rambler wrote:
Google: “5 best piers to enjoy around Charleston”. Then head to the various beaches to catch the sun rising in the east😇
Will do Rambler and thanks!
Billynikon2 wrote:
Don't forget to eat. Some of the best restaurants in the country.
No worries Bill.......we ALWAYS like to eat!
Architect1776 wrote:
Some places I found wonderful were:
1. White Point Garden
2. All the famous and infamous houses on Meeting Street
3. The old 19th century jail
4. The Market
5. Ft. Moultrie, The other half of the harbor defenses and is incredibly interesting (I actually liked it more than Ft. Sumter) and it has a wonderful museum. Best of all it is free.
6. If you like ships the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier is worth visiting.
Finally, I just love the old houses and buildings, all fascinated me as my wife and I just wandered aimlessly around the old part of the city. Every street and alley had character and hidden gems off the beaten path that gave unique opportunities for photos that are not the typical me too cliches one always sees.
There is about a weeks worth of things to see on a quick visit time line, a lifetime if you were to stay. It has been one of the most enjoyable places I have visited in a long time. Just ignore the pushing tourists and take it all in slowly at your own private pace away from the tours except for the wagon ride as it really does help, at least for me it did.
Have fun.
Some places I found wonderful were: br 1. White Po... (
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Thanks so much for taking the time to share so much information. Some is already on list....will check out the others. Tom
clemente21 wrote:
Consider a photography tour. They can customize it for you and save you time as well. Give them a call before going and ask them all these questions. There are several in Charleston.
Great idea and will look into that. Thanks! Tom
CanonTom wrote:
My wife and I are planning about a week in Charleston, SC in mid June. She has been there once and I have never been. Looking for suggestions for photo opportunities, historical sites, breath taking scenery, etc.
Best sections of town to stay in for both quality of life and safety if we wander out, especially at night....
Interested in history of area both nautical and land based and photographing same. My experience with tour buses in other places is that I don't get good shooting opportunities--people in the way and the buses go too fast!
Walking tours ok if not too long. She is late 60's and I am 70 and it will be hot there so walking cannot be terribly far in the heat.
Wondering if horse drawn carriage rides would be good or if they are too crowded. Slower and smaller group I would hope than a bus, etc.
Also wondering about places to simply drive the rental car to and from, etc.
Suggestions as to what not to miss as well as any tourist traps to avoid would be most appreciated.
Primary interest is photographing the historical sites, landscapes, seascapes, etc.
Am planning to take my Canon 5DIII and three lenses: a 16-35 f4L, a 24-105 f4L and a 70-300 f4-5.6L. Probably throw in my f1.8 nifty-fifty for night time and a monopod. Is this overkill? If so which lenses to take and which to leave at home? All will be carried in quality Lowe Pro back pack with hip straps to transfer weight to my hips and off my shoulders. Will also likely take my Sony RX10 III (f2.5-4, 24mm-600mm) and as over all backup. Would not be carrying both cameras at the same time though. That way if the Canon gets too heavy, I could always fall back on the Sony.
I realize this has become long. If you are still with me, please give me your thoughts and the benefits of your experiences. Thanks to all!
Tom
My wife and I are planning about a week in Charles... (
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My wife and I are in South Carolina now and do not enjoy the high temperatures combined with high humidity. (We will head back to Phoenix this weekend.) You will want to dress and pack light. Folks say the heat will eventually be broken by rain, but then it rains a lot. So you might want to come after hurricane season, or waterproof your gear. Azalea time is the best for Charleston.
Have you decided where to stay yet? I would suggest you stay downtown Charleston near the market if you want the city experience, or you could stay on one of the beaches and drive into Charleston. Our family loves the beach, so we stay in Wild Dunes (Isle of Palms) and drive into Charleston. The beach always seems cooler in the summer because the wind is usually blowing. We’ve been doing that 6-8 times per year for 35 years. It takes about 25 minutes each way. Another beach is Kiawah but it is further out but nice also. There is so much to do in Charleston and the surrounding area, I don’t think finding something to do or photograph will be a problem.
As someone suggested, visit the visitors center first. I suggest you watch the short film about Charleston, it just gives you a short summary about the city and it’s history. Buy a walking tour book while you are at the visitors center for quick reference as you walk and photograph the city. The people at the visitors center are very helpful. I’ve never tried it, but I bet you could call the visitors center and get recommendations before you get there.
We haven’t done this in several years, but the Schooner Pride is a sail boat that has a sunset cruise in the harbor. My experience was that it had fabulous light for photos. We always got a wonderful family picture while sailing.
Everyone’s suggestions are great. You will just need to tailor your trip for your tastes.
Also google what is happening in Charleston for the dates you are there. The Preservation Society maybe having house or garden tours so google Charleston Preservation Society and see if anything is going on. Check out Dock Street Theatre, a play maybe going on. It’s a very old historic theater. If you are up to it, take a ghost tour. Our children always said they learned more from the ghost tours than any of the other tours we took them on.
I’ll stop there..... I could ramble on for hours!
Hope you enjoy Charleston as much as our family does.
Nanarozzi wrote:
Have you decided where to stay yet? I would suggest you stay downtown Charleston near the market if you want the city experience, or you could stay on one of the beaches and drive into Charleston. Our family loves the beach, so we stay in Wild Dunes (Isle of Palms) and drive into Charleston. The beach always seems cooler in the summer because the wind is usually blowing. We’ve been doing that 6-8 times per year for 35 years. It takes about 25 minutes each way. Another beach is Kiawah but it is further out but nice also. There is so much to do in Charleston and the surrounding area, I don’t think finding something to do or photograph will be a problem.
As someone suggested, visit the visitors center first. I suggest you watch the short film about Charleston, it just gives you a short summary about the city and it’s history. Buy a walking tour book while you are at the visitors center for quick reference as you walk and photograph the city. The people at the visitors center are very helpful. I’ve never tried it, but I bet you could call the visitors center and get recommendations before you get there.
We haven’t done this in several years, but the Schooner Pride is a sail boat that has a sunset cruise in the harbor. My experience was that it had fabulous light for photos. We always got a wonderful family picture while sailing.
Everyone’s suggestions are great. You will just need to tailor your trip for your tastes.
Also google what is happening in Charleston for the dates you are there. The Preservation Society maybe having house or garden tours so google Charleston Preservation Society and see if anything is going on. Check out Dock Street Theatre, a play maybe going on. It’s a very old historic theater. If you are up to it, take a ghost tour. Our children always said they learned more from the ghost tours than any of the other tours we took them on.
I’ll stop there..... I could ramble on for hours!
Hope you enjoy Charleston as much as our family does.
Have you decided where to stay yet? I would sugge... (
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Some terrific suggestions! Thanks for taking the time to write. We will follow your suggestions. Tom
mot.berringer wrote:
My wife and I are in South Carolina now and do not enjoy the high temperatures combined with high humidity. (We will head back to Phoenix this weekend.) You will want to dress and pack light. Folks say the heat will eventually be broken by rain, but then it rains a lot. So you might want to come after hurricane season, or waterproof your gear. Azalea time is the best for Charleston.
I definitely understand the humidity concern, especially as you are accustomed to AZ. Love visiting your state by the way; have been there a couple of times---a wonderful place. We have always lived in the southeast where it is hot, humid and wet! The upside to that weather is that we are pretty much accustomed to it. Much the same as where we live, perhaps a little more humid, but it hardly ever gets below 50 or 55 percent here in AL and 60 might be closer to the norm. Yes, lightweight shorts and shirts as well as a big floppy hat and good walking shoes will be with us. Thank you for your comments and concerns. Tom
I like to visit the world famous azalea gardens of Charleston - including Middleton - in the Spring. Bonus is better weather with no hurricanes.
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