Leaving for Kiawah in a week...some questions

Hello,

We will be traveling to Kiawah next week and have a few questions:

-How is the weather? Are the hurricane threats pretty much gone?

-What is the ocean temp??

-Any sugguestions as to something not to be missed while we are there? We are traveling with out 8 month old son so baby friendly activities are important. My mother will be w/us to babysit some evenings too.

-We are staying in a villa at the golf resort and are interested in going to the spa. Are there other spa%26#39;s that are more affordable. A massage is way over $100!

Any other useful info will be helpful....we are so excited for our 1st trip to Kiawah!!

Leaving for Kiawah in a week...some questions

At the moment the weather is gorgeous; we were swimming in the ocean last week, and I plan to be on the beach tomorrow. The Atlantic is pretty calm, but October hurricanes are not unheard of.

Your eight month old might like to visit the animals at Rosebank Farm, outside the Kiawah gate. The beach is always great for little ones. If you rent a bike with a trailer, he will enjoy the ride.

Unless you want to travel into Charleston for your massage, The Sanctuary Spa is ';it.'; Like everything at The Sanctuary, the spa is very luxurious.

Leaving for Kiawah in a week...some questions

Thanks...I was looking at restaurants in the area. What are the best ones that are most affordable as we are on somewhat of a budget. I was looking at Shrimper%26#39;s, what do you think?? Any other suggestions? We will venture into Charleston as well so affordable dining suggestions for there would be appreciated too:)!

Shrimpers is not great, but it is fine for your purposes. Scoopers Ice Cream, which is next door to Shrimpers, is the best ice cream in the area IMHO. Unfortunately, Scoopers is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at this time of year.

I think you will enjoy the food court at the East Beach Market, which is right next to villa check in. They do dine in and take out. They do an excellent fish sandwich, and they always have hot soups available. The fried chicken meal is good for taking home for lunch or dinner on your porch.

In Freshfields, there is a soup/sandwich restaurant for eat in or take out at lunch time. There is also a pizza place, and a drupstore (Vincent%26#39;s) with an old-timey soda fountain. JavaJava is an outstanding coffee shop (much better than Starbucks) that has yummy breakfast pastries, paninis, chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches, etc.

For a casual seafood dinner, try UpDaCreek Seafood, which is upstairs, overlooking the marsh, creek, and marina, at nearby Bohicket Marina.

Between Charleston and Kiawah, there are some options along the Maybank Highway -

The Mustard Seed, on James Island, just south of Folly Road, is a very good restaurant, despite its ';diner'; decor (since they moved from the quaint but very small place next door). The daily fish specials are particularly good. The crab cakes are good (even by Maryland standards). My son-in-law likes the meatloaf and mashed potatoes!

Further down the highway, on Johns Island, JB%26#39;s Smokeshack is a great ';hole in the wall'; barbecue place. They have a set menu, but everyone gets the ';buffet';, which costs about $12 (maybe a little less?) for ';all you can eat';. The buffet varies from day to day, but it always includes South Carolina pulled pork, barbecued chicken, and lots of delicious and homey vegetable side dishes. Desserts area banana pudding, chocolate pudding, and some other sort of pudding.