Restaurants
Robert Redden Footbridge, Harvest Moon Cafe & Courtyard Rome Riverwalk (Rome, GA)
We were recently visited one of our kids and hung out in Rome, Georgia. One of the footbridges in the town has a huge lighted American flag. It is the former Central of Georgia Railway swing bridge called the Robert Redden Footbridge. The bridge crosses the Oostanaula River and can be seen from various spots near downtown Rome. It is where the Oostanaula River and the Etowah River come together to form the Coosa River. The bridge once rotated on its central pier to allow steamboats to pass. At the end of one of the streets near the river you see a Steamboat as a reminder of the history.
While in Rome, Georgia we ate at Harvest Moon Cafe in downtown. Harvest Moon Cafe is a cute family restaurant with a nice menu and great atmosphere. The food was delicious! They use locally sourced food, including beef from livestock from Berry College. If you are looking to host a party in the area Harvest Moon Cafe has a room you could rent out with food, drinks and games like cornhole, darts and more.
Rome has a cute walkable downtown with various shops and restaurants. There are plenty of walking and biking trails even near the river in downtown. We have been to Rome a handful of times now and have always enjoyed visiting various places downtown during our stays.
While we were in the area we stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Rome Riverwalk. It has a brightly lit parking garage, a walking bridge over the river to the downtown, across the street from the athletic field, and pretty views of the river and the Robert Redden Footbridge.
If you are in the area or near Rome, Georgia you should check it out!
Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant, SC)
Our group picked out Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC to go to as a special dinner during our weekend in the area. When using the GSP directions make sure you are in the right location because ours originally led us to a house in a residential neighborhood (a couple blocks away from Saltwater Cowboys). The restaurant should be along Shem Creek near a couple of other restaurants.
We picked this restaurant because it served BBQ, seafood, and traditional American food so it had a variety of options for everyone to pick from for dinner.
We went on a Friday night and the biggest complication we had was finding parking. It was a decent size parking lot but very busy. We had to drive through the parking lot more than once before we found a park spot. The waiting was not long despite the restaurant being very busy. The restaurant and deck is good sized so a lot of people were being served. They had a band playing and were pretty quick with the service as well.
We shared the Boals Family Crab Dip appetizer (photo above) that came with carrots, celery and 1 small sleeve of Ritz crackers. It was delicious but was not a very big appetizer for 5 people. The table next to us shared the trash can nacho appetizer which was huge and looked really cool. They served the trash can nachos in a large “coffee can” and flipped it over once they arrived at the table.
The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. We had a variety of seafood, hamburgers, and BBQ in our group.
Travel & Vacation: Noisy Oyster Seafood Restaurant (Charleston, SC)
Noisy Oyster Restaurant
When we are traveling to various places we enjoy trying out a couple of the local restaurants. We’ve been to Charleston several times and have found some ones that we really like. Since Charleston is so close to the Atlantic Ocean we like to try different seafood places occasionally when we are in the area. Our family has eaten at both of the Noisy Oyster locations, one in North Charleston and the other one in Downtown Charleston.
Both Noisy Oyster restaurants have great food and a unique atmosphere that is fun for the whole family. The one in Downtown Charleston is right along Market St and it has open windows so you can enjoy your dinner while watching the various activities going on downtown. It is pretty common to see horse drawn carriages or pedicabs (or bike taxi) during your meal. After you eat you can take a stroll through the Charleston’s City Market or browse through one of the many neat shops nearby to find a unique souvenir.
The Noisy Oyster in North Charleston has a different setting, but still great food. It is in a little quieter part of town and doesn’t have the open windows. It looks more like a traditional seafood restaurant. If you want to relax or stretch your legs after dinner you can go to Barnes & Noble or the local mall nearby.
If you are looking for a good family restaurant that serves seafood in the Charleston area you should check out Noisy Oyster. We have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Sometimes its fun to try something new when you are on vacation!
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Happy Veterans Day – List of FREE Food, Drinks, and Meals for Active Military & Veterans
A picture we took at the Vietnam Memorial earlier this year! Thankful for those who have served our country!Happy Veterans Day! I am grateful for all the veterans who have and are currently serving our country! I have several family members who are veterans and I am sure you know of someone you could thank too. In honor of Veterans Day several restaurants have extended a very special “thank you” in the form of discount or free meal or food item(s).It is always a good idea to confirm with the specific restaurant prior to going. Also, many require that you show military ID so be prepared. Here is a list of some honoring Veteran’s today – November 11, 2014:
Applebee’s Free Meal (Lunch or Dinner) – On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Applebee’s is offering veterans and active duty military members free signature Thank You Meal menu meal from open to close. The menu includes some of Applebee’s favorite items – 7 oz. House Sirloin, The American Standard All-In Burger, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Double Crunch Shrimp, Chicken Tenders Platter or Oriental Chicken Salad. To receive the free meal you must present valid Veteran’s form of identification or be in uniform.
Carrabba’s Free Appetizer – Free appetizer of your choice for all active duty service members and veterans at participating locations November 8th through November 11th, 2014.
Chick-fil-A Free Meal – Free meal to all veterans and those currently serving on November 11, 2014 at participating stores. Military ID required.
Chili’s Free Meal (Lunch or Dinner) – All veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. They have a choice of one of 7 meals during the dinner hour, or any lunch combo during lunch. Dine-in only and from limited menu; beverages and gratuity not included. Must show proof of military service.
Chuck E. Cheese’s 20 Free Tokens – 20 Free tokens for all active military or veterans that visit participating locations from Sunday, November 9 through Saturday, November 15. Military ID or proof of service is required
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Free Dessert – Veterans and active military receive a free complimentary Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake dessert at participating stores on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Must show valid military ID.
Denny’s All You Can Eat Pancakes – Free all you can eat pancakes for active military and veterans at participating stores on November 11, 2014 from 5:00 AM to Noon. Must show valid military ID.
Fatz Cafe Free Entree – All veterans and active military will receive a free $12.99 entree credit on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating stores. Must show valid military ID.
Golden Corral Free Buffet & Drink – All active military or veterans will recieve a free buffet and beverage on Monday, November 17, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (please note the date). All Golden Corral locations will be participating. Must show valid military ID.
IHOP Free Meal – All active military and veterans will received a free Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. At some locations, the Red, White and Blue pancakes will be featured as part of a free combo plate including eggs, bacon and hashed browns. Must show valid military ID.
Krispy Kreme Free Doughnut & Coffee – Free doughnut and small coffee to any active military or veteran on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. No ID required.
Longhorn Steakhouse Free Appetizer & Beverage – Active military and veterans receive a free complimentary Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcohol beverage on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Olive Garden Free Meal – All active military and veterans will receive a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Outback Steakhouse Free Bloomin’ Onion® & Beverage – All active and retired military as well as veterans get a Free Bloomin’ Onion® and a beverage on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must have valid ID. Plus, all military personnel get 15% off from November 12 through December 31, 2014.
Red Lobster Free Appetizer – All active military or veterans receive a free complimentary appetizer from a special menu starting Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13, 2014 at participating locations. t receive a complimentary appetizer from a special menu. Must show valid military ID.
Ruby Tuesday Free Appetizer – All active military and veterans receive a free appetizer on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Starbucks Free Coffee (includes spouses) – All veterans, active duty military and their spouses get a free tall 12oz brewed coffee at participating stores.
Texas Roadhouse Free Lunch (includes Sides & Beverge) – All active military and veterans can choose from one of 10 free lunch meals which include sides and a beverage on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
TGI Fridays Free Lunch – Veterans and active duty military service members will receive a free lunch (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) from a special menu on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Valid on dine-in meals only. Must show valid military ID.
A great reminder! This quote is on a plague at one of our favorite parks in Charleston!
A big thanks to Military Benefits and The Military Wallet for their help in collecting this information for our service men and women! For a more comprehensive list of 2014 Veterans Day Free Meals, Discounts, Sales, Promotions, Deals, and More visit their websites. Both websites are great resources! Thanks for Serving! Hope you are able to get out and enjoy some delicious food today!
Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial that we saw in Washington DC earlier this year. We have several family members that have served and are currently serving in various branches of the military. We are thankful for each person who serves our country!Easley: Sweet Treats at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
A brain freeze and a sweet treat!
We were out of town this summer when Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers actually opened for business in Easley! While we were not one of their first customers we decided to try them out on one of our recent Family Nights Out! The food was good and the frozen custard was delicious! It would have probably been better to either get dinner or desert; by the time we got to desert all of us were getting full and we ended up taking home a good portion of our custard. The good news is they gave you plenty to eat and the kids got to enjoy the ice cream the next day!
If you are looking for a hamburger, shoe string fries, and frozen custard you might want to check out your local Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers! The first Freddy’s restaurant was founded in 1950 actually in Wichita, Kansas. As far as I know Easley is the first SC store, but I am sure you’ll start seeing more of them in other areas around South Carolina before too long!
Brina enjoying her sweet treat!
