Gracie & Lacy's Charleston Adventures

Judy Garland sang it well, "Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning" or anytime for that matter!  Once I laid eyes on Charleston, I knew we had clocked our time doing mid-west winters.  The time had come...we were ready to relocate to a sunnier home-base for our traveling sister act, "Gracie & Lacy."

Lacy and I came to Charleston, SC to scope out the lay-of-the-land during a spring vacation.  In the words of the Charleston, SC CVB: "Everything you've heard is true - now start packing."  And that's just what we did!  We hurried home to St. Louis, MO, packed our bags and were living in the lowcountry a month later.

Whether you're seriously planning to move to Charleston, or whether you're on vacation...innocently toying with the idea...here's a tip: If you happen to find an unoccupied dwelling place while house hunting, you'd better snag it up quick.  In fact, you've got about 30min. to get back to your hotel and make up your mind. If you don't....DING! TIME'S UP. Someone else has already beat you to it.  We were lucky because, we found a happy place to live the very last day of our vacation.  And due to the nature of our entertainment company, Gracie & Lacy, our highest priority was closet space for the vintage costumes! As luck would have it...our back room has an entire wall of closets.  Hooray!

Well, needless to say, we love Charleston!  And this blog post includes all of our favorite spots to eat, shop, walk, sight-see, eat and then eat some more.  FYI: When you visit Charleston, eating becomes your favorite past time. This is why you'll want to check out the Charleston Swing Dance Association - to burn off all those calories! See Gracie & Lacy snapshot (right). This was our "last hurrah," shall we say...before returning to St. Louis to pack our bags, load our costumes and move down south.

Now, back to the topic of southern food.  Here are some places you must try if you are to have the full Charleston experience!  Also, take a look out at the list below of our favorite Charleston destinations.

My favorite bird down south...the egret.

THE HOMINY GRILL
Please don't judge, but this place serves the best bacon & sausage in the universe.  Oh, yes, you must also try their famous grits.  If you want coconut cake, just buy it at breakfast.  If you come back later in the afternoon like we did, it will be gone.

THE GLASS ONION
I ordered dinner here after I left a tapas restaurant with my stomach still growling. Ahh, the Glass Onion...the land of fried chicken and buttermilk.  Get the buttermilk with the chicken, you won't be sorry.  Also, put your name on the list for fried chicken about a week in advance (yes, it's that popular).

KING STREET SHOPPING
Walk the cobblestone streets, tour a historic church, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, but by all means, go shopping on King Street.

THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM
Make time for this museum.... then you will be able to tell your friends that you visited the first museum in America!  Legend has it that George Gershwin was inspired to write the score for the musical, "Porgy & Bess" on Folly Beach. Among many other relics and incredible pieces of history, the very piano upon which George Gershwin composed "Porgy & Bess" is on display at this museum.

THE DOCK STREET THEATRE
Catch a show at the historic Dock Street Theatre.  This theatre is known as the first theatre in America.  It is beautifully restored and is open to the public for tours.

RAINBOW ROW
Get a cup of coffee and take a stroll by way of the historic pastel houses on East Bay Street, known as Rainbow Row (below left).  Try not to covet the well-watered, un-neglected, vibrant flowers in the window boxes. While you're heading east, extend your walk along the East Battery.  Upon arrival, take in the fresh air, the breathtaking houses (below right), and walk through Battery Park.

Rainbow Row

Historic House on East Battery