Girlfriends Getaway

3 of my friends %26amp; myself will be spending four days in Charleston in mid-August. My friend%26#39;s son works for the Yankee%26#39;s minor league team there in Charleston, so we are planning on taking in a few games along with seeing the city.

We were thinking of staying on Savannah Highway %26amp; have booked rooms at the Best Western Seagrass. However, I am concerned about the quality of the hotel. Any other suggestions?

Also, we would love some great ideas about spending time in Charleston. We know it will be very warm %26amp; humid %26amp; figure it might be best to spend time indoors in the air conditioning. Are any of the plantations air conditioned?

Girlfriends Getaway

You will have a great time! It will be hot and humid so bring the sunscreen and drink plenty of water. When planning your packing, think - COOL, LOOSE and LIGHT. Sometimes a loose light skirt is actually cooler than some shorts. There is a lot of walking and the sidewalks and cobblestone streets are not good for heels so wear comfortable walking shoes.

The plantation houses at Middleton and Magnolia are both air conditioned. The restaurant at Middleton is air conditioned but the rest is outdoors. Go early to avoid the heat. The grounds open at 9:00 and the house tours start at 10:00. Tour the grounds first and save the house tour for when it starts getting too warm for you. Then go have a nice lunch before returning downtown.

Middleton is my favorite plantation and I love their house tour. The family history is told and the paintings and furniture are family pieces, not reproductions. The newest furniture is from about the 1880s. It is worth seeing. The carriage ride their is not a favorite for me but many people really like it.

Downtown the Nathaniel Russell House on Meeting Street and the Edmonston Alston House on East Battery are both very nice (and are air conditioned!) to tour.

The shops, museums and restaurants downtown are air conditioned. The Market is not air conditioned so shop there early. The vendors are usually set up and open about 10 A.M. It is fun and there is something for everyone.

Carriage rides downtown are a nice way of seeing the historical area. You can see where everything is and plan what you really want to see.

I know where the hotel is but do not know anything about it. It is attactive on the outside with a pretty fountain. The area is ok. I would not leave anything in the car but there should be no problems.

Ye Old Fashioned Ice Cream is on your way in to town and is a good place for a snack after the game!

Go Riverdogs!

Girlfriends Getaway

The Best Western Sweetgrass Inn is located on a commercialized suburban highway (a smaller city version of Rte. 17 through Bergen County, New Jersey). For someone in a car, the hotel is convenient for getting into Charleston, to the plantations, and around the area. It is also very close to Bessinger%26#39;s Barbecue, a favorite casual area restaurant. The surroundings are definitely not picturesque. The hotel looks fine from the outside, but I have never been inside it.

The plantations and historic homes are just that - historic homes. They are not air conditioned, except for maybe in a gift shop or a snack bar. They were designed with thick walls and positioned to catch the breezes so that they would stay as cool as possible in an age before AC.

On your first day in Charleston, go to the Visitors Center. They can give you information on everything there is to do. Be prepared to dress cool and stay hydrated. Also, be prepared for sudden thunder showers, especially in the afternoon. The gardens, market, carriage rides, and outdoor spaces are important features of Charleston and the plantations; so, try to adapt for the heat and enjoy your time here.

Oops! I stand corrected on AC in the historic homes. Good to know! Have fun.

Kawiahvilla %26amp; SCBlossom: Thanks so much for your input. Your tips and hints will certainly come in handy.

We are also thinking about taking a dinner cruise on the river. Is there only the one line - Spirit - that offers this type of entertainment? If you have gone, do you think it is worth the money?

Thanks again.

I have gone on some of their cocktails cruises for private parties but never a dinner cruise. Some of my friends have gone on them and loved them. They grew up here and they loved the She Crab Soup and said the food was really good. I was supposed to go that night but had a conflict in plans.

It is fun to see the city from the water. Spiritline does a good job.

I wanted to add to bring a sun hat if you have one. I could be helpful in keeping the sun from burning your face. That time of the year the sun is usually still up at the start of the Riverdogs%26#39; games and you are going to be facing it. Second Base is almost due west!

SCBlossom - Thanks for the info about bringing a hat. I%26#39;ll pass it along to my girlfriends. And I think we will definitely book a dinner cruise. Sounds like fun!