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Charleston, SC

Charleston Sports and RecreationWhile recreational facilities within the historic district of Charleston are limited, the surrounding area offers ample choices for the outdoors enthusiast. Nearby state and county parks and the Francis Marion National Forest provide a variety of activities such as picnicking, boating and hiking and are only a few minutes' to an hour's drive away. Camping is permitted at Francis Marion National Forest, Givhans Ferry and Edisto Beach state parks, and James Island County Park .

The barrier islands that line the coast are the focus of much of Charleston's recreational activity. Once favored as a summer retreat from the threat of yellow fever, many of these islands now sport major resorts. Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, east of Charleston, and Edisto Island, Folly Island and Kiawah Island, south of the city, all have fine beaches for swimming, sailing and surfing.

The area is popular for both freshwater and saltwater fishing as well as crabbing. Some of the best fishing is in estuarine creeks. Surf fishing is permitted on many beaches. For information about fishing regulations contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries office; phone (803) 734-3886.

Golf can be played at a number of 18-hole courses: Charleston Municipal Golf Course, (843) 795-6517, and Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club, (843) 212-7316, in Charleston; Turtle Point Golf Course, (800) 576-1570, on Kiawah Island; Patriots Point Links, (843) 881-0042, in Mount Pleasant; and Wild Dunes, (843) 886-2164, on Isle of Palms.

Baseball fans can watch the New York Yankees' minor league team, the Charleston RiverDogs, in action at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, 360 Fishburne St.; phone (843) 577-3647. Charleston also is home to the Charleston Battery soccer team, a USL PRO team that plays at MUSC Health Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Dr.; phone (843) 971-4625.

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For a quiet stroll in an urban setting, Charleston has several city parks, including White Point Garden on The Battery, Waterfront Park along the Cooper River, and Colonial Lake at Broad and Rutledge streets. Many of the parks have trails for bicycling. Rentals are available at The Bicycle Shoppe at 280 Meeting St.; phone (843) 722-8168.

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Charleston, SC

Top AAA Diamond Hotels

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2470 Prospect St. North Charleston, SC 29406

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Hyatt Place North Charleston

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Travel Information

City Population

130,113

Elevation

10 ft.

Sales Tax

The 9 percent sales tax rate in Charleston consists of 6 percent South Carolina state sales tax, 1 percent Charleston tax and 2 percent special tax. There is no applicable county tax. There is an admissions tax of 5 percent on most amusements and a 2 percent accommodations tax.

Emergency

911

Police (non-emergency)

(843) 577-7434

Hospitals

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, (843) 402-1000; MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina), (843) 792-2300; and Roper Hospital, (843) 724-2000.

Air Travel

Most major airlines serve

Rental Cars

Hertz, (843) 767-4554 or (800) 654-3131, is at the airport and offers discounts to AAA members.

Rail Service

The Amtrak train station, (800) 872-7245, is at 4565 Gaynor Ave. in North Charleston.

Buses

Service is provided by Southeastern Stages and Greyhound Lines Inc., (843) 744-4247 or (800) 231-2222, at 4565 Gaynor Ave.

Taxis

Cab companies include Safety Cab, (843) 722-4066; and Yellow Cab, (843) 577-6565. The fare is $5 for all trips that pick up and drop off on the peninsula. A $2 surcharge is added for each additional passenger. Outside of the peninsula, the fare for the first 2 miles is $4 and 35c for each succeeding one-fifth mile. A $1 surcharge is added for each additional passenger. Cabs must be ordered by phone.

Public Transportation

Bus service is provided by Charleston Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA); phone (843) 724-7420 for information about routes and schedules.

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