{"id":56345,"date":"2017-03-20T23:30:14","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T23:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/03\/20\/charleston-calling-5-things-to-know-before-you-go\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:08:00","slug":"charleston-calling-5-things-to-know-before-you-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/off-duty\/2017\/03\/20\/charleston-calling-5-things-to-know-before-you-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Charleston calling: 5 things to know before you go"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Long recognized as a prime tourist destination for those eager to blend top-tier food, unique pieces of history and small-city Southern charm, Charleston has plenty to offer eager travelers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But generally left off the “must-do” and “must-see” lists are some of the residents in the surrounding area: About 23,000 or so service members and civilians who make up the Joint Base Charleston community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re soon to join their ranks, are already stationed in South Carolina or are just looking for some travel guidance of your own, Military Times offers these five suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TOURISTS AT THE TABLE<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charleston owns the top spot in Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler’s reader’s choice contest for small cities, claiming it six years straight. And when CNT put out a list of 25 things to do in the city<\/a>, it didn’t have dieters in mind \u2013 more than half involved food or drinks. <\/p>\n\n\n

<\/atype-video-jwplayer>
Where military mobility meets colonial charm \u2014 this is Charleston, South Carolina.\r\nIt was one of the largest Colonial cities.\r\nThe first shots of the Civil War were fired in Charleston.\r\nThe city is best known for its architectural variety.\r\nIt has a large military community and is the home of Joint Base Charleston.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

That list, and lists submitted by Military Times readers, have two things in common. First, the area specialties veer toward fresh seafood, brunch items like specialty pancakes, and Southern staples such as chicken and waffles. Second, don’t forget your wallet: Aside from the food types above, the most common word in reader-submitted reviews was “pricey.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know: <\/b>Can’t decide what to eat? Want some options, or don’t want to worry about reservations? Consider the Charleston Farmers Market<\/a>\u00a0in Marion Square \u2013 open Saturdays, with multiple local vendors featuring made-to-order meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO TAKE AIM<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sportsmen making a new home at Joint Base Charleston can get state licenses and permits to hunt and fish on installation property. Naval Support Activity Charleston offers about 10,000 acres of forest and wetlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Military members living in South Carolina qualify for resident hunting and fishing licenses. Get more details and up-to-date rates at the base’s outdoors recreation centers; bring a valid military\/Defense Department ID, a driver’s license and your Social Security number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Base permits require a license, completion of a hunter safety course and “approved firearm registration,” according to base officials, before you can head out after deer and wild turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know: <\/b>Live in South Carolina but home on leave? Per the state’s Department of Natural Resources website, you can hunt or fish without a license \u2013 just present a leave and earnings statement. You’ll need permits for certain big game, migratory birds and hunts in wildlife management areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online: <\/b> www.dnr.sc.gov\/licenses\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ITT NECESSITY<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever you’re doing downtown or nearby, there’s a good chance Joint Base Charleston’s information, tickets and travel office will help you do it cheaper. Discounts are available on a variety of tours, sporting events, plantations, amusement parks, historic sites, even tourist must-dos like carriage rides and the South Carolina Aquarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know: <\/b>Some of these deals may match or beat the posted prices at the city’s historical attractions (see details, Page 36)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online: <\/b> www.jbcharleston.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A BIG, BIG BRIDGE RUN<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge spans the Cooper River, stands more than 570 feet high and covers more than 13,200 feet from downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. It’s the largest cable-stayed bridge in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And on April 1, you and several thousand of your closest friends can run across it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual Cooper Bridge Run began in 1978, easily outdating the Ravenel span, which opened in 2005. It’s one of the largest 10-kilometer races in the U.S., supports numerous local and national charities, and features a military presence \u2013 runners from Joint Base Charleston and ROTC units from The Citadel are regulars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know: <\/b>Oprah Winfrey entered the race in 1994 under an assumed name, according to an official race history. She finished 3,839th out of 7,355 official finishers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online: <\/b>Registration information and more at www.bridgerun.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRIP WITHIN A TRIP<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s a road trip without the road? If you’ve already sampled Charleston’s sites and want more regional flavor, head south to see: <\/p>\n\n\n\n