Do I have to stay in the historic district?

My husband and I are planning a spring trip to Charleston and trying to save as much $$ as possible. It%26#39;s our last trip together before our first baby. Anyway, we%26#39;d like to spend most of our time in the historic district and touring historic sites like plantations, Fort Sumter, etc. (Not too interested in beaches, we live in Florida.) Do we have to stay in the historic district, or can we stay somewhere else and drive there? Is parking decent? Would it make it too difficult for tours? And where, besides the historic district, is a nice, quiet, comfortable place to stay (I%26#39;ll be about 6 months pregnant and comfort is key.)

ThankS!

Kate

Do I have to stay in the historic district?

We went to Charleston in early Nov. and stayed outside the historic district. Some tours will pick you up at your hotel and take you downtown and to the plantations, etc. If you want a feel for the town and all the good restuarants then stay in the historic district. The next time we go we will stay in the historic district.

Do I have to stay in the historic district?

I would say pick Mt. Pleaseant for sure. Its right across the bridge from downtown, cheaper, cleaner, and less crowded with free parking. Its maybe 6-8 minutes to downtown so you can still do it all. You can also catch the boat tour to Ft sumter from this side as well.

I personaly like the Residence Inn Charleston Downtown/Riverview. It is cheeper than the hotels in the historic district and is only 10 minuits away.There is never any problem parking that I have found when we visit the market in the historic district and the beds are wonderful if you like the softer type of mattress.They are plush bedding and very nice rooms.We have stayed with them for our last 4 visits to Charleston this year.Hope this helps.

I don%26#39;t know what kind of prices you%26#39;re getting in Charleston for your dates, but I did a quick search in Mt. Pleasant and the Shem Creek Inn (which gets good reviews and has a cool location) came up as $75/nt. Two other motels came up lower but unless you promise to use them only for sleeping, they%26#39;re a bit gamey (Red Roof and Masters Inn) though very inexpensive. I don%26#39;t know if they%26#39;re renovating, but it might be worth asking to see the room before you commit.

It is very easy to drive into Charleston and park. I do so all the time!

On-street parking is a bit scarce; but public parking lots are are well-located and have ample spaces. Of course, you have to factor in the cost to park in the lot.

You can pick up most any city or plantation tour from the Visitors Center on Meeting Street. The VC has a parking lot.

The Fort Sumter tours leave from the dock next to the South Carolina Aquarium. The aquarium/tour dock has a parking lot, as well.

We enjoy staying in Mt. Pleasant at the Shem Creek Inn - it%26#39;s a very easy drive from there into downtown Charleston, and we%26#39;ve never had parking problems - I love the drive across the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge - it%26#39;s beautiful!! If you decide to stay at Shem Creek, make sure you ask for a ';creekview'; room, and not a ';marshview'; - it%26#39;s great to watch the shrimping boats come in every day!

Oh yes, k8, you can also catch the Ft. Sumter tours from right there in Mt. Pleasant at Patriot%26#39;s Point - it%26#39;s a smaller ferry, but not nearly as crowded as from the aquarium!

Shem Creek has wonderful, water-side restaurants. The Ravenel Bridge to Charleston is spectaular, too.

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