Charleston, SC/Cape Cod, MA

[kjstrukel]

Hi everyone!

I turn 60 next year and I want to visit places I never have.   Do any of you have advice for me on Charleston, SC and/or Cape Cod?  2 places I have never been

Thanks!

[samrhett2]

I know Charleston well.  It is a wonderful city full of history and culture.  It all depends on what you like to do, but to me, you need to take a horse drawn carriage ride through downtown Charleston.  The tour guides are wonderful and will show you all kinds of historical landmarks and mansions and tell you all about the rich history.  Downtown Charleston is filled with wonderful restaurants and the old market downtown with it's pre-Civil War history.  You can tour Fort Sumter where the first shot of the Civil War was fired.  You can also go see the S.S. Hunley on display.  It is the very first submarine  to have gone down during battle.  It was recovered several years ago with the crew still on board.  Their bodies were later removed and interred. 

Charleston has many beautiful cemeteries and the homes downtown have beautiful gardens.  There is just too much to mention.  There are also great beaches close by and plenty of night life as well.

[kjstrukel]

Thanks, samrhett2!   Great ideas!   Would you suggest a hotel or B&B (I'm going with my sis).  Also, what time of year is best to visit?

Thanks so much for your help -- LOVE my FC buddies!

[jmccaskill]

I too could go on and on about all there is to do and see in Charleston SC. It is truly one of the most historic cities of the US.

You can visit a number of gardens, Americas first 'planned garden' for one, a working plantation (Boone Hall), and others.

I you are into military history, you can visit Fort Sumter, and other forts. The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina is a nice side visit. Patriots' Point is not to be missed, tour (self guided) of the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier with static aircraft displays, a submarine, and other attractions.

Charleston is home to the Spoleto arts festival, and is renowned for great restaurants.

One interesting little opportunity is their 'ghost tours' most of which are at night. Visiting graveyards and other places that are reportedly haunted is a definite 'not the ordinary' thing done on vacations.

Check the internet, there are a million other things to do and see!  

[bigfoot951]

I live in Charleston and have live here pretty much my whole life minus a few years in college.  Most of us don't think that our hometown is anything great and I don't really either.  I guess it depends what you are into.  There is a lot of historic site seeing to be done downtown and a few other places.  We have some decent beaches, but we aren't unique in that regard.  I guess it is hard for me to understand the appeal since I grew up here...

[kjstrukel]

Thanks, everyone!  I think I will look into Charleston!  Looks like a lot to do and some great restaurants, too!  Love my FC Fam!

[jmccaskill]

just a little more about Charleston... the summer can be brutal, yeah, it IS the humidity!! And being in the South, summer is quite long in duration.

The spring, pretty much limited to the last of March to mid-May most years is probably the best time of year for mild day temps and comfortable nights. Fall is good too, but a bit less predictable temperature wise. The 90°s have frequented as late as the end of October, not all that often but it can happen...

Winters are mild in comparison to what the North gets, but it can get cold.

Just tossing out some thoughts so you might plan your clothing selections if you do make the trip...