Logistics

ARRIVAL: SEA

Alas, the grand age of sail is over, but if you live anywhere near the Atlantic Seaboard you may be able to hitch a ride to Charleston (docking at the City Marina) on one of the many vessels sailing up and down the Intercostal Waterway (more affectionately known as ICW or The Ditch). Just check the local marinas (NE or SE) for details. For a sea passage across the Atlantic there is always the option of an affordable passenger freighter cabin (if you're feeling bold). 

ARRIVAL: AIRPORT

The Charleston International Airport is served by most of the major airlines, including Alaska, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and US Airways, which operate direct flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas-Forth Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Indianopolis, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Seattle, and Washington D.C. The airport is about 13 miles or 20 minutes from downtown Charleston and the College campus. A taxi from the airport to campus will cost about $33. The shuttle rate for downtown Charleston is about $14 per passenger with departures every 15 minutes. Check out also car rentals and metro area rates for Lyft and Uber.

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. We recommend either the Wentworth Garage (at 12 St Phillips Street) or the St Phillips St. Parking Garage. Please note that there is no long term street parking. Charleston is a walkable city, and it is unlikely you will need your car to get around unless you plan on leaving the peninsula. For the bicycle enthusiast, Holy Spokes, Charleston's bike share system, has numerous locations across the peninsula, including several on and near the campus. For long-term bike rentals we recommend Affordabike. The DASH trolley is another easy way to get around downtown Charleston (see a map of the downtown). 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 Joe E. Berry Hall at the rate of $72 per 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. You may also find homes in Charleston on Airbnb. 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.

MEAL PLANS AND DINING OUT

To help you live within the stipend budget, we recommend the following places, all within a short walking distance: Caviar & Bananas (gourmet market and café), Kudu Café (sandwiches, pastries), Circe's Grotto (sandwiches), Café Framboise (quiche, crêpes, croque monsieur, salads), Basic Kitchen (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Mellow Mushroom (pizza, soups, and sandwiches), Myth Cafe (breakfast, sandwiches, soup & salad), Beech (raw foods, salads), Five Loaves Café (lunch and dinner), and Marty's Place (kosher, vegan, vegetarian meals). Dining in Charleston can be an unforgettable experience, but it can also put a dent in your budget. The city boasts literally hundreds of restaurants from which to choose, many of them award-winning (read more). For those who wish to sample à la carte dining, 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 dining guide: Charleston Bon Appétit, Charleston Dining Guides, Fodor’s Charleston Restaurants.

LIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORES

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, founded in 1748, and one of the oldest libraries in the country. The Library paved the way for the founding of the College of Charleston in 1770 and provided the core collection of natural history artifacts for the founding of the Charleston Museum (the first in America) in 1773. 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.