<p>We are attending the College of Charleston open house next month. The hotels in town want over 200 dollars a night. Is it a pain to stay 2 or more miles away and drive in? Also what are some not to miss things to do. We will have time to do some touristy stuff. Any restaurant suggestions? thanks</p>
<p>How about Priceline? Someone recently got a 3* Charleston Lodge Alley Inn for $105 (which still isn't that great of a deal!).</p>
<p>Just returned from taking S to Scholar's Day at CofC. Staying that far from the college shouldn't pose a problem. Traffic wasnt a problem and getting around was pretty easy.</p>
<p>In terms of restaurants, for dinner I'd suggest the Hominy Grill on Rutledge Ave. - good proces and great food. Also, for breakfast, Joseph's was good and affordable.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. Cap'nG, how was scholars day? We are going to the open house and was wondering what to expect. My daughter emailed the admissions counselor about possibly meeting with her but we haven't heard back yet.</p>
<p>Ths Scholar's Day was very nice. We were very impressed with the treatment that the school gave all involved and the effort that they put forward. We really liked the campus and the facilities. We walked throughout the area (on campus and off) and felt comfortable wherever we went. Definitely would not have concerns if S decides to attend. I believe that after this visit, CofC has been put at the top of his list.</p>
<p>Hyman's is great for seafood.</p>
<p>Also stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn near Hyman's (no not an oxymoron)...</p>
<p>thanks, Dudedad and thanks Cap'nG for all the info. I am looking forward to our mini vacation to Charleston.</p>
<p>Candace, Charleston has a hostel in the historic section of town pretty close to campus. The rates are fantastic, you don't have to be a student, private rooms are available and parking is included in the rate which is huge in Charleston because parking is limited. My daughter and a friend drove down for a fun weekend last year and it was only $19 per night. She said it was very clean. I believe a private room with a double and single run around $55. The address & phone are below but they also have a website just search the NotsoHostel.</p>
<p>Notso Hostel
843-722-8383
156 Spring St.
Charleston, SC 29403</p>
<p>If you don't want to go the hostel route then look farther away from the college. Driving around town is not bad, the only problem is the parking in historical downtown. But when we went down for the college visit, CofC provided parking.</p>
<p>If the weather is nice, a good touristy thing to do is to take one of the carriage rides through the historic part of town. On our first trip to Charleston, we took one and found the driver to be full of information about the city's history and all the old buildings, etc. It was very interesting and we would have never known any of that stuff just walking around looking on our own. I don't remember how much it cost.</p>
<p>One of my closest friends is a native of Charleston and this is one of her favorite restaurants: <a href="http://www.poogansporch.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.poogansporch.com/</a></p>
<p>Make sure you wander through the old market downtown and maybe pick up a little sweetgrass basket as a souvenir.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Holiday Inn in the historic district as well and it was wonderful. Not your typical Holiday Inn. Short walk to campus and restaurants so you won't have to drive around or worry about parking. Of course we went in August so rates were probably a lot cheaper.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great info. A carriage ride would be fun. And it sounds like we will have too many restaurants to choose from in Charleston. My husband bought me a gps for my car, so we won't get lost.</p>