Charleston, South Carolina, has long appealed to tourists, thanks to its rich history, beautiful gardens and architecture and A+ food and shopping scenes. Still, the popularity of shows like Southern Charm and a large lifestyle influencer presence in the city have boosted its profile in recent years.

If you find yourself planning a trip to Chucktown, take heed there are many common mistakes visitors tend to make during their stays, and locals have certainly taken note. We asked people who live in the port city to share some of the faux pas theyve observed.

From shoe choices to timing issues, here are 10 mistakes tourists often make while visiting Charleston and some advice for avoiding these errors during your travels.

Wearing The Wrong Shoes

The biggest mistake I have seen tourists make when visiting Charleston is not bringing comfortable walking shoes. When in Charleston, you will be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must! Molly McGrew, blogger at Gracefully Gingham

Dont wear stilettos. Our streets are old and made of cobblestone. If you wear stilettos downtown, you are bound to get stuck and lose a heel. And bring a pair of rain boots. Charleston is just barely 20 feet above sea level, and it floods often. When high tide and a rainstorm coincide, youll be wading through water downtown. Jaime Huffman, blogger at Charleston Blonde

Going To The Beach Too Late

Dont show up late to the beach. Traffic is terrible getting to the beaches during the summer. You definitely want to get there early if you dont want to spend hours in traffic and finding parking. Kelsey Hill , blogger at Chasing Cinderella

Not Making Dinner Reservations

When visiting Charleston, tourists almost always want to eat at some of the most popular restaurants. Most of these restaurants require reservations and fill up weeks (if not months) in advance. So I recommend planning out your dinners well before your trip! Hill

The first thing that comes to mind is to plan ahead! I think so many people arrive to town and expect to be able to just walk into a restaurant, or only have to wait for an hour or so. These days, Charleston has so many visitors that restaurants are often fully committed for the night, even on a random Tuesday. Even locals have to plan ahead and make reservations now! Megan Pinckney Rutherford, blogger at Shades of Pinck