Wordless Wednesday #17

Bowen's Island Restaurant in Charleston, SC (August 2015)

One of the best places in Charleston, SC to watch the sun set is at Bowen's Island Restaurant on Bowen's Island. The restaurant is really laid back. You stand in line (which can get quite long at sunset!) to order your food, then grab a table either inside or on the deck to wait for your food. The biggest appeal for seafoodies are the fresh oysters which you can buy in either whole or half size trays. If you order the oysters, you will have to work for them! Clawing and peeling and pulling, my husband has been known to leave this restaurant with bloody hands! Other seafood options are available, but my go-to is typically the keylime pie. I prefer to get my dinner in town since I don't care too much for seafood. Having a slice of yummy pie and watching the sunset is definitely my idea of a good evening though! Who could pass up a beautiful sunset like that?

Address: 1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Hours: Mon-Sat 5-9:30PM

What to Eat, Where

Over the last three years, I've had the privilege and joy of traveling to a number of different places and trying food combinations that were beyond my imagination. I've learned that just because you've had a certain food or tried a certain activity in one place doesn't mean you will dislike it another. In fact, food, for me, has been a way of breaking out of the mold and learning to try things that I otherwise might pass up. Luckily, my husband is a foodie and has very little that he won't try … which inevitably spurs me on.

Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?

Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…

1. In Hawai'i…

Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)

Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.

The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.

Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)

Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.

The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.

And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!

2. In NYC, New York…

Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!

Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.

And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?

Photo credit: edwardkimuk via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

3. In Boston, Massachusetts…

A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.

Photo credit: greg.turner via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-SA

4. In Charleston, South Carolina…

Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.

5. In Atlanta, Georgia…

Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.

For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.

A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.

6. In southern Germany…

Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.

Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.

Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?

7. In France…

You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.

The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!

My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)

Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!

Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?

8. In northern Italy…

My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!

Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?

9. In the Québec region of Canada…

How can you not have poutine?

I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.

Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.

Photo credit: akimapilot via VisualHunt / CC BY-ND

10. In Prague, Czech Republic…

Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!

11. In Key West, Florida…

To be determined.

In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.

What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?

Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!

One Last Fall Glimpse

Charleston, SC (July 2013)

Just found this picture mixed in with all of my travel shots and felt like it deserved some attention/love. I'm a little surprised that I found a plant with so many beautiful colors in the summer in Charleston! Does anyone know what it is? Maybe it looks like that all of the time?

* Participating in Susannah Connway's December Reflections. Today's post: Texture.

Wordless Wednesday 11/23/16

Charleston, SC (August 2015)

Sunset on Folly Beach

Shortly before Memorial Day (as in a few days before), my boss gave me the heads up that she and her family would be out of town the majority of that week. Since I rarely know more than a few hours before they go on vacation, I jumped into action planning an expansion to what was going to be a short vacation to Asheville, NC for the holiday. There was no way I could let the opportunity to visit the beach during the first weekend in (unofficial) summer pass me by!

I initially had plans to visit the beautiful Beaufort, SC as well as a few of the national park beaches nearby, but with my planning being so incredibly last minute, Justin and I found ourselves in a hotel in Charleston, more than an hour away from my chosen locations. It ended up working out though, because during our first night we decided to explore an area of Charleston and Folly Beach that we had yet to see … Folly Beach County Park.

Technically the park closes early (9AM-7PM), but because the beach has public access (i.e. you can get to it from outside the park), we ignored the no trespassing signs (like many others) and headed straight toward the beach to see a beautiful sunset. :)

In the past, Folly Beach has less than thrilled me. The water is rough there, perfect for surfing, but it can knock you over if you are only there to swim. It's not a relaxing beach by any means! … And public areas tend to be really touristy. I guess I'd call it a typical American beach. So you could say I wasn't expecting much from the Folly Beach County Park beach access…

What I saw took my breath away!

I photographed and photographed until the sun went down. I even went against my husband's better judgement and took my camera on the beach with me. (It can get sand in the lens which makes the lens dirty and prevents it from working as well as it is suppose to. If you do this with a nice DSLR camera lens, be sure to visit somewhere that can clean your camera lenses asap when you return from a beach holiday!)

See for yourself what a beach holiday at Folly Beach County Park looks like:

Have you ever found yourself surprised by a new area of an old location? Would you consider taking a walk on Folly Beach at sunset?

** Linking up to City Trippers Mummytravels.com and Wandermum.co.uk

* I'm participating in Susannah Conway's August Break. Today's images were chosen with the word "leaf" in mind (palm leaf?). :)

Best Places to Get Ice Cream in the South

Photo credit: J. Stephen Conn via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC

As a child, I distinctly remember my favorite ice cream being Bluebell. When I was about 8 years old a distribution plant opened up near my home and my fate was sealed. Clearly we would only be buying the most expensive ice cream in the grocery store from that point forward. Unfortunately (or fortunately for their wallets) my parents disagreed. Instead we bought the gigantic tubs of ice cream mass produced by whatever grocery store we were at: Wal Mart, Kroger, or Publix. The truth is my family loves ice cream. I like to blame the Georgia summer heat. When the temperatures reach 90º+ outside, the go-tos tend to be cold treats and water – not just to drink but also to experience.

Then I met Justin – a man who could cook.

At this point, eating became more about the experience than about filling a void. Quickly I learned that there was good food and then there was great food. Once you experience great food, it is really hard to go back to anything less. So my taste in ice cream has altered over time to reflect my growing sensibilities.

Last year around this time, we ventured to Scottsboro, AL and the Unclaimed Baggage Store as a late Father's Day "gift" for my dad. Then, just like the time before, we made a pit stop in Chattanooga, TN on the way home. While my childhood memories suggest that this is a tourist town, as an adult, the more time I spend there, the more I find to do. We explored local thrift shops and took a walk across the two bridges that connect downtown Chattanooga and the north shore, seeing as much of Chattanooga as we had time for.

While we were there, rather than returning to my go-to favorite ice cream shop The Ice Cream Show, we decided to try Clumpies instead, a place that had been rated as one of the best ice cream shops in America by the Huffington Post. Boy was I surprised at the amazing, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of Clumpies! It would seem I had, once again, misjudged this shop with it's sad name! A hole-in-the-wall family-owned ice cream parlor located amongst touristy eats on the North Shore near Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, Clumpies offered a large variety of melt-in-your mouth staples (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) as well as just as many seasonal treats. Justin and I tried the strawberry-balsamic, peach, pralines 'n cream, and vanilla, all of which we found pleasantly delicious.

After finishing our dessert there, Justin and I started to consider our past ice cream experiences. For example, which was better The Ice Cream Show or Clumpies? I think what it comes down to is what you are looking for in an ice cream. If you want the handmade deliciousness and the ability to try new and exotic (does peach or pralines count as exotic?) flavors, Clumpies is the way to go. If you are looking for Dairy Queen blizzard-like ice cream where you mix and match toppings to get your perfect flavor made specifically for you. The ice cream they use as the base is Mayfield and you are limited in choices – chocolate or vanilla, frozen yogurt or ice cream. Despite it's plain-ness, even in my description, the ice cream really is good there and definitely fun for a unique experience nothing like what you would typically find at Bruster's or Ben & Jerry's, typical tourist ice cream spots.

Other ice cream worth mentioning that is not necessarily in Chattanooga, but worth trying if you are in the Southeast include:
• High Road ice cream specifically found in the desserts at Sweet Auburn Barbecue in Atlanta. YUM!
• Jeni's which has locations all over the US. – Or buy the book and make your own at home. Sooo good! :)
• Butter and Cream in Decatur, GA is a current favorite! I'm a big fan of the butterscotch brownie! :)
• Paolo's Italian Gelato located in Charleston and Atlanta. – An Italian in search of delicious gelato found he had to open his own store! Try the floral flavors for an interesting twist!
• French Broad Chocolates in Asheville, NC – We didn't love the chocolate too much, but the ice cream was amazing! Go early, because the line can get really long!
• Or if you feel like having a lazy night at home, check out Talenti. We've tried the caramel, raspberry sorbet, and caramel with cookie crunch all of which have been amazing! This brand was once hard to find, but now we are seeing it pop up in stores all over including Sam's Club and Sprouts!

What are your favorite local ice creameries? Are you a fan of the gourmet ice creams that are all the rage right now or do you prefer brand staples like Mayfield, Bluebell, … or the Kroger Partypail? Share! I'd love to hear! :)

***Linking up with Lauren on Location,Marcella from What a Wonderful World, and The Sunny Side of This

* I'm spending July writing my blog posts in response to all of the wacky (and not so wacky) national and international holidays that occur during this month. Today's post was reshared  in response to National Ice Cream Day (on July 17)! What is your favorite place to get ice cream?
** This post was written in advance. I am out of town and working full time most of this month. I appreciate your understanding if I am slow to respond to comments and questions. :)

Charleston: 48 Hour Itinerary

Photo credit: Hunky Punk via VisualHunt / CC BY-SA

After sharing all that there is to do in Charleston this month, I decided to break it down for you. The following is a list of what I would ideally do if I had 48 hours in Charleston (and I didn't want to spend it doing new things!). This list contains the best of the best. :)

Day 1–

Check in to the Hampton Inn Historic District. I've had my ups and downs with this hotel, but overall it is a great hotel within walking distance of downtown. You will have to pay for parking, but the Charleston public transportation bus stops right in front of the hotel. No need to fight traffic or find parking spots.

After checking in, take a walk, for pre-dinner drinks, to the Market Pavilion Hotel Rooftop Bar. The views from up top are amazing! The drinks are on the expensive side, but it's a fun experience none-the-less.

Because you made reservations 28 days in advance *hint, hint*, head over to FIG (Food is Good) and enjoy a full-bodied merlot paired with some melt-in-your-mouth ricotta gnocchi. Like the Market Place Rooftop Bar, FIG is also on the expensive side, but the food is so decadent and delicious that you won't regret a stop here, even if your budget disagrees.

For dessert, head on over to Peninsula Grill and take an appetite. (Or a few friends.) Order one piece of Coconut Cake to take to go. (They don't seat you unless you are having dinner and/or have reservations.) Feel free to eat your cake inside the Hampton Inn's large lobby where you can pair it with free hotel coffee before calling it a night. What a great way to end your first day in Charleston! Yum!

Photo credit: SC Maritime via VisualHunt / CC BY

Day 2–

After waking up early to beat the crowds (locals, at least), head to the Marina Variety Store & Restaurant to get a delicious southern breakfast served with a view of the marina. There you will find odd seafood breakfast dishes (fish in omelets?) as well as Southern favorites (like fried green tomatoes and grits).

With breakfast over, it's time to head out to Isle of Palms Beach. Crowds typically begin picking up around 10am, so you will want to get across the Grace Memorial Bridge before then. Also, it's best to walk the beach in the early morning before the sun is at it's highest point.

For lunch, consider grabbing a spot on the deck of Coconut Joe's where you can eat fried food including seafood and drink frozen drinks. This is a great place to take in all the sights and sounds of the beach: from the sound of the ocean surf to the hot summer sun.

At this point I recommend cleaning up at your hotel. Put on nice/comfortable beach formal wear (whatever that means to you – a summer dress + flip flops is what I would do) before heading to the Charleston Aquarium. I typically am not one to recommend aquariums (Atlanta's is suppose to be the biggest in the southeast US), but Charleston did their aquarium right! It's located right next to the Cooper River and provides opportunities to touch a variety of sea critters, learn about how the aquarium cares for sea turtles, and view numerous shows as staff teach guests about the beautiful world found within water. Kids even have an opportunity to trade seashells for trinkets and treats! The staff at Charleston Aquarium is very knowledgeable and the location right next to the river makes for a fantastic afternoon visit.

Obviously, you can't return home without spending a bit of time shopping on King Street. Think of it as a mall. On a street. But, if that doesn't pique your interest, consider that the majority of the stores were built out of old building renovated for their use. It almost creates a magical experience that you won't find at any mall anywhere else (that I know of)! Along King Street, you will also find local vendors selling everything from clothes to honey. It's really a fun experience to have at least once in your life. :)

Dinner at SNOB (Slightly North of Broad) is a must. And if you can't make it for dinner, consider going here for lunch instead. My favorite is the veggie plate where they take vegetables from all of the other dishes they are serving that night and put it on one plate – for you! In the past I've had eggplant, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, grits, asparagus, French style green beans, and mushrooms on my plate. Every bit was delicious even the vegetables I don't typically like or eat! Salads and meat plates are also good there. I also highly recommend getting the Sprecher's root beer; it is so good! (Or you can get wine if you are more classy than me!)

For a beautiful view of sunset, head out to Bowen's Island Restaurant. But get there at least an hour before! They get packed! The line for food can take an hour or more to get through if you don't time your visit just right. Even if you just ate at SNOB, if you are a seafood fan grab yourself a plateful of raw or fried oysters. If you aren't into seafood (like me), try out the key lime pie. It may not be the best key lime pie out there, but the sunset definitely adds to the flavor!

Photo credit: j.s. clark via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA

Day 3–

Toast! provides a scrumptious breakfast, but doesn't take reservations. As with the Marina Variety Store, you will want to arrive early. Once there, be sure to pair the mimosa carafe with whatever breakfast you choose. It's a great deal at a great price! But you won't want to drive anywhere afterward… unless you are sharing your carafe with more than your significant other (or you are used to drinking heavily!). This is why I recommend walking off that mimosa at…

the City Market, Waterfront Park, Rainbow Row, The Battery, and White Point Gardens. Get all of your touristy sights in on one go. These places are all close enough to one another to be able to easily walk from one to the other to the other without missing a beat.

If you are a church-goer, you may want to consider taking in a mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist somewhere in there.

Finally, grab a wood-fired pizza from Blossom. It is so tasty and the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend away!

Hope you enjoyed my 48 hour taste of Charleston experience! And my whole month of blog posts related to one of my favorite cities! So… when are you going? ;-)

If you've been to Charleston, South Carolina before, what has been your favorite thing to do there? If you haven't been, what stands out most to you? What would you like to do there?

Linking up with Oregon Girl Around the World,
Suitcases and Sandcastles, and
Untold Morsels

Wordless Wednesday: Charleston Now

Charleston, SC May 2016

The Historic Homes of Charleston

Now that you've toured the best shopping (King Street, City Market, Art Galleries, Final Cut), eaten the best food (favorites, views, breakfast, dinner), explored the city (must-sees, beaches, plantations) and considered some awesome hotels, what else is there left to do?

Well… you could go home. :-/

But if you did, you'd be missing out on all of the history the city has to offer!

Rather than delve into museums, which, unfortunately, I'm not going to get to this month…

Let's take a bit of a walking tour!

Or well, I guess a sitting tour? I'm assuming you are probably sitting in a comfy chair reading my post from a tablet, computer, or smartphone. :) Let's learn a little bit about the buildings you will see (or have seen?) as you travel around the city.

Photo credit: lucathegalga via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

1. We'll begin with the Aiken-Rhett House located at 48 Elizabeth Street. It was built in 1820 by a merchant who lost five ships at sea in 1825 and was forced to sell his home to a railroad company owner named William Aiken, Sr. Shortly thereafter, his son, who eventually became the governor of South Carolina, Gov. William Aiken took over the home in 1833 after his father died in tragic carriage accident. Gov. Aiken did far more than beautify his home by traveling overseas to collect beautiful art and furnishings, he also completed an an extensive renovation of the property including moving the front entrance (from Judith St. to Elizabeth St.), reconfigured the first floor, and add a large edition to the home. Upon William Aiken's death, the home was passed on to his daughter, who passed the home on to her kids, so on and so forth until the mid twentieth century. The house is currently open to the public and available for tours Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, 2-5 p.m. for a fee of $12.

Photo credit: Frank Kehren via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

2. Next we'll move on to the Calhoun Mansion found at 16 Meeting St. George W. Williams was the original owner of this 24,000 square foot house that is made up of 30 main rooms and many other small rooms including a ballroom with a 45 foot high ceiling! Upon William's death, the home was inherited by his son-in-law, Patrick Calhoun. From that point forward, the home went through several owners gradually deteriorating until 1972 when a Charleston native took the time to restore the building. Tours are held from 11-5 during the summer and 11-4:30 during the winter at a cost $16.

Photo credit: mogollon_1 via Visual Hunt / CC BY

3. On land initially unfit for residential construction, Charles Edmondston, a Scottish immigrant, bought the property at 21 East Battery in 1817 just prior to the development of the seawall that would make the Edmonston-Alston House a possibility. Built in the the English Regency style architecture, Mr. Edmonston's home was completed by 1828 with an east-facing panoramic view of the Charleston harbor and view of the High Battery, the city's well known waterfront promenade. Through circumstance, an economic setback in the late 1830s cause Edmonston to sell his home for just over $15,000 to Charles Alston, a successful South Carolina Lowcountry rice planter and rice producer. Just as the other homes we've already discussed, the Edmonston-Alston house was passed down over time between family members until the last owner took over and turned the home into a museum hoping to maintain the beauty and history of the place. The public can tour the Edmonston-Alston house at 21 East Battery, for $21 per person. A higher $49 price tag also includes a viewing of the beautiful Middleton Place Plantation.

Photo credit: damiandude via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC

4. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward, Jr. was the first owner of the Heyward-Washington House located at 87 Church Street. During Heyward's time as an officer and leader during the Revolutionary War, he became exiled to Florida and his home was rented out to the not-yet first president of the United States, George Washington. After Washington's departure and the return of Heyward, the home was thereafter named after both men. While the home was initially sold to another, by 1929, the estate was in the hands of the Charleston Museum Organization becoming one of the first homes in Charleston to also be a museum. Prices for entry can range from $12 all the way up to $28 depending on how many of the Charleston Museum properties you intend on visiting. If you intend on visiting any two or three of these properties (The Charleston Museum, the Heyward-Washington House or the Joseph Manigault House), you end up saving money by purchasing entry to multiple at one time for a higher initial cost.

Photo credit: megnificence via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-ND

5. Speaking of Charleston Museum Organization owned homes, the Joseph Manigault House is another in the set of museums you can purchase entry to through your ticket to Heyward House, if you so choose. Found at at 350 Meeting Street, the 1803 home was designed by Gabriel Manigault for his brother, a planter who has studied abroad eventually playing a big role in Charleston taking on such duties as commissioner of the Charleston Orphan House, vice president of the South Carolina Association, and trustee of the College of Charleston (source). He was also a member of high society marrying into both the Middleton and Drayton families (which, if you'll recall, both had large plantations and, as such, money to spare!).

Photo credit: jacqueline.poggi via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

6. And finally, the last home, the Nathaniel Russell House, was built in 1808 at 51 Meeting Street for a wealthy shipping merchant. A Rhode Island native, Nathaniel Russell settled in Charleston in 1765 gaining his wealth and eventually marrying Sarah Hopton and having two children. Nearly 15 years after the marriage, Russell and his kin moved into their newly designed $80,000 Federal-style home. In the years following, the house was owned by Robert Allston (governor), the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (who turned it into a boarding school), and the Mullally and Pelzer families (who returned the home back to it's former glory of a private residence). It wasn't until 1955 when the Historic Charleston Foundation was created to preserve the property and managed to pull together the $65,000 needed to purchase the property and turn it into a museum in which the public could visit. Tours take place at the Nathaniel Russell House Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun, 2-5 p.m. for $12.

So, that's it!

Did you enjoy your sitting tour? Any plans to visit these gorgeous homes in the future? Did you learn anything new?

Goodness knows! I certainly did! Who knew all of the wealthy people of Charleston were so connected and had such a huge impact on US history?!

Are there any museum homes located near you? If so, have you taken the chance to visit?

** Linking up to City Trippers Mummytravels.com and Wandermum.co.uk

***Linking up with Lauren on Location, Marcella from What a Wonderful World, and The Sunny Side of This

Charleston Restaurants: Dinner

Photo credit: wallyg via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Charleston has some of the best food in the south, in my opinion! From places with a view, to sweet southern breakfast joints, you can find nearly everything you are looking for! My selections for dinner restaurants may differ from yours in that I don't consume much meat (I'm not vegetarian) and I dislike the taste of fish, so do with this list as you will. These are some of the places I've gone to for dinner… Some I would highly recommend, and some not.

1. FIG (Food Is Good): One of my absolute favorite restaurants (could you tell?), I highly recommend making a reservation via OpenTable 28 days in advance (otherwise you might not get in!). The food is astounding and the service amazing! (Don't judge if you get seated at the bar or "family style"; it's not at all the same experience!) Try the ricotta gnocchi or the creamy mashed potatoes. No matter what you order you are bound to get something unique and special … and perfectly delicious in every way! :)

2. SNOB (Slightly North of Broad): Farm-to-table style food served in a dress-how-you want but served with style kind of restaurant, over the years SNOB has been a staple for our Charleston visits. The delicious veggie plate is one I look forward to every time I go; I have to force myself to go to new places and try new restaurants. And yet… I keep returning. Time after time. SNOB truly has something special that keeps calling me back for more.

3. Blossom: Justin and I first visited Blossom after the yearly food festival, and what a treat we were in for! Scrumptious pizzas, (what I can only imagine to be) amazing seafood, and yummy desserts! We were only there for lunch, but I could easily see how this would be a fun dinner location. Plus, the staff was incredibly kind and willing to work with us! Order a dessert off of the multi-course menu without actually eating all of the courses (or paying for them)? Of course! Why not? … And wowee! How good the food was! It wasn't SNOB, but it was certainly delicious!

4. Cypress: Staying within the restaurant family that owns Blossom, we first experienced Cypress on a late night trip with Justin's parents. Not being terribly hungry, we ordered a meat and cheese plate and just kind of snacked as we looked down from the second floor window where our table was located. The food was good enough albeit expensive. If you are into fish or truly are head-over-heels in love with Blossom or Magnolias, give this restaurant a try, otherwise you may want to consider another restaurant.

5. High Cotton: Another miss for us, Justin and I went during our "honeymoon" and were less than pleased with the service. We didn't have a reservation, so they sat us at a table near the bar, which, unsurprisingly, didn't give us too much in terms of service. Plus, the restaurant was noisy and I had gotten a sunburn earlier in the day making me feel a little nauseous. Nevertheless, we ended up ordering chicken which was presented beautifully and tasted … like chicken. *shrugs* I think High Cotton is more for fish eaters, and since I don't eat fish, it just didn't strike a fancy with me.

6. The MacIntosh: This is our most recent find! We were last minute planning a trip to Charleston for Memorial Day weekend, and I was just looking for an opentable reservation at any restaurant I recognized that I've been wanting to try. This was it! Justin and I had just eaten a pizza and side salad at our hotel, so we weren't terribly hungry when we got here. But then, we ordered a delicious cheese burger with bacon and cheddar as well as a spring vegetable salad and a beautiful glass of merlot! Yum! Aside from Five Guys, this may have been the best burger we have ever had! Each bite was juicy and delicious! Seriously, if I ever want another burger in Charleston, I'll know where to go!

Do you have any food limitations that make choosing restaurants difficult? If you've been to Charleston, have you tried any of the restaurants on my list? If you haven't been, which one sounds the most appealing?

Embassy Suites – Airport/North Charleston, SC

image from Hilton website

Destination: Charleston, SC
Date: May 2016
Hotel: Embassy Suites
Brand: Hilton
Elite Status: diamond
# of travelers: 2
nights: 1

Making the Decision

Last minute travel on a holiday weekend. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson by now.

Except not.

Only a few days before Memorial Day weekend did I find out I wouldn't be working. Justin had some vacation days, and so we took them! Why not?

Well, high prices around holidays is why not.

As I looked around the Charleston area for a good, cheap hotel, I found nothing below the $200 range except for the hotels in the airport area. (Why did I ever get so turned off to staying in a hotel near the airport?)

It came down to price. $179 for the Embassy Suites or $260 for a hotel in downtown Charleston.

We went with the cheaper of the two.

I'm sure when it's not a holiday weekend you can stay at this hotel for even cheaper than the price I paid!

View from our room & complicated parking found behind the hotel

Getting There & Location

Four hour drive. Again.

Well, actually, more. We stopped in Augusta to take a look through Anthropologie's discount store, Final Cut. Then we were on our way.

Once we arrived in Charleston, we had to figure out how to get into the Embassy Suite's confusing parking lot … as opposed to the convention center's, where they had an event going on. From that point forward though, it was easy peasy. :)

The drive to Charleston proper was a good 10 minutes and there were not hotel shuttles that could be used.

However, if you are worried about convention center events or the landing airplanes being noisy, there is no need to be! The hotel was very quiet!

Checking In, Room, Elite Status Perks, View, & Amenities

Justin and I arrived mid-afternoon on a Friday before a holiday weekend. Our room was ready almost immediately, but we couldn't find any carts in which to move our stuff. :( So we haphazardly grabbed our things and then waited on one of the three elevators. Staff had given us a room on a high floor, two free bottles of water, and 500 extra points instead of a salty snack for being an elite member.

Our room was nice and big. (What else do you expect from a hotel with the word "suite" in the name?) Upon entering, our "front room" contained a large sofa and dining table, a small fridge and microwave, and "cooking" sink. As you walked down the hallway, there was access to a small-ish bathroom and a large bedroom with a view of … a parking lot. (Thrilling, right?)

However, to be fair, the interior of the hotel was "hollowed out", so the hallway to our room allowed us to look down on the lobby which they had filled in with trees, tables, couches, and fountains. It was really pleasant. :) Plus, it made the hotel a great spot for people or elevator watching, which we did a good bit of. (You'd be surprised at how interesting elevators can be!)

Along with the fridge and microwave, the room also had a Keurig, tv, phone, and free wi-fi, which we didn't hesitate to use.

Lobby & Lunch

Margherita pizza with chicken and watercress: yum!

One of our first goals after arriving was to get in touch with Bank of America about changing our car loan over to them for a lower interest rate. Justin needed to complete this during business hours, so after moving all of our stuff to our hotel room, we staked out a couch next to the bar in the hotel lobby for the next hour and a half while he made his phone call. Since our breakfast was eaten at 7AM, we decided that maybe we wanted a small snack before heading out to our dinner reservations at the Macintosh. We ordered a glass of soda water with lime (for me), a beer (for Justin), and a margherita pizza with side salad to share. I'm not sure if it was because we were hungry or if the food really was that good, but we devoured it! Unsurprisingly the prices were high, but, given that my husband needed access to his computer and was on the phone with Bank of America for most of the afternoon, it was worth the extra cost to be able to eat then rather than having to wait … all of the later. :)

While I've told you, at this point, about the hotel lobby's couches, tables, and bar, it should also be mentioned that right across from the check in desks, there is a hotel gift shop where you can buy souvenirs from your stay in Charleston, or random personal items or medicines that you may have forgotten. The shop isn't huge by any stretch of the imagination, but I could definitely see how it would be practical for scatterbrained travelers, like myself.

Breakfast

After a fun, yet long, night out on Folly Beach, Justin and I were pretty slow in getting up the next morning. We slept in later than we otherwise might have and slowly made our way down to the lobby around 9AM for breakfast. Justin got in the omelet line (there is a line for that), and I waked down the other side of the buffet where no one was waiting. I got things like bacon, sausage, french toast, and potatoes while Justin got an omelet (with cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms), potatoes, and yogurt with granola. Drink options included coffee, Swiss Miss hot chocolate, tea, milk, and 4 different kinds of juices (cranberry and orange are the ones I remember).

We were able to sit wherever we wanted in the lobby to eat our breakfast in peace, yet we found ourselves surprised to see how quickly the lobby filled up with breakfast seekers! So, be prepared! Breakfast is free, but if you want a specific seat (and there are lots of seats available), get up early!

Check-Out

Check-out was a breeze. We got in line and were helped within seconds. They took our key card, asked us if we needed a receipt, and then we were on our way!

Overall Review
★★★ (average)

Honestly, I was surprised at how well I liked this hotel. The furniture and carpeting seemed old and outdated, but, for the most part, the hotel was clean and well taken care of. The food was good, and the lobby made for an interesting place to people and elevator watch. (What'd you think I did while Justin was on the phone?!?) At $100 less than the rooms were going for in Charleston proper, I would definitely consider staying at this hotel again in the future. Plus, it was a nice bonus that the rooms were big and had both a fridge and microwave; those seem like great ways to keep your costs down while traveling for long periods of time! You can bring home leftovers and/or cook anything that can be cooked via microwave.

Your Turn

Have you ever stayed at a hotel near an airport? If so, were you initially worried about the noise of the airplanes? If not, would you ever consider it? … especially if it saved you a lot of money?

Do you like when hotels offer in-room fridges and microwaves? Do you ever use them?