Questions about Charleston?

I have read many of the past posts and none fit my question exactly....

We want to Charleston right... Only going to be there for two days mid-week in April..

Lodging - $$$ is not necessary problem, we want to blow it out... Wentworth, Charleston Place, any other suggestions? Are thoughts were to be close enought to walk to eveything...

Plantations - Only get to one... Which one?

Restuarants - There are so many to chosse from and the previous posts have been very helpful, so we will be abale to figure this one out....

Also - Coming up from Savannah, GA,. Is there anything we should see on the way?

Thanks for help.

Questions about Charleston?

April is a beautiful time of the year to visit Charleston. So I will start with the plantations, lots of flowers will be in bloom so you might want to visit either Magnolia Pantation or Middleton Place, both are known for the beautiful grounds. Restaurants are a tough one we do have a number of wonderful places to eat. Some you may want to try for lunch Josephs, Cru Cafe, Magnolias or SNOB. For dinner you could try Charleston Grill, McCradys, FIG or Cypress. Lodging- if you want to do it up as you say then the Wentworth is beautiful, however you have a walk to get to the center of town. You may also want to try the Planters Inn or the Market Pavilion both are lovely and are right in the market. Or if you want something historic and want more personable service maybe try 2 Meeting Street or my favorite is the Governors House Inn. Hope this helps you out a little!

Questions about Charleston?

If you plan your travel time right, coming from Savannah on I95, you could hit both Middleton and Magnolia Gardens on your way to Charleston. Skip the houses and just see the gardens. They are fairly close together. That would save you the trip BACK to see them. So, spend one day getting from Savannah and seeing the gardens, get to Charleston that afternoon in time for more driving around looking and plan on the next day to really see Charleston.

April is definitely a great time to visit as just about all the flowers will still be blooming and the gardens will be grand! It’s a toss up for me with the two plantations on the Ashley as they both have much to offer. Middleton Place is more formal gardens and Magnolia Gardens more informal. The house tour at Middleton Place is really not that great but the house tour at Magnolia Gardens is quite good. Middleton Place is $25 for the gardens and stables and an additional $10 for the house tour. Magnolia Gardens is $14 for the gardens and an additional $7 for the house tour. Magnolia has a Nature Train for an additional $7 and it is really very interesting. Middleton does have a carriage tour for an additional $15 but I’ve never taken that tour. Middleton Place does have a nice restaurant with a pre-fix lunch menu and full dinner menu whereas Magnolia Place just has a little snack shop. It really is a tough call as to which to visit but I do think for the value Magnolia is the plantation. If you do have time, stop by Drayton Hall on your way into Charleston (also on the Ashley River)…it is one of my most favorite places in Charleston as the house is pretty much as it was when it was built in 1783…the house has been preserved rather than restore which makes it so special to me.

As for historic homes on the peninsula, I have to say my two favorite are the Edmonston-Alston House on South Battery and the Aiken-Rhett House on Elizabeth Street. The Edmonston-Alston House it is quite grand and is a great example of restoration – almost 90% of the house looks as it did during its heyday. The Aiken-Rhett House is another great example of preservation – you take a cassette self-guided tour that takes about an hour and there are docents throughout the house to answer questions.

The John Rutledge Inn and the Governor%26#39;s House Inn both on Broad Street are some other great options. They are just a few blocks from the Market area and a few blocks from White Point Gardens (the Battery).

Enjoy your visit!

I wont comment too much on the lodging as it%26#39;s already been said, Charleston Place or any one of several B +B%26#39;s mentioned.

Food? Dinner? Charleston Grill, Peninsula Grill, or McCrady%26#39;s are the blow the budget best options. At slighty more reasonable prices, Fulton Five is a wonderful option for Italian food. At lunch, hit Slightly North of Broad if it%26#39;s a weekday or Blossom if it isn%26#39;t.

Magnolia or Middleton Plantation in April-do skip the houses at the plantations though and definitley do lunch at Middletons%26#39; restaurant if you opt that direction.

Any way you slice it Aprils one of the best times to visit-hope you have fun!

Lastly, Ginger, definitely Ginger...

Thank you for the info...

Stopping to see the gardens and for lunch on the way up seems like the logical thing to do and gives us a complete day to spend in the city...

appreciate the opinions on the lodging and the eating...

best

We travelled from Savannah to Charleston the previous two Aprils and plan to do it again this April (as a consolation gift for having to go to Orlando for an annual convention, lol!) Both times we diverted from hwy 17 to the town of Beaufort. It makes a nice lunch stop and walk about with a beautiful setting and great old architecture. You get to see a bit more of the lowcountry and its unique and beguiling beauty. I%26#39;ve stayed at both the French Quarter Inn and the Harborview Inn and recommend both (stay in a suite with balcony). Charleston Place seems very nice but a bit ';garish and glitzy'; for our taste (maybe overpriced too). The high end bandb%26#39;s recommended will give you some great flavor and restaurants recommended are great too. Can%26#39;t wait to get back and visit.