I was happy to arrive in Charleston SC. It was still early in the year and the weather up North had not been, what I hoped for. This far South, temps were already in the 80’s and sun & blue skies in abundance.
Historic Charleston is a relatively small area, with a big dose of history, architecture and a church on every street. Meeting and King Street offer good shopping and the outdoor cafés create a relaxed atmosphere. Add a City Market and a grand promenade, and you’ll have one of the nicest towns in America.
This was the second town in a Three City Tour. After visiting Washington DC, Charleston seemed more accessible with a compact town center, but for a dog owner many limitations remain. The city does make a good effort with pet waste bag dispensers in many of its parks, dog parks and dog access to its visitor center. On a hot day, you’ll find that many store owners will place water bowls for Fido at their entrance. Overall a welcoming place.
2016 Three City Tour
Your car however, is not invited. Like many other cities, parking is at a premium; prices high and parking spots in very short supply. Add to that a small RV, like my Ford Transit and you’re out of luck! One downtown parking garage on Mary Street, accommodates a few small RVs, but that location fills up quickly.
I arrived at noon and the parking garage on Mary Street already filled up. Was lucky to find a parking spot at the visitor center (max. $16.00 a day), but don’t enter with an Extended Length van: you may not be able to leave.
The visitor center offered little or no options for the visiting dog owner, as pets are banned almost everywhere. I then reverted to my self-planned walking tour. Charleston is an example of how a city should be planned: cozy alleys, a church at every corner, small parks with benches, often situated around an old statue, stone walls, cemeteries, outside cafés, fountains and overused horse carriages.
A lesser-known attraction near the center of Charleston is The Gateway Walk; a pedestrian walkway along churches, cemeteries, alleys and gardens, covering a three city block area between Archdale Street and Church Street.
At Oyster Point, the land meets water, where sailboats and cruise ships fight for your attention from a seat in one of the seaside parks. I saw at least two marriage photo shoots taken place in this picturesque corner of South Carolina. Without a dog, I could have stayed a couple of days longer, but late afternoon I returned to my van and left for Savannah.
2016 Three City Tour
The Gateway Walk
“Through handwrought gates alluring paths lead on to pleasant places, where ghosts of long forgotten things have left elusive traces.”
Before I left, I strolled along part of The Gateway Walk; a semi-hidden area of walkways, stretched out over three city blocks. Construction was going on and that limited my access to only the first half. It’s a unique part of Charleston, meandering along churches, through cemeteries along shaded pathways, truly peaceful in an otherwise bustling little town.