Charleston Pre and Post Cruise Stays
Charleston is full of lodging options, from budget properties to first-class hotels and quaint bed-and-breakfasts. Several are located in the city's historic district, within blocks of the cruise terminal. The following are among those that offer packages and special rates for pre and post cruisers:
The Days Inn Historic District (866-683-8411), located three blocks from the terminal, is offering a 10 percent discount off rack rates. The Quality Inn & Suites at Patriots Point (800-704-4480), located three miles from the port, is offering pre and post cruise room rates from $89, as well as free parking for those guests during their cruise.
In addition, several hotels, such as the Wentworth Mansion (888-466-1886) and the Wingate Inn Charleston (877-603-4007) offer free parking for pre and post cruise guests during their sailing. The Wingate also offers free shuttle service to and from the port.
Exploring the Port City
Charleston visitors can get a taste of the antebellum city with a tour of the 1818 Aiken-Rhett House, a home owned by the Historic Charleston Foundation. Tours are also available at Edmondston-Alston House where General Robert E. Lee took refuge during the Civil War. Guided tours provide a window into Charleston's charm. They range from a "Civil War Walking Tour" to "Ghost Walks" through graveyards.
The South Carolina Aquarium features playful otters, sea moon jellies, seahorses and regional aquatic life from mountains to sea, as well as a "Behind the Scenes" tour, available Thursdays through Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Next door, IMAX presents 3-D movies on a five story screen. The Gibbs Museum exhibits low-country paintings, sculpture and drawings. The Children's Museum invites kids to play on an authentic shrimp boat. And dozens of art galleries feature classic and contemporary southern art depicting scenes such as brids and landscape.
Shoppers find one of a kind boutiques such as LulaKate (colorful women's fashions), Coastal Classics (South Carolina furniture and linens), and RSVP Stationery Shoppe (stationery, invitations, and gourmet food). A plethora of designer shops includes Polo Ralph Lauren, Cache and Gucci.
Charleston dining, casual or upscale, is a culinary treat, especially for seafood lovers. Highlights include barbecued red snapper at Blossom Restaurant, cashew-crusted grouper at Anson Restaurant, jumbo lump crab cakes at Carolina's, fresh Oysters at The Noisy Oyster and Maine lobster tempura at Charleston Grill. Dozens of other restaurants offer Southern, French, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Magnolia Plantation, a 17th century estate, features one of the country's largest collections of azaleas and camellias. For nature lovers, there's Magnolia's 60-acre, black-water Audubon Swamp, alive with ancient cypress trees, alligators and turtles. Cypress Gardens, located 30 minutes from downtown is a unique, low-country attraction. Visitors can paddle boats through a swamp while taking photos of stately cypress trees and delicate water lilies.
Adventurous passengers can walk or bike along Charleston's new Cooper River Bridge, America's longest cable-stayed bridge. Special lanes enable walkers and bikers to enjoy superb city views.
