Historic Charleston

Our trip to Charleston was fantastic! While there, we shopped, ate at Bubba Gump's, saw the first submarine (the Hunley), had our picture taken in "old-times" clothing, visited Fort Sumter, and explored the aircraft carrier Yorktown.

Quick Tips:

If you want to truly explore Charleston, spend at least a week there. There is so much that you and your family could do! Also, if you don't have a timeshare, or wish to not exchange a week, I highly recommend you stay at Homewood Suites. You can read more about our stay there in the accommodations area of this journal. Also, I recommend searching on the internet for things to do and places to go prior to your trip.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around Charleston is definitely driving. Charleston is a relatively large city, so driving is a necessity.

Homewood Suites Hotel is great. If you're ever traveling somewhere without exchanging a week, stay at Homewood Suites. We've stayed at three or four different ones, and they've all been amazingly great.

The Homewood Suites we stayed in is located off of Hwy 17N in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It was only eight miles from Charleston's historic district and only two miles from the Isle of Palms beach. Every morning you can enjoy a delicious hot continental breakfast. Every Monday through Thursday night, the hotel offers a reception dinner with cocktails.

The suites don't have the usual "blah" decor; they are filled with rich fabric, mahogany furniture, and granite accents. In our two bedroom suite, we had three televisions, two beds, and one sleeper sofa. There are VCR's, high-speed internet, full kitchen, hair dryers, iron and ironing board, and work stations. The hotel also had a fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool, sports court, and grilling areas with picnic tables.

Homewood Suites are actually designed with business travel in mind, but we find the luxury and neatness involved in the hotel is also great for family. For the low price, luxury, and friendly staff, the next time we visit Charleston, we'll definitely be booking a room at Homewood Suites.

Bubba Gump's was absolutely wonderful! We have never had so much fun in a restaurant before. The atmosphere is very relaxed. As soon as you walk in the restaurant, you are greeted by the friendly staff. Surrounding you are pictures and attire from the movie Forest Gump. At your table are two license plates; one says "Run Forrest Run," the other says "Stop Forest Stop." If you need anything, just flip the license plate from "Run Forest Run" to "Stop Forest Stop," and almost immediately, the nearest waiter or waitress appears at your table, ready to get you whatever you want.

While we were waiting for our food, our waiter quizzed us with Forrest Gump trivia. Again, it was a truly fun and a fantastic atmosphere! Not only was the service great, the food was, too! If you eat at Bubba Gump's, which you most definitely should, for dessert, get Jenny's Strawberry Dream! That is the best dessert I've ever had!

To top it all off, Bubba Gump's has a really nice gift shop, which has all kinds of apparel and accessories. One of the shirts has Bubba's list of all the ways you can cook shrimp. If you go to Charleston, or anywhere else where there is a Bubba Gump's, eat there! It's amazingly great!

Our family decided that a trip to Fort Sumter would definitely be in our itinerary on this trip. We left from a marina in Charleston in a medium-sized boat and traveled to the small island known as Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter is where the Civil War actually began. However, the original brick structure crumbled, so only parts of it remain intact. Several years ago, a battery was built in the center of the fort. In the battery now is a gift shop with souvenirs and informational books and videos about Fort Sumter, as well as a museum and restrooms.

In the museum is the original flag flown over Fort Sumter, as well as displays of how the Fort looked during the Civil War. Several artifacts were also displayed.

Around the grounds of Fort Sumter, cannons and other large artillery are on display. The fort also allows a beautiful view of part of Charleston. (While we were there, my daughters loved seeing all the dolphins that surrounded the fort.)

If you have any appreciation for history whatsoever, definitely stop at Fort Sumter. Even though most of the original structure no longer exists, it's still a neat experience to be at a place that holds such an important part of our country's history.

First off, if you have young children or can't get around too well, I recommend you do NOT go to Patriot's Point. You have to do a LOT of walking, and along with the heat, it can be very difficult. Also, my wife, daughters, and sister-in-law got very bored. Not to be stereotypical, but men would probably enjoy this trip more than women.

At Patriot's Point is World War II and Military aircraft displayed onboard the aircraft carrier Yorktown. There are twenty-five aircraft, four ships, and a medal of honor museum. There is a mock Vietnam Naval Support Base, which shows the living conditions used by Vietnam support base veterans. There is a 31-foot River Patrol Boat, ammunition bunker, combat information center, 24-foot gun and observation tower, Huey UH1H Medivac helicopter, displays, artifacts, and authentic weaponry at the site.

Onboard the Yorktown are: SBD Dauntless, TBM Avenger, F6F Hellcat, FG-1 Corsair, N-2 Stearman, F4F Wildcat, B-25 Mitchell, TF-9 Cougar, McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skkyhawk, UH-34D Seahorse, S-2E Tracker and E-1B Tracer, AD Skyraider, F4 Phantom, A7 Corsair, F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, SH-3 Sea King, AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey, and F-8 Crusader.

There is a snack counter and gift shop before you get to the touring area, and an authentic Navy cafeteria in the Yorktown (the food was actually pretty good!). If you are a World War II buff, or just like military stuff like that, then Patriot's Point is the place for you. It's not for the fragile though, as there are tight spaces and rough climbs in some areas, especially on the subs!

The wreck of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley was found in May 1995, off Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. The 40-foot Hunley sank after destroying the Union warship USS Housatonic in 1864. All nine men aboard the Hunley were lost. The wreck of the submarine is priceless due to the historical significance. It was one of the first submarines, and the first to be used successfully in warfare. It was powered by a hand crank.

The Hunley was on display in a warehouse on an abandoned military base. When we first entered the warehouse, we were a little disappointed due to the plain interior. However, there was a gift shop, informational videos were constantly playing, and there was a changing of the guards for the tombs of the bodies recovered from the submarine.

When we actually got to see the Hunley, the experience was truly amazing. Everyone was awestruck at the significance of the tiny vessel. If the Hunley is still on disply when you are in Charleston, definitely stop by and see it. The Hunley is an important part of our history that you don't need to miss out on.