We are planning a long weekend in Charleston SC does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? We were thinking of going to one of the gardens Magnolia? or Middleton Place? Which is better? What about restaurants and shopping? Nightlife? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Magnolia Gardens would be a pretty place to visit depending on the time of year with spring being the best. If you like seafood, the Icehouse in downtown Charleston is the best. The Slave Market is an interesting place to visit and on weekends they usually have vendors set up. Charleston is a historical city with home tours, Fort Sumter, and Fort Moultri on Sullivan's Island. Oh I forgot you can also tour the USS Yorktown and I think they have a destroyer there too. We haven't lived there since 1980 so I can't remember anything else outstanding have a great trip!

Charleston has so many wonderful restaurants! Pinckney Cafe, Carolina's, Magnolias, Slightly North of Broad to name a few.

We were in Charleston for a week in July and loved it. The Magnolia plantation is a great place to visit and this time of the year you may see some alligators in the swamps.The quaint little shops on King Street were neat if you like shopping. For seafood you must try Hymans on Meeting Street.
Also enjoyed California Dreaming and TBonz's.
We really enjoyed the carriage tour of the historic
area. Don't leave without buying a hand made
basket made from Sweet grass by one of the
Locals from Mt. Pleasant!!
Barry and Carol

Ohhhhhhh.. Where do we start??????

I live there for 3 years and I am visiting for a couple of days in a week. Here is what to do. Sites: If you are staying downtown, park your car and leave it there until you have to Middleton or Magnolia. Walk along King Street and if something is interesting, go inside. The market (It was never a slave market, or so they say is the center of all activities) East Bay Street just off of Meeting is a good place to walk and look. It is all connected. For restaurants: Hymans is a must. I always eat lunch there. There is an interesting new restaurant/brewery at the corner of King and Meeting. Don't remember the name. 82 Queen is supposed to be good. Stay away from Shem Creek restaurants (tourist) except Schim Creek Bar & Grill) Nightlife: Go to market at night and walk in every bar thare is. Alsways live music and most of them are free to get in. In the afternoon go to the Vendue Inn on Vendue Range accross from South End Brewery on East Bay. There is a Roof-Top bar where you can see the harbor and downtown. This is a must if the weather is nice. Drive through the Citadel. Walk through the College of Charleston (alumni here) and go to Isle of Palms. to see the beach. On the end of Sullivans island is a fort. Go walk it and you can see Fort Sumter (up Close) and also see huge ships coming in the harbor. On the way back from the ISLE of Palms, take the connector to Hwy 17. At Hwy 17 and the connector is a shopping plaza with a surf shop named Liquid Motion. The owner is this laid-back guy who looks like JFK, Jr. (Friend of mine)

Have fun sorry for the long post.

Not much to add after that very complete post, except: Take a horse & carriage ride through the historic district. It was the highlight of my family's brief stay a few years back. They all start at the Market.

Pennsulia Grill is supposed to be wonderful