Charleston for a day
 

My husband and I will be in the area over Christmas (we're stayin in Bluffton). We will go to Savannah and would love to go to Charleston. What are the best things to do if we only have one day?

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I don't know that I could pick one day of must sees, I went recently for the first time, but I relied on postings here and GoTravels trip report, although some of my plans were pre-made b/c it was husbands business trip. You should search under the United States site in the search bar by putting in Charleston and you will see GoTravels and others trip reports and maybe find the things that interest you most, and if you are staying overnight, GoTravel did an entire posting on lodging which would save you a lot of duplicate research. All I can say is too bad you have one day, you will want to go back for sure.

My favorites were Drayton Hall plantation, a carriage ride around the Battery and buying a sweetgrass basket at the Old Market. Eat some She-crab soup if you are a seafood lover. Escargot is sooo right; you will want to return for longer!!

Make sure to drive along the Battery==a beautiful area. I would also recommend going on a mini-bus tour. These are located behind the Visiors Center and are wonderful.

For a day, I don't think a plantation will be possible--they take a good part of a day. Our favorite is Middleton. More to do in Charleston than Savannah--and better food, for sure.

With one day - Take a carriage ride to see part of the historic district and then walk around other parts of it. I would devote the whole day to this area. Make sure to at least see the Battery, Meeting and Church Streets, wander along some of the sidestreets off of these, and perhaps take a house tour (Edmondston-Alston is my favorite, and I have been to all but one). You will want to see the old market too, which is right where the carriage rides start. Early morning or around sunset at the Battery are great. Charleston is great for food, so pick one of the good spots (maybe Slightly North of Broad) and have dinner or lunch.

There's a small restaurant in Bluffton called "The Squat and Gobble." I don't know what's on the entire menu, but they serve an unbelievable hamburger. It has 1/2 lb of meat that is cooked just exactly right. If you have time and haven't made other plans, you might enjoy a lunch there.

I agree with Dan about spending the day in the dowtown Market area. A carriage ride (personal favorite is Old South Carriage Co - they wear the red sashes) as you'll get a good overview so you can decide where you want to explore more. Most of the carriage companies provide blankets during the rides as well.

Like Dan, The Edmonston-Allston House is my favorite!

A few other places downtown worth visiting are: St. Michael's Church (corner of Broad and Meeting), St. Phillip's Church (corner of Church and Cumberland), Calhoun Mansion (Meeting St south of Broad), and a walk along the Battery (bring a coat when you visit in case we're having cold weather as it can get a little brisk downtown esp. on the water). A drive along the Battery at night is nice with the houses decorated.

Another option too at night (as close to sunset as possible esp. on weekends) is the drive the Festival of Lights at the James Island Park (www.holidayfestivaloflights.com)...it really is a fun thing to do (make sure you tune your radio to the station posted at the beginning for Christmas music...really sets the mood.

Check out the CVB website at www.charlestoncvb.com/xmas for a complete listing of Christmas in Charleston events.

Enjoy your visit...hope you'll come back for longer than a day!!

Thanks y'all! We are really thinking about spending more time in Charleston now! There's so much to do!