Booking Your Room

Book early! This is especially important if you are trying to book during Asheville’s peak fall season (mid to late October). I booked our room almost 3 months in advance and just happened to snag the last pet-friendly room and they mentioned they were almost fully booked for the entire week. If your travel dates are flexible, you may want to consider a middle-of-the-week trip for more availability. You may even get a lower rate on your room!

Also, be sure to call to book if you’re traveling with your furry friends. Although the Princess Anne Hotel is pet-friendly, there are limited rooms designated to accommodate them so you’ll need to make arrangements with the front desk to secure one. If you are booking with credit card points as I did, call ahead to confirm they have a pet-friendly room available. They were more than happy to stay on the phone while I booked online so they could make a note on the reservation to lock in the right room for us. 

Pet-Friendly

A non-refundable $50 pet fee is due at check-in, which is more than reasonable and well worth their hospitality and welcoming environment. We were greeted with a warm smile and a welcome gift that included a frisbee, a water bowl, treats, and a roll of poop bags.

Our dog was allowed throughout the hotel, with the exception of the dining room, so we weren’t just confined to the room while indoors (which was even more appreciated given the cold front during our stay!). The hotel allows well-behaved dogs to stay on their own in the rooms. Unfortunately, ours suffers from separation anxiety, so we planned to eat our breakfast at different times to avoid leaving her alone. When I mentioned this to the staff while making our breakfast reservations they immediately offered for us to eat in the parlor with our pup! We loved having the option to eat our meals together vs having to go to breakfast in shifts.

Dining

As with any B&B, breakfast is included for each day of your stay. That being said, I’ve never had a meal quite like this one at any other inn! Not only are the complimentary breakfasts made to order, but each dish is phenomenal. We’re talking 5-star status! I am not exaggerating when I say that the Princess Anne Hotel’s meals were our absolute favorite during our entire Asheville trip. 

When you check in the staff will ask you your preferred reservation time for the dining room in the morning between 8 and 10. Keep in mind the time you select will be your reservation time for the duration of your stay. The day’s menu will be slipped under your door bright and early so you have time to review it before going downstairs to dine. Need to get out the door quickly and don’t have time to sit down for a meal? They’ve got you covered there as well with fresh pastries and sliced cake loaves to grab and go or for a snack later on.

The hotel also offers wine and hors d’oeuvres in the parlor in the early evening. Once again, everything was absolutely delicious and the presentation was on point. It was also a great opportunity to mingle with other guests!

All in all, I cannot recommend Princess Anne Hotel enough for a wonderful pet-friendly getaway in Asheville. With its historic charm, convenient location, and thoughtful amenities, I’m positive you will enjoy your stay as much as we did! 

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If you are anything like me, you LOVE being by the water. If I can’t be at the beach, give me a lake or river view please! Well, Greenville steps it up a notch with gorgeous waterfalls flowing through the downtown area. If you aren’t too afraid of heights, you should definitely take a walk over the suspension bridge to get the best view.

There are also a ton of great shops in Greenville and you can easily find something for everyone in your group. My personal favorites were M. Judson Booksellers and Cornerstone Minerals (not pictured but lots of awesome fossils and crystals).

Whatever you decided to do in Greenville, just be sure to bring your walking shoes since there’s so much to explore!

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I am a firm believer that restaurants are the heart of America and that the industry needs to be saved in order for the US to continue to thrive. The restaurant industry stimulates the economy in so many ways, by supporting our farmers and our fishermen, truck drivers and those that make the deliveries, the chefs, servers, and bartenders as well as their families. As Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen said so well “Restaurants in America are the DNA of a functioning America. We’ll not be an America as we know it if those restaurants don’t come back to be part of the American way of life.” (see his full interview with Anderson Cooper on CBS News).

The impact of COVID-19 on our food supply

The closure of restaurants due to COVID-19 did more than just directly impact their owners and staff, it completely disrupted our food supply chain! And without the appropriate distribution of resources, it doesn’t matter how much food we have because we won’t be able to get the food to the people that need it the most. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see farmers having to leave their crops to rot while the food banks are overwhelmed and our citizens are hungry because we do not have the proper means to get the food where it needs to be. 

Saving the restaurants does not just save a single industry, it will save so many from going hungry! Especially if the federal government steps in and utilizes the restaurants to distribute food to those most in need, which would help to not only stimulate the economy but also address a food crisis for those unable to work at this time. Although individuals like Chef José Andrés are lobbying to make this a reality, there are things that each of us can do as individuals to help our restaurants as well! 

Tips to support local restaurants

Here are a few things you can do to support your favorite local restaurants and your community!

Buy gift cards

Our current situation is not permanent! Although we cannot gather at this time, we will be able to come together as soon as it is safe for everyone to do so. It may look a little different when we emerge from our homes, the wait staff may be wearing masks and gloves, you may have to make reservations in advance or eat a “linner” instead of brunch or dinner to ensure your safety and the safety of others. But we will dine out again! Help give your favorite lunch or date spot a boost by paying it forward for when you can visit them in person once more. Have a friend or family member with a quarantine birthday? Restaurant gift card! Which brings me to my next point…

Order takeout

I’m sure most of us are pretty familiar with utilizing DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats and Grubhub at this point, especially if you have to order groceries almost a week in advance as I do with personal shoppers being in such high demand. However, don’t forget to check in with your local restaurants on their websites since they may not have the means to use those services at this time or maybe are still trying to get things set up. I’d hate for you to have to eat another blah fast food meal or order from a chain when you could step up your game with some local fare and support small businesses at the same time.

Many local eateries are offering delivery themselves as well as curbside pickup (cuz I mean, who doesn’t love an essential trip out of the house these days). While some have their full menu available, others have nightly specials served family-style or are offering a limited menu to ensure your food is high quality and as fresh as can be. You’ll want to be sure to follow your faves on social media for the latest updates because many options are while supplies last! Oh and by the way, if you are in California you can also order cocktails to go, win-win!

Tip generously 

Please be sure to always tip generously if you have the means to do so. The delivery workers and those preparing and packaging your food are working diligently to provide you with a delicious meal in the comfort of your own home while meeting the highest of safety requirements during this pandemic. Part of dining is taking care of those who have taken care of you

Post on social media!

Your local restaurants need all the exposure they can get! Many people aren’t aware that some places are still open for takeout so they may be overlooked as an option. By posting on social media, tagging the restaurant, checking in, sharing on your story, etc., you are providing free marketing for the restaurant and broadcasting to all of your followers that they are open for business. I’ve had several friends not realize that their favorite spots right around the corner from their houses are open until I mentioned it on IG. And boy were they excited! So you are doing everyone a favor really.

Even if you don’t have the means to spend money on takeout right now, posting latergrams of you and your friends brunching or of your plate of amazing french toast from months ago will still do the trick. So spread the love, post that pic, get your hashtag on, and save the restaurants! 

What other creative ways can you think to support your favorite local eateries? If you work in the restaurant industry, are there other ways that we can help support you during these times? Let me know in the comments below. 

I hope we can all gather again very very soon. Take care of yourselves and those dearest to you, and of course, wash your hands! 

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Fuel Up

First, you’ll want to start with a bite to eat and a few drinks to fuel up before you mosey down the gorgeous streets of the quaint historic district. Henry’s is full of vintage charm with great rooftop seating complete with shaded lounge seating and a porch swing (and it’s kid-friendly!).

Although they only offer “bar food” outside, it does not disappoint since the menu includes mini crab cakes, mahi mahi salad, and fried calamari. There’s also a full restaurant inside with reasonably priced, quality entrees suitable for everyone in your party. My niece is very picky and even she found something she liked If you’re looking for something a little more high-end, Hank’s is your spot for seafood and Peninsula Grill for a great steak. 

Rainbow Row & Waterfront Park

From there you can start your stroll through town. Our next stop was Rainbow Row, which is the iconic colorful houses. I recommend taking the long way to get there. An indirect route can lead you to witness some of the other charming streets in between destinations. There are some pretty adorable cobblestone roads, beautiful churches, and lovely little parks scattered throughout.

From Rainbow Row, you can continue to Waterfront Park where you can enjoy some shade. There are pretty fountains and lots of benches to enjoy some people watching, have a picnic, or just sit and relax.

The Battery

After you’ve rested your feet you can extend your walk and head over to the Battery to see the stunning antebellum mansions. Although you get a great view of the architecture by walking across the street by the water, don’t miss out on some of the gardens that may be tucked in between!  And there’s yet another picturesque park, complete with a large historic gazebo, at the tip of the peninsula known as White Point Garden. Bonus if you brought your dog along on the trip, the whole park is an off-leash area! Just make sure your pup is a good listener since there’s no fencing.

From the park, I recommend walking back up through town one of the streets just behind the main row (either Meeting Street or King street) to witness more amazing homes and gardens. You may even run into a walking tour or two and hear a little of the history. If you are interested in taking a full walking tour, keep in mind that they are usually about 2.5 hours so it may take up a good chunk of your time if you are just in town for the day. 

Time Permitting

If you have a little more time, you can also check out the following:

• Magnolia Gardens
• Boone Hall Plantation and Garden
• Charleston Tea Plantation 
• The Charleston Museum
• Old Slave Mart Museum
• Confederate Museum
• Gibbes Museum of Art
• Nathaniel Russell House

I cannot wait until my next visit so I can experience even more of what this wonderful city has to offer. With so many landmarks, great art, culture, and dining experiences, it’s clear why it was named No. 1 City in the U.S.  by Travel + Leisure! Have you had a chance to visit? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite spots in the comments below!

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Horse Country

Horses are the heart of Aiken, South Carolina. The town is the quintessential equestrian community with world-class facilities, picturesque farms, and some of the most stunning working barns you’ve ever seen. Do yourself a favor and drive around town to witness some of the beautiful properties, especially in the historic district.

If you’re looking for some excitement, consider planning your stay around Aiken’s biggest events, Aiken Steeplechases! Steeplechases are horseraces that include jumping over obstacles as opposed to flat horseracing. Official steeplechase races have been running in Aiken since 1930. They host two a year, the Imperial Cup in March and the Holiday Cup in October.

The Alley

I’ll cut straight to the chase, the best part about the Alley is that you can walk from place to place with a drink in your hand! That’s right, you can take your beer or cocktail to-go! (Just has to be in a plastic cup). This makes spring and summer nights feel like a block party with everyone mingling while playing cornhole or checkers out on the stone walkway. You can pour yourself a drink and make yourself at home at the Taproom. They have a wide variety of beer and wine to enjoy while you play shuffleboard or a board game, and kids are always welcome!

There are also some great restaurant options. The sushi joint has a large selection of rolls, sashimi, and entrees. For the picky eaters in the party, I recommend Mello Mushroom. Although they are known for their pizza, they have a rather extensive menu (more like a book!) so you are sure to find something for everyone at this local favorite. Plus, they have comfy couch seating outside on the alley that allows you to watch the kids play and get their wiggles out while waiting for their food. If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, I recommend checking out Whiskey Alley. For the beer lovers, there’s Aiken Brewing Company just around the corner from the alley which is a hot spot on Saturday night for locals since it has a full bar on both levels.

Shops and Art

Aiken has quite a variety of little shops. Everything from clothing to kitchen to home decor.  If window shopping is a pastime of yours, you can easily spend an entire afternoon moseying in and out of all the stores.

 A personal favorite was the Artisan Market & Decor. The owner (shout out to a fellow Californian!) creates some beautiful refurnished pieces and features local artist in her shop.  She even offers her space for workshops, so pop in and see what she might have on the schedule! Another must-see is The Gallery at Aiken Center for the Arts which features local artists. I was blown away by the talent in the area. They are truly gifted individuals and it was wonderful to see them being celebrated in their hometown.

Museums

Although I didn’t get the opportunity to experience the museums myself, it’s at the top of my list for my next visit. The Aiken County Historical Museum, the Train Museum, and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum are all very close to the heart of downtown.

The Aiken County Historical Museum is set in a lovely Aiken Winter Colonial mansion which has everchanging exhibits related to the county. The grounds also have an 1808 log cabin and 1890’s schoolhouse.

The Train Museum is located in the rebuilt Aiken Railroad Depot from 1890. It hosts two restored vintage dining cars along with several artifacts from all over the country.

The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum pays tribute to the forty champions of flat races and steeplechase races that have been trained at Aiken Training Track.  Also on the grounds are the beautiful Hopelands Gardens.

I hope you enjoyed the highlights of Aiken, my new favorite southern small town. Let me know in the comments: what’s your favorite small town in the U.S.?

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