I sighed so dramatically loud that even our dog, Wilson, looked up at me. “Everything OK, Hun?” Eric asked quizzically. “Yeah. I just…” I rubbed my temples with my forefingers. “When does school start?” Don’t get me wrong, I love having the kids home for the summer, but there’s something to be said about the routine of a school year. And the routine of this school year needed to begin with an adults-only getaway!
“Think we can do this?” I asked Eric as I flopped onto our bed. I grabbed the Charleston brochure from my nightstand that’s been tantalizing me for weeks. “Charleston, a capital city with small-town charm: join us as we celebrate the arts, embrace great food, and enjoy our heritage of outdoor recreation.” “Sure, Hun,” Eric said with a wink. I quickly grabbed my cell and called my lifelong friend Jeanie. She and her husband, Matt, have become our “impromptu pals.” When I hung up the phone, I must have squealed. Wilson’s floppy ears turned out.
The three-hour drive from Cincinnati went by quickly. Good ol’ 80’s background music and uninterrupted adult conversations were just the ticket to get things started.
Shortly before dinnertime, we rolled into downtown Charleston and checked in to the Four Points by Sheraton Charleston. This hotel sits in the heart of downtown on the Kanawha River and across from Haddad Riverfront Park, which hosts concerts and special events. It’s within walking distance to eclectic shopping and delectable food stops, a hop from some light hiking, and a skip from the casino. But first things first…this mom needed some rest!
We checked into our king suite with a separate living area. A quiet, calming bath was calling my name. “We’re staying in tonight, Honey!” I yelled. Good thing Four Points offered room service from its on-site restaurant, Recovery Sports Grill. Dinner in bed with complete control over the remote? Yes, please!
The best part about adult-only hoteling: no wake-up call. It was amazing to sleep in and have no agenda. Eric had gotten up earlier and browsed the newspaper; I smelled his coffee in the fresh breeze off the river. He brought me a cup just the way I like it: light and sweet. Coffee in bed, too—is this Heaven?
We took our time getting ready for the day. Today was ladies’ choice, so Jeanie and I decided to stroll downtown for some brunch and shopping. The guys didn’t argue. We like to try small-town breweries wherever we go. I’d overheard a fellow hotel guest gawking about Fife Street Brewing. “Apparently, we should try the ‘Blarney Fife’ Irish Red Ale and their Charlie West Mimosa,” I told the gang. Boy, they hit that on the nose. The drinks were delicious and the brunch sandwiches we added were simply to die for. Kudos to whoever invented their Breakfast Grilled Cheese. Egg, white cheddar, your choice of meet on top of sourdough. Yum.
After a light but filling brunch , we walked toward the Historic District and were immediately faced with the temptation of Rock City Cake Company. Since vacation cupcakes have no calories, we stopped in and sampled a few of their daily specialties. This hip shop offers rock ‘n’ roll décor throughout, serving modern cake treats that are visually stunning and refreshingly delicious. On the right day, you can catch cake and a concert all in one!
After wiping crumbs from our mouths, we stopped at our first store of the day, Stray Dog Antiques. This shop is one-of-a-kind—three floors of “unique antiques,” including hats, handbags, jewelry, housewares, collectibles, and even some interesting art and furniture. I walked these floors a few times and saw something different each time.
We continued on, stopping in Black Locust Custom Woodshop at the request of the hubs, but we were all impressed with their creations! These woodworking artists take the natural beauty of the great outdoors and incorporate that energy into custom cutting boards, clocks, small gifts, and home décor items, large and small.
Late afternoon brought us to the new City Center at Slack Plaza for some outdoor relaxation. Recently constructed, the plaza has a performing stage with a canopy, decorative fountains and lights, swinging benches, and bistro tables. We walked in at the Summers Street entrance, where a few towering sculptures stand, showcasing Appalachian heritage.
We were lucky to happen upon City Center Live!—free local music, food trucks, and some outdoor space perfect for chilling with friends that glorious day.
With a second wind, we stopped at Sam’s Uptown Café & Bar for a family-style sample spread of their famous Samburger, Tyler Reuben and “best-in-the-valley” wings. Then we headed to Axes and Ales for an introductory round of axe throwing, some friendly competition amongst couples, and a round of beers to cap off the night. And with no better way to end the evening, we walked back to the hotel for a well-deserved good night’s rest.
It was the guy’s pick for day two, and we were off to Black Sheep Burrito and Brews for lunch. Their hearty lunch menu offered appetizers, wings, salads, and specialty burritos made with steak, chicken, pork, seared tuna, and even tofu. They also had a separate brunch menu which looked divine. The Bad Shepherd, their on-site brewery, offered an array of award-winning beers. All around, a baaa’d ass (that’s a burrito!) place to gather.
Back in the car for the first time, we headed to the city of Nitro, home of the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. The guys dropped us off at Nitro’s Antique Mall so we could hit more shops while they hit the casino’s gaming tables. Mardi Gras Casino is over 90,000 square feet of nearly 1,000 themed slot machines and over 20 live table and Poker games. The boys were busy for a while!
After cashing in their winnings, they picked us up for something more my pace… travel keno at Katherine’s Café. Against better judgment, we passed on plowing through a basket of their wings which smelled so good, it was painful. Having saved room in our stomachs, we drove back to Charleston for a hearty dinner at the Hale House. Wagyu Burgers, Sirloin, and Salmon put a smile on our faces. The Hale House has the state’s largest selection of rare bourbons, and it’s also home to a hidden speakeasy! Our waitress mentioned it is open Wednesday through Saturday. This confirms we will be back to Charleston—so much more to see! After amazingly delicious food and the best-of-the-best bourbon/scotch varieties, we called it a night and returned to our hotel.
Knowing this was our last day, we ate a solid breakfast at The Smokehouse. A simple (yet delicious) egg + meat + potatoes kind of place. Add a side of cinnamon apples or sliced tomatoes, if you please; great prices too.
With full bellies, we headed to Kanawha State Forest, only 7 miles from downtown Charleston, for some outdoor views, fresh air, and light hiking. We decided to try out Beech Glen Trail for a moderate 1.5-mile trek that led to gorgeous views through Wildcat Ridge Trail, another 2-mile-long hike. It ran along west Boundary Ridge Road, dropping us into the Dunlop Hollow Picnic area. It was beautiful, refreshing, and just what we needed after all our “vacation indulgences.” We recharged with some water and snacks before returning to the hotel to rest and clean up.
Every old city has its secrets, and one of Charleston’s is the Red Carpet Lounge. In this neighborhood bar, local residents gather for good food, friendly service, and cheap drinks. This is the place to go if you want to get into the mix. This was our pre-show stop before hitting a live recording of NPR’s radio show Mountain Stage with Kathy Mattea. The shows are recorded live at the WV Culture Center Theater. We pre-purchased tickets online and enjoyed a set of live music that “lifts you up and calms you down.”
On our walk back to our hotel, I was thinking how perfectly perfect these past few days had been, and how I felt wholly refreshed to take on the routine of school and kids’ activities. “I might even miss the kids,” I joked with Eric as I squeezed his hand in mine.
We got back and took a seat at Recovery Sports Grill. We shared our reflections on the weekend, what a whirlwind summer had been, and how nice it was to unwind with friends.
“Cheers to family-filled summers, incredible friendships, and amazing adult weekends away!” I smiled inside (and maybe outside, too) and knew my heart was ready to head home.