Parking in Charleston from BJLady

Hello again everyone!

First, thanks to all of the great people and the wonderful advice! We are counting the days (weeks)!

I am wondering about parking in Charleston. We will be staying in Mt Pleasant and driving into city each day. Are there parking garages thruout the city and street parking, what are the time limits on meters. Shoud we park in one area and do our walking and then move to another area?

Also, I read there is a water taxie from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston that takes about an hour. Is that correct and once in the city could we catch trolleys etc. How late does the water taxi run?

Thanks for your help!!

BJLady

Parking in Charleston from BJLady

There are several garages clustered around Market Square in downtown Charleston. There%26#39;s also the parking deck at the Visitor Center which is about a 10 minute walk from Market Square but whenever we%26#39;ve arrived in the early afternoon, this garage is always full and they don%26#39;t post a sign to let you know that. You can park in one and walk everywhere you need to go in Charleston. Do not even think about using metered parking. The limit is usually 2 hours and you will spend too much time walking back and forth to feed the meter if you can even find a free spot in a convenient location. The meter maids are notorious and I can guarantee you will get a ticket if the meter expires. Parking along the battery is free and it%26#39;s about a 10 minute walk to the downtown area but these spots always fill up early and fast. There isn%26#39;t a trolley running around the downtown area like there is in Savannah but there is a public bus system.

Parking in Charleston from BJLady

0144 - there is indeed a very convenient trolley (called the Downtown Shuttle) that has many pickup points all throughout the city. You can pay one price and hop on and off on that shuttle, and you can get a multi-day ticket and even get a great discount if you%26#39;re a senior citizen. See the website at www.ridecarta.com I see many tourists pick it up at the Aquarium and see it constantly running around the city. Looks like an efficient way to get around if you%26#39;re not a walker.

Also - in all honesty I have never had trouble finding free parking on Murray Blvd at the Battery. That is where the parking is free - and we often park there even to walk up to upper King Street shops (but we love to walk). The city has oodles of parking garages - they%26#39;re very well disguised to look like ordinary buildings because who wants to look at parking garages. No parking garages in the residential district though - and beware that unless you have a residential parking permit you%26#39;ll get a ticket.

The only place you might have difficulty parking in a garage is in the College of Charleston area on a school day, but just move over a couple of blocks and you should be fine.

The water taxi is I think more designed for people who are staying in the city and wanting to visit Patriot%26#39;s Point. It seems like an unnecessary complication to take it just to do sightseeing. It drops you off near the Aquarium, which is still a decent walk to even Market and East Bay. (though as I mentioned you can take the downtown shuttle)

OK - last option - if you%26#39;re staying in MtP and going to the city, the Bus 40 goes from all over Hwy 17 to the city. I often see tourists taking it though it is a primary means for people to get from the city to their jobs at hotels, hospitals and shopping centers in Mt. P. If your hotel is convenient to a bus stop it is a good alternative. Having said that, don%26#39;t be put off by parking in Charleston - it%26#39;s a small city that is easy to navigate and has plenty of parking. I%26#39;ve lived in the top traffic cities in the country and believe me, we don%26#39;t have traffic or parking issues in Charleston. Relax and enjoy your trip!

0144 and CultureHound:

Thanks so much for the great advice. Believe me, I%26#39;ve taken lots of notes and everyones help has been a blessing!

I did find spiritcruiselines. They have a 90 minute tour around Charleston Harbour that sounds neat. I think we could take some really good pictures and see the dolphins maybe!

Thanks again. I%26#39;ll probably be asking more questions before we go!??

BJ Lady

There is a large parking deck off of Meeting Street, about 1 block down from the Market on the left. It%26#39;s 5 or 6 levels high. It%26#39;s directly across from the old powder magazine building and the Circular Congressional Church (I believe that%26#39;s what it%26#39;s called.) Right in the center of of the historic district. I believe it%26#39;s on Cumberland street.

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