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FL bumpie visiting SC
Hi SC nesties! We're driving up to VA next month and are planning to stop in Charleston for 3 or 4 nights. I'll be with my DH, 14 month old son and cocker spaniel. We've been to Charleston before and have family in Mt. Pleasant. We stayed with them last year, but they'll be out of town when we're there.
We're thinking about staying at the Residence Inn Riverview/Downtown. It's off 17 on way into downtown if you're going north/towards Mt. Pleasant. Here's address: 90 Ripley Point Drive Charleston 29407 Is this a safe area? I asked my family but she didn't really answer. There is another one in Mt Pleasant, which I know is a nice area, but it's about $50 more a night. We want the 1 bedroom suite with a kitchen.
Family recommended Fleet Landing (we ate here last year and liked it) and Boulevard Diner in Mt Pleasant when I asked about southern food). We're interested in Southern and/or lowcountry food (shrimp and grits - yum!) and we like seafood. Any other recommendations (don't forget we have a 14 month old)? I've read about Jestines, Hominy Grill, and Magnolia's. Any thoughts on these?
We plan to go to Ft. Sumter (DH really wants to to), possibly aquarium for DS, possibly a plantation. I'm in intersted in Drayton (b/c house is original) or Boone Hall. I would take the tour inside alone and DH would stay with DS outside. Any recommendations for shopping downtown? Also, I read there are places to buy sweetgrass baskets on 17 north of Mt Pleasant that aren't as expensive as downtown. Is that true or are there better places?
We might be stopping there on the way back too to break up the drive. It's a nice half way point.
Thanks for any help.
Forgot to add: I don't remember who, but an SC nestie has restaurant and attraction recommendations in her bio. I copied those. Thank you.
Re: FL bumpie visiting SC
If you're going to be in Mt. Pleasant, you should stop by The Wreck. It's a hole in the wall but the food is phenomenal. They're located in Old Mt. Pleasant and if you drive through the little Main St. area, you'll notice that it was used in the town scenes for The Notebook. Jestine's is great and Magnolia's is too, but Magnolia's isn't exactly baby-appropriate. If you don't mind venturing out a little, check out The Mustard Seed on James Island.
As far as shopping goes, you should check out The Market. They have sweetgrass baskets (and you're probably right about them being more expensive there) but it wouldn't be a trip to Charleston without going.
If your dog needs a good run around, you might be able to take him/her to the James Island Dog Park. Not sure what the rules are for visitors since we always go with our inlaws.
The Residence Inn you mentioned is in a "safe area"... it's actually in an area not really near anything. I wanted to mention so that you knew you would not be within walking distance. Is the Mount Pleasant one you were looking into a Residence Inn as well?
There are plenty of sweet grass basket stands on 17, but I would not know if they are cheaper than downtown.
Fleet Landing would be a good choice for lunch, but I do not recommend it for dinner. I think they have gone a little downhill. Boulevard Diner is an excellent choice. There are so many good resturants here. I will try to think of some other options that are southern/lowcountry and kid friendly...
i have charleston recommendations in my bio if you haven't seen it. the residence inn at ripley point is in a safe area but not withing walking distance.
i like fleet landing. i'd definitely do jestines for good ol unhealthy southern cooking. hominy grill is amazing. their shrimp & grits is legendary. hank's seafood is my favorite but its pricier & more upscale for a baby. same with magnolia's. 82 queen has the best she crab soup. coast has good seafood but more of a carribean flair than lowcountry. jim n' nicks on king st if you like bbq.
the best shopping downtown is king st & market st. plenty of candy & ice cream shops to keep the kids (14 month & full grown DH) occupied.
i'm not sure where to find the cheapest sweetgrass baskets. i would figure the further away from tourists (the market), the better the price. it might be worth a look. just keep in mind the stands i'm thinking of on 17 in mt p are about a 30 minute drive from downtown.
fire away any other questions you have.
March 2011 moved to WA from Charleston, SC
live in Mill Creek, work in Seattle, DH works in Mt Vernon
James Island County Park has a great dog park on the lake. For visitors, its $1 a person to enter the park. There are also nice walking trails & kayak/canoe/paddleboat rentals. My first visit to Charleston was camping at this park.
March 2011 moved to WA from Charleston, SC
live in Mill Creek, work in Seattle, DH works in Mt Vernon
You will love the Boulevard! It's one of my favorite places ever. They have really good shrimp and grits, fried chicken, meat loaf, country fried steak, etc- everything I've had there is delicious! Get dessert to go- they have really good chocolate cake and Hummingbird Cake. If you want a quick meal, Andolini's has good pizza. They have several locations in the Charleston area, and DH swears that the one in Mt. Pleasant is the best one. I love their Almost Hawaiian pizza, and their Italian salad is amazing! The Post House in Mt. P has a really good Sunday brunch if you be there then. They have the best cornbread!
As far as shopping goes, King Street has pretty much everything. There's a lot of chain stores like J Crew, Banana, Ann Taylor, etc, but some good local ones too. Dumas & Sons is a fun store to visit. The market is also fun if you're visiting, and you can watch the ladies weave the baskets. Ft. Sumter is fun to visit, and so is the USS Yorktown. Have fun!
Married 05.24.08
Missed m/c discovered 07.25.12 at 8w5d- Always loving our Peanut
BFP #2 EDD 06.08.13
"For this child we prayed..." (1 Samuel 27)
So excited to meet Amelia Catherine!
thanks for much for all the help so far. I'm going to print all this info out. I also haven't seen anything about dog park info in researching so that's good to know. I wasn't sure if Residence Inn was within walking distance but having more space with a 1 bed suite for when baby sleeps, kitchen, dog frirndly is more important now than location (as long as location is safe). Thinking about all this Southern food is making me hungry.
Another random question - are there any stores in the area that sell Gamecock stuff? We drive through Columbia on the way to VA and usually stop there. My mom went to school there (I'm a Gator) so we usually load up for gifts for her birthday and Christmas. She loves it b/c she can't get that stuff down here. If not, it's not that big of a deal and we can always stop in Columbia again.
speters83,good timing that you happen to be there. I was concerned about the safety. Also, is the room clean? My son just took a few steps last week so I imagine he'll be walking by the trip. But he'll still be on the floor a lot. Is there a shower/tub in the bathroom? We're interested in the 1 bedroom. If you're in that, how large is the bedroom? Just want to make there's enough room for our pack n play, but I'm sure we can make it work. Didnt' read about the cab thing in any reviews. Does the shuttle drop you off and pick you up at a certain location or do they drop you where you want to go? What time is the free dinner served? Would you stay again? Having a separate bedroom, kitchen, safe area, dog/kid friendly, and clean are high on list. Thank you. I may have more questions.
Kimnelson09, I'm glad to know Magnolias is not baby friendly.
kelkigs, I also looked at the Residence Inn in Mt Pleasant, but it was at $50 more a night, and I don't want to pay that much if we don't have to. But if one we're looking at is not in a safe area, then that's different. I'm not sure why Mt Pleasant is more expensive. B/c it's a nicer area? My family lives in Ion (sp?) so I've only been there in Mt Pleasant, but it seems like a nice area. If you think of any other restaurants, please let me know.
jsvb14, I didn't see your bio before so thanks. I'll be printing that too. You have so much listed I might get confused.
I wondered how far away the basket stands would be on 17 so good to know they're 30 min away.
sctiger524, thanks for the shopping and restaurant info.
flgator- We are staying in the 1 bedroom suite. I have found the room to be clean. The other 3 couples have found their rooms to be clean. One couple's a/c was not working right but they moved them into another room. There is a shower/tub combo in the suite.
The bedroom is not that big. The bed pretty much takes up a lot of the space in the room. I am also not really sure how big the pack and play is but there is a little space between the window and bed or if the bedroom door is shut you might be able to put it there but that would block you into the room.
I double checked with the front desk and they will provide a cab to bring you to and from (before 6pm).You just need to use the one they provide. I have used the cab service once so far and had no problems. The shuttle starting at 6;00pm to 11pm will drop off and pick up at North Market and East Bay Streets.
The free dinner is from Mon-Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm. We ate there yesterday and it was hamburgers, chips, potato salad. There was about 4 different kinds of drinks. They also had beer and wine. It was pretty basic but after being gone from 9am to 5pm it hit the spot. I would probably not eat there every night but it is nice to have the option.
We would stay here again. The staff has been helpful and nice. I hope if you stay here you have a good experience. Sorry my reply is so long.