot of freight stations on East Bay St. As far as food there is a place like an Irish pub not far from the Market, I can't recall the name. They also have a bakery in the area that has G scale trains running around on the roof. Enjoy your trip
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Joe - Congratulations on your retirement - now the fun begins.
We frequently have out of town family and friends we escort to Charleston. The Lowcountry (coastal SC/GA)is gorgeous, particularly in the spring. You might want to consider making your trip in April when it is in full bloom. I would also think about getting a rental car to see the nearby sights.
There are various plantations to see, we enjoy the Middleton Plantation - also has a good restaurant (she-crab soup is a specialty). In addition the drive to nearby Beaufort, SC is very scenic and that historic town is well worth a visit as is a stay at the Cuthbert House Inn overlooking the river. If you go get a room with a porch so you and Scarlett can sip your mint julep.
But, back to Charleston. Tops on my list of reasons to visit Charleston is the architecture of the historic district (be sure and see Rainbow Row and the Battery) and food. So, spend your time walking and eating. The best way is to go to the excellent visitor center to get oriented and directions for the sights. Trainlady made some good suggestions and the carriage ride will be a good way to get an overview of the historic area.
With a walking map you will love strolling the back alleys and side streets of the magnificent houses - particularly fun on a Sunday morning when the residents in their seersucker suits and finest dresses head for the many spectacular churches - stop for a visit at St. Michaels Episcopal. Also fun are evening walks when the houses have their gas lamps lit. A good way to see the sights and spend an afternoon is check out the art dealers. A several block area (Church/State/Broad) within the historic area has many fine galleries. Can sometime get good deals from the local artists that are nationally recognized.
The tourist info will have all the highlights but all tourists eventually go to the City Market for souvenirs. If you want something, I'd recommend getting a straw grass basket. The black ladies in the Lowcountry weave intricate designs into their superb baskets, something they have been doing for generations. They are not made in China - and a purchase will get you an authentic souvenir and help them.
While we generally just make day trips to Charleston, I don't think you can go wrong with a hotel in the historic district. Just check out a map to be sure it truly is in the middle of the district so you don't have to do a lot of extra walking (Francis Marion is nice but a bit far). If you want a budget place, I'd pick the Days Inn - while that is an iffy chain at best, the one in the historic district is ok and a great location. At the other end of the spectrum, The Governors House Inn is at the top of the list and worth a splurge if you enjoy B&B's. Also Charleston Place and Planters Inn are very nice, if expensive.
Restaurants - There are no bad restaurants in Charleston's historic districts - too much competition and you really have to treat yourself to enjoying as many of them as you can. Be sure and sample southern staples such as shrimp and grits, lowcountry boil, fried chicken, and of course sweet tea. Our favorites for fine dining are McCrady's, Magnolia, Peninsula Grill, and High Cotton. Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) is great for a good lunch. Make reservations for all. For breakfast Hominy's is great and we've heard Justine's is also good - but no reservations at either and lines can be long - esp. on weekends.
If you tire of seeing the sights, I can also recommend taking in a minor league baseball game. Recently we saw the Charleston River Dogs beat the Savannah Sand Gnats in the new stadium downtown (but not walkable). Great game and big crowd with lots of students from College of Charleston and the Citadel (where the stadium is located) gave it a party atmosphere.
Sorry I rambled on some, but you will enjoy your trip. And getting back to Amtrak, I'd suggest the Palmetto southbound and the Meteor on the return. Business class on the Palmetto often has northeastern travelers heading down and is a pleasant trip - if CSX cooperates. I know Mr. Norman ('seen one pine tree, you've seen them all') has other ideas, but I enjoy seeing the small towns in the south - and check out the fine job NC has done on restoring theirs stations.
Hope this helps. I see you're from the Finger Lakes area - we'll be up there next week - visiting friends on Lake Canadaigua.
Posted by Joe Urda (Member # 8938) on :
Thanks to all of you for your input. As usual, this forum if a great source of information.
We'll be heading to Charleston in October. One of the sights that I came across was the Charleston Preservation Organization. They have tours of homes for most of the month of October so that is what made us move on the reservations.
We booked a hotel in the middle of the Historic District and opted for the included carriage ride and tour of Fort Sumter.
We need time to shop and eat and it looks like there will be plenty of opportunity for that too.
Thanks again.
Ciao for now.
Joe
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Joe - CONGRADS on your Retirement!
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Joe--
Congratulations on your retirement. It's been seven years since my "Last Day of School" and the fun hasn't stopped yet!
Frank in overcast SBA
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Don't know when you are planning to go but The Frances Marion is about as Historical as you can get this side of a B&B. It is in Downtown on the green. The trolley (Buses on wheels dressed as trolleys) system is great for getting to and from the waterfront. The walk is not bad from downtown but I like to walk so I may be biased. The Historical Walking tours are great especially the ones concerning the Pirate History and the Colonial and Reveloutionary periods
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