We just got back from our trip to Charleston with our boys ages 8 and 11.
Wed. 8/1 -
Arrived on Hwy 17 from the South. Not neccesarily scenic but better than the interstate. Went straight to the Visitor Center to collect information for the stay. We went for an afternoon carriage ride and chose Palmetto Carriage company. It has good reviews and free parking. We were assigned route 2. It took us through some residential areas and down to the battery. We had one experienced driver and a girl that I believe was in training. It was a nice start to the trip.
Stayed at the Quality Inn Patriots point. Nice hotel. Great breakfast, friendly staff, good location and we saved a few bucks. We walked the bridge each evening at sunset.
Dinner at the Boulevard Diner in Mt. Pleasant. Great local food and plenty of it.
Thurs. 8/2 -
Drove to the Visitor Center and used the parking there. $10 for the day. Rode the DASH to the waterfront. Took the 0945 boat to Ft. Sumter. Then had lunch at the riverfront. Can%26#39;t remember the name but it was in the building with the IMAX. Good sandwiches at reasonable prices.
Walked over to the Aquarium. It is just like the one in Tampa and the boys had a great time.
Rode DASH to the Market and then down to the battery and walked around a bit.
Dinner at Melvins BBQ in Mt. Pleasant. Best BBQ I%26#39;ve had and the onion rings are outrageous.
Fri. 8/3 -
It was a rainy day. We spent the morning at Ft. Moultrie. We were soaked but the boys loved it. Saw a squadron of Navy ships leaving port. The park staff at the Visitor Center were very friendly and helpful.
Had lunch at Dunleavy%26#39;s, Sullivans Island. Decent sandwhich%26#39;s but a little pricey.
Afternoon at Patriots Point touring the ships. Again, what more could two boys ask for.
**Friday evenging was the Riverdogs game. If your bringing kids I highly recommend this. It was a soggy night but cleared after a 1 hour rain delay. The game was relaxing and lots of entertainment during the entire game. We had dinner there. Typical ballpark food and prices. The fireworks after the game were as good as any I%26#39;ve seen.
Sat. 8/4 -
Morning was a trip to Charlestowne Landing. This is the original settlement. It is a walking tour with a zoo area, archeological digs, museum and period displays and activities. Very informative but unbearibly hot and humid. I recommend it but be prepared or pick a cooler time of year.
Back to Charleston in the afternoon. Walked the Farmers Market for a few minutes. My oldest went with my wife to the Charleston Museum while I took the youngest to the Childrens Museum. ';Museum'; is a stretch. It is geared for young children with educational activities but my 8 year old was the upper limit, in my opinion. He had a good time dressing up as a knight and playing on the fishing boat.
Dinner at Vickery%26#39;s at Shem Creek. Food was good and the atmosphere fun but it was overpriced. We walked the docks and watched the boats.
Then back to walk the battery for the evening. Free parking was not a problem at the battery in the evening.
We had to change hotels because we extended a night. The Visitor Center had rooms at the Bridgeview Inn (formerly Mainstay) in Mt. Pleasant for $89. The price should have flagged me. We checked in and the place was disgusting. Peeling ceiling, mold, the room smelled of smoke. Rottweiller getting off the elevator as my family got on. We were lucky enough to cancel immediately and found a great room at the Best Western just across the street. BTW- the Visitor Center did have last minute room info but they didn%26#39;t have the Best Western. So you may want verify for yourself for up to date info.
Sun. 8/5 -
One last stop in town before leaving. My yougest saw Cereality and had to try it. It was a fun little restaurant and we all liked it.
Then off to the mountains...
Not the itenerary my wife would pick but she tolerated us boys.
Tom
Quick Trip Report - Trip with young kidsGlad that you had a good trip! Bring your wife back for a romantic trip sometime when the kids are at camp or something.
Glad to hear the good review of Cereality. It is a fun place - 30 kinds of cereals and 30 toppings!
Quick Trip Report - Trip with young kidsGreat review! Folks frequently ask on TA about activities for young children. Your trip report will be a definite ';go to';.
We took our out-of-town (Arkansas) friend and her 12 year old son to the Riverdogs game on that Friday night (you may have seen us singing ';Take Me Out to the Ballgame'; on the jumbo tron) and we had a blast. It%26#39;s always a good time at the Joe, and young Trevor really enjoyed himself (he even scored a jar of Duke%26#39;s mayonnaise from the guy who won the mayo-eating contest!!).
Great report. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Floski,
As I told Tom in a previous post, my son was the winner of the ';mayo'; eating contest (really a jar of vanilla pudding...he is still peddling the real mayo ...his prize was 3 cases of Duke%26#39;s to friends and neighbors here in PA ). His kids were so excited about their dad being a winner you would have thought they won a lottery. The game was teriffic, even with the rain delay. We really do love Charleston with all its history and fun things to do. it is a wonderful family vacation spot. (Our extended family of 15 has rented a beach house on Folly for the past 5 years.)
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