Charleston, SC - Help!

Old May 15th, 2011, 08:12 AM
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Charleston, SC - Help!

I'm planning on flying into Charleston this summer to visit. I need help on a few things:

(1) Is it necessary to rent a car if I'm there for a 3 day weekend?
(2) Can anyone recommend hotels in the city that is centrally located?
(3) Is it difficult to get from the airport to the city/hotel area? What's the best way?

Thank you!! I'm a 26 year old from Boston, looking to possibly relocate!
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Old May 15th, 2011, 08:39 AM
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If you stay in the Historic District and don't visit any plantations, you probably will do fine without a car.

We stayed at the Best Western King Charles, which is extremely well located, walking distance from many restaurants and places of interest.

We had the hotel arrange for transport from the airport to the hotel and hotel to airport. It was a reasonably short ride and not very expensive. I'm sure there are airport buses, shuttles, etc., but I have no info about them.

I do have a file I put together when planning our trip. If you'd like a copy, e-mail me at: [email protected]
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Old May 15th, 2011, 09:14 AM
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Possible, yes, but if you are thinking of relocating, it might be a good investment to be able to drive a number of places--across the bridge to Mt. Pleasant, to the beaches, etc.
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Old May 15th, 2011, 10:06 AM
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The Doubletree at the market is my favorite. I just got back from staying at the Renainse (I can't spell). It was nice as well. Yes you can do without a car for three days, but unless you plan on living on the pennisula, you probably will need a car to look around at neighborhoods.
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Old May 15th, 2011, 10:53 AM
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We just returned from Charleston a week ago and stayed at the Andrew Pinckney Inn. I would absolutely recommend it and stay there again.

It's right around the corner from Hank's and a few minutes walk to Fleet Landing.

We didn't have a car but as Gretchen says, if you're thinking of moving there maybe you want to do more than just be atourist in Charleston.
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Old May 15th, 2011, 01:45 PM
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We enjoyed staying at The Planter's Inn - right in the heart of downtown Charleston with shops, restaurants and many attractions within walking distance.

Personally, you are doing yourself a disservice not getting rental car. Many great points of interest in the Charleston area are not near downtown and using taxi's can get very expensive. Agree with others who say if you are thinking about relocating to the area you should get a rental car. It will allow you to fully explore the city and surrounding areas.

Getting to/from the airport to downtown is easy - about a 15 minute drive. If you get a rental car it's an easy drive. Other options are a shuttle bus or taxi. You'll find more info here: www.chs-airport.com (use the "Parking & Ground Transportation link).
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Old May 15th, 2011, 02:41 PM
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You mentioned weekend. Charleston is a resort driven town. If you have flexibity book during the week. Hotel rates are sometimes $100 a night less during the week. It will give you a better idea of the traffic you will encounter if you live in Charleston and drive in.
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Old May 16th, 2011, 02:59 AM
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Thanks everyone!

RoamsAround - I found a great deal for The Planter's Inn...any recommendations on where to walk around there?

I'm going to try to rent a car on a need-to basis. I'll walk around and see as much as I can since it's a short weekend, but if I enjoy it and really consider moving there, I'd visit again - longer time period this time and rent a car then.

Thanks everyone so much! Any suggestions on what to see/do are welcome
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Old May 16th, 2011, 10:48 AM
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As promised:

www.charlestonmuseum.org
vacation away.com
www.historiccharleston.org
www.discoversouthcarolina.org
www.nps.gov
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Old May 16th, 2011, 10:48 AM
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should have been: vacationaway.com
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Old May 16th, 2011, 10:54 AM
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I should have checked these before sending them. www.nps.gov is for Ft. Sumter, but you have to use search.

I don't know what vacationaway.com had to do with Charleston and in checking just now discoversouthcarolina is no longer available. I was a big help huh? Hope what I e-mailed you at least will be of some help.
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Old May 16th, 2011, 10:57 AM
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This is the South Caroline website: http://tinyurl.com/2akkf9s
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Old May 16th, 2011, 01:30 PM
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Are you planning on going to school or working? You can check out job ads at: www.sconestop.org.
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Old May 16th, 2011, 01:39 PM
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Just a little more push to rent a car and use it for a good informed knowledge of the area. I know you say you'll do it on a "need" basis, but I'd take every trip as a fact finding expedition.
BUT young folks do it differently sometimes, and they do great.
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Old May 16th, 2011, 03:41 PM
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If you need a car Enterprise will bring one to you. As you "places to walk" around Planter's, do you mean tourist attractions? Restaurants? The Courthouse?

Be aware: your experience in downtown Charleston for 3 days will in no way reflect what it's like to live in the area. The economy is poor, jobs are scarce (unless you can work for Boeing), and many of us, while we enjoy the Historic District, live and work elsewhere. For that reason you should consider renting a car and looking at other areas, because that's likely where you would live.

And you may want to come visit in August before you decide to move here.
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Old May 17th, 2011, 05:14 AM
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Thanks everyone!
Yeah, I know August will be the hot/muggy/humid season, so I figure if I am possibly moving there I'd like to experience it! And yeah I'm pretty much a wanderer when I visit places, don't like to have too many plans. I always end up talking to people and they'll mention something I should do and I'll check that out. And I realize I wouldn't be working/living right in downtown, so I'm leaning towards renting a car for the weekend! Thanks so much everyone!
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Old May 18th, 2011, 05:30 AM
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I don't recommend staying out by the airport. It's loud and the traffic between there and downtown is AWFUL during rush hours.

Do check out the beaches. If you're here in August you'll need the breeze, trust me.
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Old May 19th, 2011, 04:35 AM
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Thanks everyone! THis is great info, I really appreciate it.

I've found decent hotel deals right downtown, at Best Western King Charles and also at Vendue Inn, so most likely will be staying at one of those places, and maybe rent a car for 1 day to venture out to a plantation!

Do I need a car to get to the beaches? Is taxi too expensive? Thanks!
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Old May 19th, 2011, 04:56 AM
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Oh, and which beach should I visit?
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Old May 19th, 2011, 07:44 AM
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Sullivans is closest, IOP has a public beach with parking and Folly is where the young people go to see and se seen. All of them are nice.
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