Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, S.C.

The Nathaniel Russell House was the second stop on our tour down Charleston's Museum Mile.

This is another merchant's town home and is built in the Federalist style. We visited this home with combined admission to the Aiken-Rhett Home (see prior post).

Of course, like the Aiken-Rhett House, we were not allowed to take any photos inside. Though it was raining, we did get a couple photos of the gorgeous gardens behind the home.

It would not stop raining!

Another good stop along the Museum Mile.

Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston, S.C.

On our tour of the Charleston Museum Mile, we visited the Aiken-Rhett House.

This home was built in the 1820s and is an excellent example of town homes during this period.

This home was built by merchant John Robinson and later sold to William Aiken Sr., another merchant. Aiken's son, William Aiken Jr., later became a U.S. representative and S.C. governor.

The Rhett name comes from Aiken Jr.'s daughter, Henrietta, and her husband, Major A.B. Rhett, who raised their family in the home. (History from the Historic Charleston Foundation's website.)

Like many historic homes, we were not allowed to take photos inside. We did, however take photos of the courtyard, stable and other structures behind the house:

This is the back of the home.

One of two outhouses. Very elaborate for a toilet!

Courtyard behind the home.
Slave quarters is to the right, which includes a kitchen and rooms for the inside servants. 

Stable and carriage house across the courtyard from the slaves' quarters.
I believe more slave quarters were above the stables, as well.

You should definitely make this one of the places to visit in Charleston. You can combine admission with the Nathaniel Russell House, which will be my next post.

Museum Mile, Charleston, S.C.

A good way to see the historic area of Charleston, S.C., is to walk along the Museum Mile.

This historic walking tour (self-guided) is a great way to squeeze in as many museums and historic sites as possible. A majority of the sites are located up and down a mile-stretch of Meeting Street. But the Museum Mile's map will also take you to homes and buildings down some side streets, all within walking distance.

For many of the sites admission to one historic home or building will get you a discount into another property. So plan you tours wisely!

We only had one, rainy day to visit so we decided on visiting Aiken-Rhett House, Nathaniel Russell House and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. Admission to the Aiken-Rhett House and Nathaniel Russell House are $10 each or $16 to visit both.

If we'd had more time, I would have loved to visit the Edmonston-Alston House and the Gibbes Museum of Art.

I'll share photos and info about the homes we did visit in future posts, so stop back by to check 'em out!

Where to Eat: Tommy Condon's, Charleston, S.C.

While in Charleston we relied on coupons to help scope out and select places to eat.

During our rainy walk around the historic district of Charleston we stopped in at Tommy Condon's, an Irish pub at 160 Church St. Since we ate there for lunch we got $3 off an entree. If we'd ate there for supper, it would have been $5 off.

Right now, the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has a coupon to the restaurant for buy one entree, get another free.

For lunch, Chris got fish and chips and I got shrimp and grits, a dish you should try anytime you're in or near the Low Country (or here). We also shared a cup of She-Crab soup, another Low Country dish that I wanted to eat before leaving the coast.

Mmmm ... she-crap soup with some sherry! A perfect way to begin the meal.

Shrimp and Grits, which included tomatoes, ham and green onions. I've never had shrimp and grits with tomatoes before, so that was a welcome surprise.

Chris' delicious lunch of fish 'n chips. It wasn't even greasy. Not in the slightest!
Fun Fact: This is the only type of seafood Chris will eat.

Tommy Condon's should be your go-to place for a quick bite if you're walking the Museum Mile or exploring historic Charleston. There are other restaurants in the area, most within walking distance, so be sure to check them out, too.