MUSEUMMILE Charleston SC 2010

10 days is really too much.I would divide your holiday between Charleston and Savannah.When we were in both cities in September (second half)2006 it was extremely hot.Paul

Some time in Savannah would be fine, but you will want to drive and enjoy sights on the way--Beaufort, islands. You will want to spend one of your Charleston days seeing the plantations in that area. Then you might enjoy a day trip up to Georgetown (an hour's drive) to see Revolutionary War areas there, and then even Pawley's Island where the rice planters of Charleston spent summers to escape the malarial mosquitos.
And while up that far (75 miles) see Brookgreen Gardens and its wonderful art and sculptures. You might like to spend a night up that way (Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort has a nice "hotel" or there is a nice Hampton Inn). You could even spend a bit longer and spend a day on the beach there.
Ten days in just charleston is a bit long. Maybe 4 in Charleston, 2 in Savannah, 2 in Georgetown/Litchfield.
The other draw for the Litchfield area is the best seafood restaurants on the coast in Murrell's Inlet, just north of Pawley's Island/Litchfield.

I will add that the time should be absolutely beautiful. No promise it won't be very warm, but September and October on the SE coast is the time of the gods!! Enjoy.

Gretchen gave you good recs.

I don't think that event draws huge crowds. I live outside Charleston and have never heard of it. Spoleto is the one that draws large crowds.

I totally disagree that 10 days is too much. I live here and can't get to everything there is to do. If you want to visit the beaches or plantations you'll do best to rent a car for the day. Same with a visit to Savannah. Amtrak is historically unreliable and the station is in N. Charleston. Again, rent a car and drive down if you decide to take a trip to Savannah. Stop by Beaufort and the Old Sheldon Church ruins.

Tovarich, Gretchen and Suewoo thank you for the great information.
We allowed ten days as we are mid 70's with some health challenges and this gives us the option to take our time and not cram everyday.Also flying in from California takes up most of one day, and exit day is busy.
We did a week in Newport RI and found it worked well and that was just the Mansions.
Charlestonsmuseummile.org for information it offers 12 locations entry Including Aiken-Rhett House, Manigault House
Nathaniel Russell House for one $20.00 entry fee
September& Octoberare the warmest months here in San Deigo we just do not get rain.

Sue, just to be clear, 10 days isn't too much, but if you are new to the area, there are other things that are fun to do also. The beaches here are different from west coast beaches, etc.
But now, EATING in Charleston will be a treat that would fill up MORE than 10 days!!

Correct!

Gretchen and Suewoo, are you just going to leave it at that? No recommendations.
We try to eat healthy, no fried ,grilled is good and lots of veggies, like seafood in general except Red Snapper.DH likes red meat. Thanks j

Just google Charleston restaurants. Too many to even name. There will be little red snapper. More like wreck fish and the best shrimp ever. And there will be fried everything. Done right, tastes good.

There are SO many threads here about ALL the possible restaurants in Charleston that it is not much use to repeat.Just do a search. DO stay away from Hyman's. And if you have never had a fried oyster on the SE coast, you have not approached nirvana!! But seafood can be had fixed almost any way. You should try the Low Country dish of the century--shrimp and grits.

Right. Stay away from any place that has people on the street hawking you to come in. The best places don't need to do that.

Thank you for the input. Have you heard of Alluettes Jazz Cafe.on Calhoun?