Choose Charleston

If you're looking for an elegant yet casual getaway, check out Charleston. It may sound like a bit of an oxymoron but it's so true. The city is teeming with sophistication yet everyone is laid back and ready for a nice time.

The restaurants are incredible (not the 'chainy' ones along Market, mind you). The weather just after Labor Day this year impeccable. And the hospitality unique to the region.

Downtown is easily walkable, and I highly recommend walking as much as you can so you can see the architecture up close. The residential district is amazing—especially at night when the gaslights are burning on many homes.

People are ultra-friendly and kind enough to ask you to join them for a chat. All around, I'll be returning for another visit.

Quick Tips:

If you can afford to, or if you get a great rate, try to stay at The Governor's House Inn. It's an 11 room B&B but it's not all stuffy like some, or non-existent in service like many others. Wonderfully comfortable and convenient to all sights.

Try a cooking class at Charleston Cooks—it's a fun way to spend 90 minutes and learn a bit about local cuisine. Something you may not do anywhere else.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking. Driving isn't totally terrible, but parking is. Find a hotel in downtown, park your car, and walk.

Take a horse/buggy tour to see the major areas and get some bearings.

Try a rickshaw—they're fun, quick, and cheap.

The Governor's House Inn is the epitome of what a small inn should be: courteous, caring, helpful, and comfortable. I couldn't have asked for a better place to enjoy while visiting Charleston. I cannot imagine any place better to stay.

With 11 rooms, the Inn is small enough to make you feel at home yet large enough to allow you the freedom of privacy. Each room has a theme; unfortunately I didn't tour the empty rooms. But my room was simply perfect.

The St. Michael's Room is on the third floor and has two gabled windows: one looks out onto the St. Michael's steeple. It's decorated in warm yellow tones with dark plank flooring. The room is extremely spacious, with a wonderfully comfortable queen sized bed, wing chairs, built-in bench seat and desk, a writing desk, and a small table with a like-sized television. I had plenty of room to lay on the floor and stretch, sit, and read.

Each room has it's own bath/shower. My room had plenty of space to get ready; I think two people would be well off. Outside the bathroom is a dresser and closet. The room was in little need of space!

The house itself is decorated invitingly. It's easy to find a seat to wile away time reading or napping. The veranda is great for winding down at the end of a long day of sight-seeing.

The staff are simply your hosts trying to make you feel at home. All are sincerely accommodating, and will help you plan your day, make reservations, or bring breakfast to your room. I've never stayed anywhere I felt like more than a room number.

If you're on a diet, throw it to the wind as the breakfasts are delectable! Their brochures state a "Southern Continental Breakfast" which means a quiche, strata, or french toast casserole; each served with coffee, fresh fruit, and juice. The hosts are happy to give you their recipes, by the way. In the late afternoon they have tea and assorted pastries out. At this time the hosts set out a selection of local menus for guests to peruse and possibly make reservations at. VERY helpful! Finally, they offer 'free-pour' sherry in the parlour, which is a tasty treat at the end of the day.

Rates are worth it for what you'd get. I was able to get a great rate by calling for a reservation off-peak and within 3 weeks of arrival. Even if you can't get a discounted rate, I highly recommend trying to stay here for even a night. It's an experience in and of itself!

http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/snob/index.html

Mmmmmmmmmmm. My first meal in Charleston could NOT be beat! SNOB—as the locals call it—was recommended to me by one of the hosts of my inn, The Governor's House, and what a fabulous experience I had.

As I was travelling alone, I decided not to make reservations; I was told there was a "Chef's Table" that often is available for solo diners so I took the chance. I was fortunate! Though the view at this table is interesting, you do miss out on the elegance of the rest of the restaurant, as you're facing into the kitchen. However, the table is one-sided and laden with books and magazines about the local area.

I'd never had Gazpacho before but since this was a special trip I gave it a shot: delicious! Nice and crisp, smooth, and refreshing. I followed this with the one local dish I kept hearing about: Shrimp and Grits. Now, I have never been attracted to grits, but ... when in Rome. And I couldn't have made a better choice.

SNOB's shrimp and grits are a rich and creamy blend topped with fresh (detailed) shrimp, sea scallops, chorizo, and shredded country ham in a light and chunky tomato broth. Unfortunately this left no room for dessert; still unfortunate, they give you a sampling of cookies regardless! (Which they packed up for me to take home.)

Highly recommended: service very friendly and helpful, though a tad busy, making for a bit of a longer wait on things that had I liked (being solo you tend to move faster). I was able to kill some time though perusing the books in front of me.

http://www.crewcarolina.com/

For my second dinner meal, the owner of the Inn recommended Carolina's for a glass of wine and crab cakes at the bar, as I was trying to save a little money on food.

Though I ended up spending just as much as I didn't want to (my fault for ordering two tapas and tipping well!), I enjoyed my visit.

Since the power at the Inn had gone out, the hostess called around to restaurants for the guests to find out who had power. Once she settled on Carolina's for me she instructed the 'maitre'd' that I'd be arriving shortly.

Upon arrival, I barely entered the door when I was greeted with, "care for a glass of wine and a crab cake?" which I knew was meant strictly for me—he was expecting me!

The bartender was kind and gave good input on what to choose from. I ordered the Lobster Corn Dogs and the Crab Cakes with a glass of wine.

The crab cakes were perfect - then they ought to be as we were right there at the battery. The Lobster corn dogs weren't bad, but not very flavourful; oh, and much larger than I had expected!

Altogether the experience was nice, a good way to kill the evening before a nice walk along the battery and residential district.

A short drive from downtown Charleston is Middleton Place Plantation, the former home base for the Middleton family.

The plantation was never a working one; instead it was kept solely for family use—anything and everything that was produced from the plantation was used by the family.

There are 200 acres on one side of the road and another several thousand on the other, however your touring will be only upon the 200 acres. Still, plenty to see.

As you walk amongst the lovely gardens and trails you'll see a variety of wildlife—some wren, snakes, maybe a gator, and more. You can take a 45-minute buggy tour of the grounds, tour the former residence, and visit with the artisans on site (potter, carpenter, blacksmith, etc).

The fees aren't bad, and once you see the grounds you'll understand how much there is to care for. However, the tour guides are a tad repetitive, though since there's no order to the tours it's understandable. It makes for a fine day when the weather is right—be sure to bring lots of water and maybe a few snacks in your bag as time flies!

http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/

On my first day in Charleston I was approaching the restaurant Slightly North of Broad (SNOB to locals) when next door I saw a kitchen store with a sandwich board posted out front. Upon the board was written, "Low-Country Cooking Classes, every Wed-Sun @ 2:30pm". I thought this could be a fun way to kill some time and do something a little offbeat.

On my last full day I went to "Charleston Cooks" (the name of the kitchen supply store) and enrolled in the class for the day: 90 Minutes to learn how to make BBQ Beef, Red Rice, and Banana Pudding. The course is really a demo, but so small that it's like you're in on the action. Afterwards, you get to eat the rewards.

Having never even heard of "low-country" style cooking, this was a fabulous experience. It's outside the norm of things to do but definitely gives you a sense of the fine food that comes from the region. All for $25.00.