Visiting Charleston - Have ???

MrsJWeaver

Mu husband and I are stying one night and day in Charleston Feb 15-16.  
Crazy ? #1 - A few years ago I ate at a small cafe that served great turkey chili.  I think it was down a street that had a lot of shops and resteraunts.  Any ideas on the name and location?
#2 - Where is a nice place to have dinner?  We want a local not a chain.  Maybe good seafood and steaks. Not crazy expensive and fancy.
#3 What would you do if you only had one day to visit the area.  I know he wants to see a submarine that he keeps talking about.
Thanks Ladies!

WendyLoveapple

#1 sounds like the Market Street area.

#2 I suggest Hanks.  Food is amazing, a little on the expensive side but so worth the money.

#3 The submarine that he is talking about is a national treasure.  The Hunley.  Although I am not sure that you will have an opportunity to see it.  They don't put it on display often as they are still working on it and it very fragile.  I would also suggest the Market; its a like an outdoor flea market with tons of hand made items.  I often find treasures there.  I suggest to stop into Charleston Jewel of a City at the market.  They custom make fine jewelry with rare or unique stones. 

jsvb14

no idea of the turkey chili place-try Market St, King St or Meeting St.  I second Hanks for seafood.  I also enjoy Fleet Landing which overlooks the harbor and is moderately priced (IMO).  My favorite touristy thing is going on a horse drawn carriage ride...that way you get to see a lot of the city without having to walk everywhere and its a great way to learn about Charleston's history and architecture.  I'd go to the Market and also down to the Battery at the tip of the pennisula.

abkuenzel

That is the Southeastern Wildlife Expo Weekend!
http://www.sewe.com/
You must have reservations NOW! The whole city will be crazy.

I love Hanks Seafood, The Boathouse, or Hyman's (Hyman's is very laid back I don't think you can make reservations) 
http://www.hymanseafood.com/

http://hanksseafoodrestaurant.com/

MrsMcBroom

DO NOT eat at Hyman's.  It is a tourist trap, ask any local.  It's terrible, and overpriced, and DH and I make fun of the idiots standing in line to get in.

Hanks is great for seafood, Justine's is great for Lowcountry food, and I'm a big fan of Mercado on Market Street.  It's italian and a little pricey, but WELL worth it.  It's some of the best food I've ever had.

Basil on King is very good, and very reasonably priced.  They have thai food.  Next door is a tapas bar called Chai's that's also fantastic for drinks and appetizers.  Have fun!

sctiger

MrsMcBroom- THANK YOU for saying that about Hyman's!  It's so annoying when people talk up that place and it's not that great- very touristy.  I really like Sermet's on King Street, and I've also heard good things about Basil.  Anywhere on East Bay (except Hyman's) is good but some of it can be on the pricey side. 

hlheath

We are visting Charleston also, in late Feb. Any ideas of places to stay? We want a suite or at least a fridge & microwave. Would love to stay on or near water. TIA!!

MrsJWeaver

We are staying in North Charleston/Elm at a fairfield inn.  I saw a great little hotel on expedia called the Seaside Inn - its on the beach.  Decent reviews from travelers.  The ones who did n't like talked about size and had three or more people in their party.  I usually take that stuff with a grain of salt.

We decided that we will go see the Hunley and take a carriage ride in downtown.  I'm still searching for the little sandwich shop.  I know it was not on the street with the open air market.  I really wish I could remember more about it.

Thanks ladies for all the help!

MrsJWeaver

We made reservations for Hanks on the 15th.  I can't wait - we're already trying to decide what to have.  I knnow I'll be getting a dessert.

Any ideas for lunch on Saturday if I can't find the little sandwich shop?

jsvb14

my favorite deli downtown is east bay deli (the popular/crowded at lunch hour location is on east bay st but there is another on market st 1/2 block west of king st).  good bbq is jim & nicks on king st.  there are tons of others. 

if i had to stay downtown, i'd go cheaply but near the main part.  the holiday inn on the corner of calhoun & meeting is great for the price.  otherwise i'd spurge for on the waterfront at vendue range, french quarter inn or anson house.

abkuenzel

Well you'll love Hanks, make sure you try the sweet potato fries!

Sorry for giving you the obviously bad opinion of Hymans. Sctiger I wasn't intentionally leading her in the wrong direction, it's not a chain, IMO it's cheap, and apparently someone likes it...with the long line outside! Not the healthiest food, but fried is good occasionally.

I hate to give any more suggestions, but IMO Jestine's is a good southern place for lunch.

mrs.charzoo

I think the best use of time for one day in Charleston is to rent bikes from the Bicycle Shoppe (on Meeting St near George, $5/hr) for about 2 hours.  Riding around south of Broad street is fantastic - seeing all the homes, peeking in gardens, and taking a ride through Battery Park and along the sea wall.  Our favorite is riding down tiny little alleys.  From the Bicycle Shoppe you could ride on George over past King to the College (beautiful campus, especially the cistern) then go back to King if you choose and ride down with the flow of traffic or stay off King and go by the Old City Jail (it's cool!) and then down past Broad and all through that area, around the seawall/park, then come back up Church street, past the market, up Anson St to George, and back over to return the bikes.  It's the BEST way to see Charleston!

for a lunch, my faves are SNOB (lowcountry), Jim 'n' Nick's (bbq), Rue de Jean (french - esp mussels), Basil's (thai - esp. pad thai), and Modica (on George near King - awesome cheap panini and gelato)