Logistics & More
Arrivals | Parking | Housing | Dining Out | Bookstores & Libraries | Museums & Art Galleries | Antebellum Charleston
Arrival: Airport
The Charleston International Airport is served by some of the major airlines, including American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Southwest, United, and US Airways, which operate direct flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Forth Worth, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The airport is about 12 miles or 20 min from downtown Charleston and the College campus. A taxi from the airport to campus will cost about $25. The shuttle rate for downtown Charleston is about $12/passenger with departures every 15min. For those interested in renting cars, there are six different rental companies at the airport.
Arrival: Train
Charleston is served by Amtrak - Silver Service / Palmetto, with daily services between New York City and Miami. The Amtrak Station is located in North Charleston and a short taxi ride to downtown. South bound trains arrive daily at 5:06 a.m. and 7:15 p.m., and north bound at 10:00 a.m. and 9:23 p.m.
Driving to Charleston: Parking
If you plan on driving to Charleston, long term parking on or near campus is plentiful. Please note that there is no long term street parking. Charleston is a walkable city and it’s unlikely you will need your car to get around unless you plan on leaving the peninsula. The DASH trolley is the easiest way to get around downtown Charleston. Here’s a map of the downtown area covered by the shuttle. The Charleston Metro area is served by the CARTA Transit System.
Housing: On and Off Campus
Optional on-campus housing will be available to all institute participants at the Liberty Street Residence Hall at the rate of $38/night. You will have private rooms in a suite of two rooms (see map of the suite floorplans and included amenities). Arrangements have been made to have one person only per suite, to guarantee private bathroom access. Rooms are generally equipped with twin beds, desks, dressers, closets, a small refrigerator and local telephone dialing capability. Please note that this is DORM housing and may not be the most luxurious accommodation. For those considering off campus accommodation Charleston has a large collection of charming inns and heritage hotels. Check the Charleston Hotel Guide and Downtown Charleston Hotels for listings. As students and families leave during the summer, it may be possible to find short-term housing options at good prices. For listings check rentcharleston.com.
Dining Out
Dining in Charleston can be an unforgettable experience, but it can also put a dent in your budget. The city boast literally hundreds of restaurants from which to choose, many of them award-winning (read more). To help you live within the stipend budget, we recommend the following places, all within a short walking distance: Bull Street (gourmet & market), Caviar & Bananas (gourmet market and café), Kudu Café (sandwiches, pastries), Yo Burrito (Mexican grill), Mellow Mushroom (pizza, soups, and sandwiches), Leaf Café and Five Loaves Café (full lunch and dinner menu). For those who wish to sample à la carte dinning, remember that Charleston is rife with highly trained, world-class chefs who seek to show off their skills in all areas of cuisine. Check the following dinning guide: Charleston Dining Guides and Fodor’s Charleston Restaurants.
Bookstores & Libraries
The main research library that will be available to faculty and participants is the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library, which is a short stroll across Rivers Green from Blacklock House, the venue for the Institute. The library is currently open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Library enthusiasts might want to visit the Charleston Library Society which has an original, handwritten edition of John Locke's Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina. For a wonderful collection of used, rare, and local books head to Blue Bicycle Books at 420 King Street. The College of Charleston Bookstore at 160 Calhoun Street is run by Barnes & Noble. For an extensive listing of bookstores specializing in philosophy check Biblio.com.
Museums & Art Galleries
Charleston is a premier art colony with well over 30 art galleries in the French Quarter alone (check the French Quarter Gallery Association at 119-A Church Street). The Gibbes Museum of Art contains some representative American artists with connections to Charleston. The Charleston Renaissance Gallery is the nation’s premier dealer in fine art of the American South. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College also has regular exhibits.
Antebellum Charleston
Charleston, which is sometimes referred as America's best preserved city, offers an impressive architectural array, particularly in the historic district. The Historic Charleston Foundation owns several representative antebellum mansions, which are open to visitors. For an excellent collection of all things Charleston head to the Preservation Society of Charleston bookstore at 147 King Street.
