OK, I'll stay away from Charleston when it's hot or there's a festival, because I don't care for crowds and neither does Elery. Actually, I don't really like to travel and going on vacation usually bores me. Elery likes to lie around and do not much, maybe read or take a walk on the beach. I want to be doing something, going somewhere or seeing something. Mostly I'd rather stay home, but I'd go to Charleston and meet Jude and Elery could do something relaxing! Oh, and my nephew is getting married in September. Guess who asked me to bake the cake? Yeah. He did cut me 31 fence posts and put them in my barn, so I guess I owe him. Color scheme is, I kid you not, camoflage. Annie

I live about 4 hours from Myrtle Beach; we go there every year or two. There is a family-run hole in the wall restaurant on Main street in NORTH Myrtle Beach (that's a few miles north of MB itself), a few blocks from the ocean, called Hoskins. Very simple, no alcohol, but it has some of the best fresh seafood simply prepared, that I have ever eaten (and I'll be the first to admit I'm a snob when it comes to seafood). Scallops were incredibly sweet. And if you have a free afternoon drive down another 18-20 miles and check out Brookgreen Gardens. One of the most gorgeous spots in America, it's the largest sculpture park in the world. Here is a link that might be useful: Brookgreen Gardens

How fun! I love Charleston. It's been awhile since I've been but here is what I'd do. Either walk or ride bikes and tour the battery and walk/bike to see the historic houses, shop in the little galleries, etc. Tour the aircraft carrier if you haven't been on an aircraft carrier before. If weather's nice enough have a stroll and maybe a picnic on the beach. If the weather is nice tour Fort Sumter. When we went the boat was pretty open so be sure you take layered clothes if the weather is cold. If you still have time and the weather is really nice then maybe a kayak tour if you like that kind of thing (I do). We did a nighttime kayak tour there and it was very nice, but a nighttime tour would be too cold. If the weather isn't nice then I'd look into any plantation tours and historic home tours where you would spend a lot of time indoors. If you love historic homes and the weather is nice then you might consider taking a day and going to Savannah, which I think is a couple of hours away. There I'd walk the squares or take a trolley tour and look at all the old houses and beautiful parks and historic cemetery. River Street is not my thing although most people like it. Seagrass, if you are going to be in Charleston for two weeks I'd definitely do a day trip or two to Savannah. I have no recommendations for restaurants for Charleston. In Savannah my kids (grown kids) always like to go to Leopold's for ice cream. I think it's mainly the atmosphere. They also like Zunzi's for lunch, the very small one where you eat outside. My daughter liked the Pirate's House and I think you can tour the old pirate tunnel. Enjoy your trip. I love that whole low country area.

There is so much to do there! As others have mentioned, go to the visitor's center. You can get tickets for tours there. There are bus tours (my least favorite), horse and buggy tours, boat tour (we love that one, you should try it out a harbor tour of the area), walking tours, etc. Have you been to Patriots Point? Not sure if you have any children with you but my husband loves that place. You can even tour a submarine. We go to many of the nearby islands and there is a city about an hour or 1 1/2 hrs. away, McClellanville - we really like that city and it is less touristy. We've visited Johns Island, James Island, Edisto Island, Kiawah and Seabrook (our two favorite islands to stay on). You are also within driving distance to Harbor Island, Fripp Island and I'm thinking there is a third one down that way but can't remember. Those two are towards Hilton Head. Very lush islands with wildlife and mostly homes/villas there, not hotels, etc. We've been going to Charleston area for years, but we always find things to do. My sister and her husband bought a condo there several years back, for vacations (actually in Mt. Pleasant), and a couple of years ago purchased a house there to retire in! So you can see our family loves the area. I can't imagine being bored there! Try the Park Cafe for vegetables. Eli's Table or Butcher and Bee. Many others. You might ask about that at the Visitors Center too.