Family Thanksgiving Fun in Charleston

We’re off to yet more adventures in Charleston. This city is so incredible and seeped in history. It is like the pages of a history book have opened up and allowed you to walk in.

We spent Thanksgiving day at the magnificent Middleton Place . The home was built and acquired in 1741 by Henry Middleton. The gardens are America’s oldest landscaped gardens. We also took part in their annual Thanksgiving buffet

The eye-catching Joseph Manigault House has been open to the public to tour as historical museum since 1949. The home was built in 1803 for Joseph Manigault and was the first home built in what would become one of the areas finest neighborhoods.

The austere and stately Heywood-Washington House was built in 1772 by rice planter Daniel Haywood. George Washington visited here in 1791 and the home features an extensive collection of Charleston made furniture.

The serene Mepkin Abbey was once the plantation home of French Huguenot, Henry Laurens. Since 1949 it has served as a home to an order of Trappists Monks. The monks open their lovely home and gardens to visitors and those here near Thanksgiving can enjoy their annual Crèche Festival which highlights about 40 of their 500 or so crèches.

The magnificent Cypress Gardens were also once part of a prosperous rice plantation. Today visitors can enjoy the luscious Butterfly Gardens, the Crocodile Island, and aquarium and reptile center. Or take a guided tour though the hauntingly beautiful blackwater swamp which was featured in The Patriot .

Since this was Brenda’s first time to Charleston we decided to take her on a carriage ride and this time went with the Olde Town Carriage Company . With Fran as our guide and Zig to lead the way, it is a perfect way to show case this historical city.

We also explored the haunted side of the city with Kevin of Ghosts of the South tours. This company allows you to get inside several of Charleston’s haunted locals including the darling Mills House Inn.

Everyone in your party will enjoy the strange and beautiful world that can be found at the SC Aquarium . Step inside for an up close look at the wonderful world under the sea including a few sharks.

Quick Tips:

Well where else do I always start at? Go to www.charlestoncvb.com. Here you can request visitors guide or just simply explore their informative website. Make sure to check out their calendar and see what is going on while you’re in town.

When you get to town make sure you stop off at the visitor’s center located at 357 Meeting St. The center is housed in an 1856 railroad warehouse and is truly worth stopping for a look. While there make sure to pick up one of the visitors packages which has plenty of money saving coupons. The friendly and very helpful staff can help you in finding lodging, offer dining suggestion, and help you find what ever you’re looking for. They were the people who told me where to find the walking path for the bridge. They have restrooms as well as a gift shop. They also offer plenty of brochures that will save you some money.

This is a place for foodies. Numerous celebrity chefs including Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, Giada de Laurentis and Anthony Bourdain have all stopped by for a visit. You will find everything here from the rich and soulful low country cooking to the cutting edge of what is trendy with all things food.

Plan well ahead if you are coming here during the holidays, summer months, or for one of their major festivals. The Southeastern Wildlife Expo, Spoleto, and the fall and spring tour of homes draw crowds from all over. This is also a college town and the citadel is located here. So when school starts back or events like homecoming bring in plenty of parents coming to see their babies.

Staying in the historic districts is expensive. So look around at the neighbors. Mt. Pleasant, Folley Beach, James Island, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, and Summerville are all located less than 30 minutes from the heart of Charleston and offer plenty of lodging options.

The area known as the Market or Market St. is the place for shopping, dining, and the after dark destination. Traverse the isle of the market where you can find homemade culinary confections, local handmade crafts, or the masterful sweet grass baskets. This is also the area where most of the carriage rides begin. John and I picked up a couple of great sweatshirts from the Mad Hatter located at 98 N. Market St.

Best Way To Get Around:

Charleston does have their own airport offering 63 flights to over 17 destinations. They are about 15 minutes from the downtown area. Their website is www.chs-airport.com.

You really need a car to get around unless you plan on staying strictly within the historic district. The historic district is served by both public transportation as well as trolley. You can find rental cars at the airport or near the downtown visitor’s center.

If you are interested in public transportation you can go to www.ridecarta.com for complete schedules and information. Or for a cheap and fantastic way to see Charleston, check out the water taxi at www.charlestonwatertaxi.com. They are bike and pet friendly.

The CVB does have a list of other private limos, taxi companies, and shuttles.

Learn the lay of the land by taking one of the many tours offered in Charleston. From carriage rides, garden tours, historical tours, to tours that make you mindful of things that go bump in the night; Charleston had plenty of ways to see the city. The CVB has them listed and broken down by category specific.

Charleston is a city made for walking. The downtown area is compact enough that you can walk from end to end by foot. It is a great way to burn off those calorie laden dinners and enjoy the pure beauty of this Holy City. Just remember to bring your camera.

For another great way to get exercise and a spectacular view of Charleston try walking, jogging, or biking the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Built in 2005 to replace the old Copper River Bridge, the bridge spans the 3 miles from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston and includes a pedestrian path with unparallel views of the city. For more information go to www.ravenelbridge.net and www.thebicycleshoppecharleston.com if you would like to rent a bike.

Parking in downtown can be a nightmare. Just save your self the hassles and park in one of the many lots located all through the historic district. You will find both city and private paid lots. At night I find the city lots to be better lit and safer. Check to see if the attraction your visit offers parking or not. Most on the downtown area do not.

Since this was Brenda’s first time to Charleston she wanted to take a horse drawn carriage ride. While in the visitor’s center we picked up several brochures for companies and based our decision on their $3 off coupon!

Shortly after purchasing our tickets the staff was ready to board us. John, Brenda, and I climbed aboard the carriage and took advantage of the blankets provided to keep us toasty on our ride. Our guide for the day was Fran and leading the way was the very handsome Zig (who does actually have a brother named Zag). The romantic sound of the clip clop of Zig's hoofs took us down towards the market to start our sunset adventure.

Zig took us down the historic streets and past the beautiful buildings that have stood fast since the beginning of this country. Riding in a carriage you get to see this place the way is was seen centuries ago. Fran gave us the history of Charleston and points out places of significance. Churches, cemeteries, tourist attractions, and buildings that play a part of the cities past are pointed out. She explains how this most mannerly city began its historic preservation and how it continues even to this day. As we go past the Old Exchange Building we spot a pirate who has came out to wave at us. Fran points out some incredible architectural details on buildings. As we make our way down to Waterfront park the sun is setting giving us picture post card moments not to be missed and making those of us with cameras in hand grateful. We meander past the port authority and the cruise ship terminals which now sends thousands off to tropical destinations weekly. And before you know it our hour is up we are back where we started. Glad to be out of the increasingly cold temperatures yet not quite ready to end our day in this rich and vibrant city. As we part ways we thank Fran for the wonderful tour and we enjoy having a few minutes to give Zig some attention.

The Olde Town Carriage has been in business for 25 years now and their guides are licensed by the city. The have been featured in Southern Living Magazine . They do offer private carriage rentals for special occasions and do offer group rates. In order to take the ride you do have to be able to climb up a step ladder in order to board the carriage. They run tours daily from 9 am to dusk. There is no need for advanced reservations except for groups. You just show up and purchase your ticket and there will be a tour going out before you know it. They are located just past the city market area where most of the carriage rides are located and next to Anson’s Restaurant (where Reese Witherspoon had her bridal shower!).

For more information go to www.oldetownecarriage.com.

I absolutely love ghost stores and have a bookshelf full of them. So when in one of the most haunted cities in the country, I always take a walk on the wild side and sign up for a ghost tour.

Ghost stories are big business in the hauntingly beautiful city and companies that tell them are in abundance. This is great for us because it always allows us to take a tour with a different company. This time I went with the Ghosts of the South because they offer a candlelight walking tour. Just know that if it is a windy night like ours, you will have a candlelight tour minus the candlelight. Yet still a great tour.

We were told to meet our guide in front of the Sea and Shell in the market area. The Sea and Shell is a really unique boutique which features decorative items made from of course sea shells or carry a nautical theme. I picked up a darling mermaid Christmas ornament. So make sure you come early and get some shopping done. There are also several places nearby to grab coffee or other drinks to keep you warm on nights like ours. After we came out of our second stop at the Mad Hatter we spot Kevin and a few others on our trip. Soon our group is together and we take off headed in the same direction that Fran and Zig had taken us the day before.

Our first stop leads us down a cobble stone alleyway to hear tales of a dual that ended badly and the ghost who is still here. We make our way down another alleyway that was once a notorious red light district reminding us that this city was once not so mannerly. We stop in a courtyard which is now condos and time shares to hear about 8 souls who still remain bound to this spot. We make our way down the historic streets hearing about the havoc that the nasty little War of Northern Aggression spread on this town and its citizens. We stop just outside the South End Brewery which was once a warehouse and we hear about a young man who saw his fortune go up in flames when his cargo ship left the port and who ultimately hung himself here. We get to go inside the bar and up on the third floor to see the beam that is still there. We stop just outside the old dungeon to listen intently as Kevin tells us how criminals were housed in the basement under horrific conditions and we can take a peak inside from the windows. Kevin leads us to the steps of the old exchange where we hear about Charleston’s female serial killer whose crimes ended only feet away and hear about her time at the old city jail (which we toured last time). We hear about how Robert E. Lee still haunts the stately Mills House Inn all while seated in the charming parlor of this divine hotel. One look inside and you will understand why he still lingers ( Note to self…John and I have to stay here sometime ). We go next door to Poogans to her about how Zoë St. Amand is still making her presence known and take a look inside this very haunted restaurant (great food. We ate here last time and I highly recommend it). We then stand outside the gates of one of the cities oldest cemeteries where we are told a few stories and hear about how the dead used to be put to rest. And that is where our time with Kevin has come to an end.

Since 1996 the company has been spinning tales from this gracious city. Their guides are all licensed by the city. They have been featured on the Discovery Channel and the History Channel. They do also offer a daytime history tour and a cemetery tour. They also have tours in Savannah Ga. and Beaufort SC if you are in those cities.

Tour times/admission/info:

They offer nightly tours at 7:15, 8:00 and 9:30.

Ticket prices are $17 (a) $8 (c) under 5 free. They offer discounts for military, seniors, and groups. They will be glad to help make your next corporate venture one to remember. Look on line or pick up a brochure for a money saving coupon.

Advanced reservations required. Call well ahead of time to see how far out yo

If you are looking for a great way to get some exercise while in Charleston and get some amazing views of the city and not spend a dime…well just simply strap on some comfortable walking shoes and hit the pedestrian path of the newly built, Arthur Ravenal Bridge.

When we used to live in Charleston, I remember crossing the old bridge when my mom took me over to Mt. Pleasant to appear on the TV show Romper Room . (Yes, I was a child star and no autographs please! :). My mom would hold her breath and pray the whole time to make it across the bridge.

The bridge we crossed was the second bridge located here at the time and was built in 1966 and was named the Silas N. Pearman Bridge, but most people simply called it the Cooper River Bridge. The bridge was a cantilever truss bridge. The bridge served the daily infest of travelers but by as early as 1979 it was obsolete and deteriorating. There was not an emergency lane on the bridge and the bridge could not carry the weight of the ever increasing larger trucks that passed over. By 2000 the bridge simply was not high enough to accommodate the larger cargo ships and the massive cruise ships that would soon add to the city’s economy. Plans had been in place for many years to replace the bridge but with the burdening economy that could be made from the cruising industry, the city leaders knew it was time to replace the bridge.

Bridge construction began in 2001 and it was opened to the public in March of 2005. But a grand ceremony for the public was held on July 16th of that year after a week full of concerts and other events that ended with a spectacular fireworks display off the bridge.

The bridge was remained the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge after the retired SC Congressman. Yet even today if you ask about the Cooper River Bridge, folks will know what you are talking about. The new bridge features a cable-stayed design and is the longest such bridge designed in the Western Hemisphere. It runs from downtown Charleston to the city of Mt. Pleasant. It spans 1,546 (47m) feet. When it was completed it came in a year ahead of time and under budget. It was built by Parsons Brinckerhof and was featured on the TV show Extreme Engineering . It is home of the annual Cooper River Bridge Run held ever April. When the bridge was built a pedestrian path was also added to the design and is enjoyed today by locals and visitors alike.

On our last day in Charleston I drug my sleepy butt out of the bed, bundled up, and headed towards the pedestrian pathway. The bridge covers 3 miles from Charleston near E. Bay St. to Mt. Pleasant. If you are looking to pick the path up in Charleston, then looking for parking off E. Bay St. near the cruise ship terminal. If you are taking it from Mt. Pleasant look for parking around the Patriots Point area. It was only about a 10 minute walk from my hotel. The path is marked so you know how far you have walked.

The walk is a pleasant one and there is a side for walkers and joggers and ones for bikes. The path stretches 12 feet across. People here are pleasant and most great me as a converse the pathway in search of awesome views to capture with my camera. You will see plenty of other tourists with cameras in hand. At both pinnacles of the bridge there is a viewing area which has water fountains, benches, and a set area with great views of either city. One my way to Charleston I am treated with views of this sensational city and the cruise ship terminals. I can spot the aquarium and in the distance I can see the steeples of several of the historic and gracious churches. As I get closer I can also see the engineering that holds this bridge together. On the return trip I can a bird’s view of Mt. Pleasant and a full view of the massive Yorktown Carrier. As I get closer to the end of the bridge, in the distance I can see the newer Charleston Lighthouse. When I get to the end of the pathway I take another pathway that is still under construction. From the looks of things this greenway will eventually connect both side of Highway 17 in Mt. Pleasant via the pathway under the bridge.

The pathway is open to pedestrian traffic 24/7. It is lit up at night offering safety for those enjoying the views at night. Just use caution during inclement weather and high winds. For more information visit their website at www.ravenelbridge.net.

There are two other ways to enjoy the bridge.

If you would like to rent a bike go to www.thebicycleshoppecharleston.com

If you are a certified diver then you can dive the bridge. The place is a treasure-trove for fossilized shark’s teeth and the best diving is said to be in the fall. Just go to www.cooperriverdiving.com to sign up.

So come out and enjoy the views and walk off some of that marvelous low country cooking that you have bound to have consumed.

Very highly recommended

On the day we left Charleston it was gray skies, cold and windy…the perfect day to be indoors enjoying the underwater world of the SC Aquarium.

Since May of 2000, millions of people have visited the 90,000 square foot aquarium making it the number one attraction in Charleston. There are 60 exhibits that feature five major areas. There are over 10,000 creatures and plants that now reside here. The largest exhibit is the 385,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank that covers 3 stories. The building is located on the Cooper River and offers visitors amazing views of the river and the nearby Cooper River Bridge.

You arrive at the incredible building and purchase your tickets. You proceeded up the walkway where you will be stopped to pose in front of a blue box. Later you can purchases your picture where by now you have magically appeared surrounded by fish. You walk on around and will find yourself with some of the best views in town of the river. There are several delightful sculptures outside and places to sit and enjoy the lovely scene that has been set before you.

You enter on the bottom level and there is a large tank filled with fish and moray eels. For $1 you can go to a machine which gives you a diver’s view of the fish from a submersible. Go on around to the back and you will see plenty of people surrounding the touch tank. This is a hit with big and little kids and the kid at heart as you can touch crabs sea urchins, star fish, and other sea creatures. There is an employee who talks about the wonderful creatures you will encounter here and can answer any questions you may have.

Go on next door and you are greeted by a beautiful parrot and macaw. Inside you can experience life in a rainforest. There is a large take filled with fish native to the rainforest including the deadly piranhas. You can also marvel at an anteater, snakes, 4 eyed fish, lizards, poison dart frogs, and warning there are spiders. These should have a big sign over them for those of us who are deathly afraid of them since I didn’t see what is in there until it was to late and startled quite a few people with my blood curdling scream.

Venture on upstairs and you will find the Piedmont area. There is an open area with fish and turtles found in the piedmont of SC. Fish here include warpaint shiner, robust red horse, greater siren, and turtles. There is also a wonderful collection of magaladon sharks teeth. Just past that explore the mountains of the Carolinas in an exhibit called the Mountain Forest. Here you can see mountain trout and enjoy the adorable otters that swim and play in the waters of their new homes. The coastal plain focuses on the coastal waters and byways of SC. Marvel at several alligators, turtles, and even a corn snake. There is also plenty of lush plant life including the Venus flytrap.

At the coastal exhibit see a school of flounder, marvel at the beauty of the loggerhead turtles, as well as octopus and seahorses. One of my favorites was the salt marsh aviary. This exhibit is enclosed by wire allowing the air from the river and the sounds to permeate this experience. Watch as burrfish swim past. Look up in the trees and see if you can spot the barreled owl or the blue heron or any of the other birds now making this their home. There are also fiddler crabs in the tanks. There is also a walkway around the second floor that again allows visitors views of the river. But on this day it was closed.

The main focus here though is the Great Ocean tank which can be viewed either on the first or second level of the building. This massive 385,000 gallon tanks includes dozens of types of fish, sharks, rays, and eels. The majestic rays glide around the tank, fish swim and duck into coves, and the sharks tend to strike fear in visitors. But these are only the smaller sand tiger sharks which are harmless and the type of shark you would likely encounter on a shark dive in the Caribbean. There i

About 30 minutes outside of Charleston sits the incredible Cypress Gardens. It is a wonderful place to bring the family and spend the day. Even in colder months after the beauty of the blooms have left, you will find some pretty amazing things here.

Cypress Gardens had a former life as the rice fields of the prosperous Dean Hall Plantation. Deal Hall was built in 1725 for Alexander Nisabett. In 1909 Benjamin Rufus Kittredge purchased the property and in 1932 opened the gardens to the public. In 1963 he sold the gardens to the city of Charleston for $1. In the early 1990’s Berkeley County took over running the gardens and continue today. In 1971 the plantation home was dismantled and moved to Beaufort SC where it was reassembled and is now a private home.

The gardens sit on 80 acres and feature a butterfly house, aquarium, crocodile isle and more than 4.5 miles of trails and paths. The gardens explode with native flowers, azaleas, dogwoods, daffodils, wisteria, and cypress tress. There is a boat trail that leads you through the reflecting waters of black water swamp. All included in the price of admission.

As you walk through the gates you are greeted by a beautiful garden full of trees, flowers, and sculptures. After paying our admission we headed to the Butterfly House. This 2500 square foot enclosed house was opened in 1997 and was the first year round butterfly house in SC. Here hundreds of butterflies flit and flutter in and amongst the beautiful plants that have been placed here to attract the butterflies. There is a small pond and plenty of places for these winged beauties to rest while you enjoy their beauty or so you can grab an incredible photograph. There are also turtles and birds inside. You can also find caterpillars that will someday turn into one of these beauties. This place is kept a comfortable temperature so in the cooler months like when we were here it is a welcome respite for the temps outside. This place is truly remarkable and I could have spent hours here.

On past the butterfly house you will run into the aquarium, bird aviary, and reptile center. There are 4 birds that rotate on display in the aviary. As we walked around the outdoor pens we noticed it was to cold for most of the reptiles and decided to go into the aquarium. The aquarium was added in 1998 and contains 24,000 gallons of fresh water. There are 30 varieties of fish and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians. Here visitors can spot bass, bluegill, crappie, long nose gar, bowfin, an 80 lb. Arkansas blue catfish, and an endangered short nose sturgeon. You can also find my favorite cheap souvenir here..the squashed penny. So make sure you bring 51 cents for the machine.

Most of the animals had been moved inside the reptile center and could be found lounging under the heat lamps. This building was added in 2001 and features over 35 species of turtles, crocks, and snakes. There are the magnificent Galapagos turtles residing here and the snakes include the massive anacondas and pythons. Leaving you with visions of the first Harry Potter films where the snake escaped. Though no chance of that happening here as they are safely behind very thick Plexiglas. Thankgoodness.

As you wind down the gardens paths make time to stop and explore Crocodile Island. They currently have 6 species on display including the Tomistoma, Siamese, Morelets, African Dwarf, Nile and Saltwater. Most of which are endangered.

Eventually you can find yourself at the blackwater swamp. Here you can take the trail that makes it was around the swamp or take a boat tour. You can take one of the guided boat tours or simply hop in and paddle around on your own like I did. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see one of the swamps resident otters or an alligator basking in sun. As you start the trail you will see a beautiful arched bridge. This was where parts of the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot was filmed. The

Let’s just face it, finding affordable lodging in the Charleston area can be a very daunting task. You may very well pay a king’s ransom for the privilege of staying in this gracious southern town. And the better the view the harder the hit to your wallet.

So when looking for budget friendly accommodations why not look at Charleston’s lovely neighbors? Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Folly Beach, Monk’s Conner, and Goose Creek are just a few of the smaller towns that lie within 30 minutes of Charleston. All offering a place to lay your head, shopping, dining, and maybe a surprise or two. For complete information on all the cities in the area go to the official SC Visitors website at www.discoversouthcarolina.com.

Here are the towns that I have tried and recommend:

Mt. Pleasant

Just over the Cooper River Bridge you will find the charming town of Mt. Pleasant and my base camp when visiting the city. About 60,000 people call this place home and gladly welcome visitors to stop and stay awhile. Here you will find plenty of places to sleep from budget hotels to upscale luxury to charming B&B’s. And your less than 10 minutes from the historical district of Charleston.

As you cross the river and come into town you can stay straight which leads down Highway 17 or Johnnie Dodd Blvd. If you bear to the right that will take you down Business 17. Both roads are filled with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, banks, movies, grocery stores, and anything else you might need while you’re in town. Dining options range from fast food, chain and regional spots, to local tastes. On Business 17 you will find the Shem Creek area which offers plenty of restaurants with a view.

Some of Charleston’s best known attractions are actually located here. Built in 1743 for Major John Boone, Boone Hall is open to the public to tour and was even featured in the TV movies Queenie and the North and the South (www.boonehallplantation.com). Military and boat enthusiast will enjoy the Patriot Points area which includes the massive WW2 aircraft carrier, The USS Yorktown (www.patriotspoint.org). You can visit the home of the author and signer of the Deceleration of Independence, Charles Pickney, at Snee Farm (www.nps.gov). There are 4 golf courses and the Palmetto Island County Park. Mt. Pleasant is also the only way to gain access to the barrier islands of Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. Sullivan’s Island is home to the Charleston Lighthouse (www.lighthousedepot.com). While it can not be climbed you can easily view it from the road or beach.

For more information on Mt. Pleasant please go to www.townofmountpleasant.com.

Folly Beach

About 15 minutes from Charleston you will discover a treasure on the Island of Folly Beach. Growing up in this area I spent many a happy moments playing on the sands here. Visitors to this tiny inlet with find a wealth of amities. Lodging from chain hotels, to small cottages, to grand beach houses are in abundance. Great food can be found all over the place especially low country cuisine and some of the freshest seafood in town. Shoppers can find themselves in charge card heaven with small and fanciful boutiques to places to gather souvenirs for all the folks back home.

Since this is an island it is paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. You can simply play in the sand, fish, try parasailing, surf, or try kayaking. There is an adventure just waiting to happen. Folly Beach is also home to one of the oldest lighthouses in the country Morris Island Lighthouse . It was built in 1876 but abandoned in 1949 and stands just off the beach. Visitors can view and photograph the beach or if you’re into kayaking then you can go to www.seakayaksc.com for information on trips to the lighthouse. The lighthouse often serves as a backdrop for celebrations in Charleston including Spolato. The

Moncks Corner

Moncks Corner may be small with only about 6000 residents, but visitors to this quaint town will find all the comforts of a bigger city. Monks Corner is about 30 minutes from Charleston. Again there is plenty of lodging and dining to be found. If you’re brave enough you could try spending the night at the Rice Hope Plantation (www.ricehope.com). This elegant 1840 plantation home is now a scrumptious B&B with one guest who just doesn’t want to go away. The ghost and the plantation were featured on the History Channels Haunted History .

While here spend the day at the peaceful Mepkin Abbey (www.mepkinabbey.org). This once successful plantation is now home to an order of Trappist Monks who open their gracious home to those who seek solitude. Cypress Gardens (www.cypressgardens.info) has over 80 acres of lush gardens, a butterfly house, aquarium, reptile house, and the gorgeous blackwater swamp featured in the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot . Highway 402 that runs from Mt. Pleasant to Moncks Corner must have once been home to some of the richest folks around. As we were going down the road we saw sign after sign for plantation houses. You could see the long, expansive, driveways from the road but not the homes them selves. And I would assume those homes are private residences. You will also find the Francis Marion National Forest and the Old Santee Canal Park. For more information on Monck’s Corner go to www.sciway.net.

Summerville

Known as the Gateway to Charleston , Summerville is considered a suburb of the historical city. You can rest up with one of the many well know hotel chains or stay in the grand and darling historical homes that have been converted into a B&B. One of my favorites, Sticky Fingers, has a restaurant here. If BBQ ain’t your thing then try the other dining options found around town. Shopping runs the gamut from antiques to unique clothing shops. All just waiting for you to discover them.

The 1738 Drayton Hall (www.draytonhall.org) reigns as America’s oldest preserved plantation and is open to the public for tour. Marvel at the breathtaking Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Middleton Place (www.middleplace.org) is the 18th century home who gardens are so spectacular that they have been described as one of the 1001 gardens to see before you die. All 3 plantation homes are open to the public and lie with in a few minutes drive of each other. For another incredible outdoor delight try the Azalea Park and it’s sculpture gardens (www.sclptureinthesouth.com.). There are also a number of parks and historical sites all only about 20 minutes from Charleston. Log on to www.visitsummerville.com to find out more.

In addition to the above places here are several other options for lodging:

Camping

Neighboring James Island offers a campground including RV and tent sites as well as 10 vacation cottages for families. Just go to www.ccprc.com for reservations

KOA has two campgrounds near Charleston. They are located in Mt. Pleasant and Landon. Both have tent and RV sites as well as the cottages. Go to www.koa.com for more information.

Also if you are someone in your travel group is currently or retired from the military, you can get a room at the Inns of Charleston on the Charleston AFB. They offer hotel rooms and houses for as little as $35 a night for a house. The only problem is you can only reserve these 7 days in advanced. But base personal can reserve these for business or families at anytime. So chances are over the summer, holidays, or when a major event is in town, you won’t get a room. That is what happened with us this year. My whole family planned on going since my dad is retired from the Air Force but when we called the houses were all rented out and left us scrambling for a last minute reservation and the rest