deborahk

Any advise on this? I believe there is a specific spring event that tours the home and gardens where you sign up for particular happenings, like teas and certain tours. Has anyone done this and what are your thoughts?
I'd also be interested in where to stay. I am looking seriously at the French Quarter Inn but also considering the Harbor View Inn. Thanks.

Jayne11159

They also do the home tour in the fall. My only advice is to give yourself plenty of time to see the homes.

There is a tour where we live in FL and you walk through the homes at your leisure and volunteers are stationed in each room to answer any questions. The Charleston tour is very choreographed and a volunteer gives a very thorough description of the room you are in and you may not proceed to the next room until he/she is finished. They provide a lot of interesting facts that bring the house to life. The ticket we bought was only good for one night so we only got to see half the houses becauses we did not know the "procedure".

GoTravel

Go to www.HistoricCharleston.org which is the site for the Historic Charleston Foundation.

The old rule still holds true, if the gate to the garden is left open, not unlocked but open, that means you may enter the garden.

carolyn

We did this a couple of years ago. You need to contact the Visitors Bureau to see what is on offer on different days and make your reservations early. You walk to see the houses in a geographical area, so don't linger at the first sites; we had to rush at the end to get through all the houses. The gardens we saw were small, not the same as those at the major historic homes.

We saw one church and I've forgotten how many houses, but it was a very nice day and fun to do.

Your hotel tastes are at a higher level than mine, but we stayed at the Days Inn just across from the Market and found it pleasant. It is in a historic building, and the man at the Visitors Center said it is what he recommends to visitors not familiar with the city. Also, we enjoyed breakfast at Poogan's Porch.

Carla

We went to a house/garden tour sponsored by the Charleston Garden Club a couple of years ago. It was in April, I believe. We thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the houses on the tour was owned by the guy who owns the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain. They have pigs on either side of the stairs to the porch. They served cookies on the side porch. My sister lives in Charleston and knew about it from the newspaper. That time of year (mid-spring) was perfect. The gardens were in beautiful shape, but the weather was still pleasant enough to walk from house to house. Too much later and it starts to get hot in Charleston

Heartburn3

I was in Charleston last week and picked up a brochure for house tours. The Fall Candlelight Tours of Homes & Gardens (www.PreservationSociety.org)has numerous tours now through October 23, 2004.

I stayed at The Mills House Hotel (115 Meeting Street -- approximately 3 blocks from Market Street.) I thought this was a wonderful hotel. I was there on weekdays and the breakfast buffet was $9.95, including coffee. Everyone at this hotel was delightful - true southern hospitality!

deborahk

Do you think the Mills House Inn would seem appropriate for a mother/daughter team-or would it be more appropriate for couples?

Ann123

I think Harbourview Inn is delightful. It has a great location, serves wine & cheese in the evening. No restaurant on the premises but plenty close by. It's not inexpensive but the location and the rooms made it worth the price. Phone 843-853-8439. They have a web site but I can't remember the address. It would be fine for a mother/daughter combo.

GoTravel

The Mills House is an excellent choice for a mother/daughter.

It isn't a B&B but a rather large hotel with a very quaint feeling. It also has one of the very few outdoor pools in Charleston proper.

The location is excellent.

Heartburn3

The Mills House is definitely a good place for mother/daughter. I was there Sun-Thurs recently and bid $75 on Priceline and won that hotel. However, there were other hotels in the same Downtown category. However, all of those hotels looked nice.

The pool at the Mills House was inviting. They also have rooms that open out onto the pool area, but they didn't look too secure. I felt much safer being up higher, overlooking the pool.

deborahk

Is the Mills House the same as the Holiday Inn Historic District-I think that's what I'm reading, but I want to be sure. Thanks.

Heartburn3

I believe it is a Holiday Inn, but it is not mentioned on their brochure. Their website is: www.millhouse.com and the address/phone number is 115 Meeting Street, Charleston (843) 577-2400. Hope this info helps.