Visiting for one day 9a - 5p on a cruise. What are some...

We%26#39;re a mid 30%26#39;s couple visiting for only 8 hours during the day. We%26#39;ve never visited any southern states before. What are some ';must do%26#39;s'; while we are there?

Are there any local foods that you can only get in Charleston that we must try?

Thanks

Visiting for one day 9a - 5p on a cruise. What are some...

By the way, we will be there in late March 2006.

Visiting for one day 9a - 5p on a cruise. What are some...

I visit Charleston at least twice a year. I would recommend taking one of the carriage tours (I like Old South Carriage Co. - look for their red sashes). They travel around the historic district and give you a good overview of the city. You%26#39;ll be able to see many of the historic homes and get a sense of the city. Carriages are restricted to a certain number per zone in the historic area, so each tour takes a different route (assigned as you leave the carriage area). All the carriages leave from the City Market area, which is also a ';must see';.

Agree with the previous poster a carriage ride and the market area are must sees along with a walk along the ';battery'; (the ocean front)here you will be able to see the wonderful old houses and breath in the sea air. The pineapple fountain and a swing in the bench chairs is also a must just head on through to the sea from the market and you shouldnt miss it. Do the carriage tour first and then you will get your bearings.

Charleston only food...well we had our first taste of grits here....but it may also be a southern dish rather than just Charleston (not found anyone who raves about them other than my son!!!) also key lime pie.

As suggested, take a carriage tour and Old South is the best in my opinion (www.oldsouthcarriagetours.com). If you enjoy walking tours, you may want to look at Charleston Walks (www.charlestonwalks.com). Their Original Charleston Walk is one of my favorites. The first tour starts at 10 a.m. and lasts approx 2 hours. It ends at the corner of Broad and South Battery which is just a few blocks from the restaurant I%26#39;m suggesting below. If you think you%26#39;ll go this route, you may want to make a ressie so you can get on the 1st tour as that is a popular time of year for visitors to Charleston and tours book up quickly.

If you go the carriage tour route and get one of the early tours, you would have time to stroll around the market and then head over to 82 Queen for lunch (its at 82 Queen Street - just a few blocks south of the market off Meeting St...depending on which tour you get you%26#39;ll pass the restaurant). They have the best she-crab soup in town and a very very tasty Fried Green Tomatoes %26amp; Honey Ham (with Pepperjack Cheese and Red Pepper Dressing on Toasted Focaccia Bread)...these may not be just a Charleston thing but they will definitely give you a taste of the South. If its a nice day, you can dine in the courtyard but if its chilly, their Greenhouse is very nice. When you%26#39;re at the tour company (either carriage or walking), ask them if they have the coupon book that has restaurants in it. If they do, look for the coupon for 82 Queen...you get a free cup of she-crab soup...make sure there are 2 coupons as each person needs one.

After lunch, you could stroll down Meeting Street to White Point Gardens (on the Battery) and then head along the seawall back towards the Market area. En route towards the Market area, you%26#39;ll pass the Edmondston-Alston House (www.middletonplace.org/default.asp?catID=4515)...one of my favorite homes in Charleston...it is an excellent example of restoration. This is where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombing of Ft. Sumter. The tour lasts about 30-45 minutes. Then on your way back towards the market, you could visit the Water Front Park and Pineapple Fountain mentioned.

While you%26#39;re strolling around town, if you notice the gate to a home open, that is a sign that you are welcome to come in and look at their garden. But if the gate is closed, that means the family is not accepting guests. During your visit, many of our flowers will be in blooms so it should be especially beautiful for you.

We%26#39;re around the same age and this is a similar day I spent taking friends around town. It%26#39;s a good bit to do and see but it is totally doable and not rushed (at least we never felt that way and we did this in the heat of the summer). Enjoy your brief visit to our city and I%26#39;m sure it will make you want to return!

Thank you everyone for your advice.

Old South Carriage Tours looks like the thing to do first.

We%26#39;ve never seen a plantation. Should we add a visit to a plantation to our visit? Would that be ';over-kill';?

82 Queen looks interesting and delicious! It kind of reminds me of Tavern on the Green (NYC) a little bit -- but with much more reasonable prices. The dessert menu got my attetion with the Creme Brulee and the Bourbon Pecan Pie!

Are there any other ';Must See'; options to consider for lunch (or brunch)?

Thanks. again!

All of the plantations are a good 20 - 30 minutes from the downtown area and you%26#39;d really want to spend at least 2 - 3 hours at one of them (esp during that time of year with all the flowers in bloom). If you want to visit a plantation, you may try going out as soon as your boat arrives (I%26#39;m sure the ship will sell excursions to the plantations) but that may be all you get to do on your visit due to distance to the plantations and your limited time in port as you%26#39;ll want to make sure you%26#39;re back in time as the traffic going out to the plantations and back can be difficult at times.

I%26#39;d personally spend the day in the downtown area and then visit the plantations on your next visit to Charleston.

I agree a carriage tour is good, but the other tour companies offer a motorcoach with a 90min tour of the city for about $20. There is a new store called Charleston Cooks and they may have a demo class the day of your arrival. That is a good experience and they are not far from your boat area. You can check out the class schedule on their website. Shrimp and grits is a lowcountry favorite and 82 Queen is my favorite. There are some 50% coupons floating around the city. I know the Vendue Inn had some. They are also near the waterfront. So...a tour with Adventure Sightseeing, who might can fit in a historical house or mansion and not take up your entire day--maybe 2 hours. You may be hungry after that so a demo class or 82 Queen lunch/brunch and a walk through the market and along the waterfront and you should end up right back at the boat! And speaking of lowcountry foods...don%26#39;t forget to try bread pudding. 82 Queen also has peach cobbler with cinnamon ice cream!!!!

Night Advisor- Thanks for the tips.

So many choices and so little time. 82 queen desserts and she-crab soup look so tempting. I wonder if we could fit in a lunch at 82 queen (or Awe Shucks?) and then a cooking demo at 2pm? Hmmm, that%26#39;s pretty close for two meals.

- 10AM do a 2 hour tour of city (buggie or bus)

- 12noon Lunch

- 2pm Cooking class.

AW Shucks is a good place for casual eating and a good time with a bucket-o-beer, so I might would eat there at the end of my day, right before getting back on the boat. Lowcountry favorites can be found at many downtown restaurants. If the cooking class is at 2pm, I might would go on the city and house tour and arrive back around 1:30 or so and see what%26#39;s cooking in the class. Not enough or what you like? Go to 82 Queen and then make your way back through to the market

to the boat. Just suggestions, whatever you do--ENJOY CHARLESTON and YOUR TRIP!

I love Charleston and visit it quite often. I must agree, others have given you very good advice on where and what to do. 82 Queens is one of the best ';Shrimp and Grits '; places in Charleston. The Hominy Grill also has really good food (also Shrimp and Grits.)