Quick travel suggestions, please. (x-post from Travel.)

[elleng]

Now traveling between DC area and Boca Raton, FL, area Wednesday, March 6. (Will be in the area to visit with friends through March 11.)

Arrived in Fayetteville, NC, this evening, heading south in the morning, but as have time, wonder if DUers have suggestions for next night and folliowing daytime, before entering Florida to arrive near Boca Wednesday. (Will visit Savannah on return trip.)

Thoughts? Possible/worth a 'detour' to/through Charleston, SC, area? Others?

THANKS!

[Warpy]

1. Charleston is definitely worth the trip. The older part of town

is really beautiful and is one of the places Sherman missed in his scorched earth march to the sea.

You are really in luck, the azaleas will be nearing peak bloom and there are a hell of a lot of them in the city.

When you've had your fill of brick, wrought iron and azaleas, do visit the Old Slave Mart museum. It's sobering to say the least and has haunted me since I was 9 or 10.

[Lugnut]

2. Charleston is a beautiful place.

We were there in '07 for my niece's wedding. It has something for everyone to enjoy.

[SCantiGOP]

5. easiest way to see Charleston

Is to sign up for one of the carriage tours. I have been going to Charleston since the 60s, and several years ago some in-laws from out West came to Charleston so we did the carriage. I thought I knew my way around, but was amazed at what I learned and had never noticed. A lot different moving at 2 miles an hour with a guide talking than driving down the street.

[mercuryblues]

3. Charleston

Here are a few places on the top of my list.

http://boonehallplantation.com/

http://www.patriotspoint.org/

http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g54171-d144260-Reviews-Charleston_Waterfront_Park-Charleston_South_Carolina.html

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/ave.htm

I love to eat at California Dreaming. I almost always get the CD salad w/hot bacon mustard dressing (extra hot bacon). It is not spicey hot. Be sure to get an extra order of crousants. They are that good IMO.The salad is a meal. If you are into adult beverages, a pitcher of their Long Island Ice Tea is good. I ordered O-rings there once and they were so greasy i couldn't eat them.

Ask for a seat near the window, overlooking the water. You may get lucky and see some sealife.

http://californiadreaming.co/locations/charleston-south-carolina/

[GoCubsGo]

4. Congaree National Park

Last edited Mon Mar 4, 2013, 09:04 AM - Edit history (1)

It's just east of Columbia. It's the largest tract of intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast. Loads of huge baldcypress and tupelo trees. It's beautiful! Now is a pretty good time to visit. The tupelos and other hardwoods are not yet leafed-out, but the bugs should be way down. Since we had lots of rain here lately, the water levels are up. But, there are good boardwalks, so you can get right out into the swamp. Lots of nice hiking.

http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm


If you aren't into hiking and outdoor things, I will add my vote for Charleston. I'll take Charleston over Savannah any day. Lots more to do there. Personally, I think Savannah is overrated.

Some other things to do Charleston that were not mentioned above:

http://scaquarium.org/default.aspx
http://www.charlestonteaplantation.com/
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/
http://www.draytonhall.org/
http://www.hunley.org/
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/ctl/introduction.aspx


There are loads of good seafood, low country and soul food restaurants in Charleston and the surrounding area. There are a bunch of the along Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant.
http://shemcreeksc.com/Restaurants-and-Businesses/

My favorite restaurant there is gone, but Vickery's is very good.