Are You a Good Tourist or a Bad Tourist?

It’s tourist season in Charleston and the fanny packs and Ohio State shirts are out in full swing. I was inspired by Twenty-Something Travel‘s tips on how to be a good tourist in Washington DC. I know Charleston has a lot of quirks, but here are my tips on how to stay on the “friendliest” city’s good side:

1. Blocking sidewalks is one of the hugest pet peeves for locals. I know there are a lot of pretty things to look at on King Street, but for those of us with somewhere to go, you’re causing an inconvenience. If you’re stopping to look at your map, you’re better off asking a local for directions. We will tell you with a smile, I promise.
2. One way streets are the bane of both locals’ and tourists’ existences. They come out of nowhere and when you’re lost, you can’t just make a square and get back to the same spot. Charleston is laid out as a grid that tilts at the end of the peninsula, but they make it hard to navigate. Pay attention to the signs.
3. Horse tours are the most obvious way to say you’re a tourist. And who wants to sit behind a smelly horse on a sweltering August afternoon with the tour guide, decked out in Civil War gear, telling you the history of the city? If you want to learn about the city, either buy a guidebook beforehand (or buy my eBook), take one of the CitySlicker iPhone or iPod Touch tours, or just wander. It’s not that big of a city, so you can explore how the locals do.
4. The kids out front of the Meeting Street establishment will tell you it’s where the locals eat, but Hyman’s Seafood was made just for the tourists. And wearing your Hyman’s sticker is the surefire way to pick out a tourist. I’ve never seen them actually give out food for wearing the stickers. It’s just a way to tell other tourists where to eat.
5. Sticking only to the guidebook dining suggestions is no way to get a real feel for the city’s cuisine. They will send you to Hyman’s, Jestine’s Kitchen (delicious, but also touristy), Hominy Grill and the like. So do yourself a favor. Get off King Street. Get away from the Market. If you’re feeling really risky, head off the peninsula. Try places like Bowen’s Island (I know, I’m obsessed), Al di La, EVO and D’Alessandro’s.

And if you, like me, are planning a trip to Australia, check out Nomadic Matt’s tips on saving up for a trip to Oz.