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Charleston

Charleston - a truly southern city

  • by Tideone
  • A July 2000 travel journal
  • Last Updated: December 21, 2000
Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
6
Reviews

There is no other city like Charleston. It is the ultimate southern city with a people that are proud of their southern heritage. It is a city that requires more than just a day or two to explore and get to know.

Charleston - a truly southern city

Overview

Looking back on our trip to Charleston I can think of so many memorable moments and so many things we did and saw that it is hard to know where to start.

When I entered the Air Force one of the first friends I made is from Charleston. He and I went through basic training, tech school and our first base together. He would often tell me, "You have got to come to Charleston. You have just got to come see me someday."

Well, that someday turned out to be over 30 years later, but I did get to Charleston and I did get to see my friend. And it was every thing he said it was and more.

Walking along the battery, feeling the cool breezes blowing in from the Atlantic, watching the sightseeing boats making their way to Fort Sumter, and the food - bring your appetite when you come to Charleston. There were so many restaurants and just not enough time.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around is to walk.

Doubletree Suites Charleston

Hotel

Doubletree Guest Suites

This is a great place to stay and in a great location.

All rooms are two-room suites and while the brochure says they are oversized, ours was a little on the small size. There is a living area with a sofa bed, refrigerator, microwave and a coffee maker. The bedroom had a king-sized bed (that took up most of the room) and a television.

But the location is what we liked best - just across the street from the old slave auction and a short walk to the waterfront.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Doubletree Suites Charleston
181 CHURCH ST Charleston, South Carolina 29401
843 577-2644

Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview

Hotel

Holiday Inn Riverview

This circular 14-story high rise hotel is located on the banks of the Ashley River and overlooks the city of Charleston. All of its 181 guest rooms have private balconies and many have views of the city across the river. The hotel offers free parking (a rarity at city hotels) along with free shuttle service to downtown and also sightseeing tours make pick ups at the hotel.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 21, 2000

Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview
301 SAVANNAH HWY Charleston, South Carolina 29407
1-843-556-7100

Hank's

Restaurant

Hank's

Hank's, which is located across from the Doubletree Hotel, had only been open a short while when we ate there. Although a new restaurant it was catching on fast with not only visitors but also locals. Honors include the "Awards of Excellence" from Wine Spectator magazine and selection of Esquire magazine's "Best New Restaurants in the U.S. We ate here with my old Air Force buddy and his fiance and my cousin and his wife. While the food was good, I would have liked a few more items on my seafood platter, especially for the price we paid.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Tideone on December 19, 2000

Hank's
10 Hayne Street Charleston, South Carolina
923-FISH

Lighthouse Cafe

Restaurant

Lighthouse Cafe

Located in the Doubletree Hotel, the cafe serves a full breakfast seven days a week for $8.95 per person and a continental breakfast for $6.95. Put in your order for eggs and then go through the buffet line for grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage, etc... by the time you get to your table your eggs are waiting for you. A great place to start the morning. The cafe also serves as a lounge beginning at 5 p.m. each day with cocktails available.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Lighthouse Cafe
181 Church Street Charleston, South Carolina

A.W. Shuck's

Restaurant

A. W. Shucks

This restaurant is worth making a trip back to Charleston. We only ate lunch here although I wish we had come back for dinner. This is where I had my first she crab soup and it was delicious. We also tried Shuck's "Legendary" Casserole for $7.95 upon the recommedation of our waitress. This casserole has baby creek shrimp and scallops, sauteed and layered over Carolina deviled crab, topped with a lobster cheese sauce and baked au gratin. It is served with Carolina red rice and seasoned vegetables. Her recommendation turned out to be very good as the casserole was delicious and very reasonably priced at $7.95 There are several things on the menu I want to try on our next trip to Charleston, including Shuck's Steampot for One for $15.95 which includes an array of shellfish, oysters, clams, shrimp, crawfish and snow crab legs served with smoked sausage, new potatoes and corn on the cob. I can't say a bad thing about this restaurant. Our waitress was friendly and the service was fast. Be sure and eat here when you are in Charleston.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

A.W. Shuck's
70 State St Charleston, South Carolina 29401
+1 843 723 1151

Magnolias

Restaurant

Magnolias

This is definitely another restaurant I would come back to Charleston for. My cousin, who lives in Atlanta, recommended it to us and we met some friends who live in Charleston there for dinner. The food and service were outstanding.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Magnolias
185 East Bay St Charleston, South Carolina 29401
+1 843 577 7771

About the Writer

Tideone
Tideone
Huntsville, United States

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