One of my absolute favorite things to do is travel and explore new places. If this is you and you also happen to have a disability, fear not! I'm starting a blog series filling you in on my experiences, tips, and what to expect the next time you take a trip.
A few weeks ago I was in Charleston, South Carolina for a wedding. This was my first time visiting downtown; it was GORGEOUS! The colorful architecture, Spanish moss, horse-drawn carriages, and palm trees were breathtaking. Some of you guys on Instagram messaged me saying you want to visit Charleston but are curious about the accessibility downtown. SO, here's the scoop:
Parking: We parked downtown at the Cumberland Street Garage. There was plenty of handicap parking, had an elevator, and bathrooms. The whole day was $18 and is really close to City Market and carriage rides, if you're interested in that.
Sidewalks: The sidewalks are rough. There's no sugarcoating it. Most old, historic towns are going to be like this. Definitely doable, but just keep an eye out for cracks and uneven pavement. At one point my front caster wheel got stuck in a crack and I flipped forward and about fell out of my chair! Yeah, I *almost* face planted on the streets of Charleston!! Luckily I caught myself with my hands and my brother was behind me and helped me back up. There were also a few cobblestone streets, which are SO cute but SO not accessible. Thankfully, there were sidewalks on these streets so I was still able to get through. I had my SmartDrive to help with the hills and had someone help me down the downhill areas.
Must-do:
Food: If there's only one thing you do in Charleston, it should involve eating! There are so many delicious restaurants, ice cream parlors, and bakeries to try! We ate at Hyman's Seafood for lunch, which was only a couple minutes from the parking garage. Unfortunately, we only had time to eat at one restaurant, but it was some of the best seafood I've ever had! They're best known for their seafood, hushpuppies, boiled peanuts, and mixed drinks. I ordered the fried flounder and shrimp with okra, but you honestly can't go wrong at this restaurant. Also, I am a sweet tea connoisseur, and I must say, Hyman's has some of the BEST and sweetest tea I've had! 10/10.
Sights:
City Market is really fun if you're into local art and handmade gifts. It's a historic market complex that dates back to the 1790s located in the heart of Charleston. The building stretches four blocks and is filled with vendors selling handmade baskets, homemade sweets, artwork, shoes, clothes, etc.
If you've heard of Charleston you've heard of Rainbow Row. It's located on East Bay Street. Definitely recommend either snapping a quick pic of the colorful row of buildings or having a whole photoshoot to help up your IG feed--you do you!
The last "touristy" attraction I recommend seeing is the famous Pineapple Fountain, which is located off of Vendue Range Road. The whole area is really pretty and right on the waterfront, which is good for taking pictures or strolling around. There's a little ramp going up to the fountain which is nice. However, parts of the area has brick sidewalks so just be prepared for that.
TIP: Make sure you PLAN out your day to avoid exhausting yourself going around in circles. We didn't do the best job of this and ended up wasting a lot of time and energy planning the day of. I suggest looking at a map and planning your route so you don't have to pass over the same janky sidewalk twice.
Overall, I'd give Charleston a 7/10 for accessibility. The worst I would say were the sidewalks, but like every obstacle you face, you'll adapt and conquer it. I really hope this helps you if you're planning a trip to Charleston!
Happy travels:)
-Emma
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