(3) Ladies Get-a-way:
Heading down to Charleston and then Savannah for a day next week.

What's not to be missed?
Any suggestions for restaurants and things to do at night besides the touristy stuff?

Well there's great shopping and fabulous restraurants, antique shops, the big market in Charleston, a great time seeing all the squares in Savannah, the harbor front in both cities, the Citadel- just to name a few!! Have fun. Take a carriage ride in Charleston.

I aw that about Citadel. It really wasn't on our agenda because I thought it was kinda "off the beaten track" when we weren't going to have a car. Now we will, since we found a great deal for a weekly rate.

Any recommendations on those "fabulous" restaurants....

p.s. Also from Michigan, BTW. Leaving out of Detroit on Sunday.

Checkout the sweetgrass baskets. I loved meeting the fabulous women (and some men) who make them. I found some of the best ones on the road between Charleston and Merrel's Inlet.

In general I thorughly enjoyed meeting the very friendly people when I was there last fall.The carriage ride in Charleston really allows you to see an overview of beautiful old homes.

Try the shrimp and grits. It sounds strange but is delicious.

Thanks Gwenda. We will be a short distance from the market and will definitely check out those baskets. And we do want to take a carriage ride.

Definately check out the Old Market Place as opposed to the area where the women are. We spent some time there and fell in love with a cat sculpture/ bought it/ brought it back home where it remains today.

The artist was out of cards that day - not unusual for market-place artisans - but the name (I'm looking at my sculpture) is Scott Penege)! Have fun on your vacation!

PS. We also took the "other" tour which gave us a more balanced over-view of what Charleston was like before Sumpter, during the war and after. Let me know if you want the name for that particular tour....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

Maybe kitschy, but how about an evening horse/buggy tour of the city? I know they are a bit pricey, but would prob be memorable especially if you have a knowledgeable guide.

I've done those in NYC and Indianapolis, IN. Veryyyyyyy worth it!

Some of my favorite Charleston restaurants include Jestine's Kitchen, Poogran's Porch (wonderful shrimp and grits), Slightly North of Broad, 82 Queen St, Hominy Grill. Go across the river to Mt. Pleasant and get a hot dog at Jack's Cosmic Dogs (as seen on the first season of Alton Brown's Road Food) and Melvin's BBQ.

In Savannah Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House is much better than Paula Deen's Lady and Sons, Chart House is a chain but really good, and Vics on the River is excellent. Other popular restaurants are the Olde Pink House, The Pirate's House, and Bedfords.
Both cities have ghost tours.

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Originally posted by Idaho Resident:


PS. We also took the "other" tour which gave us a more balanced over-view of what Charleston was like before Sumpter, during the war and after. Let me know if you want the name for that particular tour....

Went ahead and found the information for this tour since we found it to be really inspiring and, somewhat, balanced the usual image shown of Charleston but in a very classy and respectful way. I highly recommend it - you will see and understand parts of the early Charlestonian culture that you would never see on the typical touristy tours.

http://gullahtours.com/

A good restaurant for lunch in the historic area near the Old Market Place (resturant is actually located at 99 South Market Street) is called "Bubba Gump Shrimp Co." It's a small chain but fun with really great food at a moderate price. Try the Trio of Shrimp - outstanding!

I just remember that they had signs on the table - "Stop, Forest, Stop" if you wanted service or the attention of your wait staff and "Run, Forest, Run" if you were good and just wanted to people-watch and linger....

We met up with a walking tour at the Old Market Place (which was great by the way and included the famous rainbow houses) and found the restaurant by ourselves after it ended. Enjoyed it so much that we stopped by another afternoon just to have another Trio of Shrimp later in the week!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

Great info IR,

One of the best laughs I've had was when I asked my friend in LI for recommendations of restaurants in the general area of Times Square and she suggested Bubba Gumps.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charming,

I was just in Savannah on Thursday and stopped at my favorite place.... Savannah Candy Kitchen!!!

I got my summer supply of salt water taffy. It is the best!! If you buy a pound you get a half pound for free!

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Originally posted by Grapefruit:
I was just in Savannah on Thursday and stopped at my favorite place.... Savannah Candy Kitchen!!!

I got my summer supply of salt water taffy. It is the best!! If you buy a pound you get a half pound for free!

You were at Savannah Candy Kitchen - Where are my pralines?

Aw, dang it , Charming, I ate every last one!!

Actually, I eat only the little sample that they give you. They are too sweet for me to eat an entire one! It is not a good place to go if you are counting calories....

Nance, When are you coming back to report on your trip?

Same as Charming ... Nance, please let us know how your trip was. Hope it was wonderful!