Visiting Charleston & Savannah

[Pat in San Diego]

Hello,
After talking about visiting Charleston and Savannah for the past several years, my friend Bonnie & I will be flying into Charleston on April 22 and leaving from Savannah on May 3. We'll be renting a car and probably dividing our time equally between the 2 cities. Can anyone recommend really affordable (non-chain) places to stay? Also we would appreciate any ideas for special things to do that may be left out of the average guidebook, with an emphasis on historic houses, gardens and thrift or antique shops.
Thank you,
Pat

[grits]

Pat my Brother and his family live in Savannah (SIL is a native) and my Daughter and her Hubby just moved there this week. I will check with him in the morning to see if he has any suggestions. Savannah is one of my favorite places ever since childhood, but one place that I had never been until two years ago was Wormsloe Plantation. It is State run and absolutely beautiful. The tree lined entrance is worth the trip alone. There is a nice walking tour and picnic spot. Also, a great history lesson that is off the beaten path. Bonaventure Cemetery is another beautiful spot. Let me check with my SIL and Brother. They will be more helpful.

I will be there for a work Conference while you are there. Hope the weather is nice for both of us:)

[jhiggins]

Hi Pat,

In Charleston you might like:

Hungry Neck Antique Mall (right over the bridege in Mt. Pleasant)
http://hungryneck.com/

Page's Thieves Market (also in Mt. Pleasant)
http://www.pagesthievesmarket.net/

Magnolia Plantation has beautiful gardens
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

Great Breakfast Places (before going shopping! :) )

Hominy Grill
http://www.hominygrill.com/

Jopeph's
http://www.josephsofcharleston.com/

As far as Savannah goes - I agree Wormsloe and Bonaventure are fun to visit!

[chrissiec1]

The Marshall House Hotel in Savannah was nice when we stayed there a few years ago. It is within easy walking distance of the waterfront/downtown and historic areas. They had a great breakfast and a nice wine and cheese happy hour during the week. (I would want a veranda room again.)

Here's a link:

http://www.marshallhouse.com/rooms.shtml

Looks like they have renovated since I was there.

[ionut20]

some pics would be usefull

[Pat in San Diego]

I'm just putting together an itinerary for our trip and have put Wormsloe Plantation on the must-do list. Thank you again for your suggestions (and I hope the weather is nice too.)

Pat in San Diego

Pat my Brother and his family live in Savannah (SIL is a native) and my Daughter and her Hubby just moved there this week. I will check with him in the morning to see if he has any suggestions. Savannah is one of my favorite places ever since childhood, but one place that I had never been until two years ago was Wormsloe Plantation. It is State run and absolutely beautiful. The tree lined entrance is worth the trip alone. There is a nice walking tour and picnic spot. Also, a great history lesson that is off the beaten path. Bonaventure Cemetery is another beautiful spot. Let me check with my SIL and Brother. They will be more helpful.

I will be there for a work Conference while you are there. Hope the weather is nice for both of us:)

[Pat in San Diego]

Jhiggins, I am makings a list of things to do while we're in the Charleston area and will be adding your suggestions. Thank you again,

Pat in San Diego

Hi Pat,

In Charleston you might like:

Hungry Neck Antique Mall (right over the bridege in Mt. Pleasant)
http://hungryneck.com/

Page's Thieves Market (also in Mt. Pleasant)
http://www.pagesthievesmarket.net/

Magnolia Plantation has beautiful gardens
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

Great Breakfast Places (before going shopping! :) )

Hominy Grill
http://www.hominygrill.com/

Jopeph's
http://www.josephsofcharleston.com/

As far as Savannah goes - I agree Wormsloe and Bonaventure are fun to visit!

[grits]

Pat, did you ever make hotel, B&B, etc. arrangements for your trip. If not I will talk to my Brother tomorrow. As I said I will be there for a Conference and not staying with my Brother. He lives at The Landings which is on Skidaway and a little drive back into town. Give me a price range you are looking for. Just a side note my Daughter and her hubby moved to Savannah about two months ago and live in the historic district. Hope you enjoy your trip!!

[Pat in San Diego]

We're staying at the Bed & Breakfast in Summerville for 5 nights. We've rented a car so we can travel around the area. Have you been to Brookgreen Gardens? It's a bit of a drive from Charleston, but the pictures look glorious and we love visiting gardens. Friday April 25th is my birthday. Can you (or your Brother) recommend a nice place for dinner in the Charleston area?

From Charleston we are going to Darien for 3 nights before going on to Savannah. We are thinking of visiting the Okefenokee Swamp but it isn't clear what is the best way to see it. Do you have any suggestions?

I've put a picture of the Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah on my computer desktop as inspiration!

Pat, did you ever make hotel, B&B, etc. arrangements for your trip. If not I will talk to my Brother tomorrow. As I said I will be there for a Conference and not staying with my Brother. He lives at The Landings which is on Skidaway and a little drive back into town. Give me a price range you are looking for. Just a side note my Daughter and her hubby moved to Savannah about two months ago and live in the historic district. Hope you enjoy your trip!!

[weddingplanner]

Pickney Inn for Charleston is a great choice. It's great walking distance to everything.

In Savannah a must for eating is Pink House. Such a great menu and atmostphere. Breakfast we love that diner famous from the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Also, staying at the inn next door to Pink House is a great idea. I can't think of the name for some reason. It has a pineapple on the letterhead.

Or you could do the hotel that does the Paula Deen special package. I must admit go to her restaurant for lunch. Do a really light breakfast. Like coffee and a bagel at most. AT MOST. Go for lunch. If they offer you upstairs take it. Same buffet and better service since the first floor is really her retail shop and people cram in there hoping to see her or a Deen family member. Which is silly since they are rarely there unless doing a taping or interview.

In Charleston upscale dinner: Peninsula, High Cotton or Magnolia. All are amazing.

Jestine's is a must. OMG the most amazing home cooked food. Coca-cola cake that will have you flying back to town just for that.

Make sure you shop on King street.

Also, another great idea. When you first get to town go to the museum in Charleston and do a tour for a few hours so you get a good history lesson and that way you will really have a new found respect/understanding of how it came to be.

[grits]

The Planter's Inn, is next door to the Pink House and you should go to The Tavern at the Pink House. It is downstairs and has a fireplace and piano player. You can order from the regular menu, but it is just a little special:)

[jilla]

You have to eat at Justine's. It is wonderful. The food is great and after eating you can enjoy the Charleston Market, the beautiful streets and houses. You may also like walking the bridge over charleston. Amazing photo options up there from a site many of us have never been able to appreciate. Enjoy!

[photoali]

Beaufort is a great place for you to go on your visit down South here. There are lots of great art galleries, historic homes and gardens and you can also visit Parris Island, The Marine Corps training center. They have a good museum there too.

I live in a little blink town off exit 21 in SC. A town called Ridgeland. Not much to do or see here but, if I can think of anything else I will let you know.

Ali