My wife and I are going to Charleston in November for our 5-year anniversary, and we're trying to do some pre-trip planning. We haven't been there before so we’re really looking forward to the trip. I've read as many posts as I can find, especially the trip reports by GoTravel and others, and that's given us some excellent information already.

We'll be there for four days, from Thursday through Sunday, staying at the Renaissance. We like good food and drink, but neither of us goes in for anything too formal or fancy. Which restaurants are upscale casual? We're going to be on vacation - we don't want to have to dress up just to go to dinner.

In addition, we're also putting together a list of activities. We may not get to all of them, but at least we can have an idea of what's available to us. A carriage ride is a must of course, probably a walking tour, check out the pier, and go to one of the plantations. I want to see the Yorktown, but my wife is somewhat claustrophobic, so we'll see - I may have to do that one alone while she goes shopping. We've also talked about going out on a boat tour. Let's see, what else - oh yes, I'm sure we'll go up to one of the rooftop bars (probably the Market Pavilion) to have a pre-dinner cocktail.

Am I missing anything? I know we'll have to pick and choose - there's no point in trying to cram so much into the trip that we stop having fun. How about timing - are any of the activities better to do on a weekday rather than the weekend? Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated!

Magnolia's has a nice atmosphere and good food. The Peninsula is a bit more dressy than you seem to want, but it would be my choice for the special meal. 39 Rue de Jean is another option. Happy anniversary.

Here are some more thoughts:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34773403

You've made a good choice.

You mentioned a possible plantation visit. You can go to Boone Hall plantation in Mt. Pleasant and drive to the beaches on Sullivans Island or Isle of Palms. Or, you can visit Magnolia, Middleton plantations in West Ashley, and drive to Folly beach. Also, a walk or run across the new bridge between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant is fun.
My hubby and I were married in CHS, and will be returning for our 5 year anniversary in August. We can't wait.
Congratulations!!

Hi Athenian, I don't know what the weather will be like in November as I live in California but I can honestly say I can't think of a more beautiful city or fun place with a very relaxed feeling to it than Charleston. I was there for the first time Spring 05 and fell in love with with this lovely city and its residents.

A restaurant that you can certainly be casually dressed to go to but IMO has wonderful food and service is SNOB. And GoTravel's thread is what we used to more or less plan our trip.

Early 5th Happy Anniversary and have fun planning your special time together.

A half a block from your hotel is a casual - and amazing restaurant called Jestine's Kitchen. I never miss it when I'm in Charleston. Don't let the lowkey diner atmosphere fool you ... in the summertime, there is a line down the block at lunch time! It's authentic Southern Cooking ... fried food and okra and black eyed peas and sweet tea.

A food & beverage director at an upscale hotel first told me about it ... go for lunch or dinner ... but don't miss it.

And at the other end of your street is a place called Sennet's - nothing fancy but a slightly offbeat menu and good food ... nice bar.

If you like Thai food, Basil ... on King on the other side of the park (a bit of a walk but if the weather is nice, go for it) is fantastic ... no reservations but worth checking out. There's a little more casual Thai restaurant on King closer to the hotel called Little Thai Too.

And there is one good place after another on Bay Street - great brunch at High Cotton. Magnolia and Blossom always a treat.

Love Charleston ... enjoy!

You're in for a real treat visiting Charleston. I lived there for a little under a year and can easily see living there in the future. Anyway, one restaurant that I definitely recommend if it is still open is Hominy Grill. It's located in a quiet residential area near downtown Charleston. The atmosphere is traditional-classy, but there is no dress code (most places in Charleston are very relaxed about that, I've found). The menu consists mainly of traditional low-country cuisine, such as shrimp and grits.

Definitely take your walking shoes with you, because you can walk fairly easily all over downtown and the surrounding residential areas. That way you can check out all of the little sunlit alleys and quaint gardens that catch your eye, but may not halt a carriage. The Battery and Waterfront Park are tranquil spots that host fine views of the harbor. The neighborhoods adjacent to those two places are elegant, yet cozy and dreamy.

In any event, you might consider spending at least one day checking out the downtown area.

Thanks everyone for the input, and especially the congrats. This is going a be a fun trip!

dcd, I hadn't seen your post before, thanks for the link! Like you, we'll be gone for 4 days, but luckily travel time won't be such an issue. We're out of Athens, GA, which is a great little city in it's own right, so we're fairly close as those things go. I understand the drive isn't too bad, around 4 1/2 hours or so. If we're able to to leave in the morning as planned, we'll have most of Thursday to get acquainted and look around - that gives us all day Friday and Saturday for more organized pursuits.

cmcfong, I appreciate the comment about the Peninsula Grill - that's the kind of thing I wanted to know. The trip is taking place after our actual anniversary, so I'm not sure whether we'll feel the need to celebrate with a special dinner or not - to us the whole trip is special! We'll definitely check out Magnolia's though, that sounds like our kind of place.

tamjam, you make a good point about seeing the plantations and the beach at the same time. My guess is it will probably be too cold to actually get in the water, but I'm sure we'll want to walk along the sand, even if it's just for a short ways.

LoveItaly and terryb, thanks for the input on restaurants. I've heard a lot about SNOB and wondered if it was overly formal, I'm glad to know we can dress casually and still fit in. As for the real Southern style places, we may go to one of those places for lunch, but will probably go elsewhere for dinner.

allanbot, thanks for mentioning Hominy Grill - classy is good, I just want to stay away from "stuffy formal". Also, thanks for the tip about walking - There's no question that we'll be getting around on foot to see downtown.

I appreciate the responses!

We went to Hank's Restaurant for our anniversary while in Charleston, and casually mentioned this fact to our server. The dessert cook spelled out "Happy 19th Anniversary" in chocolate on our dessert plate.

Good food, great prices, casual setting. Recommend this place highly.

I second the recommendation for Jestine's Kitchen. My wife's favorite in Charleston. I also would indeed make SNOB one of the dinner stops. It is also good for lunch too.

I have a couple of travelogues on Charleston (with lots of photos) at www.oneeyed.homestead.com. You might get some activity ideas from there. I have visited at least 75% of the major sites around there (including all but one house tour and all major plantations). I like your ideas so far. Definitely include a morning or evening stroll through Waterfront Park as someone else suggested.

I go there all the time with my wife, and here are some great food choices...High Cotton, on meeting st, is awesome with a huge A. Peninsula Grill is great, but somewhat country clubbish in atmosphere. Blossom Cafe is great, also on Meeting. Hanks is good for seafood, but can be hit or miss. Also think Fulton 5 is very intimate but casual on Fulton St. A great new lunch place with about 8 tables just opened up near the college called Panne Vino...its Tuscan and they also do dinner...Great for a glass of wine and a late lunch or quite dinner. Take a cab or get direction to Hominy Grill for breakfast, its right there with Jestines in terms of local flavor, and the menu is a bit more eclectic although both are great.

We also liked Coast, an alley seafood restaurant, its kind of large inside but has an island feel and the fish was very fresh....

I would do a day trip out to Kiawah for sure, it is worth seeing, lunch at the Sanctuary outside on beach, then maybe hit the beach, or vice versa. The island is a nature preserve basically.

And I agree with previous posters on you being in for a treat. Its probably the most European feeling city in America, particularly the historic area.

The rooftop at the Vendue is also a good place for a casual drink as well.

Cintra has good martinis and is new.

Keep in mind that there are not any restaurants in Charleston that you cannot eat in dressed casually. It is just too hot to dress up too much.

Even Penninsula Grille and golf shirt and khakis for men is fine. As women, we generally look good in anything.

Agree with all the recommendations you've been given:

Jestine's
SNOB
Hank's
Penninsula Grille
Hominy Grill
High Cotton.

Don't miss Poogan's Porch for brunch on Saturday and Jestine's Kitchen for Sunday Brunch.

Do not miss the rooftop of the Vendue Inn for drinks. Go to the top deck (there are two floors to the roof) for great breezes and views.

Go to the rooftop of the Market Pavillion for the same.

Have a fantastic time! You'll love Charleston!

PS Walk down Wentworth (your hotel is on Wentworth) and cross over Meeting Street and walk down a block or two and eat pizza at Andolini's Pizza. A large pie and a pitcher of beer will set you back less than $20 including tip. Big CoC hangout.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I can already tell that there won't be enough time for everything. There is simply way too much to do and see, and too many choices of good restaurants to cover it all in just a couple of days.

Last time I was there I saw a couple in a private carriage for 2 taking a ride at night. It looked very romantic, with lanterns on the carriage. Might be a good surprise for an anniversary.

My favorite thing to do in Charleston is just walk. There is so much to see, and it is (in my opinion) one of the prettiest cities I have been to. Also, don't miss the market...fun to walk around and see what they are selling. Have fun!