-6 and counting!

This time next week I will be in Charleston!!!! Hope the ice did not do damage to you---it looked bad further north on the TV!

I want to go to the big festival of lights celebration at James County Park. It sounds just delightful and I am a kid atheart, so my second night I will head there. Is there transportation from Charleston like a bus/charter from the city center---you know for us tourist types :-)? Or will I need to drive (I have no problem with driving, but just wondered). What is the best way to go there, I will be staying in Mt. Pleasant but probably leaving from the city center.

Get out the shrimp and grits, I am bringing my appetite! See you soon!!!

-6 and counting!

Hey Kittygal: prior to our move to SC...Southern CA was our home. We now live just south of Charlotte, NC and apx. 3 hours from Charleston. We were in Charleston the middle of September for the first time and I can%26#39;t wait to go back. You are going to love it! Have fun!

-6 and counting!

Kittygal: No ice here!! The news really overexaggerates things (big shocker I know).

I don%26#39;t know of any tourists charters to the Festival of Lights. I personally think it%26#39;s best to just drive out there on your own so you can go at your own pace...there%26#39;s lots of activities going on at the ';center'; when you get to the FOL. It is really popular especially on the weekends so if you can go on a weeknight, I think it is more enjoyable.

To get there from Mt. P. or downtown is very simple...just take 17 South over the Bridge by the Round Holiday Inn (everybody knows it by that name). When you get over the bridge, follow the signs to Folly Beach and then when you cross over the draw bridge, you%26#39;ll start seeing signs to either the Festival of Lights or James Island Park.

Enjoy your visit!!

Great, thanks for all the advice. The FoL sounds great---I love that kind of stuff.

Was wondering about some of the plantations near the area, like Boone and Magnolia, and some near Beaufort. I have seen Louisiana and Georgia homes and would love to see the SC versions as I am sure the architecture is a little different (which fascinates me). I may have a few hours to do that on the 24th, even if only from the outside (as I know most places close early that day). Any suggestions?

Thanks as ever! I am packing today---looks like it will be cool and maybe rain at some point, with St. Augustine being the warmest area I%26#39;ll visit. So am packing a wide range of layers!

Kittygal: I posted a trip report about a week%26#39;s worth of touring I did when some friends came to visit Charleston for the first time and it%26#39;s posted at:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g54171-i105-k34364…

We hit 2 of my favorite plantations (Boone Hall and Drayton Hall) as well as my favorite historic house downtown (Edmonston-Alston House on East Battery). If you only have time to visit one plantation, I highly recommend Boone Hall as it is the oldest working plantation in America. There is a lot of fascinating history about the place as well as so much to see and do out there. Take the $5 tram ride around the outer plantation and definitely eat at Serena%26#39;s (the plantation restaurant...only open for lunch)...some of the best fried green tomatoes I%26#39;ve ever had!!

Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy travels!

Thanks for the auggestions---I read your report, very thorough!. I think I will definitely do the Boone plantation.

I started packing last night...and then unpacking...and packing again! So excited...only hope the weather in DFW is good as I am flying through there and have been stuck in hellacious storms before at that airport. Fingers crossed!

we are coming to charleston SC in March or april to do some sightseeing and looking at Houses. yes another set of northeners looking to finally get away from the cold and snow. we will have about four or five days for this trip any suggestions on where to stay and what to see in a short period of time. we also plane on stopping in port royal and Beaufort on our way back for a day or two. . any suggestions?

we are coming to charleston SC in March or april to do some sightseeing and looking at Houses. yes another set of northeners looking to finally get away from the cold and snow. we will have about four or five days for this trip any suggestions on where to stay and what to see in a short period of time. we also plan on stopping in port royal and Beaufort on our way back for a day or two. . any suggestions?