Charleston Travel Guide

Pajamas: here
Charleston, South Carolina has been on my bucket list for years, and after our girls trip, I will definitely say it tops the list of the most charming city I’ve ever been to. It’s full of history, Southern charm and the most amaaaazing food I’ve ever eaten. It didn’t take long for Shea Leigh and I to fall in love with this energetic and colorful city. With so much to see and do in one city, it’s hard to know where to start. So pack your bags and leave the planning to me as I share the ultimate guide on where to stay, what to eat and what to do as you explore this one-of-a-kind destination.

Where to stay:
We stayed at The Belmond Charleston Place and were completely blown away by it’s beauty. They say it’s “where Southern charm meets timeless elegance” and I could not agree more. This luxury hotel is located in the middle of King Street and just a short walk to lots of shopping and restaurants. They also have some shopping located inside, as well as three dining locations: The Palmetto Cafe, Charleston Grill, and Thoroughbred Club lounge. The staff was friendly and extremely accommodating, and you could just tell they wanted your experience to be top notch.  Our room was clean, spacious and beautiful decorated. There is also a gorgeous rooftop pool and bar area that you have to check out! I highly recommend booking the Club level. It’s a little more upfront, but you definitely get your moneys worth. They offer all day complimentary food and beverage service, including a delicious breakfast, afternoon snacks, and a wide variety of evening hors d’oeuvres and desserts. We actually took full advantage of this and ate breakfast here every morning and then stopped by for snacks and cocktails several times throughout our stay. Overall, we had such a great experience and would definitely stay here again! Plus this hotel is dog friendly so I think I might just need to bring Waffles on my next trip 🙂

Other places we looked into before settling on The Belmond were Zero George, The Spectator Hotel and The Dewberry.

Where to eat:

• The Darling Oyster Bar – You can’t go to Charleston without stopping at The Darling Oyster Bar, and it’s exactly how it sounds… absolutely darling. From it’s gorgeous, modern vibes to the fresh and flavorful food, you will not be disappointed. The staff is extremely accommodating and friendly and eager to make your experience unforgettable.
  My recommendation: The shrimp and grits are a MUST (plus they come with brussel sprouts which are to-die-for) – make sure to add an egg on top! The oysters are extremely fresh (obvi) and they offer a variety of flavors from different regions. 
• Millers All Day – My mouth is literally watering just thinking about this place. Highly recommend for brunch! We literally tried almost every single thing on the menu and there was not one thing we didn’t like. They are definitely generous with their portions, so if you leave here hungry, it’s your own fault.
  My recommendation: The biscuit roll (basically an orange cinnamon roll) is AMAZING! And the waffles were one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life. If you are looking for something a little more savory, try the open face scramble. Shea Leigh also loves the B.E.C. (bacon, egg and cheddar sandwich) with the home fries. 
• Magnolia’s – If you want your traditional Charleston experience full of southern food and charm, you definitely need to go to Magnolia’s! The service is amazing and the food is even better.
  My recommendation: Housemade pimiento cheese and fried green tomatoes 
• Zero Restaurant + Bar – This was another favorite of the trip! Zero George is a charming little hotel with so much character. Their restaurant is open to the public and a must-do in my opinion. This is the type of restaurant that when your food arrives, you can just see how much thought went into your meal. They put a strong focus on seasonal-fare, and use herbs and vegetables from their own garden. Have a drink on their gorgeous porch or take pictures in the beautifully landscaped courtyard.
  My recommendation: The Red Scare cocktail – extra spicy! 

Other restaurants that were highly recommended but we didn’t have time to stop by:

• Butcher & Bee
• Poogan’s Porch
• 82 Queen
• Eli’s Table
• Blossom

Coffee shops:

• The Rise
• St. Alban
• The Daily
• Black Tap

Cocktail Bars:

• Halls Chophouse – this is definitely where a lot of the locals hang out. Our friend Jennifer (who lives in Charleston) took us here one night and it was such a fun atmosphere. They also have a live music every night!
• The Cocktail Club – an upscale lounge dedicated to the art of the craft cocktail.
• Prohibition – another upscale lounge with incredible cocktails and a live band 5 nights a week
• Pavilion Bar at the Market Pavilion Hotel –  perfect spot to grab a drink and have a 360 view of Charleston.

What to do:

• Rainbow Row – even if you haven’t been to Charleston before, I bet the first thing you think of are the colorful, pastel houses you’ve seen in pictures. And man, are they just as beautiful in person! Rainbow Row is located along East Bay Street, right before you reach the Battery, and faces the Cooper River. Take a walk down the gorgeous cobblestone streets and then walk down by the water to watch the sunset and get a good view of Ravenel Bridge. (But don’t forget your bug spray – I still have scars from the mosquito bites I got!!)
• Magnolia Plantation – if you’re looking for something straight out of The Notebook, head down to Magnolia Plantation. It’s about a 25-minute drive from downtown, and is actually the oldest public garden in America. It’s full of rich history from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and absolutely stunning!
• Shop on King Street – there are so many great shops along King Street for lots of shopping. We came across so many different children’s boutiques, and since I just recently found out I’m going to be an aunt, I had to go in and get some goodies for my sweet niece. But there are so many great local shops and then of course, well-known brands as well.
• Sullivan’s Island – unfortunately we didn’t have time to make it to Sullivan’s Island, but I have heard it’s one of the best beaches in Charleston! It’s only about a 20-minute drive from downtown and there are several restaurants available on the main strip. (You can also look into Folly Beach or Isle of Palms for other beach options.)
• Jumpsuit: Olivia Hudson Clothing | Purse: Goodnight Macaroon | Heels: Sam Edelman | Bracelets: Kristalize

  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Dress: 18 Style Blvd | Earrings: Bauble Bar | Heels: Sam Edelman

Transportation:

One of my favorite parts about Charleston was how easy it was to get around. It’s a very walkable city, so there’s really no need to rent a car in my opinion. You’ll quickly fall in love with this old Southern paradise as you walk down the streets full of palm trees and gorgeous, colorful houses. I would also highly recommend taking a bike ride around town. I honestly think this is one of the best ways to see the city because you’re able to get a little farther than you would on foot. A lot of the hotels there provide bikes, but there are also bike rentals around town (including The Bicycle Shoppe and Affordabike).



Photographer:
If you’re ever in need of a photographer while you’re in Charleston, you should definitely check out Nicole Mickle Photography. We had so much fun shooting with her and she is an absolute angel!





Your turn! Do you have a favorite Charleston spot you recommend? Or have you been to any of these? Let me know in the comments below.



Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)