Need suggestions for where to stay with a family for a long weekend in Charleston. Stay in town or at the beach?

Depends on time of year you're going. I'd stay in town in colder weather.

I agree. In warm weather stay at the beach and come into town at night...you probably won't be out that late if you have kids. In winter stay in town so you can walk to lunch, sites, take horse drawn carriage...and take side trips to the beach.

We love the Courtyard Downtown Charleston. It isn't your typical Courtyard. It overlooks this beautiful marina and the rooms are quite nice. Make sure to request a riverview room. There's a great restraunt right accross the water from this hotel called California Dreaming. Excellent food and great view.

Wild Dunes is a great family place. It is on the beach at the Isle of Palms. You can rent houses or condos. In the summer they have a kids program. Also, there is a golf course, beach pavaillion with two pools, tennis courts, a playground, and a marina. It is a 20 minute drive into Charleston. On the Isle of Palms there is a great resturant called The BoatHouse. It is on the inlet with a great waterview! A grocery store is only 1 minute from Wild Dunes. We usually go for a week in June.