Google Maps says 7 1/2 hrs direct to Charleston, 8 1/4 via Wilmington. So 9 hrs with some short stops? Sounds like a lot, but our alternative would be 3 hrs back home (north) from Williamsburg, 1 hr to the airport the next day, 2 hrs waiting, 2 3/4 hrs flight time, 1 hr for luggage and rental car pick-up. Plus hundreds of dollars in fares. Also, this way I can buy antiques and take them back home, and we may go home via Asheville and the Biltmore. :)

I probably should have been more specific as to "short stops" ~ places to get out, take a short walk to see something, stretch our legs.

Restaurants ~ since we'll have a large breakfast, lunch will probably be really light. So we have 4 nights of dinners to choose from the following ( and welcome more recommendations from all of you!)

SNOB ~ definite

Hanks
Fig
Magnolias
Wild Olive on John's Island
La Fourchette ?

Good thinking.

All great choices. I think you might want to look at Cru Cafe and Husk, the new place everybody's raving about, as well. Both have lunch.

We recently went to FIG and it was outstanding. Get the pate.

The antique places downtown are very high end. Come to Mount Pleasant and go to Hungryneck on Johnnie Dodds for items that are a little less grand.

You'd be smart to go to Asheville and take the western route back up. SO much more scenic and fun than 95. The Festival of Flowers starts on April 2. It's breathtaking. Have a great time and let us know how you do.

I was in NO way suggesting NOT driving. I misunderstood the "stop' which made PERFECT sense to me to see some really nice things along the way TO Charleston.
Is Hungryneck in or near the shopping center where Whole Foods is? I have never really found much in that area, but haven't looked for a LONG time either.

Restaurants...................not thinking of lunch, just dinner

definite
SNOB
Hanks
Magnolias

that leaves one to be determined!

The FIG menu on the website is a fairly limited menu, not a lot of choices. Cru Cafe looked pretty good. Anyone know anything about Fat Hen on Johns Island?

Gretchen, yes, Hungryneck is near Whole Paycheck, I mean Whole Foods.

wrenwood, the FIG menu on the website is limited because it changes daily. It really is great. I have not yet been to Fat Hen yet but those duck fat fries are on my short list. I have heard great things about it from my friends on that side of town. I'm on the Mt. P. side.

The other good new one is Amen Street. Oysters are in season and are really good.

Your trip is going to be fun!

Put McCrady's, High Cotton and Husk on your dining list. I second Amen Street. Ms. Sue won't mislead you.

McCrady's @ 2 Unity Alley, Charleston, SC. 843 - 577 - 0025.
http://www.mccradysrestaurant.com/
High Cotton Maverick Bar and Grill @ 199 East Bay St., Charleston, SC. 843 - 724 - 3815.
http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens....ton/index.html
Husk Restaurant @ 76 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 843 - 577 - 2500.
http://www.huskrestaurant.com/

Littleman,

Did you go to Husk yet?

Husk and McCradys are same chef?

"Williamsburg is way east from 95."

That depends on your definition of "way". It takes me 45 min to get to I95 from Williamsburg. I'm not sure when you want to hop over to 17 but I'll tell you that you do not want to take 17 through Hampton Roads.

wrenwood, yes. I haven't been to Husk yet, but it's getting great reviews. High Cotton has my favorite shrimp and grits next to my own. SNOB and HC are owned by the same nice people.

So McCrady's has continued to be good--didn't the original chef leave and go to Chicago?
For a really fun book shop go to the Blue Bicycle --is it King St., Sue?
We recently had a VERY good lunch at Virginia's just down the street from the Blue Bicycle and the Francis Marion.
Sue, do you want to warn them away from the places near the Market?
Where would they get the best oysters? That would be MY question, and I don't think it would be necessarily at the high end eateries in town!! If folks haven't had the fried oysters the way they are done at the coast, they haven't really "lived".

Yes, Gretchen, the Blue Bicycle is on King just north of Marion Square.

And yes, I do steer people away from the tourist trap places. I won't name names, but if a place has people out on the street hawking you to come in, don't do it.

Best oysters, IMHO, Seewee, Atlanticville, Locklear's and the Sullivans Island Fire Department Oyster Roast. They do it once a month in winter.

And yes, McCrady's is still great. I haven't been in a long time. The chef, Sean Brock just opened Husk which is getting great reviews. I'm waiting for the brouhaha to go away, then I'll go.

And you are right. Fried oysters are the bomb.

When you mention "oyster roast" that is another thing to be done on the coast--be sure they are ordered "wet"--barely opened from the heat!! Oh, man, we do that at least twice each week we are down in the winter!!
That is interesting about the Fire Department--we'll keep that in mind, although we can get them about 6 miles from our place up in Murrell's Inlet. So, maybe not!! Thanks.

It really is fun. Everybody's there. It's held at the big tin roof over by Ft. Moultrie. Find me- I bring my own cocktail sauce!

Back again-Any reccomondations for places to stay in Williamton NC.Looks like a long drive from HH so I guess just a place to put our heads down before driving to Williamsburg VA the next day. I do like the sound of the ocean if thats possible-Thanks Again Chris

Are you talking about "Wilmington"? If you want to stay on the beach look for places in Wrightsville Beach. That is the beach at Wilmington.

If the OP is thinking about antique shopping, save it for Asheville. A number of very good shops there -- I rarely find much in Charleston or Mt. Pleasant.

Thanks Gretchen-I need to go to AAA & get maps & books for the trip-Thought I'd wait till after the first of the year since we arn't going till Sept/October. Chris

Thanks birgator, downtown Asheville for the shops? Any area in particular?

No, not downtown per se (although I remember one shop that was pretty good but don't recall its name). A few clusters, fairly close to the Biltmore. Find Tobacco Barn, Sweeten Creek, Screen Door, and they will tell you where to go next. Most likely there is a map/brochure. All are big, and take a while to go through -- I always find something.

I tend to stay away from decorator set ups and imports. The relentless antiquing partner navigates and I don't know that I could find anything by memory -- it all looks the same!