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 | Charleston Tourist Traps | Tips 1 - 10 of 23 |  |
The goons in green will try to nab you at least once in your travels here. They wear misleading 'Tourist Info' hats and shirts, but they are really time-share high pressure salesmen. They have shops, booths and mobile cart stands all over the place. They position themselves strategically on corners, near the market and waterfront park, so there is no escaping them. Just don't buy into their pitch. They will offer savings for your stay there, but only after collecting a $20 fee to make sure you show up to a sales pitch. Be smart, save yourself !
The only advice I can give is to keep walking. Don't buy into it. Just keep going! We only lost 10 minutes of our time, we were lucky not to lose any money. Other legit businesses nearby despise them and talk of them like they're the crazy uncle in the basement nobody can get rid of. Leave a Comment
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The Market is basically a tourist trap, but you should still go. Everything is overpriced and has its 'Southern' aspect amped up to about twelve, but these gifts (sweetgrass baskets, pecans, ten-bean soup mixes, benne wafers) really are indigenous to the area, so you might as well buy some for the friends back home. Leave a Comment
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 The Market by Sagespot
Stay towards the north end of the market and look at the photographs and crafts. Stay away from the southern end with the sunglasses salesmen and cheesy t-shirts.
Stop by the north end of the market and go into Gita's Gourmet and Old Historical Views. These two shops made the entire city better for us. Really friendly staff and great selections. Leave a Comment
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In the shops on the Market Area you will find the lowest common denominator of junk souvenirs. There are very few shops that are actually what I'd call authentic. The shops that made The Market such a nice place to visit 10 years ago, have all been run out by generic tshirt and mug shops. YUCK.
You will be called down on every corner to join a timeshare, take a carriage ride or walking tour. Actually, some tours are really well done but the sideshow salespeople cheapen the Charleston experience. I live in Charleston and the street hustling is very tacky. If you want a great walking tour, look up Charleston Walks. That would be my pick for any visiting family or friends.
Nightclubs on the Market are tacky. Henry's is an exception. It's decent but still touristy.
Restaurants vary from hotwings, burgers and seafood. Quality varies as much as the foodtypes.
Generic candy stores, hat shops, t-shirts and mugs rule this area.
North and South Market Streets run parallel to one another and down the center is the famed Old Slave Market. From what I understand, slaves were sold a few blocks away but not actually at the Old Slave Market. This story changes from local to local. Whatever the history, it's current use is for local vendors to sale rice and beans, handmade seagrass baskets, crafts, trinkets, souvenirs, t-shirts and sunglasses. If you do buy anything, buy it from the Old Slave Market - you will have a better chance of interacting with and supporting the locals.
I'll update my "At least do this" to include where to eat, drink or what to see soon.
If you like the architecture, make up your own walking tour and head down towards the Battery. It's also known as "South of Broad." Take a map. Go off the regular path. Beautiful historic houses on narrow and sometimes cobblestone streets. Pack a lunch a picnic at the gazebo in White Point Gardens at The Battery. There are bike rentals available too. If you have kids, they will love climbing the old canons and canonball stacks - or YOU might like it.
More soon... Leave a Comment
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There really aren't many tourist traps here. During peak season Folly beach can get a bit busy, but it's still tolerable. To avoid crowds go to the Isle of Palms beach or Sullivan's Island beach. If you want to eat on Market St. or at Hman's Seafood Iwouldn't during peak hours...the lines can be quite long. Go to King St. to get food there..no lines and cheaper.
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There are all kinds of downtown tours here. Being a local, I've only done a carriage ride once, but I know they have other tours for the harbour, ghost tours, and walking tours. These are tourist traps, but you'll learn some interesting things here too. Leave a Comment
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The food is medocre at best. Although they do give you a good portion of it. Don't be fooled when someone tells you it's the best seafood then hands you a coupon for free crab dip. They get free food points for referring you.
Also the restaurant can be almost empty and they start a wait line outside to make more people think it must be good. It's a ploy.
Know you're getting dupped.
A.W. Shucks in the Market is reasonably priced with good food. Hank's Seafood is good but very pricey and noisy. Leave a Comment
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HYMAN'S Restaurant. The food is awful, the service is less than attentive. If you want a more expensive seafood version of McDonalds this is your baby. Leave a Comment
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Hank's Seafood - Don't let the 'best of Charleston' plaques fool you. We here in the city are always amazed at who wins. Too loud, food too pricey (for the amount and quality). Exists on the coattails of its sister reastaurant Pennisula Grill. Leave a Comment
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Ghost tours!
Most ghost tours are about as spine-chilling as your high school geometry class. BIG letdown! If you insist on spending lots of money on touristy spots, go to the Aquarium. Still overpriced, but at least you'll see something! Leave a Comment
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