<p>DH and I have decided to spend a few days in Charleston. We’re thinking of spending three nights there and then visiting some other areas like Beaufort, Saint Simons Island, Tybee Island, etc. What better place to get good suggestions than here! We’re planning to go week after next and we’re thinking of taking our bikes. So, lay it on me. Where must we eat? What must we see? If we want to spend a day at the beach, in what area should we do that? Don’t let me down, fellow CC parents. :)</p>
<p>St. Simon’s…just beautiful…very bike friendly, rentals available…beach is very wide with gentle waves…great for walking…big public beach access…free parking, bathhouse and snack bar at the Coast Guard Station. History…Fort Frederica, ruins of early British settlement on St. Simons, Christ Church and cemetary, the lighthouse.<br>
Nice golf course if that’s your thing.</p>
<p>The town park is adjacent to the little downtown area. It’s very lively in the evenings. It’s right on the waterfront with wide walkway and rocking chairs…everyone goes there in the evenings. Also a nice public pier that’s fun to walk out on even if you don’t fish. The lighthouse (no longer in use) is by the town park. During the day, you can climb it for a great view. </p>
<p>Restaurants…Best pizza…CJ’s Italian restaurant… a dive not much bigger than a phone booth but pizza is to die for (get the deep dish).
BBQ…the Beachcomber…at the beach near the King and Prince hotel (the only hotel on the beach)…very casual, people come right off the beach (must have shoes)walk up and order, then devour.<br>
BBQ …in town…Southern Soul BBQ (on Demere…can’t miss it)
It’s in an old gas station. They cook the pig out front on big cookers. The smell makes you swoon, you car turns in automatically.
Mexican…Bubba Garcias Mexican Cantina…funky,kinda dumpy but good/unusual Mex. food. It’s in Redfern Village with several other restaurants…good seafood also in Redfern Village (it’s just a little area with shops/restaurants)right on a main road. </p>
<p>St. Simons is not your regular beach town…in a good way.</p>
<p>Splashmom! We’re going the same time 
We’re staying on Isle of Palms, which is adjacent to Sullivan’s Island. You must go to Hominy Grill in Charleston (best Shrimp & Grits; I’ve been dreaming about them for the 3 years since I had them.) </p>
<p>A coworker shared with me this week: Poes, on Sullivan Island good fish tacos and hamburgers; Cru Café, in Charleston the amazing mac & cheese place.</p>
<p>When we went last time we enjoyed the Charleston City Market: [Historic</a> Charleston City Market, Charleston, SC](<a href=“http://thecharlestoncitymarket.com/index.cfm;]Historic”>http://thecharlestoncitymarket.com/index.cfm;) a walking ghost tour at night and a horse & buggy tour of the city. River City Sweets (great Pralines) [Southern</a> Gourmet Candy Online | River Street Sweets](<a href=“http://www.riverstreetsweets.com/]Southern”>http://www.riverstreetsweets.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks so much, you two! You’ve both given great suggestions and I’m growing more excited each day. RobD, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather is beautiful for us. HAVE FUN!</p>
<p>We just visited Charleston last week. So much fun! All the restaurants we went to were good.<br>
About pralines–everyone gives out free samples–we were full after just walking down the street!</p>
<p>Charleston is a true gem of America.</p>
<p>If you enjoy art, the Gibbes currently has a wonderful exhibit–Working South. The paintings are watercolors by Mary Whyte, and they are spectacular.</p>
<p>Just spent a couple days in Charleston last week. First time there, can’t wait to have a chance to go back sometime! We just mostly wandered around enjoying the architecture, beautiful gardens and porches and getting the general “lay of the land”. The food is amazing, check out Poogan’s Porch, Magnolia’s or McCrady’s.</p>
<p>Husband and I were in Charleston in April. Just lovely. We didn’t have time to go to outside the historic district but the gardens/home tours…fantastic! We were there for soft shell crab season…but the restaurants we enjoyed were SNOB, Cru Cafe, Amen (spelling?)…Broad Street has fantastic restaurants.</p>
<p>I finally tasted “real” fried chicken…amazing.</p>
<p>Ooh, I need to bookmark this thread. My son lives in Mount Pleasant (just over the sailboat bridge from Charleston). He hasn’t explored near as much as I would in the year and a half since he moved there, so this will be useful for stuff to do next time we visit.</p>
<p>I’d like to mention that we’re going a college visit while there…I have a rising senior. What kind of trip would it be without a tour & info session ;)</p>
<p>RobD, the campus is really beautiful and your son should be interested in the male/female ratio there. Girls FAR outnumber the boys there.</p>
<p>OP, if you go toward Folly Beach, there is a fantastic place called Crosby Fish & Shrimp. They catch fish every morning and then sell it at this little store. They don’t cook it, but they do have grills that you can use to cook it yourself. So good.</p>
<p>Suzy: thanks but I have a D ;)</p>
<p>But I’m making notes about the Folly Beach restaurant…</p>
<p>Ack! Sorry, don’t know why I made that assumption!</p>
<p>Note, Crosby’s isn’t really a restaurant, although they do have picnic tables inside and outside. They may have some food cooked, but mostly it’s to buy and then go cook for yourself. It’s right next to a farmer’s market area so convenient to buy fresh fruit and vegetables too.</p>
<p>RobD, then she will love to wander down King St (about a block over from CofC) and pretty much a high end shopping area…with one of coolest Urban Outfitters around. Also, wonderful farmers market in the Marion Square (I think that’s the one) on Saturdays.</p>
<p>^^^Ah excellent shopping tip for D1! She mentioned that she has no need to go on the tour 
</p>
<p>Suzy: don’t feel bad. I am a cause for gender confusion here on CC. At least once a month someone says “I thought you were a guy!” when I am indeed a mom person. </p>
<p>And since the place we’re staying has a full kitchen, I was planning on making a seafood dinner at least once. Yum. I miss fish monger shops. The sadness of living in a land locked state…</p>
<p>Charleston … wow! I could tell you all about it! The Capitol Complex, the Clay Center, the Haddad Riverfront Park on the Kanawha River … and the surrounding areas too, like Dunbar, South Charleston and St. Albans … What? Oh! You mean Charleston, South Carolina! Sorry! ;-)</p>
<p>If you go to Beaufort, wander down route 21 until you hit Fripp Island … a vacation island that is also a nature preserve and a golf haven and a nice family resort. Beautiful little secret in SC.</p>