Help with trip - lst timers

Have never been to your beautiful city so need some advice. Got maps from vistior%26#39;s bureau already. We will be in Charlotte with some friends and want to drive to Charleston - would one day be enough or would it be better to stay two? Want to experience the good food, a carriage ride, look at southern homes by walking the city,etc., (not necessary for a tour of a mansion though). Just basically explore a bit of your city and have wonderful meals (reasonably priced, not touristy), where you locals like to eat.

If we stay, where do you suggest we get accommodations (coming on Oct. 18th to CLT) so it would be week between 18th and 24th. B%26amp;B or hotel that is not too expensive - on a somewhat limited budget but want a nice, clean place.

Thank y%26#39;all so much for any and all help.

Help with trip - lst timers

From a visitor%26#39;s point of view: When we drive to Charleston, we make Charlotte our stop-over point in the trip. From Charlotte to Charleston is another 4 hours. That would mean you would have an 8-hour drive in one day if you did not stay over a night. I recommend staying because there are so many things to do while you are in Charleston that you will find that two days will not be enough.

Help with trip - lst timers

In the city, the best you could do is around $100 or so. If you click on ';Map'; to the left, you can get an idea of how much hotels and b%26amp;b%26#39;s go for in the city (though you really have to put in dates to get the full picture).

I think you%26#39;d be happier staying one or two nights and relaxing in this city - you%26#39;re coming at a great time and there is much to see and do.

Thanks Culture....can you suggest a nice, clean place to stay?

My old standby is to recommend the Mills House. www.millshouse.com

This is a hotel that is frequently on Hotwire for a great deal.

I just put in Oct 19-21 and I believe that the 3 star $109 hotel is the Mills House. (it has a tennis icon at the end)

If you don%26#39;t want to take a chance as you don%26#39;t know for sure until you book - you might call the Mills House and see if they can give you that rate or see if they have a better deal.

Maybe someone who has booked with Hotwire can comment on whether this is the Mills House (for sure).

Welcome to Charleston! Soon, anyway! Just for my two cents on dining...The best restaurant on the peninsula is Magnolia%26#39;s on East Bay, just south of Market St. It%26#39;s true Southern food, but not in a greasy spoon sort of way. If you like salads, their herb chicken salad is to die for! Other ones we like downtown: Southend Brewery, Sermets and Cypress (this one is a pricier). Avoid Hymans if you%26#39;re not looking for touristy. Same goes for most of Market St., although Kaminsky%26#39;s brownie sunday is the best in the world! On Sullivans Island, Poe%26#39;s is great. Just over the bridge onto IOP is another of our favorites, The Boathouse- they have the best mac and cheese I%26#39;ve ever had! Most of Shem Creek will be seafood (RBs is the best if that%26#39;s what you%26#39;re looking for), but we like Vicary%26#39;s better and they have very good land lover meals, too. And finally, if you make it to West Ashley (the other side of the peninsula), Triangle Grille on Savannah Highway is really good! Enjoy your trip!

We live in Greenville, SC and visit Charleston often. We sometimes use priceline. Look at biddingfortravel.com and you will see which downtown hotels are participating in priceline. The 4 star is usually The Rennasiance, 3 star - Mills House and many others. The food in Charleston is great. I really do like Magnolias, Cypress and Blossom - all same ownership I believe. Cypress being the most high end, Blossom at the less expensive end - yet Magnolias is my favorite. Southern Living magazine has many articles re: Charleston - check their website - great resources for hotels, shopping and restaurants. For a carriage tour - definately use The Palmetto Carriage. We have had many great experiences with them. Also, look into walking ghost tours - they are alot of fun.