James Island, Charleston SC

[Recumbent]

Going for 5 nights starting Nov 11th. Plan to see the Festival of Lights, do the fort and city tours. This is our first trip to Charleston and any suggestions would be appreciated. Garry

[Ski Doo]

Fort Sumter should be on your list. The Ravenel Bridge is an amazing structure, and offers a nice (but brief) view of the bay. Folly beach was a nice afternoon, if you like that sort of thing.

[Gkerlin]

James Island Park is a nice county park. We stayed there last March when we traded in our SOB and picked up our Monty from CW of Charleston.

Patriots Point right next to the east end of the Ravenel Bridge is a nice visit. You can tour the USS Yorktown, a sub, museum etc.

Its a great walking town. We parked down on Murray Blvd along the waterfront and walked East on Murry, North up East Bay to Market St... West on Market, then Back South down Meeting St to Murray exploring some of the side streets along the way. That walk gives you a good cross section of the architecture, Churches, lots of shops and places to eat along that route.

Not sure what direction you are headed after you leave but if North on US 17 Huntington Beach SP just south of Myrtle Beach is a great park right on the beach. You have Myrtle Beach just north plus right across 17 is Brookgreen Gardens which is an amazing botanical park with things going on all year.

[chieflawdawg]

We just got back from there last week. If you like seafood, Hyman's downtown on King's St and Bowen's Family Seafood on Folly Beach Rd, past The Piggly Wiggly are both real good. Open market downtown is pretty neat. Just get out downtown Charleston and walk and look at the neat houses. Go down to the Battery and enjoy a walk there. The campground park as some good trails to walk or ride bikes on. Whatever you choose to do, you will have fun.

[washley1]

We were just in Charleston in October with a group of retiree's from my former company. Make sure you take in the CSS Hunley exhibit. During the Civil War it became the very first submarine to successfully sink a another war ship. Also try out Boone Hall Plantation or one of the other plantations in the area. Oh, and Bull Dog Tours does a great Ghost Tour in downtown. Ask for one done by Franny Russell, and tell her Walt Ashley sent you! She probably won't give you a discount, but she's a great story teller!

[HOOK]

Just came back. We're there for Citadel homecoming. Would suggest that on Fri afternoon the citadel puts on a full dress regimental parade. Quite a spectacle. It's free. About 2000 cadets in parade. A must see to appreciate. Larry

[Recumbent]

A big thank you to all for these ideas and suggestions. We decided to stay on James Island based on the comments we read here on the MOC vs Oak Plantation that had been recommended by family. We will try to visit most of the sights that you have posted. Headed out Friday for Spartanburg to look up DW's Cantrell ancesters family grave markers and Cow Pens battlefield(one of her 4X greats fought there)on Saturday. Then it is on to James Island on Sunday. Garry