When Plans Change {Exploring Downtown Charleston}

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned when traveling with the boys is that flexibility is KEY! For our Charleston getaway, we opted to be VERY easy breezy and each chose a few things we really wanted to do/eat/see before we left. We opted to fit those things in based on the weather, what worked for us, and what was in close proximity to one another.

For today, we chose to hit Fort Sumter EARLY (the 9:30 am tour was less crowded and we walked right on, by the time we got back at noon, the line was HUGE and I’m sure the ferry would be PACKED!) This meant we hit downtown Charleston about midday and had plenty of time to spend around town.

Lunch was at the Saffron Cafe and Bakery and while the food was delicious (THE BOYS WERE IN HEAVEN with their croissants and Jim LOVED his Mediterranean fare), the wait was a bit longer than anticipated, so we spent the middle of our day indoors. This kink in our day could have derailed our plans, but since we didn’t really have anything set in stone, we opted to play things by ear!

Worried that a vacation snafu has ruined your day? Here’s some tips to help you (and your crew!) recover quickly:

Stay calm! Stress only makes the situation MORE stressful and the “unknown” seem that much more daunting. Sometimes, I need to post a pretty picture to Instagram and forget that I’m having a moment during a long wait at a restaurant.
Expect the unexpected! One of the great things about having no set plans is that when they get ruined, you feel less like you’ve “missed out” because you didn’t have a set agenda that you had to stick to! Especially with kids, we ALWAYS aim to have some hiccups along the way.
Think AHEAD to a few hours (perhaps another meal) and work backwards! How much time do you have? Where do you have to get to? Is there anything along the way? Google/Trip Advisor/Facebook are your friends. I can quickly find a replacement in no time OR I’m a fan of the walk and figure it out method. Walk somewhere, try something new.
Resist the familiar. Even without a plan or with a hiccup, resist the urge to do chain stores/restaurants/what have you. Eat local, ask around, talk to tour guides. They typically have the insider knowledge on where and what to try next.
When in doubt, stop for coffee or a cookie or both. Travel plans go awry? Take a breath, grab a fancy art cappuccino and just relax. Vacation does not need to be planned to the minute and a hiccup is a surefire way to get you to relax!