ComfyShoes

Hi guys,

I had posted a similar post with the same title but per Katy H, it appears it has disappeared into ether thanks to the switchover from CNN-to-Bloomberg's-you-need-ALL-the-information! format. So, basically I am starting from zero as I obviously didn't keep taking notes! So sorry. Can you guys post your many (good) suggestions again? And soon! as I leave sunday morning.

Below is a rough itinerary that I cobbled together from couple guides. Be forewarned that thanks to my busy business schedule, I simply haven't had time to check for distances and locations etc. Any and all comments are welcome:

Day 1: Near Myrtle Beach

Nascar speedpark
Ripley’s aquarium
Brookgreen gardens
Dinner at Murrells inlet

Questions: Can you suggest a place for a lunch and a dinner?? Does the rest of it look okay?

Day 2: Charleston

Carriage ride to see historic sights
Visit Fort Sumter
Visit Broad street
Visit dungeons (old exchange)
Visit Confederecy home
Visit Magnolia garden

Questions: Can you suggest a place for a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner?? Does the rest of it look okay? Any suggestions so far as carriage rides?

Day 3: Charleston

Breakfast somewhere
Visit Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island
Visit Middleton Place Plantation
Lunch somewhere
Visit graffiti murals off of Folly Road
Dinner somewhere
Visit Lowcountry Artists Ltd
Visit Handpicked King Street

Questions: Can you suggest a place for a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner?? Does the rest of it look okay or do I need to tweak it further?

Day 4: Charleston

Breakfast
Visit Beaufort, SC
Lunch
Visit waterfront gallery
Visit Mountain to the Sea Collection
Visit Boone Hall Plantation
Dinner

Questions: Can you suggest a place for a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner?? Does the rest of it look okay or do I need to tweak it further?

Day 5: Charleston

Charleston Museum
Visit the battery
What historic homes to visit?
Browse French quarter art galaries
Snob restaurant for dinner?
Visit Affordables afterwards

Questions: Can you suggest a place for a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner?? Does the rest of it look okay? What historic homes to visit?

Day 6: What to do in Myrtle Beach??

Not much... (intentional)
Fly home at 8 pm

Thanks a bunch!

Oh great! So the new format doesn't let me preview the post! For all I know, you may see a whole para of Bold everywhere.

BetsyinKY

Wow! You have a lot of stuff planned. I think you can do it all, if you organize it according to area. If I had to omit something from your list, it would be the visit to Beaufort. Since you will only be in Charleston for 4 days, I think you will find plenty to fill your time between the downtown area and the surrounding plantations, especially if you want to travel out to Fort Moultrie and go out to Fort Sumter (which I definitely recommend). Just a heads up on a few things that will be unnecessary driving, since you said that you hadn't checked distances/locations...

On Day 3, Fort Moultrie and Middleton Place are on opposite sides of Charleston. If you also plan to go to Folly, a visit to Fort Moultrie is sort of out of the way. I think I would start off at Middleton and go from there, saving Fort Moultrie for a different day.

Day 4-Boone Hall and Beaufort don't really mix, driving-wise, because again they are opposite sides of Charleston. I might possibly pair a visit to Fort Moultrie, followed by lunch at Poe's Tavern, and then a visit to Boone Hall.

dsgmi

I agree with BetsyinKY about grouping things by location. Day 2 you list Magnolia Gardens, but it is right near Middleton Place. You could do those on the same day. We had a great lunch at Middleton, so you could do one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, plus you'd probably want to visit both during the day; I'd think you wouldn't get to Magnolia until evening if you went on Day 2. I'd call or email as Magnolia's regular hours don't start until March. Also, for the items for Day 2, Either do Ft. Sumpter first or last, but the carraige ride, Broad St, Old Exchange, and Lowcountry Artist LTD, etc are better off together. The carraige rides leave from Market Street which you could hit after you get back from Ft. Sumpter, then you could walk the six or so blocks to Broad Street. Move Magnolia to another day (see below). If you fit all of that in before dinner, you could visit any other galleries around East Bay and Mountains to the Sea, since it's near East Bay and Broad. You might be able to scoot over to King Street for Handpicked Jewelry. There are so many shops on King street, though, that you might decide that spending some time there is worth it.

On another day, instead of going all the way to Beaufort, if you went to see the murals on Folly Road, you could be adventurous and go to the Folly Beach Lighthouse and check out the classic beach town of Folly Beach or head over to Johns Island and see the Angel Oak (the branches stretch more than a football field) and grab lunch or dinner either at the Fat Hen or at The Mustard Seed, both on Maybank Highway. I've had really good meals at both and neither will break the bank. There's also a couple of BBQ places on Maybank, but I have not eaten at either one. You could then head back downtown to any of the particular shops that you didn't get to before, do further strolls around the historic district or visit one of the famous homes open for tours. Try to get into at least one historic church while you're there and check out the artisans making sweetgrass baskets. This part of the country is the only place to get them.

I'm not sure what the waterfront gallery is...unless you mean the waterfront park that runs parallel to East Bay. You could walk the whole stretch from the pier/Waterfront Park down to the battery in one stroll (you have to jog over a little at Concord Street to get to East Bay, then on down to the Battery). If you have time, meander down some of the side streets and alleys between the Battery and Broad St. making sure to peek through fences to see some of the spectacular gardens. There is supposed to be a Charleston tradition that if a gate is open, visitors are welcome. I've never been brave enough to try it! There's a cut through called Stoll's Alley off of East Bay that you would not think is really a public cut-through, but it is! A self-guided walking tour to carry along is worth rounding up. Here's one... http://www.locountry.com/charleston_walking_tour.html

Betsy's Day 4 comments are spot on.

I think with just rearranging some of your must-do's you will make the most of your time in Charleston. Have a fantastic trip!

ComfyShoes

Betsy and dsgmi, thanks so much!! Wonderful suggestions. I agree that I tend to cram too much into my itineraries but if we feel overwhelmed, we just tend to drop'em as the day progresses.

I think I have incorporated all the suggestions you have (I never realized Charleston has so many things to do/see!!). If you get around to it, see the updated itinerary below and tell me if it makes sense or not:

Day 1: Near Myrtle Beach
Nascar speedpark
Ripley’s aquarium
Brookgreen gardens
Dinner at Murrells inlet (any suggestions?)

Day 2: Charleston
Carriage ride to see historic sights
Visit Fort Sumter
Visit Broad street
Lunch: (any suggestions?)
Visit dungeons (old exchange)
Visit Lowcountry Artists Ltd
Visit Handpicked King Street
Other King Street shops

Day 3: Charleston
Breakfast(any suggestions?)
Do the walking tour http://www.locountry.com/charleston_walking_tour.html
Lunch (any suggestions?)
Visit Magnolia garden (call for regular hours)
Visit Middleton Place Plantation
Dinner @ The Mustard Seed on Maybank Highway.

Day 4: Charleston
Breakfast(any suggestions?)
Visit Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island
Lunch at Poe’s Tavern
Visit Boone Hall Plantation
Visit waterfront gallery
Visit Mountain to the Sea Collection
Dinner (any suggestions?)

Day 5: Charleston
Breakfast(any suggestions?)
Charleston Museum
Visit Confederecy home
Visit graffiti murals off of Folly Road
Folly Beach Lighthouse/classic beach town of Folly Beach or head over to Johns Island and see the Angel Oak lunch @ Fat Hen on Maybank Highway.
Lunch (any suggestions?)
Stroll in the historic district and see historic churches & check out the artisans making sweetgrass baskets
Visit affordables afterwards
Dinner: Snob restaurant

Day 6: What do in Myrtle Beach?
Not much… (intentional)
Fly home at 8 pm

fliegel

Day 5: Fat Hen doesn't do lunch (but brunch Sat/Sun). Mustard Seed does lunch. Breakfast: Joseph's on Meeting Street.

Day 4: Charleston Cafe (formerly Bookstore I think) or Boulevard Diner for breakfast. I don't think Ft. Moultrie takes up a whole morning -- do Boone Hall before lunch. Dinner: Magnolia

Day 3: You have a long day here. Fast breakfast on the go perhaps. Do Middleton first, have lunch there, then Magnolia. I'd swing by the graffiti on the way and have dinner at Fat Hen that night or Al Di La in West Ashley (both excellent).

Day 2: Lunch at Cru Cafe. It really doesn't matter which carriage ride you go with, each one is allotted a different route each time they go out, so you never know which of the areas you will be seeing.

ComfyShoes

Fliegel, Much appreciated. Here is perhaps a final version (can you tell I am paranoid about losing this thread too?!!).

Day 1: Near Myrtle Beach
Nascar speedpark
Ripley’s aquarium
Brookgreen gardens
Dinner at Murrells inlet (any suggestions?)

Day 2: Charleston
Carriage ride to see historic sights
Visit Fort Sumter
Visit Broad street
Lunch@ Cru Cafe
Do the walking tour http://www.locountry.com/charleston_walking_tour.html
IF ON THE WAY: Visit dungeons (old exchange); Visit Lowcountry Artists Ltd; Visit Handpicked King Street; Other King Street shops
Dinner @ The Mustard Seed on Maybank Highway.

Day 3: Charleston
Breakfast on the go!
Visit Middleton Place Plantation
Lunch @ Middleton
Visit Magnolia garden (call for regular hours) & then visit graffiti murals off of Folly Road
Dinner @ Fat Hen or Al Di La in West Ashley

Day 4: Charleston
Breakfast: Charleston Café (former Bookstore) or Boulevard Dinner
Visit Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island
Visit Boone Hall Plantation
Lunch at Poe’s Tavern
Visit waterfront gallery
Visit Mountain to the Sea Collection
Dinner : Magnolia

Day 5: Charleston
Breakfast: Joseph’s on meeting street
Charleston Museum
Visit Confederecy home
Folly Beach Lighthouse/classic beach town of Folly Beach or head over to Johns Island and see the Angel Oak lunch
Lunch: Mustard seed
Stroll in the historic district and see historic churches & check out the artisans making sweetgrass baskets
Visit affordables afterwards
Dinner: Snob restaurant

Day 6: What do in Myrtle Beach?
Not much… (intentional)
Fly home at 8 pm

fliegel

Day 2: You have Mustard Seed again -- no real need to go back over the bridge. Try Fast and French, specials every night, and decent bistro food. Thai Basil is excellent too. Were you the one who didn't care for seafood/fish?

ComfyShoes

No, I am definitely not the one who didn't care for seafood/fish. We can eat just about anything. And if it is sweet, that is even better. Just kidding. Okay, I will replace Mustard Seed with Fast & French.

I really never realized Charleston is so interesting otherwise I would have visited it sooner. I don't mean any disrespect to any Charleston-fans!! It merely shows my ignorance.

Thanks a bunch!!

fliegel

Then Hank's for seafood perhaps rather than Fast and French (depending on budget -- Hank's is pricier). Skip Hyman's which is packed and touristy.

dsgmi

I think your modified schedule looks great. You'll be able to have dessert every day with all of the fun things you have planned! I'd love to hear how Al Di LA and Cru Cafe are. We tried to visit Cru Cafe over the holidays, but they are closed on Mondays - we didn't check their hours. I've been to an event they catered and the food was great. I also agree that you probably don't want to visit The Mustard Seed more than once when there are so many terrific restaurants in the area. Try some shrimp and grits while you're there, along with some she crab soup, benne wafers, a praline and pick up some America's Classic Tea (the only tea grown in the US and it makes the best iced tea!). FYI, the tea is a lot more reasonable at a Piggly Wiggly, Harris Teeter, etc. than in the market.

ComfyShoes

Ok and okay dsgmi, I promise to post couple paras on the highlights when I come back. I might even post some photos.

I love the names Piggly Wiggly and Harris Teeter. Where I grew up, you can find names like Wibbly Wobbly but not Piggly Wiggly

Thanks a bunch, guys. I am done!

BetsyinKY

Just a quick comment on your day 4 plans....I would either start at Boone Hall, eat lunch at Poe's, and then do Fort Moultrie, or do Fort Moultrie, lunch, then Boone Hall, because Poe's on actually on Sullivan's Island with Fort Moultrie, and Boone Hall is about 15-20 minutes away in Mt. Pleasant on Hwy 17. If you want to eat breakfast in Mt. Pleasant first, then I would eat, go to Boone Hall for the morning, head over to Sullivan's Island and hit Poe's for lunch, then tour Fort Moultrie and possibly stroll the beach, if the weather is nice.

I think the rest of your itinerary looks nice and I think you're going to love Charleston!

fliegel

And Sullivan's Island has some excellent architecture so do a quick drive around and drool over beach houses. The beach is very walkable, and lovely. I've never been a particular fan of Poe's though unless you're into bar food. Check out the menu at Coco's Cafe in Mt. Pleasant -- they have excellent value lunch specials and the food is excellent.

And rather than the Angel Oak trip/Folly Beach, I would be more inclined to either shop more, or do one of the historical houses in Charleston. You're taking about an hour out of your day driving back and forth.

ComfyShoes

Okay, BetsyinKY. I take your advice. And I am sure Charleston will be fun. In any case, I have very low standards (which jives with my IQ) and tend to have fun almost anywhere.

I am eternally happy that this thread survived. I thought Fodors' IT guy was jealous of my new profile shot and wanted to make sure I simply don't have an itinerary Just kidding. The forum is immensely helpful and it is great Fodors invests money in keeping it up-to-date. It is amazing that there are so many people here who are willing to regularly review the posts and make comments. When a real nice person introduced me to it some time back, I told couple people at work and they had a really hard time believing that there are scores of good people who keep checking threads and making good comments! (As opposed to celebrating National Margarita Day--> apparently tomorrow... or engaging in other equally productive activities such as watching TV).

Oh well, no Fodors for me for at least a week! (is it Mr. or Ms. Fodor? Anyone know? ).

ComfyShoes

Hi guys,

Now that I am back, I wanted to thank you guys for your assistance. We had a really good vacation in Charleston (such an elegant city!!).

Of course, as I always do, I simply did not have time to do everything in the itinerary but that's okay. I never got around to visiting Fort Moultrie or Boone Hall or eat at Mustard Seed. Still, we do almost all of it and some of my personal favorites were the following:

1. Walking tour (see link above). As you visit it, the sense of history in Charleston become self-evident very quickly. It is full of elegant churches, excellent restaurants, fabulous shops (stay off of King Street! very cool shopping area), and focus on details everywhere you, whether they are old buildings from 1700s or remnants of earthquake or the civil war.

2. The plantations: I had never visited a plantation before and was amazed to see how they looked (still do!). Very very pretty, and I didn't even visit it in the peak, spring season when all the flowers would be out. Between Middleton/Magnolia Gardens, the contrast was quite interesting to me with the former so much more classic than the latter -- but as I said earlier, both exquisitely pretty. Our lunch at Middleton was excellent and I recommend it to everyone visiting it. I had a she-crab soup, braised quail, something called hoppin' john, smoked pork, and ended with an excellent huguenot torte that I can still taste in my mouth!

3. Among restaurants we went to, I also recommend going to Poogan's porch (http://www.poogansporch.com/). It is a moderately priced but rather elegantly appointed restaurant that happened to be located across the street from our hotel. Excellent service, great wine collection, and relaxed feel to it all. I also liked and highly recommend SNOB (http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/snob/index.html), Gaulart & Maliclet (http://www.fastandfrench.org/), and Cru Cafe (http://www.crucafe.com/). Excellent recommendations, guys, thank you all!

4. I stayed in Mills House (a boutique hotel on Meeting/Broad intersection) which is a high-end, lovely place to stay at.

Lastly, if you are going to visiting Charleston, http://www.flickr.com/photos/cs2/set...7614480410469/ contains the top 30 best photos I took while there.

Thanks again.