Trip advice to Charleston - family with older children...

Hi,

Thinking of taking a family trip to Charleston in the spring and right now am looking for general advice.

The trip would be for myself and husband, and our two children - boy 14 and girl 9.

I am a fine arts/interior design student with interest in architecture, art - the historic district will be a treat for me. But I want my family to enjoy too and am wondering what to do for them. My husband may enjoy military ships, etc. and my kids the aquarium? Any advice for things the whole family would enjoy will be great.

Also, we love a great resturaunt but don%26#39;t want anything too dressy or stuffy since the kids will be with us and don%26#39;t enjoy that atmosphere as much. I%26#39;ve been reading reviews and thinking that Hanks, Slightly North of Broad, etc. are good choices...

And I am thinking that either Indigo Inn or Holiday Inn Historic District would be good centralized locations to stay? Looking at the websites both look fine but I really like the old and more non-cookie cutter look of Indigo....

Thanks in advance!

Leslie

Trip advice to Charleston - family with older children...

We recently took our 13 year old to the Old Exchange %26amp; Provost Dungeon. You can%26#39;t miss it, it is the big building where the end of Broad Street meets East Bay Street. On the main floor and upstairs there is interesting artifacts, down in the dungeon they have mechanical pirates that tell some of the history. We all enjoyed it though.

You could also do a ghost walk. My kids love them and have been bugging me to take them on one again.

My kids love eating at Tommy Condon%26#39;s. The spring time will be perfect for eating in their outside area. In fact, that is the only place I%26#39;ve ever eaten there. I%26#39;ve never been inside. Great for watching the people and carriages go by. Not stuffy, very laid back.

Trip advice to Charleston - family with older children...

For restaurants:

Hank’s is one of my most favorite places in town!! Do make a reservation as they are only open for dinner and do get booked especially during the season.

Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street (btwn King and Meeting) is another favorite spot for lunch or brunch.

AW Shuck’s on State Street (on corner of Market) is great casual seafood restaurant and is owned one of the Condon boys (local restaurant family).

As suggested, Tommy Condon’s is a good spot…I generally prefer them for lunch as in the evening the bar becomes a pretty popular spot for the college/post college crowd.

Jestine’s Kitchen on Meeting Street (at corner of Wentworth…just down from the Holiday Inn Historic District) is another great lunch spot for Southern food…their Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake is yummmmmy!

The Noisy Oyster would be a good dinner or lunch spot. It’s on the corner of East Bay and Market Street.

For hotels:

I’d go with the Indigo Inn as it is a local hotel and will not be the cookie cutter as you mentioned. The HI is a perfectly fine hotel but it is a chain and I personally prefer local inns when possible. Also, the Indigo is a little closer to the action than the HI.

For things to do:

Fort Sumter Tour: it is a boat ride so that is generally fun for kids…plus I always see dolphins on the way out which is kind of fun for me . It leaves from either Patriot’s Point or the Aquarium.

Carriage Ride: again, generally a good time for kids (esp. older like your kids as they can appreciate it more than the younger ones). My personal favorite company is Old South Carriage Co…they wear a red sash.

Old Exchange %26amp; Provost Dungeon is a good place for kids. The dungeon is more interesting for kids than the rest of the building.

Patriot’s Point is a pretty fun time for kids as well…though I think maybe more so for boys. There are several ships over there.

The aquarium is a good choice as well.

We do have a children’s museum but it may be too young for your kids. Check out their site to see: www.explorecml.org

Make sure you check the brochure rack at your hotel or stop by the Visitors Center on Meeting (btwn Ann and John Streets) to pick up a coupon booklet as there are great coupons for most of these places.

Enjoy your visit!

I never take a trip to Charleston without dining at least once at California Dreaming on Ashley Point Drive. You will have to drive or take a cab to the restaurant since it is just over the bridge from downtown Charleston, but I think that your family will really enjoy this place. The food is always wonderful there and the whole restaurant overlooks the harbor and the atmosphere is casual. We always try to spot dolphins while we are there. California Dreaming is usually packed, so try to do call ahead seating if you go. The number is (843) 766-1644 just in case.

Wild Wings on the market is also a fun place to stop in for lunch or dinner. Very inexpensive with a fun atmosphere. My family always liked going there, expecially when my siblings and I were younger like your kids.

Are you renting a car, by the way? If you are, I would recommend going to one of the beaches for the day. Folly Beach is the easiest to get to from downtown.

You will have so much fun in Charleston!

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