If you’re visiting a place such as Charleston for the first time, or even if you’ve been here a hundred times, you may need some help finding your way around. America is a vast country and you do need to know where you are. For instance, Charleston is located in South Carolina. This will narrow things down for you. Always know the neighborhoods too because you can then visit them easily too.
This article aims to help provide some advice on where you can turn for some help in terms of navigating your way around a city like Charleston. It is general advice below, so you will also want to consult a Charleston Travel Guide if that is your chosen location. This will provide some specific locations to explore and how to get there.
Hotel Concierge
Many people do not know that the concierge at your hotel can provide directions and tour guides for their city. You can also inquire about public transportation in the area, as well as car rentals or tour packages.
Apart from a reception area that is manned 24/7, larger hotels can have dedicated concierge services to enhance customer service. They will advise you on the best places to visit and to eat at as all part of the service.
Tour Guides
If you find that a tour guide is helpful to have with you, many tour companies operate in Charleston. They can provide you with directions, tour packages, and even tour guides who will help you find your way around the city.
You may wish to navigate yourself if you like exploring because you have that sense of adventure. However, for peace of mind and sometimes a safer option, it can be better to have a guide. They will know the area well and ensure that you make the best use of time and do not enter into parts that are not advisable for the tourist to venture into.
The good thing about having a tour guide with you is that they can explain to you the history of a place without you having to find it out through your searches which all take time. Also, specific local knowledge can often tell you stories that are not a part of any textbook. There is nothing like a first-hand historical experience to appreciate a place all the more. Charleston is a very historic place and so one where a tour guide alongside you can be of particular benefit. Also, it can be great to walk around with a group all thinking of different questions to ask.
Online or Physical Maps
Technology has made it easier than ever to get directions when you are in an unfamiliar place. Online maps such as Google Maps or Apple Maps can help guide you around a place before you even land up there. It is a great way to be prepared and so save vacation time when you want to spend most of it being fascinated by what you see and enjoying yourself during the activities themselves.
If you want directions from one end of Charleston to the other you can, of course, consult a physical map. These should be available at the place, but if you want to play safe, look to source one first and study it in advance. It will give you the scale of a city such as Charleston and then show you the positions of the main sights that you will want to visit and photograph. You could mark on this type of map where you plan to go and even plot out the route. You may, however, find it easier to calculate distances using an online distance calculator.
Whichever option you choose, don’t forget to leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy the sights and sounds of beautiful and historic Charleston!
The good thing about Charleston is that it is one of those cities that is fairly easy to navigate. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern, making it simple to determine how to get from one place to another. There are also plenty of public transportation options available, including buses and taxis. This is all good to know and a reason to choose Charleston as the location for your next vacation.
