843-793-1234
Your Guide to the Lowcountry
Are you ready to experience Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice #1 City?
Charleston is a consistent hit with the travelers and has been rated as the friendliest city. Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in America and features gorgeous Southern-style homes, beautiful parks, and a historic waterfront area. Known as the "Holy City", for its long tolerance for religions of all types, Charleston is the state's most beautiful and historic treasure. The second oldest city in the United States, Charleston is home to the best beaches in the area, and has some of the best attractions along the Atlantic seaboard.
* All photography on this page courtesy of Traveling Ink.
Palmetto Carriage Tours
Guests receive a fantastic overview of the history and beauty of Charleston, SC as they tour approximately 30 blocks of the downtown historic and residential areas of town. A tour guide certified with the city gives the history and background of public buildings, churches, homes and plant-life as they pass. Palmetto Carriage is the oldest, largest and most experienced carriage tour company in Charleston
and offers tours daily starting at 9:00am. Tours depart from the Palmetto Barn at 8 Guignard Street, a half block north of the
Charleston Market, and last about an hour. Complimentary parking is available at 22 Anson Street, Charleston 29401.
For more information on carriage tours and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../palmetto-carriage-tours
Carriage Tour Coupon:
travelingink.com/index.php/carriage-tour-coupons
Address: 8 Guignard Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 723-8145
Historic Walking Tours
Walking tours are great options for guests who want a more in-depth look at the history of Charleston, SC. Guests can chose from a Historic Charleston (general history) Tour, a Historic Homes and Architecture Tour, Charleston and the Civil War, or a Slave History Tour. Tours take approximately two hours to complete and include entrance into a historic building such as the Old Powder Magazine, Slave History Museum, or Edmondston-Alston House depending on the tour. Advanced reservation are highly recommended and can be made online or via phone. Palmetto walking tours depart from the Big Red Barn at 8 Guignard Street.
For more information on walking tours and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../charleston-tours-travel
Online Promo Code: traveling
Address: 8 Guignard Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 723-8145
Guests who love the water and want a unique Charleston experience will likely enjoy a sail aboard the Schooner Pride Tall Ship. The vessel was constructed to mimic the design of an 18th Century trading ship that would have graced Charleston’s harbor years ago. Guests may chose from an afternoon dolphin sail, sunset sail, or moonlight sail. The ship sails with the day’s prevailing winds, so each experience on the Pride is distinct. Guests may purchase beverages on board and are allowed to bring picnic lunches or snacks with them if they like. Reservations on the tall ship are highly recommended as seats aboard often sell out during the busy season.
For more information on the Schooner Pride and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../schooner-pride-tall-ship
Discount: Guests are eligible for a 10% discount if they mention they found the Schooner Pride via Traveling Ink when calling to book a reservation. For booking online, use coupon code, travelingink
Aquarium Wharf, 360 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-1112
Charleston Harbor Tours Daily Tour provides guests a relaxed tour along the Charleston Harbor. Guests can put their feet up or walk the deck of the double decker Carolina Belle as she passes Waterfront Park, the Battery, Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, and other notable sites. A historical narrative is given as guests pass points of interest and dolphins are frequently seen along the way. Guests should call to check tour times as they change seasonally for this 90-minute tour. Tours depart from 10 Wharfside Street, and parking is complimentary for Charleston Harbor Tour’s guests.
For more information on harbor tours and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../charleston-harbor-tours
Charleston Harbor Tours Coupon code:
travelingink
10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 722-1112
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Magnolia is America’s oldest romantic style garden and the Carolinas’ oldest tourist attraction. The design of the garden encourages guests to forget about the stress of the outside world and be enveloped by the beauty of the garden. There is something blooming year-round at Magnolia, so guests are always sure to find beautiful flowers as well as lush greenery. The plantation houses a petting zoo which children and animals lovers of any age seem to enjoy very much. Guests may also chose to tour the plantation home, Audubon Swamp garden, or Slavery to Freedom exhibit while onsite.
For more information on Magnolia Gardens and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../magnolia-plantation
Magnolia Plantation Coupon:
travelingink.com/.../magnolia-plantation-coupon
3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston SC 29414
(843) 571-1266
​The Charleston Tea Plantation is America’s only tea garden. Home to American Classic Tea, the grounds boast 125 acres of Camelia Sinensis tea plants on Wadmalaw Island. Entrance to the grounds are free of charge, and guests may purchase a trolley tour of the plantation for a very reasonable ticket price. Guests are also encouraged to bring the family for a picnic lunch on the grounds if they like.
For more information on the tea plantation, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../charleston-tea-plantation
6617 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
(843) 559-0383
​Visitors to the South Carolina Aquarium will find a plethora of interesting aquatic life. The aquarium is home to everything from sea turtles, to sharks, to a unique albino alligator. The aquarium itself has a beautiful view of the water over Charleston Harbor, and special exhibits rotate through the facility on a regular basis. The SC Aquarium is a great place for families to have fun while learning about a variety of wildlife. It is also a great indoor option during inclement weather.
For more information on the aquarium and available discounted tickets, visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../south-carolina-aquarium
Discounted tickets:
Guests may purchase discounted aquarium tickets in advance by calling Traveling Ink at 843-633-1338.
100 Aquarium Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 720-1990
Outdoor Activities
Coastal Expeditions Kayak Tours
Guests may take advantage of kayak tours with Coastal Expeditions at a variety of Lowcountry locations including Shem Creek, Folly Creek, and the Isle of Palms. Coastal offers guests a variety of half or full day tours lead by experienced tour guides well versed in the natural surroundings and history of the area. Guests who are particularly interested in seeing wildlife may prefer the Shem Creek location at low tide, though each location has something unique to offer. Equipment is included for each of Coastal Expedition’s Tours.
For more information on kayak tours and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:
travelingink.com/.../kayak-tours
Discount: Guests who mention they found Coastal Expeditions via Traveling Ink when calling to book a tour
are eligible for a discount.
Guests who book online will also be eligible for a discount when using the Online Promo Code: Traveling
514-B Mill Street, Mount Pleasant SC 29464
(843) 884-7684
Odyssey Stand-Up Paddle Rentals and Eco Tours
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Guests will enjoy an hour long Eco Tour of the Shem Creek area via Stand Up Paddle board with a guide from Odyssey Surf Shop. Smaller watercraft such as SUPs are often so quiet that mammals and birds in the immediate area will stay where they are, unaffected by visitors paddling by. For guests already familiar with Stand Up Paddle boarding, rentals are also available at Odyssey’s shop.
For more information on Stand Up Paddle boarding and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at:www.travelingink.com/stand-up-paddle-tours
Stand Up Paddle Discount Coupon:
travelingink.com/.../odyssey-board-shop-coupon
217 Lucas Street, Suite M, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-5282
Charleston Surf Lessons provides guests with top-notch surf instruction near the beautiful Folly Beach Pier. Guests will enjoy 10-15 minutes of land instruction and safety tips, and approximately one hour out on the water riding the waves. The instructors at Charleston Surf Lessons have simplified the “pop-up” technique on a surfboard to make it much easier for first timers to get up and riding. Soft-top boards and leashes are included and provide extra safety in the water. Guests may reserve a time for their lesson by calling (843) 452-5293.
For more information on surfing lessons and available discounts, guests can visit Traveling Ink at: travelingink.com
Discount: Guests who mention they found Charleston Surf Lessons via Traveling Ink will be eligible for a discount.
On the sand in front of the Tides Hotel
(1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439)
(843) 452-5293
Area Beaches
The Charleston community is surrounded by popular local beaches from Kiawah, to Folly Beach, to the Isle of Palms. They are all slightly different, but each is beautiful and a great addition to any guest’s stay in the Lowcountry.
Information on popular events at each beach area, along with the weather forecast, and wave report can be found here: travelingink.com