Nelly_lovestodance

We (yours truly, hubby, and two girls ages 3 1/2 and 7) will be in Charleston for 2 full days before heading to Myrtle Beach, mid-April. We have our accommodations, and I have a list of the things that have caught our attention in Charleston, but I think I need to pare it down and I need help grouping these in a logical order based on location. Which of these would you keep or leave out, and what makes most sense in terms of grouping them over two days (and a little bit of the next morning).
• A carriage tour
• The aquarium
• Beach – (Folly?)
• Quaint Shopping: King/Market Streets/City Market
• Waterfront Park
• Fort Sumter Harbor Cruise
• Patriot’s Point
• Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
• One of the Plantations

Thanks!!

sf7307

I'd skip the beach, since you're heading to Myrtle Beach after Charleston.

Fort Sumter is a terrific tour, but it's a tour, led by a National Park Ranger. I don't know if your kids, especially the younger one. will be too happy with that. But, most of it is outside, so they don't have to "stay in line".

HotWheels

Another vote for skipping the beach - and a suggestion to visit Huntington Beach State Park near Myrtle Beach for a very natural, nice beach setting. You could also visit a very nice aquarium at Broadway On The Beach/Myrtle Beach. My top choices would be the carriage ride, Old Market shopping and a plantation tour. (Boone Hall Plantation is on the road leading to MB; and Hampton Plantation is also along the way - you could see them as you go to break up the drive.)
Waterfront Park would be nice to stoll along or enjoy a picnic lunch there as a break. A Harbor cruise would also be nice, whether to Ft. Sumter or just a sightseeing cruise. Don't forget to go to RiverStreet Sweets near the Old Market for delicious, warm Pralines - you'll all love them!!

Gretchen

And another, skip the beach. You're going to the beach at MB. The aquarium would be a must for the children in Charleston. And maybe Patriot's Point for them also. Then strolling the historic district, maybe the carriage tour. Fort Sumter might be of interest to you, but it probably won't to the children. Go to Middleton Plantation, and you have about used up your time.
The mention of Huntington Beach on the way to MB might be good--the alligators will be out of their hibernation by then.

Nelly_lovestodance

Thanks so much for the ideas. Will definitely scratch the beach off for the Charleston portion of our trip. Huntington Beach when we're up by Myrtle Beach sounds nice. I also like the thought of doing the plantation visit as a stop on our way up. So far I had been drawn to Middleton, so I don't know if that would work?

Definitely doing the carriage ride, the Old Market shopping (added River Street Sweets to my notes), and maybe Patriot's Point. I have to rethink Fort Sumter, as we definitely want to set our own pace with the girls. We like strolling around outside, exploring new sights (we've been cooped up with New Jersey weather too long). Our girls are pretty easy going.

Any other ideas are welcome!!!

BetsyinKY

I would keep Fort Sumter and scratch Patriot's Point. While there is lots to see at Patriot's Point, I don't know how much of it would interest girls the age of yours. Also, the main focus is the Yorktown and touring it might be a bit difficult for your youngest, because you have to climb up and down levels on what are basically ladders. On the other hand, I think Fort Sumter would be fun because you get to be on the boat going out there and coming back, and once there, you don't have to participate in the Park Ranger's lecture. You are at the fort for an hour and are free to roam around the grounds, tour the museum, and/or take in the ranger's lecture.

Nelly_lovestodance

Thanks BetsyinKy. As long as we have flexibility to just walk the grounds, I think we would really enjoy the boat ride out to Fort Sumter.