Charleston: trip review...

To round out the Charleston blogs, I decided it'd be nice to do a trip review.  Some "do's" and "don'ts" if you will...

Things to see and/or do:

- Urban Outfitters store on King Street.  It's an old theater that's been made into their store.  You can still see where the stage and balcony areas were. 

- Eat at the more expensive restaurants for lunch/brunch.  It's a great way to save a dollar or two, but still experience some fabulous food.

- Shrimp corndog appetizer at Amen Street.  Maybe order 2...they're that good.

- Take a carriage tour of the city.  There are several maps you can pick up that have offers for $2 off...every little bit helps, and it's a great way to get some additional info on the city and it's history.

- Walk the streets and alley ways, and peek into the private gardens.  They're just beautiful. 

- Visit the market.  Find the booth with all the Charleston spices, mixes and cookbooks.  It smells really good.

- Wear comfy shoes...the comfiest shoes you can find.  There's a lot of walking involved.

- Go to the Maverick Cooking Store, especially if you like to cook.  Even check into one of their cooking demonstrations or classes if you have the extra time.

- Eat lots of raw oysters (JD's tip).

- Visit a rooftop to see the nightly view of the city.  It's beautiful.

- Last, but definitely not least: visit Kaminsky's.  Maybe more than once...and don't feel bad about it. 

Remember:

- Parking is a booger.  Find somewhere to park and walk.  Parking is around $1 per hour, or $12 a day.  There are several parking decks close to the market and battery that will put you in a prime spot in the city.

- Hotels aren't cheap and you don't get much for your money.  You're really paying for location.  Stay somewhere that is on Calhoun Street (Frances Marion) or south.  You can really walk anywhere from there.

- Get a plan and mark a map accordingly.  It's key to group things together so you're not wondering around aimlessly.

- Most importantly: have fun.  Do what you want to do.  Eat what you want to eat.  Enjoy the Charleston and all it has to offer...and that's a lot!