Charleston, SC or The Smokies
 

We're hoping to get away for a four-day weekend next month and are wondering whether to spend it seeing Charleston or The Smokies. If the former, the question is where to stay: downtown, Ashley River or
Isle of Palms. If the latter, we'd spend a couple of days based in Asheville and a couple of days based in Tennessee, at either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Charleston probably would be less hectic since we'd be based in one place and the NC/TN alternative would mean there'd be significant driving involved. Overall, two distinctly different possibilities and I'm looking for the pros and cons of
each. (If NC/TN, we might want to add a day in view of the distance to be driven.) Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Charleston and Pigeon Forge are night and day. Since you are talking July, I would go to Asheville and save Charleston for cooler weather (BTW, stay downtown). Charleston will be a beast next month.

It is such apples and oranges that I cannot breathe!! Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are SO awful. And you can't be sure of cool weather there either although certainly cooler than Charleston. Charleston, hands down. You may even get a break on prices for summer rates, although it is a destination all the time now.

Since my limited research and comments to date about the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge part of the area points noticeably toward the negative, I'm beginning to think that the choice is either Charleston or Asheville, with Asheville being a being a bit cooler. Having said that, which one is the better selection and why? Thanks.

Asheville is in the mountains, higher elevation, cooler air temps. Charleston is sea level and hot and sticky during July. Sweltering would be a good word.

Charleston is one of my favorite cities, but it really can be painfully hot and humid in the summer.
Asheville is a really neat city: it has a wonderful downtown filled with art galleries and shops, the Biltmore House is an interesting place to visit plus the surrounding area is very beautiful as well.

You are asking the right guy. I lived in Charleston for 3 years up until 98 and have lived in Asheville or had family there my whole life. In my opinion they are the 2 best cities in the Carolinas (obvious bias). I think your choice comes down to whether or not you like the beach or mountains. You can probably do Asheville a lot less expensive as the attractions are mostly free (except Biltmore House which can be steep).

Charleston is the winner when it comes to dining and has better restaurants than even the larger cities in the Carolinas.

I agree with the other posters...stay away from Pigeon Forge...it is to Asheville what Myrtle Beach is to Charleston.

I'm headed to Charleston again myself at the end of July. If you've never been to either....I think Charleston may be more memorable.

Let me know what you decide and I can give you travel suggestions on either place. A four day weekend can easily be feeled in Asheville or Charleston.

Where to stay in Chas? Isle of Palms if you like the beach, downtown if you don't. Access to more restaurants, entertainment and watering holes downtown.

Ashley River-would this be on the river or in that area? Hotel on the Ashley River would still be 3rd behind downtown and IOP.

The heat and humidity does not bother me in Charleston. I use to live there and can not wait to move back. Regardless of whether you liek the beach or not, I would stay downtown. Parking is a pain in downtown Charleston and can be costly. Therefore if you have a place to stay there you can easily walk to most places. To take in the beach scene, simply drive to Isle of Palms and park in the public lot (I think it is $5.00/day and you canleave and come back). You still get the beach and the convenience of not having to deal with downtown parking.

downtown parking is not that bad...you just have to know the spots!

I agree with MikeB - I've never had a problem finding parking and am in and out in 10 minutes. I do usually park in the same place every trip though.