The Holy City
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." — Mark Twain
Charleston is really having its moment right now. It's easy to see why - it's a city that is rich in history, has a vibrant food and arts scene, and is steeped in southern charm. It is one of my favorite cities on the east coast and for good reason - perfect for a couples trip, girls trip, or a family-friendly getaway. On our most recent visit we took our girls (and dog!) for a few nights over spring break to show them around the city and explore. Spring is the perfect time of year to visit - avoid visiting in the summer months unless you love sweltering heat and humidity ;).
Since it was a family affair (plus dog!) we decided to road trip it and stopped in Mount Pleasant on the way into downtown just for fun and to check it out. We learned that Mount Pleasant is a super popular and fast-growing town situated on Shem Creek, the waterway that runs right thru the city of Charleston. We grabbed pizza (and beer) at Coastal Crust - a super casual outdoor spot with picnic tables, games, live music, and really good wood-fired pizza. Afterwards we walked around Shem Creek Park before making our way downtown. There are also some cute shops in Mount Pleasant that are worth checking out if you have the time - Celadon at Home and Out of Hand to name a couple. And if you find yourself nearby in the evening, definitely check out The Post House Inn for dinner.
Because we needed the extra space, we decided to stay in a One-Bedroom residence at The Restoration in downtown Charleston. It was very nice and definitely met our needs - spacious, a full kitchen, sleeper sofa, separate bedroom, and super convenient location. If it had just been me and Chris or if I was going for a girls getaway, I'd definitely book us at The Dewberry or Hotel Bennett. Both five-star properties and the nicest downtown IMO.
I planned a few things for us ahead of time, but Charleston is one of those highly walkable cities that lends itself well to just bopping around and exploring leisurely on foot (PSA: I highly recommend bringing collapsible scooters for the younger kids if you're visiting as a family. We were able to cover a lot more ground this way and it became part of the fun for them). Be sure to walk along the Battery and stroll King Street for good shopping (HART Jewelry, Roller Rabbit, Lake Pajamas, Amanda Lindroth, and Beau+Ro are my favs). We also did a horse-drawn carriage tour for a bit of history, walked thru the College of Charleston campus, and hit the ballpark one evening to cheer on the Charleston River Dogs, the local minor league baseball team. We spent our last of the four days enjoying the beach on Sullivan's Island which is an easy drive from downtown. Hit Hometeam BBQ or The Obstinate Daughter (upscale dining) while you're there if you have time.
So many reasons to visit this city, especially if you're on the east coast. I've listed my highlights and recommendations below. Would love to hear if you're thinking of heading that way!
Where we ate + other top Charleston restaurants:
Harken Cafe (10/10) for coffee and breakfast (start here followed by walks around Rainbow Row, the Battery and everywhere in between).
Leon's (don't miss the Little Bird cocktail)
Magnolia's (popular with tourists but still yummy, classic southern food)
167 Raw
Hall's Chophouse
Basic Kitchen
Citrus Club for drinks (rooftop of Dewberry with amazing views)
Hometeam BBQ (Sullivan's Island)
The Obstinate Daughter (Sullivan's Island)
Where to stay:
The Dewberry (downtown)
Hotel Bennett (downtown)
Emeline (boutique hotel downtown)
The Restoration (family-friendly downtown)
The Dunlin Auberge Resort (on the Kiawah River just outside city limits, about 30 mins from downtown) for a more tranquil setting
Where to shop:
Beau+Ro
HART Jewelry
Roller Rabbit
Lake Pajamas
Amanda Lindroth
