Hi, we%26#39;ll be flying in on Tuesday around noon. What is the best way to get to Myrtle Beach. We%26#39;re staying at Compass Cove. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
Take NC Highway 70 east (or Int 40 East) to Interstate 95 south, in Florence SC take Highway 501 East to Myrtle Beach.
3+ hours maybe?
Good Luck.
I guess I should not have used the word ';review'; in my post yesterday regarding Egret Point - Spinnaker Resort in Shipyard Plantation.
Many tripadvisors have asked if anyone has been to Egret Point due to the fact that there is a scarcity of info on it. I have been asked by many fellow tripadvisors to post in the forum to answer their questions they have about Egret Point. This is what I did yesterday and my post was removed. At least one fellow tripadvisor from the UK read it and emailed me and thanked me for the wonderful post which was very informative. Sorry guys.
I did not feel I was violating anything on tripadvisor by responding to the questions people have posted regarding Egret Point. I was not giving ';an individual evaluation including a 1-5 rating, which is the description Tripadvisor used for a Review. On the other hand, I intended this for the discussion board (forum) because travellers have asked specific questions regarding this property and have also asked other travel-related questions regarding Shipyard Plantation.
I was merely sharing my personal travel experience and advice with my fellow Tripadvisors.
Honestly, I do not know why my post was removed. I love Tripadvisor and feel that I have contributed valuable information in the past.
Sorry for any infraction, but it is not clear to me what that might have been but for using the term ';review'; in my header which was an honest mistake.
D in Muskoka.
Well, am I going crazy or what? The post was definitely not there and now it%26#39;s back again with no explanation.
Anyway, thanks for whoever decided to put it back on the forum. Many tripadvisors will appreciate the info. I have already received two private questions about Egret Point today.
Glad to be back.
D in Muskoka.
Planning a spring break vacation to Myrtle Beach with 4 kids ages 8-14. Can anyone give us some good ideas? Maybe an easy snorkling excursion? Beachy things to see and do? Thanks
Where do we begin? There are hundereds of things for them to do.
-The Beach
-The Pools at the Hotel
-Mini Golf
-Ripley%26#39;s Aquarium
-Some Hotels have group activities like dance contests, hoola hoop contests, swimming contests, etc.
-Magiquest
-Myrtle Waves
-Nascar Speedpark
-Other things at Broadway at the Beach.
Myrtle Beach is really not a good place to snorkel. The water isn%26#39;t clear or calm enough and there are no shallow water reefs, etc to swim around and watch colorful aquatic life.
There are tons of things to do with kids. Some of the things I recommend are:
...riding boogie boards in the surf
...parasailing or banana boat rides
...enjoying one of the fishing piers
...mini golf
...Waccatee Zoo or Alligator Adventure
...go-karts
...Imax theater at Broadway at the Beach
Hi, You seem to be the destination expert. Can you tell me anything about a river cruise on the Ashley river. Last time we were there we did the Magnolia Plantation and it was beautiful. My friend%26#39;s nephew used to live down there and when he heard that we did that he said to take the river cruise. It sails right by the plantation. Can%26#39;t seem to find a thing on it and will be back in Charleston in June. I did a post and got no responses. It sounds like a fun thing to do. Thanks for you help. Sally
LOL
You flatter me, but I am by no means the expert here; I%26#39;ve just been around a long time. To me, the best part about Trip Advisor is that the entire community makes up the %26#39;expert%26#39;. There are lots of regular posters here who provide invaluable insight to the area, insight that comes from experience. Whether they are so-called %26#39;local experts%26#39;, lowcountry residents, or just folks who%26#39;ve been to Charleston a few times, everyone invests. That makes our little slice of TA a wonderful place to come for advice and guidance.
I don%26#39;t know off the top o%26#39; me head about this cruise, but I%26#39;m sure someone here does. I%26#39;ll still look into it, but once I do my research and (hopefully) find an answer, someone else will probably have already provided one.
Be back soon.
Well, I haven%26#39;t had too much luck as far as taking a cruise up the Ashley. The only thing I%26#39;ve been able to find is where you can kayak up, which is not something I%26#39;d really want to do in June. I%26#39;m sure someone else will be able to answer this.
FWIW, here is what I found out:
ASHLEY RIVER KAYAKING: Take a guided kayak trip on the Ashley River through tidal creeks, hike or ride horseback through woodlands, or rent a bike or kayak for a personal tour. Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Road. Call for prices. 556-0500
Sorry, not much help, I know.
Thank you for checking. I appreciate that. I have been doing searches too and nothing seems to pop up. Maybe it is no longer available.
I%26#39;m sure you know a little more than you think you do and believe me I listen, have gotten some great advice from trip advisor. What to do and also what not to do. The locals know best. thanks again. sally
Historic District? What streets make up the border of this area? Is this the area to stay in while visiting? Looking for a vacation rental and want to be in the right downtown spot.
Best downtown area to stay';Vacation rental'; to me sounds like beach. Is that what you%26#39;re looking for? I don%26#39;t think of downtown lodging as ';vacation rentals'; but that might just be me.
Best downtown area to stayI%26#39;m not staying in a hotel, and there are many condo and loft rentals in the downtown area. I will be on vacation, hence the term ';vacation rental';. Now, any advice on the posed questions since I will be staying downtown and not on the beach?
It sounds like you already have your spot picked out, but most people would agree that if you look at a map of Charleston, the area to the right of King Street and ';below'; Calhoun Street has the highest concentration of visitor activities. Narrowing it down some more - the few blocks around ';Market Street'; give you the best selection of restaurants and shops, while the area ';below'; Broad Street is almost strictly residential - but that%26#39;s where you%26#39;ll find most of the historic homes/gardens. All of Charleston is historic - and it%26#39;s a small city (you could walk from the Battery, which is at the tip, all the way to above Calhoun in about 20 minutes. From ';side to side'; it%26#39;s also about a 20 min. walk, so I wouldn%26#39;t worry too much about the location.
Sorry for the confusion - in this part of the country ';vacation rental'; can have its own sub-meaning and I just wanted to be sure so I could give you the best advice! :)
Thank you very much. This is the type of info that I was looking for. I appreciate it!!!
We will be in Charleston May 7- 11 this year and I%26#39;m wanting to keep up with my jogging while there. We are staying at the Church Street Inn -- any locals out there who can give me a roughly 5 mile route that would take me by some interesting Charleston sights?
This is ***officially*** the easiest question ever asked on this message board.
Where do I start? You can jog along East Bay going into the residential district (along the water is perfect). Zig and zag through the residential areas and you%26#39;ll easily get a pleasant workout. I dare you to do it without stopping and looking into the gardens and courtyards though - very distracting!
If it%26#39;s not windy jog over the Ravenel Bridge - ask your concierge for a map - there is a jog/walk/bike protected area and from there you can see all of the Charleston sites. It%26#39;s about 2 1/2 miles across the bridge, so if you want 5 miles just go a little shy of the Mt. Pleasant side if you want. Happy jogging!
OMG! OMG! I%26#39;m slapping my typing hand right now - ok now. I can%26#39;t believe I left this off!
If you get a chance to go to the beach, we have the most unbelievably perfect beaches for jogging. They are even firm enough to ride bikes nearer the water line. Pretty much any beach - and several bike rental places, too if you want to change up your workout routine. My dare here is not to stop every minute and pick up a sand dollar or a pretty shell (esp. at low tide) - again, very distracting!
You can literally jog for miles on sand, turn around, and do a few more miles. Isle of Palms north of Breach Inlet will give you the longest continuous stretch of nearby jogging beach - at times you can be 40 feet from swimming dolphins as you jog.
You will probably not want to go at high tide, so just avoid high tide by 1 hour either side. (Ask concierge or look at tide tables online) ENJOY! The variety of outdoor activities is one of the best hidden secrets of living in the Charleston area!
Wow! Thank you! I%26#39;m really getting excited for this trip. Could you tell me more about bike rentals? My husband loves to bike and that might be something we could do together -- but he hurt his shoulder skiing so we%26#39;d need some smooth terrain, like a bike path or something.
Also -- if we%26#39;re staying in the Historic District do we need a car to get down to the water, can we take a taxi or walk?
Thanks again!
I smiled when you said ';Down to the water'; as if you were staying on Nob Hill and going to Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf! :)
You%26#39;re in the ';Lowcountry'; - that means everything is low and flat if it%26#39;s not man-made. That%26#39;s why so many homes are elevated - to avoid major damage in flood waters. To get a grade change you have to go onto the bridge.
This is one bike rental company I found - it has some good photos of the area and bridge. http://www.bikethebridgerentals.com/index.htm They have a scroll bar in the middle of the page that you might miss.
If they aren%26#39;t near your hotel, I%26#39;m sure they can tell you who can help.
Forgot to answer your question...
pretty much no matter where your hotel is in Charleston you can%26#39;t be more than a 10-minute walk to some body of water. Less than 10 minutes if it%26#39;s low tide and raining hard! :)
Take a look at the ';Map'; link found on the left side of this page...it%26#39;ll help. Remember - blueberry pancake flat!
First visit to Edisto will be in August, 08. Cannot decide where on the island would be the best place to rent? North, South, The Point. They all look beautiful! We want views of the ocean and will spend most days on the beach. Have teens traveling with us as well. Any areas to stay away from? Any suggestions?? Appreciate your input!
Best views of the ocean are,of course, in oceanfront accomodations. If you want to be guaranteed an ocean view, make sure you rent a house labeled ';oceanfront'; or ';beachfront.'; If money is no object, I would try to rent an oceanfront house on the Point. You will have easy access to both beautiful sunrises (over the Atlantic Ocean to your north) and beautiful sunsets (over St. Helena Sound, a short walk to the south). Beware of homes advertised as ';beach view'; or ';ocean view.'; These are actually across the street from the beach; you will have a row of oceanfront homes (many of which are quite large) between you and the ocean. In many of them, you would have to stand on the roof to get a good view of the ocean. Houses marked in the brochures as ';beach walk'; are generally anywhere from 1/2 to 2 blocks from the beach itself.
Thanks for the info. If we do stay across the street from the beach, is there an issue crossing the street? I mean, how busy is Palmetto Blvd in August? Thanks!
relax! edisto is pedestrian friendly, and traffic should be minimal. enjoy your visit, an i hope you find bunches of shark teeth!
After being consistently disappointed by overpriced all you can eat seafood and or Calabash, my wife and I got smart and asked a local where they go for seafood. It was exceptional. Casual, not fine dining. Everything we ate was GREAT. Tomorrow is our last night here and we are going back! I have been all over the world and this was as good as anywhere. The prices are moderate, the quality exceptional. They will grill, fry or steam. We sampled seared tuna, gumbo, scallops, crab rangoons and shrimp, they were all great! The owner offered samples of several of the sauces to try, along with what we ordered. I find it interesting that when checking the internet you usually miss places like this. Thank God for daylight savings time we are going for a long walk after eating too much.
The former expert on this forum, MBConcierge (she passed away last year, God bless her) always recommended Mrs. Fish for great seafood. She stated that even though it was served on disposable plates it was the best you would find anywhere.
We will be vacationing in Myrtle Beach in about 6 weeks and are looking for recommendations on any new restaurants that may have opened up in the past couple of years. We haven%26#39;t stayed there since 2005. Any information that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
We really enjoy The Grill House in North Myrtle Beach.
Great steak and potatoes place and the owner is on top of everything making sure guests are enjoying themselves.
There%26#39;s a great stuffed potato you have to try with dinner.
I%26#39;m guessing it%26#39;s about two years old.
Here are some reviews....
myrtlebeachscrestaurants.com/The-Grill-House鈥?/a>
Kevin
Toronto
Thanks so much for the info on The Grill House, Kevin. I not only checked out the link that you so kindly provided, but I also checked out their menu on-line, and it sounds great. My mouth is already watering -- LOL! I really appreciate the info. Anyone else out there with recommendations on any other new restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area that have opened in the past 2-3 years? Thank you all in advance for your info.
I dont know how long it has been there but, NY Prime is incredible. Expensive but worth it.
Goobers,Wild Wings and a new location for Villa Mare.
RIOZ Brazilian Steak House, $39.99/per person, all you can eat ';meat'; located at 29th Ave N and Bypass 17, next to Broadway at the Beach.
Tony....
Goobers 52 sounds great. I checked out the online menu and some very positive reviews.
Looks like a great place to hit for lunch on our way from the airport to NMB on our golf trip.
Any favourites there?
Kevin
Toronto
Tony....
Goobers 52 sounds great. I checked out the online menu and some very positive reviews.
Looks like a great place to hit for lunch on our way from the airport to NMB on our golf trip.
Any favourites there?
Kevin
Toronto
Sounds like you are going to enjoy your trip to MB, beautifuldreamer! The info given so far by other posters makes me want to hop a plane to MB right now, given our current, cold weather. I hope your flight goes well, despite the negative reviews. Have fun on your trip. Tyme
We will be in Myrtle Beach during this festival time. We are first time visitors and wondered if there are any events that are open and free to people that are not members of any club. It would be fun to even learn how to shag.
SOS Shag SafariMost of your shag activities would be in North Myrtle Beach area. Seperate city from Myrtle Beach. Maybe 10 miles north of MB.
Most of it is centered on Main Street in Ocean Drive section. Couple clubs. Shag Hall Of Fame. No memberships required. Think there are lessons available.
Look up Fat Harolds Beach Club for more info.
Sent you message with some names and how to find more info.
what is a bicycle taxi? what is a she crab? going to Charleston next month and have been perusing this forum for weeks and have noticed these(and others!) and don%26#39;t know exactly what either are. Can someone tell me? :)
A bicycle taxi is similar to a rickshaw...college students (mostly) will cart you around town while they peddle their hearts out. While it is fun, do not rely on them for a tour guide. In Charleston, out tour guides go through a very lengthy process to be licensed.
She crab soup is a definitely must try while here. It is a cream based soup with crab and a dash of sherry. Personal favorite places for she-crab are Hank%26#39;s, 82 Queen and Poogan%26#39;s Porch.
Enjoy your visit!!
...and it%26#39;s called ';she-crab'; because traditionally it was made with female crabs (which presumably taste sweeter) and some roe from the crabs. According to Southern Living mag, the roe isn%26#39;t used much anymore since it%26#39;s not ecologically ';correct';. And 82 Queen makes great she-crab soup too!
You%26#39;ll see it called ';he-crab'; soup at some places to indicate the lack of crab roe. Pinckney Street Kitchen (McClellanville) and Sewee Restaurant (Awendaw) have some of the best in the lowcountry.
You must have a bowl of She Crab soup in Charleston. It is absolutely the best!
Oh do NOT use Fred Holland! My husband and I had a horrible experience with them! Incorrect/double billing. The property had a flea infestation, broken furniture and underwear left from the tenants. It took the company 2 days to fix the broken light bulbs and when we complained to the BBB, they pretended to have never heard of us. Thank goodness we had kept the contract. 2 of them, in fact, since they could never spell our name correctly. An awful, awful experience!
I have rented a couple of beach houses for my wedding in October from Fred Holland. All of the houses are brand new so they are in great condition. Unfortunately, the staff at FH is not very friendly and I actually caught them in a lie. I traveled from Columbia to visit the houses that I had ALREADY reserved (after calling the realty company first) and was told upon arrival that I could not go in the houses because their %26#39;broker%26#39; quit. When I went to the houses to view them from the outside, there were people in the houses looking at them to rent.
If you want to rent on Folly, which I personally love, you have to use Fred Holland because they manage most of the properties on the island.
We are staying in MB and thinking about taking one of the Casino Boat cruises. Not big gamblers by any means but do play the slots (I know, I know poor choice,lol). Any comments? We would be going on a Saturday afternoon in May. Thanks for any comments.
I%26#39;m not a big gambler (can%26#39;t afford to be one!) but I do enjoy the casino boats. There are 2 located in Little River, SC--about a 30 minute drive north of Myrtle Beach. Both of them have free shuttles that pick up passengers from hotels in the area, just call a day or 2 before to arrange to be picked up. Most of the grocery stores, convenience stores, Walmart, etc. in this area have a stand of free coupon books near the doors called ';Monster Coupon Books';; pick up a few of these as the casino boats always have coupons for some free play, buffets, etc. in them. It%26#39;s about an hour trip (3 miles out into international waters in the ocean) before you can actually start gambling, but it%26#39;s a very scenic route along the Intercoastal Waterway for the first 45 minutes, so bring your camera. You can take photos of the ships, from the decks, but not in the casinos themselves. You can gamble for 3 hrs., then it%26#39;s another hour ride back in. You can check out each ship at their websites--one is called Sun Cruz Casinos, and the other is called Diamond Girl. I do feel I need to tell you that Saturday is their busiest day, so please call and make reservations for one as soon as possible; if you want the shuttle pick up you can arrange for that at the same time. Good luck to you!
Thanks so much for all of this info, it is exactly what I was needing. I think we will go on Monday instead of Saturday to avoid a bit of the crowd so I appreciate that info along with the coupon hint as well.
Diamond Girl is no longer in business, there is another smaller ship there, under a different name, can%26#39;t remember what it is. Docked in same area where Diamond Girl use to be. The trip down the INTRAcoastal Waterway is pleasant, you will go out into the ocean 3 miles, gamble for while, then return. The ships are smoky, so if you do not like cigarette smoke, that might not be pleasurable for you.
Older couple planning a visit to Myrtle Beach for the last week in May. Our first visit because adult son moved there last year. Looking for a smaller oceanfront hotel not one of the big all-inclusive resorts. Price not as important as privacy, cleanliness and just feeling comfortable. Any suggestions?
Look at the Seaside Resort in North Myrtle Beach.
We stayed for any years there when it was a mom and pop place and they%26#39;ve recently re-built but it%26#39;s still small.
We%26#39;ll be there May 3-9.
Cheers,
Kevin
Toronto
Dayton House
Holiday Sands Suth - www.holidaysandssouth.com/
Tropical Seas - www.tropicalseashotel.com/
The Gazebo Inn. We stay here regularly and enjoy it. It is a small oceanfront hotel, family owned, with just a pool and hot tub. Private oceanfront balconies and efficiencies, at a very good price. It gets mixed reviews on Tripadvisor, but we have always found it to be clean and comfortable, if basic accomodations are what you are looking for. I hear it went through interior renovations this winter, but have not visited the Gazebo since last September, then some units had new curtains and bed attire, and all units were getting new mattreses. I am curious myself to see what was done this winter. You can check rates and such at
http://www.myrtlebeachgazebo.com
I think you would like the Blockade Runner in North Myrtle Beach. It%26#39;s one of the oldie but goodie hotels that hasn%26#39;t been replaced by a new highrise and the staff remembers you from previous visits. It%26#39;s on a nice peaceful section of beach between Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive. It has an oceanfront restaurant where you can eat breakfast...just an overall nice, clean, enjoyable place to relax and enjoy. I might add that my parents stay here every year during Memorial weekend...they can afford to stay anywhere they want but they chose to stay here because they love it.
Try Forest Dunes. Great location and views from 6th floor on up.
Look into the oceanfront building at the Best Western Grand Strand Inn - its a 4 story building. We stayed there and really enjoyed it because it was smaller and right on the ocean. They were building an indoor pool the last time we were there, it was going to open the following week. The rooms were really nice and clean. But make sure to specify the oceanfront building - there is an older part across the street from the beach, that didn%26#39;t look as clean when we were there.
If you want privacy %26amp; comfort you might check vrbo.com for a condo. Prices are usually lower than a hotel.
Hello again everyone!
First, thanks to all of the great people and the wonderful advice! We are counting the days (weeks)!
I am wondering about parking in Charleston. We will be staying in Mt Pleasant and driving into city each day. Are there parking garages thruout the city and street parking, what are the time limits on meters. Shoud we park in one area and do our walking and then move to another area?
Also, I read there is a water taxie from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston that takes about an hour. Is that correct and once in the city could we catch trolleys etc. How late does the water taxi run?
Thanks for your help!!
BJLady
Parking in Charleston from BJLadyThere are several garages clustered around Market Square in downtown Charleston. There%26#39;s also the parking deck at the Visitor Center which is about a 10 minute walk from Market Square but whenever we%26#39;ve arrived in the early afternoon, this garage is always full and they don%26#39;t post a sign to let you know that. You can park in one and walk everywhere you need to go in Charleston. Do not even think about using metered parking. The limit is usually 2 hours and you will spend too much time walking back and forth to feed the meter if you can even find a free spot in a convenient location. The meter maids are notorious and I can guarantee you will get a ticket if the meter expires. Parking along the battery is free and it%26#39;s about a 10 minute walk to the downtown area but these spots always fill up early and fast. There isn%26#39;t a trolley running around the downtown area like there is in Savannah but there is a public bus system.
Parking in Charleston from BJLady0144 - there is indeed a very convenient trolley (called the Downtown Shuttle) that has many pickup points all throughout the city. You can pay one price and hop on and off on that shuttle, and you can get a multi-day ticket and even get a great discount if you%26#39;re a senior citizen. See the website at www.ridecarta.com I see many tourists pick it up at the Aquarium and see it constantly running around the city. Looks like an efficient way to get around if you%26#39;re not a walker.
Also - in all honesty I have never had trouble finding free parking on Murray Blvd at the Battery. That is where the parking is free - and we often park there even to walk up to upper King Street shops (but we love to walk). The city has oodles of parking garages - they%26#39;re very well disguised to look like ordinary buildings because who wants to look at parking garages. No parking garages in the residential district though - and beware that unless you have a residential parking permit you%26#39;ll get a ticket.
The only place you might have difficulty parking in a garage is in the College of Charleston area on a school day, but just move over a couple of blocks and you should be fine.
The water taxi is I think more designed for people who are staying in the city and wanting to visit Patriot%26#39;s Point. It seems like an unnecessary complication to take it just to do sightseeing. It drops you off near the Aquarium, which is still a decent walk to even Market and East Bay. (though as I mentioned you can take the downtown shuttle)
OK - last option - if you%26#39;re staying in MtP and going to the city, the Bus 40 goes from all over Hwy 17 to the city. I often see tourists taking it though it is a primary means for people to get from the city to their jobs at hotels, hospitals and shopping centers in Mt. P. If your hotel is convenient to a bus stop it is a good alternative. Having said that, don%26#39;t be put off by parking in Charleston - it%26#39;s a small city that is easy to navigate and has plenty of parking. I%26#39;ve lived in the top traffic cities in the country and believe me, we don%26#39;t have traffic or parking issues in Charleston. Relax and enjoy your trip!
0144 and CultureHound:
Thanks so much for the great advice. Believe me, I%26#39;ve taken lots of notes and everyones help has been a blessing!
I did find spiritcruiselines. They have a 90 minute tour around Charleston Harbour that sounds neat. I think we could take some really good pictures and see the dolphins maybe!
Thanks again. I%26#39;ll probably be asking more questions before we go!??
BJ Lady
There is a large parking deck off of Meeting Street, about 1 block down from the Market on the left. It%26#39;s 5 or 6 levels high. It%26#39;s directly across from the old powder magazine building and the Circular Congressional Church (I believe that%26#39;s what it%26#39;s called.) Right in the center of of the historic district. I believe it%26#39;s on Cumberland street.
Hi - We are thinking of renting here in July. Just wanted to know who has been here and your thoughts are on this place. We are looking for a place for 12 people - 6 adults and 6 kids from ages 17-10. Thanks for any input you have.
beautiful luxury condo, went there few weeks ago for Chamber of Commerce Business after hours party and got a tour of one of the units, really very nice. If nice is what you are looking for. you can also check out Crescent Shores, Blue Water Keyes, all in NMB.
Stayed here last year during first full month it was open. It was without a doubt the nicest condo I have stayed in anywhere, and 100 times nicer than anything else at MB. I have three kids, they enjoyed all the pools, easy access to beach. Only nedgative I can think of at all is no food. This may have been remedied by now, they were building a tiki hut at pool, not sure if it was drinks only or if it has a snack bar.
Has any one been to the Hampton Plantation in McClellanville?
Yes - I have. and quite recently. It is a distance up hwy 17 from Charleston; turn left at the Hampton sign and continue a couple of miles to the plantation on the right.
The grounds are lovely - much less formal but much higher concentration of camellias than other plantations, even rivalling Magnolia Plantation. Wildlife on the property. Nice old home that hasn%26#39;t been too well cared for, with some outbuildings in worse shape. Very serene property - I would almost put this in the category of ';haunted';. All in all it is a lovely place to visit - bring a picnic lunch.
I was there 2 weeks ago. The grounds were very pretty. Best thing it was free unless you took the house tour which was only 4.00. A nice place to spend a couple of hours.
Although it%26#39;s a business trip for my husband, I%26#39;m tagging along so that we can celebrate our anniversary on one of his nights off. I%26#39;d really love to have a nice dinner somewhere where we can look out at the water. Any suggestions?
My vote would be some place in Shem Creek if you had a car. If no car, my vote would be to enjoy drinks at, for example, the Vendue Inn Rooftop Bar and then go for a nice romantic dinner at 82 Queen, which has no water views but has an intimate courtyard setting and lovely ';gourmet sothern'; food. Be sure to have their ';She-crab'; soup. Welcome to Charleston and Happy Anniversary!
I%26#39;d definitely go with California Dreaming. It%26#39;s very good food (best salad in Charleston) and it%26#39;s right on the water overlooking the city.
A little farther out on IOP is the Boathouse, great food!!! This would be my choice.
There is also a bar on top of one of the hotels on East Bay St., I forget the name, it%26#39;s on the corner at Market St., fairly new. Great view of the city and the bridge (thus water too, though not waterfront).
Enjoy!
The Fleet Restaurant is on the water in downtown. It%26#39;s more of a casual restaurant, good view and food.
www.fleetlanding.net
I%26#39;ve never been to SC so I have no idea what to expect.
Alas... Planning to go there with my family (wife, 6 y.o and 7 month old girls) and stay at the Dunes Village for a week at the end of April (19-26).
Is this a good idea? Is it going to be too cold for sunbathing outdoors? Swimming outdoors?
Are the restaurants in the area child-friendly, or we will have to cook?
Any comments, suggestions or shared experiences are extremely welcome. In turn I promise to share mine if decide to go there.
Thanks!
-A.M.
1.) I would say the water might be a little cool but you never know. Let the locals chime in on that.
2.) Dunes Village is a nice property and it%26#39;s fairly new (a little over a year and a new one within the past few months) The pools are excellent and they have indoor pools if it%26#39;s too cold outside.
3.) YES the restaurants are child friendly. More child-friendly restaurants there than not. I always cook breakfast in the room except for 1-2 days. I never eat lunch because breakfast is usually late and you are out swimming and touring. Eat some fruit or grab some fries or something. Lots of buffets, lots of casual restaurants and they are child-friendly.
4.) Myrtle Beach is nice. It is very family-oriented. The location of your hotel is nice and not as congested as other areas. You should look at the websites of Myrtle Beach to get an idea of what there is to do in your interests. Also look at www.broadwayatthebeach.com
www.barefootlanding.com
www.myrtlebeach.com
And look at some of the many things there is to do, see, and buy.......
We have been to MB several times and love it. It is a great place for kids. The outdoor pools may be a little cool for the babies but the indoor pools are nice and warm. Even the indoor lazy river is heated and the activity pool is just right for small kids.
You will love dunes village.
SUnbathing in April should be no problems. The pool temps, if not heated, will be pretty chilly and the ocean will be quite chilly. BUt the weather should be very pleasant and definitely can sunbathe
Thanks to everybody who responded.
I booked a room today, bought air tickets, reserved a car and looking forward to this vacation :)
-A.M.
thinking of staying at one of the hotels near ravenl bridge mt. pleasant and wondering if any buses run to historic center or can a person walk over the bridge into the historic section
buses to historic sites in charleston from mt. pleasantYes to both - The Route 40 goes from Patriot%26#39;s Point and locations along Hwy 17 - right to the Visitor%26#39;s Center area in Charleston. www.ridecarta.com
If you%26#39;re a walker, the bridge is one of the top attractions for keeping up with fitness routines. It%26#39;s about 2 1/2 miles long and has dedicated lanes for walkers/joggers and for bikers. The Mt. P side has pretty convenient, safe parking - when you get across you will be on the edge of the ';projects'; - an area of 2-story high density apartments on one side (but don%26#39;t be thinking ';Newark';) and road construction and docks on the other. It%26#39;s only about 6 blocks of that and you%26#39;ll be past the construction/etc. and be close to the Aquarium, which is probably the official ';beginning'; of the tourist area. Get a good map (like the one on this forum under ';map'; to the left) and plan out your visit schedule and have a great time!
I had narrowed it down to Long Bay Resort. And checked the latest reviews and they were horrible the pictures were very bad. Should I go for Ocean Reef next door? They quoted me a 1 bdroom in the new north tower for a little above the rate I got at Long Bay. (Is the tower really new?)They got very good reviews, or take a gamble at Long Bay?
I would hate to book a room that not only got bad reviews but also had the pics to back it up. HELP!
bump
I%26#39;ve stayed at both, a couple of years ago.
The Ocean Reef was a little bit nicer; although I had no problem with Long Bay either.
Things can really go downhill in a couple of years; so it%26#39;s hard to say.
If you can afford the extra bucks, I would probably book Ocean Reef if a bad room/hotel can ruin your trip. I understand completely, because I won%26#39;t accept a nasty hotel %26amp; it%26#39;s hard to get a refund %26amp; find another place once you arrive.
That%26#39;s actually how I stayed at both places in one trip. We had booked Sand Dunes %26amp; when we arrived it was so disgusting that I had a fit %26amp; got a refund. We had to search for another place %26amp; ended up at Long Bay for a couple of days %26amp; Ocean Reef for the remainder.
I stayed at forest dunes last year. The rates were very reasonable and all rooms have floor to ceiling windows. The rooms were spacious and the views spectacular. I just asked for an A unit. It was gorgeous.
I stayed at forest dunes last year. The rates were very reasonable and all rooms have floor to ceiling windows. The rooms were spacious and the views spectacular. I just asked for an A unit. It was gorgeous. Its down the street from long bay
I am planning a 5 night 4 full days anniversary getaway for charleston 5/30 - 6/4. It%26#39;s fun researching and discovering the oh so many things to see and do. Somewhere along the line I thought I read about a combination carriage ride and harbour cruise ticket, but can%26#39;t seem to find it. Does this exist or only separately!
Here is one... www.charlestonharbortours.com/tours.cfm#combo there might be others. Enjoy!
This sounds like fun! If we don%26#39;t purchase tickets online, where do we purchase them at the last minute? Thanks!
Yes you can get them in person when you%26#39;re here - I believe right at the dock%26#39;s office.
on the aqaurium website there was combo deals
My family (10 adults, 3 children) will be down in July for a week vacation. This will be our first time visiting - we%26#39;ve been to the FL panhandle (Seaside, Destin) the past 4 years but wanted to try a new place.
Need suggestions on several topics:
we already rented a beach house on IOP - 9th avenue. Is this a good part of the beach?
Restaurants: love to eat and needs some suggestion both in downtown, mtpleasnt, iop, wild dunes, folly, and sullivan. love seafood so would probably want to go 2 - 3 times where we%26#39;re there. maybe a good asian place one night. we have a big party so please keep that in mind.
can%26#39;t missed places to see: its going to be really hot in july so being outside for too long might not be a good thing.
shopping: my wife, sisters, and mom love to shop. any great shopping places for both modern and antigue type stores. any outlet mall nearby?
thanks in advance for any comments and recommedations.
You%26#39;re in for a treat by visiting the SC beaches. We grew up going to Ft. Walton and Destin. They don%26#39;t compare to the island beaches around Charleston,IMO. At least on Kiawah and SI, the beaches are wide open. No need to watch where you%26#39;re stepping as the crowds are nothing like Destin and Ft. W.
July is hot. Just remember to drink lots of water.
Check out the Post %26amp; Courier%26#39;s new dining review (charleston.net) to get some ideas on restaurants.
Shopping: plenty of antique and high fashion shops downtown. Park your car in a garage out of the sun and walk all day. A Tanger Outlet mall is located near the airport off of I-526 .
I%26#39;m a big fan of Gilligan%26#39;s ( one in Mt. Pleasant)...and I like Noisy Oyster ( one downtown and on in N. Char.)Both great seafood. Gilligan%26#39;s has a website so you can check out the menu. I%26#39;ve eaten there for years and it is consistently good. Also, Locklear%26#39;s in Mt. Pleasant is worth s stop - great she-crab soup. Best wishes.
I ';second'; Locklears in Mt Pleasant - it%26#39;s where the locals go. Also, for seafood, find The Wreck in Mt Pleasant - my personal opinion is that most of the places ';on'; Shem Creek are their for tourists - they%26#39;re not necessarily ';bad';, but Locklears and The Wreck are better. For convenience, although a little more expensive, the Boathouse at the Breech on IOP is very good. They take reservations. You%26#39;ll also want to check out Sullivan%26#39;s Island...
thanks so much for all that have responded. locklear, the wreck, gilligans, and boathouse for seafood - got it.
9th Ave is a good location - you%26#39;re close to the block of shops (a few restaurants, ice cream shops, tshirt shops, etc). The restaurant overlooking the ocean is very popular as there aren%26#39;t many places right ON the ocean and this is. I thought their shrimp quesadillas were pretty good - they often have live music and can fit large groups like yours.
Remember you%26#39;re in the lowcountry and at high tide there can be little sand and at low tide you will have to walk far to get to the water. On the Atlantic there are 2 high and 2 low tides per day - not like in Destin or in Cali.
For Downtown restaurant ideas - go to the Charleston forum, click on Restaurants and then Restaurant Links.
In Mt. P - I%26#39;d rec: Locklear%26#39;s and Mustard%26#39;s for dinner; Boulevard Diner for B, L or D; and Vickery%26#39;s, esp. if you go around sunset. Boathouse is great with lovely views - look for the dolphins as you dine.
On Sullivan%26#39;s Island (you%26#39;ll be extremely close) you MUST go to Poe%26#39;s Tavern (e.a. poe lived on Sullivan%26#39;s Island when he was young and got some of his inspiration for his stories in SC). Must must go. Try to go at an off time or you will have to wait - esp. with such a large party.
Shopping - so many hidden gems! If they%26#39;re shoppers they%26#39;ll want to discover these on their own. I know I do!
Asian place - Tsunami is good, but for a family I%26#39;d recommend Yamato in Seaside Farms (off of the IOP Connector). It%26#39;s one of those ';entertainment';-oriented Japanese restaurants. For take-out, we really like the Great Wall near Bi-Lo (northern part of Towne Center). Oh, Towne Center will keep the shoppers busy, by the way.
Sure it%26#39;ll be hot, but if you stay near the water there is always a breeze. Definitely suggest using beach chairs as opposed to blankets for 2 reasons - the sand is firmer and has more moisture in it. Don%26#39;t forget bug spray for the evenings unless you%26#39;re in a breezy area or have a screened porch.
Have a wonderful time and make some happy memories! :)
One more thing...Andolini%26#39;s Pizza - good for a group, great pizza and phenomenal Greek salads! Buy your fresh shrimp right off the dock - don%26#39;t even think about buying shrimp in the grocery store. (Shem Creek docks)
Sounds like there are some great restaurants to try and plenty of shopping opportunity for the girls. Thank you very much and we look forward to coming down in July. Can%26#39;t wait!
ps - i love this site b/c of the forum. i%26#39;ve used it last year when i was planning a trip to vancouver, canada. it was very helpful and so far it has been a great for our trip here. it%26#39;s only great when locals and visitors take the time to provide great suggestions and input. Thank you to everyone.
16 years ago, I visited Charleston with my newborn daughter. While there, my then-husband stopped the car and insisted that we take a picture of me holding our baby standing next to a statue of a little girl in a park, even though it was about to storm! The statue represented what he envisioned our baby would look like as she grew into a little girl.
My now teenage daughter and I will be visiting Charleston again soon. I would love to find that same statue and take another photo.
I can%26#39;t recall where it was! Does anyone recall seeing it? She was wearing a long full skirt and if I recall she was kind of dancing. I remember she was graceful and sweet.
2 questions - did you visit Savannah on the same trip b/c there is a famous statue there that comes to mind.
Next...any way you can scan the photo and put in on as your personal photo (the one that appears near your message?)
Nice story!
No, we didn%26#39;t visit Savannah, so it wasn%26#39;t the ';waving girl'; statue that they have. The Charleston statue was of a younger girl.
I don%26#39;t think I have the photo, but it may be with her father. I%26#39;ll have to check. I had hoped my daughter would be able to surprise him.
Thanks!!
I%26#39;ve scanned the photo that shows the statue I am looking for in Charleston into my profile. Has anyone seen it?
Thank you!
Its a little hard to tell as the pic is so small but it looks like you%26#39;re down at the Battery/White Point Garden. If you can get us a larger picture, we may be able to help identify it better but like I said, looking at the ground, lamp post and houses in the background, my first instinct is the Battery/White Point Garden.
Great catch, TG!
It is indeed at White Point Gardens at the Battery.
Work is denying me access to looking very well, but this statue is at the Battery.
In the words of Napoleon Dynamite, ';Idioot';-that%26#39;s what I feel like for having to ask this question:
Is the Charleston Visitor Reception and Transportation Center part of the Charleston convention and visitors bureau?
I have never really paid attention before. The convention and visitors bureau has a website but when I google ';charleston visitor center'; I don%26#39;t get what I%26#39;m looking for;-)
Stupid question of the century!Hi, OurGreatEscape!
My impression is that ';Charleston Visitor Reception and Transportation Center'; is the technical name of the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau facility, in the converted train station on Meeting Street, where we all go for discount coupons, tour information, etc.
I have had similar problems with web searches. Even when I get to the www.charlestoncvb.com website, there are no obvious photos, etc., of the facility. The situation on the ground is confusing, as well; because there is another place across the street from the CVB facility that has a simlar name, but which is private, commercial operation.
The CVB is a great asset to anyone wanting to explore Charleston. Better signage and and web identification would certainly help!
Stupid question of the century!That is certainly not a stupid question. Someone may want to help me on this one because it has been a while since I worked in the hotel industry....but these are 2 seperate entities. The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is located off of King Street close to Francis Marion hotel. It used to be near the Visitor%26#39;s center or maybe it is still there. But anyway, this is made up of people that work for the city of Charleston specifically traveling all over to promote Charleston and to bring in large groups to the area. For example, Corporate business meetings, Associations etc. They promote all of the hotels in the area. Big groups mean Big $$!
The Visitors Center is located off of Meeting street and it is here for visitors coming to the area and getting to know Charleston....yada yada yada....
This is a question for O%26#39;Meila!
Where you at, girl???
I guess it wasn%26#39;t a stupid question. Seems we%26#39;re all having the same problem.
FWIW, both entities have a King St. address and this is what has led to my totally confusion (it%26#39;s heck getting old and being blonde;-}).
Yesterday, I thought I was calling the Visitors/transportation center located next to the parking garage. When I looked at the number again, I had called the Charlestoncvb.
This time of year I%26#39;m too far from Charleston to just drive and walk in;-)
Family of 6 from England looking for condo style accomodation. Preferably in a quiet area. Don%26#39;t like high rise apartments. Any suggestions ?
You should look into Myrtle Beach Resort. It is a quiet section of Myrtle Beach and the resort has a lot to offer both adults and children. It is recommended you rent directly from an owner, as opposed to renting from the resort. You can find plenty of their condos on vacationrentals dot com or VRBO dot com.
Definitely try vrbo.com. Last year I was specifically looking for low-rise condos in a small complex that didn%26#39;t feel like a hotel. I found a great place in Surfside Beach. It%26#39;s just a few miles south of Myrtle Beach %26amp; is great for families. Lots of those type of accomodations are also available in North Myrtle Beach.
http://www.vrbo.com/63859
http://www.vrbo.com/88464
http://www.vrbo.com/133452
http://www.vrbo.com/104070
http://www.vrbo.com/128543
http://www.vrbo.com/36509
http://www.vrbo.com/33029
http://www.vrbo.com/32060
If your a family of golfers, you%26#39;ll love this condo.
www.windsorgreenrental.com
Windsor Greens,
Just a heads up,my sons friend lives in Windsor Greens and her car was broken into recently along with some others.Dont know at this point in time if the culprits have been caught.Hopefully its a done deal and wont occur again.
Unfortunately TonyMik, that is happening up and down the beach, car break ins are very common. Sometimes its just broken windows and nothing taken, other times they take whatever they can get their hands on.
Live in Upper Delaware and leaving Thursday between 10 and 12 - cannot leave earlier nor much later but want to avoid the Washington DC traffic - ususually take 95 up to Newark, De. and do MB to Newark, Delware in 8.5 to 9 hours (1 stop with no major traffic james)
Has anyone driven below routes - are they fast moving - are there better ones
Thinking of picking up Route 301 north of Richmond and that can take me all way to northern Delware
also
Pick up Route 58 at Emporia and over Cheasapeke Bay Bridge and up through Delaware on Route 13
Avoid I95 at all costs. Go through Dover, Salibury and the brifge/tunnel into Virginia.
OK: Is that 11pm-12am or 11am- 12noon? And are you only asking for your return trip from MB to DE?
Also just wanted to say that 95 IS NOT that bad. Now if you wanted to go the Chesapeake bay Route that might work.
Leaving Myrtle Beach between 10AM and noon so think it would put me in DC area around 5-6PM which could be real traffic jams
so looking for alternative route
I%26#39;m probably too late, but either route will work.
With your timing, I%26#39;d do the 58 to Norfolk %26amp; then north thru DE.
301 is great at first but you would still hit DC traffic at the northern end.
A local guy down in SC told me last year that if you can show proof (i.e. a pay stub) that you are a teacher that everybody in your party is admitted free to Ripley%26#39;s. My wife is a teacher and we were wondering if anybody has ever tried that. I will call Ripley%26#39;s directly if nobody here knows the policy. Thanks.
I checked the Ripley%26#39;s Myrtle Beach site and it states that this offer is for N.C. and S.C. teachers. The teacher gets in free and a guest (did not say guests, so I am assuming one person) gets in half price. It wouldn%26#39;t hurt to e-mail/call %26amp; ask if all this info. is current.
HTH,
Bren
Thanks for the reply Bren. I just got off the phone with Ripley%26#39;s MB site and they did confirm that if you are a teacher in NC or SC that the teacher and one guest is admitted free. Oh well it was worth asking anyway and for those in that area who did not know about this now you do!
I wonder if that applies to private school teachers, too??
I would assume it does but you can call Ripley%26#39;s directly to verify.
http://www.ripleysaquarium.com/
A few years ago my family and I rented a room at the Sea Mist (huge place) and were totally disappointed. Not only was it pretty pricy for the location of our room, our room was infested with roaches. When presented to the office staff we were told that we were wrong, that those bugs were, in fact, ';palmetto bugs';. Little did this ignornant woman know that palmetto bugs are a type of cockroach. Needless to say, my family and I didn%26#39;t care to share our vacation rental with cockroaches. Just watch out...investigate your vacation rental before reserving your space!
Sea Mist is very old, they are going to tear down and rebuild high rise, so yu can figure they are not spending much money on keeping the building in good condition, including pest control I would not recommend Sea Mist to anyone.
A few years ago? Why post now? Place could have been torn down, renovated, new management, or any other possibility....a lot can happen in %26#39;a few years%26#39;.
My best friend was married in Myrtle Beach and honeymooned at Sea Mist. This was about 3 years ago and she said that she loved it. She especially loved the water park. She had no complaints at all about bugs or the room itself. Sorry that you did not have a good experience there.
In response to ncgator%26#39;s comment:
I just stumbled upon this site YESTERDAY. That%26#39;s why I am just now posting about it. I have posted about Sea Mist on other sites prior to finding this one. Of course the Sea Mist may be under new management, renovated, or torn down. Regardless, once someone has a bad experience with a business, it usually doesn%26#39;t matter what changes have been made. I would never risk wasting my money on a place I didn%26#39;t enjoy the first time. Maybe you%26#39;re more forgiving than I am, but I%26#39;d rather not risk it. Why don%26#39;t you give it a try and tell me how it goes?
No need to take offense. The point I was trying to make is a %26#39;review%26#39; done today on an experience that happened years ago may not be relevant.
No offense taken. Enjoy your travels!
We are taking our three kids 11,8, 6 to Myrtle Beach next week March 23 - 30. Last year at spring break weather was 80+ so we did the usual beach pool beach deal all day everyday. Looks like this year%26#39;s weather may not be as warm. I%26#39;m looking for neat ideas of things to do with my kids, we have been to all the attractions, we like nature, hiking, shelling, museums, historical sites, etc. Suggestions? Thanks
going to MB next week suggestions for rainy/ cool days
Try Brokgreen Gardens and Atalaya at Huntington Beach State Park. Bull Island for shelling. Arrange a day cruise on a sailboat. There is an educational walk along the waterfront behind some of the restaurants in Murrells Inlet. May be a little early for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball season, I%26#39;m not sure. Spend part of a day observing the dredging/renourishment project now underway. A matinee movie is usually a treat for kids. Day trips to Georgetown are popular. If you look, you won%26#39;t have a problem filling a week.
going to MB next week suggestions for rainy/ cool daysthanks for these great suggestions, I%26#39;m off to look for more info about them
Imax was pretty good and I heard magiquest at broadway at the beach was really fun for kids of all ages. A trip to charleston is also nice with a carriage ride through historic charleston. We went to Hopswee plantation (I might have spelled it wrong) It was a tour of the entire houseand grounds. Very interesting. There is also a money saving coupon in the monster book. Have a great trip
I recommend Waccatee Zoo which is inexpensive and especially enjoyable for kids. Over 100 species of exotic and domestic animals. Admission is $7.00 adults/$3.50 kids under 12.
Capt Dick%26#39;s Marina offers a saltwater marsh explorer expedition. You get to view lots of birds, plants, animals and marine life plus there are usually dolphin sightings. It%26#39;s interactive so you get to retrieve specimens yourself from some barrier island beach. $19 adults/$11 kids under 12.
Kart Trax indoor go karts. My kids always wanted to ride go karts.
Huntington Beach State Park. It has one mile of beach, nature trails, fishing pier, picnic areas, a nature center, historic castle Atalya. $5.00 adults and $3.00 kids ages 6-15
There are some arcades downtown on the strip with skee ball, pinball, etc. I think the Gay Dolphin arcade is still open.
How about one of the Jeep tours? We keep saying that we want to do one and we live here. Ripley Aquarium, Dixie Stampede, Nascar Cafe.
Be sure and check out the the brochure racks for discount coupons. The Sun News (newspaper) will have things listed too. Pick up the KICKS magazine on the racks. It%26#39;s usually in Fridays paper and gives events and things happening all week.
Have the option at work of taking either the last week of june or middle of july for vacation. Considering the weather,pricing, %26amp; availability, etc. what is the better choice? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!1
Pricing might be a little better last week of June. I%26#39;ve gone several times during the 3rd week of June %26amp; it%26#39;s a little cheaper at most places...but I think it creeps up each week.
July is at it%26#39;s peak.
Yes, I%26#39;d go last week of June. Not quite as crowded, a little cheaper, weather hot, but not terribly so.
We went this same week one year. Nice time.
As we checked out and were driving home, we were amazed at all the traffic coming IN to MB..for 4th of July week. We were very glad to be heading the other way.
Go in June. You will have the start of ';family vacationers here. The last of the high schoolers have left. The worst time to come now is the 2 weeks after the 4th of July.
Can anyone tell me what its like at xmas time. What is the weather like, do the hotels do anything special.
We go every year from Christmas to New year, but we own our condo and do not stay in a hotel. Other than Cristmas decorations I am not AWARE of anything special that they do. We like to go to the Christmas Shows that sre still on at Carolina Opry and Alabama Theater until well after Christmas.Average temperature in December is air 60 degrees, water 55 degrees. Much less crowded at that time, but then a fair percentage of restaurants etc are closed for the season also. You will find plenty to do.
The shows close usually the weekend before Christmas and open back up after Christmas. All the hotels decorate. You need to ask the specific hotel you are staying at if they have anything special planned.
The week after Christmas is very, very, very busy. You would not believe the people that are here.
The weather can vary from year to year. There was 12 inches of snow 1 year. 70';s degrees and wearing shorts another. So be prepared for weather in the 40%26#39;s to 70%26#39;s.
Hey there guys,
I%26#39;m looking to spend a grand portion of today and tomorrow watching NCAA basketball games at a local sportsbar... In the Myrtle Beach Region
I know of all the usual suspects...
Jimmigans.
Liberty Tap Room
Broadway Louie%26#39;s
Stool Pigeons (Ack)
Shamrock%26#39;s
5 O%26#39;Clock Somewhere
But are there any particular places that I might be missing... something that I may need to place on my list of locales to consider.... A gem in the surf...
I%26#39;m looking for a place to camp out... grab a few cheap beers and maybe some good wings...
Myrtle Beach Proper certainly needs a BW3%26#39;s....
Spencers is a good place to watch the games. Good service and good food. Reasonable prices.
Located south end of Myrtle Beach at Hwy 544 and 17 Business. Across from Ocean Lakes.
I agree Spencers is good. Also Murphy%26#39;s Law is good. They have two locations. One South in and one more near Central MB. Also Buffalo Wild Wings is a great place to watch any sports. They are located on 501 just past the Outlets.
Hope this helps...
Goodland Bbq
646 springfield Rd
Springfield S.C. 29146
803-258-1027
This is an all you care to eat restaurant serving nothing but he finest in tender pulled pork, savory bbq%26#39;d chicken, hash and rice, fresh fried fish. beans, taters, slaw and sweet tea. The nanner pudding here will make you stand up and take notice. Reasonabilly priced so come hungry and stay late. This is some serious good groceries and they feature some of the best all round bbq eating to be found for miles around. You%26#39;ll know you are getting close when you smell the wood smoke drifting up from the open pit out back.Goodland Bbq is the real mccoy!
this is so much food they ought to sell rocking chairs. i know they could easily too. try the home made potato salad.
or hammocks! don%26#39;t miss the fried chicken. that was miss louise%26#39;s favorite.
ginny goes for the veggies. she says the greens are world class! i liked the okra and the fried green tomatoes. but it%26#39;s the mustard based bbq sauce that packs them in.
it just keeps getting better and better at goodland%26#39;s bbq! i%26#39;m still trying to catch them holding one of their legenday fish fry nights. we ate supper with them this past saturday night and it was real good. the veggies were fresh and the fish was hot just taken up out of the oil. the pulled pork was exceptional and even the lemon for some of the best sweet tea in america was fresh an cut fine for easy squeezability. they make you feel like familty at goodland%26#39;s bbq.
the bbq hash is devine here!
correction on the phone number to goodlands bbq.... it is
803-258-3511
Hello All - Will be arriving in the Columbia area later this week for a visit w/family. They just moved a few weeks ago so they haven%26#39;t had too much time to explore. Can you suggest some things to see and do w/older (10 and 13) kids as well as a destination for Easter Brunch? Much thanks - Jill
Spring Break VisitHmmmmm..... 10 and 13.... well, there%26#39;s Riverbanks, the zoo - http://www.riverbanks.org/ - and there%26#39;s the SC State Museum - http://www.museum.state.sc.us/ - a day trip to Charleston (about 2 hrs south of Columbia) - as for Brunch in Columbia, I honestly don%26#39;t know....
Spring Break VisitMotor Supply Co. in the Vista has great brunch and a wonderful menu that changes daily. Harpers in Five Points is another good spot for brunch.
Many thanks!
An article in the Business section of the Post and Courier today featured this really nice website called ';Charleston%26#39;s Museum Mile';.
http://www.charlestonmuseummile.org
Really comprehensive site - nice links and photos. Easy to navigate.
Oh - the article stated why the Aquarium isn%26#39;t featured - it is shown on the map but draws enough visitors they didn%26#39;t want to compete.
That actually came out on Monday and I saw it, told myself to remember to read it, and subsequently totally forgot about it. Getting old stinks.
Thanks for the post, CH! I think every future visitor to Charleston should read it.
Oh thanks - I sometimes read the P%26amp;C online and I didn%26#39;t check the date. Looks like they have more to add to the site as time goes on but it is very informative for visitors indeed.
my family and i are looking to stay in the myrtle beach area? how is surfside or other areas south? what about north myrtle?
I actually love both Surfside and North Myrtle. There are fewer high rise hotels like you find in Myrtle and instead there are more beach houses/low rise condos. These areas are generally more quiet and less chaotic than Myrtle but still located just a few minutes from all of the big attractions.
I%26#39;ve stayed in North Myrtle many many times and it%26#39;s actually my favorite beach....stayed in Myrtle many times and I love it. But we have been trying to branch out to new areas and try other places for a change so we%26#39;ve started hanging out more in Surfside and the south part of the grand strand. I really love the Surfside Beach area alot. We plan to explore the Murrell%26#39;s Inlet/Litchfield areas some this Summer.
If you like BIG CITY life stay in North Myrtle Beach. You are in another world at that end of the strand. The south end is more laid back. Surfside and Garden City are more like family beaches and family areas.
Big city? Yes, south end, in Windy Hill section of NMB, there are a few too many highrises. Cresent Beach is growing.
From Main Street north, it isn%26#39;t bad at all. Areas around Main Street and Sea Mountain Highway are about as ';small town'; as you can get.
No doubt you%26#39;ll venture out to attractions and major restuarants. For those ';Don%26#39;t wanna go out'; nights there are grocery stores, beach shops and several smaller restuarants on Main and Sea Mountain. Can go days without fighting traffic on Rt 17.
www.myrtlebeachskytour.com/2006/swf/p4_14.htm
Nothing against south end of MB. Our May trip will be in Garden City. Just not as familiar with things down that way.
Another thing to consider is when you plan to make trip. If you look back through the threads you%26#39;ll see references to sand replacement project.
South end is complete. Working in main part of MB now through July. Scheduled to start NMB project in August.
My husband and I are coming into town for a special dinner at Fulton Five but would like to have a pre-dinner martini somewhere nearby. Any recommendations? We like ketel One, up and dirty!!
C%26#39;mon, Charleston--where is a good place for a pre-dinner martini??
Club Habana above the Tinder Box Cigar Shop has great martinis. Great place to have a drink. Have a great trip!!
www.tinderboxcharleston.com
I have been known to enjoy a martini or two at Henry%26#39;s. I am not as sophisticated a drinker as you - I like my Cosmos and salivate over the thought of their German Chocolate Cake martini (sorry - a martini purist is probably cringing right now!) I think Meritage is known for tapas and specialty drinks, and Social is a good bet for a great drink. More than half the fun is finding your own favorite spot - so when you do - please let us know the good, the bad and the ugly!
Thank you, thank you, thank you...will report upon my return!
Your question intrigued me;-) Like CultureHound, I%26#39;m more into flavored martinis (that Chocolate cake martini sounds delish!)
Here are some suggestions to add to the mix:
Rooftop Bar at Vendue Inn http://www.vendueinn.com--for the view;
Readers%26#39; Picks from City Paper are:
Best New Bar
Moe%26#39;s Downtown Tavern
5 Cumberland St. Downtown.
Best Upscale Bar
Pavilion Bar
225 East Bay St. Downtown.
(843) 723-0500
www.marketpavilion.com
AND
Best Martini
Cypress: A Lowcountry Grille
167 East Bay St. Downtown. (843) 727-0111
www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com
Salut!
We had a few last week at Charleston Place. A very nice place and very good %26#39;tinis, but I can only say that I%26#39;m too glad that I wasn%26#39;t buying. $15 for a martini is a bit outside of my range!
I had a great one at Tristan%26#39;s Restaurant in the French Quarter Inn on Market Street in December.
Hello Fellow Tripadvisors: I am going to write this review in the forum as many have asked for a review and I cannot write each one individually.
We just returned last night from a week at Egret Point (Spinnaker Resort) in Shipyard Plantation. Beautiful, is the word. We have never been to either Shipyard or Egret Point before. We had a 3 bed/3 bath unit #4430. Beautifully decorated and very classy. Many stairs as the 3 bedroom units are on the top floor. The two king master suites with private bathrooms are on the main level along with the kitchen, dining room and living room. There is a balcony with table/chairs off the living room. The third bedroom, two twin beds with private full bath, is up a flight of stairs. The cathedral ceilings in the unit make it feel very spacious and grand. Our balcony faced a lagoon and trees dripping with spanish moss. The heated pool is very close and has an adjacent activity center with pool table, ping-pong table, foosball, books, games, etc. There is a washroom there as well. Free wi-fi and free computer with internet. Spotlessly clean and well maintained. The pool is quite large and the setting is beautiful and resort-like. Egret Point is close to Coligny Plaza using the Pope Avenue gated entrance. The beach is a good 10 minute bike ride either accessed beside the Crowne Plaza Resort or Coligny Circle. Two free bikes are provided in a storage unit for each villa. The unit is very well stocked and has a utility room off the kitchen with full size washer and dryer. Three TVs round out the villa, one in the living room, one in each king master suite. No TV in upstairs twin room (only bad thing as our son brought his Xbox and planned on using it in the bedroom he shared with his friend.)
My sister and her husband and four children were in The Cottages at Shipyard, just around the corner. They are very cute. They had a two bedroom unit. The back porch is very Key West style with rocking chairs. Very nicely furnished although another couple said theirs was painted ';pink'; inside with worn furniture. It must have been an older unit not yet updated. My sister%26#39;s unit # was 147 and was in the group of villas beyond the Hilton Head Health Institute.
We had FREE golf for up to four players daily. The courses to play were the three in Port Royal and the Shipyard courses. The guys liked the Shipyard courses much better.
We booked online at a special rate (too low to mention here but I will tell you if you email me) and it included FREE golf for up to four players daily, two FREE bikes, FREE tennis for up to one hour daily, and a $50 dining certificate which we used at the British Open Pub.
If anyone has any other Q%26#39;s I would be happy to answer you. WE had a wonderful time. There was a group of 14 of us. The teenagers had a blast together biking to Coligny for ice cream and a ride on the beach. What a wholesome family time together we had. The weather was in the mid to high 70%26#39;s. Perfect. There is a new addition to Tanger Outlet 2, American Eagle, which was a big hit with the teenagers. Oh, by the way, down at the pool there are picnic tables and two spotlessly clean gas BBQs which we availed ourselves of and cooked a delicious steak dinner which had all the sun worshippers drooling!
Thanks for reading,
D in Muskoka.
Hey,Luckytimer
Looks like you stayed at the very nice place and had a blast! I am happy to hear about American Eagle - my son%26#39;s favorite brand!
Agree with Luckytimer about Shipyard. We stayed there in mid-Feb , a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom unit. VERY clean, nicely decorated/full kitchen %26amp; laundryroom/ 3 TV%26#39;s. Very convenient walk to plaza/grocery store by the beach .
Golf was included in the price- we loved Royal Plantation- very friendly but professional, and relaxed pace of play- no rushing allowed. Recommend their clubhouse for lunch- beautiful and inexpensve.
Going to Dixie Stampede...I%26#39;ve heard different things about sitting front row/center. (Have 2 6-9 yr kids, Mom%26amp;Dad, + 70yr in-laws).
Originally assumed that%26#39;s the place to be, but I%26#39;ve heard some complain its too close? (one worried about %26#39;dirt%26#39; being kicked up in their food??)
If I have a choice, what are your suggestions on best place to sit for the show? (Yes, I%26#39;ve heard ';not a bad seat in the house';, but what do you folks think who%26#39;ve been there?)
Thanks much all!!
Dixie Stampede MB - Front Row Best Seats?We%26#39;ve been there and, truly, there%26#39;s not a bad seat in the house. Each row has advantages and disadvantages, but unless you have a serious vision problem you%26#39;ll be satisfied with any seat, I believe. We sat on the side in the middle row and were very happy.
I know that this may sound like bunk, but it%26#39;s really a credit to the quality of the show that the ';stadium'; is so well thought out. Don%26#39;t stress too much with this decision.
Dixie Stampede MB - Front Row Best Seats?We have been over a dozen times. There is plexi glass that shields the action from the viewers. I have sat in the front row and never had a problem with dirt being kicked up.
Agree with previous poster, there is not a bad seat in the arena.
Sorry to doubt you, Lillious, but I don%26#39;t remember any plexiglass. Perhaps it%26#39;s only at the narrow end of the arena so when the horses do a quick turnaround the dirt doesn%26#39;t fly up??
In any case... Baileyk9, just go to YouTube and check out some Dixie Stampede videos if you want to see the layout for real. I didn%26#39;t see plexiglass in those videos, either.
Hey all...
appreciate your thoughts so far (and quick response - wanted to book it today!)
The youtube idea was great as well (wow, what%26#39;s NOT on youtube these days?)
we%26#39;ve been going to Myrtle forever and never did either of the dinner shows, and this time taking my in-laws, so wanted to ';optimize'; the experience ;-)
this is a great site (b/c of the people!)
Thanks for pointing that out ChubbyTraveler. You are right, the plexiglass is only in a certain area.
Great suggestion to check out YouTube!
I can tell you that Dixie Stampede is great family entertainment!
Hello,
I am coming to Charleston for an all too short break next week. I have just two nights.
I prefer to stay in higher end accommodations, but there are two catches...
1) I have a three year old child with me.
2) The places I have tried to book are full.
I have tried the Planters Inn and The French Quarter Inn and The Charleston Place and Market Pavilion and a few other places.
Here is what I have now..
The Doubletree Guest Suites Charleston - Historic District (two room suite) for $309
Charleston Marriott (Marriott Concierge Room) Average price $260
The Mills House (KING BD EXECUTIVE LEVEL STE) $449
(never thought I would be asked to pay that much for a Holiday Inn)
Any thoughts on those?? I would like to stay somewhere that is considered a safe area to walk around, and the nicer accommodations the better.,.
Does anyone have any other suggestions of places?
Huge thanks in advance etc etc...
The Mills House is a Holiday Inn but you would absolutely never make that association otherwise. It looks more like the southern version of the Waldorf Astoria. It would be a good pick if you have the $$$.
However, you might find the Doubletree to be the better location and value - of your above list, I%26#39;d pick that one.
Have you tried the Renaissance?
merlot, also try the Holiday Inn Historic District - very nice, downtown, and the concierge is awesome! Usually runs between $140 - $200.
wonderful.. Thank you so much.
Nothing available at the Renaissance or the Holiday Inn Historic District,.....
Is the Doubletree really in a much better location than the Mills House?
I know... when I looked at the Mills House, it did look lovely. But for $140 more than the Doubletree a night???
OK.. I have just reserved the Doubletree.. just because I am worried about not getting anything available. I am a little concerned about the reviews on here, but I think, for the price difference between the Mills House and the Doubletree it was worth a try.
I can always cancel it if I find anything better reccomended.
Now.... What are must do%26#39;s for a short stay? I am thinking one of the carriage rides? and what about food.. What food is Charleston known for would you say?
I will do a search through the previous posts on this forum later.
Thank you all.
You%26#39;ll be very happy with the location of the Doubletree.
What to do: across from the DT you will find the Carriage Ride companies. There are several and they%26#39;re all good as tour guides have to be well-trained in this city. I think your child is too young to go on the walking tour as those tours take 2 1/2 hours. Take him/her for a walk to the linear park on the Charleston Harbor off East Bay St to see the Pineapple Fountain. The SC Aquarium just opened a new exhibit called ';Camp Carolina'; which features, among other things, a Bald Eagle. Very cool. From the patio outside the Aquarium try to spot some bottlenose dolphins. You might consider taking a Harbor Cruise or even go on the Ft. Sumter boat ride. (Both leave from near the Aquarium). If you had a car (I don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ll be driving down or where you%26#39;re from) you could go looking for sand dollars and shells on the beach at low tide.
That%26#39;s a start - ENJOY!
I stayed at the Doubletree in December and our suite was great. I had read some of the negative views and was wary about staying there but everything turned out great. The location is GREAT!
Thank you so much Culturehound.. Great tips.
Thank you all.. I feel OK about the booking now.
I do have a car as I am driving up the coast from Florida.
I am very excited about seeing Charleston, I wish I had longer, but there is always a next time.
I stayed at DoubleTree mid-Feb. and thought it was very good, beautiful flowers in foyer, excellent location, not noisy at night. My sister and I walked around at night and found it very safe, police around, lots of people on the streets.
Valet parking efficient and you can still have access to your car,(parked underground )if needed ,through the hotel elevators.
Small kitchenette included in unit- microwave, bar fridge, sink . The downside with a 3 yr old is that bedroom and bathroom are up a flight of stairs, loft style. Hotel offers buffet breakfast only-very good-but you can order in dinner from area restaurants.
Loved Charleston- was our first visit- but will go back for sure.
My wife and visit Charleston 2-3 times per year and we like the Drury Inn and The Vendue Inn. Both are clean and reasonably priced and are located right in the middle of downtown Charleston which is key for us. The Vendue Inn is located in the French Quarter right off East Bay St. near the waterfront park across from the Southend Brewery. I always request a room on the 1st floor because there is a popluar rooftop bar that can be a little noisy for rooms beneath it.
Hi All,
We (both from the New Zealand embassy in DC) are visiting Charleston and Savannah this weekend. We%26#39;re doing a road trip down there today.
We%26#39;d really appreciate some ideas on things to do, places to go etc.
We%26#39;re also really to keen to meet some people so if you%26#39;re a Charleston (or surrounds) local or if you%26#39;re also visiting then feel free to give us a call on the ';trip phone'; - 202 701 7443 (won%26#39;t be able to check internet much).
CHEERS !!!!
Scott %26amp; Danielle
Wow - Charleston and Savannah in one weekend? I don%26#39;t even know where to begin.
Quick List: Carriage Ride, Walking tour, Historic Home and Garden tours, visit a plantation or two, go for a walk on your own in the residential district (south of Broad St).
Try ';Things to Do'; in the left margin of this page for ideas and links.
If you get a chance to tell us where you%26#39;re staying and for how many days we could help more. Cheers!
A short weekend in Charleston? If the weather is nice and you like to walk I would recommend seeing the usuals...
1/ The Battery, Rainbow Row, and then to the Waterfront Park. You can tour one of the houses on the Battery.
2/ St. Philiips Church - it%26#39;s right in the middle of town and you can%26#39;t miss it.
3/ Eat lunch at Hymans on Market St. - this is a Charleston landmark and is still one of my favorites. The she-crab soup is terrific!
4/ After Hymans - walk up to King St for some shopping. If you go past the stores you will see some amazing houses.
5/ Tour of the Rhett/ Aikens historical preserved house.
6/ Dinner at Magnolia%26#39;s on East Bay St. This is a ';can%26#39;t miss'; restaurant.
7/ Travel over the new Ravanel Bridge to Mt. Pleasant, thru%26#39; Sullivan%26#39;s Island, and then up to the Isle of Palms for some beach time.
8/ Another good beach is Folly%26#39;s beach just South and located on James Island. Folly has really cool funky Key West vibe to it. If there eat at Taco Boy for lunch.
My hubby and I are going to go to Charleston in a couple weeks. We haven%26#39;t been away from the kids in ages so I want it to be really special. Where would be a good place to stay? It doesn%26#39;t have to be really fancy, I%26#39;m not looking to totally break the bank even though I know Charleston is expensive. However it must be clean and not in a scary neighborhood or anything.
Also if anyone has any recommendations on really great romantic places to eat I would appreciate it.
As far as places to stay, it really depends which days you%26#39;re here as to whether or not you%26#39;ll get a deal. The springtime is enormously busy here with the House and Garden Festival, graduations, Spoleto festival, and a big ';etc';. The real deals are usually across the river(s) - try searching in Mt. Pleasant if you are not finding lodging in Charleston.
Romantic restaurants - 82 Queen would be my vote, but Fulton Five gets great reviews (haven%26#39;t been yet) and I do like Mistrals A LOT. You may want to ask for a corner table if you go there as not all of the restaurant%26#39;s seating is conducive to ';romance'; - it%26#39;s the atmosphere, food and entertainment that make this place special. (also one of the better values in the city).
ENJOY!
Thank you for the advise CultureHound. We will be there during the middle of the week the last week of March so maybe it won%26#39;t be too busy.
Any more ideas on specific hotels to check? I%26#39;m not very tech savvy so I am having trouble figuring out which hotels are where and also where is the area I want to stay. I have never been there before and I am going next week so I am starting to panic.
If it%26#39;s a rare ';really special'; romantic getaway, stay at Charleston Place, and walk across the street to Peninsula Grill for dinner; If you want to splurge, just stay at the Planter%26#39;s Inn (where Peninsula Grill is located). You should make reservations well in advance.
lINKS: charlestonplace.com/web/鈥cha_a2a_home.jsp
http://www.peninsulagrill.com/
By the way, the coconut cake is as good as they say...
We have stayed at the Hampton Inn in the past, which is near Marion Square, Embassy Suites is right next door. Both are close to the historic district (walking distance), so there are tons of good restaurants close by.
Kids are on spring break for the next week, so better be checking on reservations right away.
Good luck, Beth
We like to stay at ';boutiquey'; places like The Drury Inn and The Vendue Inn.
