When Steve and I were debating our winter getaway (which is our Christmas gift to each other), we had some pretty strict criteria, and Charleston hit it all:
- Direct flight from Baltimore
- Warmer than Baltimore
- Good food + lots to do
- Walkable
- Somewhere neither of us had been
Many friends had been to Charleston, so we set off with so many recommendations. We spent three awesome days there; here’s where we stayed and what we ate and did:
STAY
Something important to know about Charleston is that everything south of Broad Street is mostly residential. It’s full of gorgeous old homes and amazing waterfront views, but it’s counterintuitive to most cities, where the majority of activity is in the city center.
We normally do Airbnb, but I had a few hotels.com night, so we opted for the Hampton Inn – Historic District. We could easily walk to everything and were right off of King St., the main shopping street in Charleston.
EAT/DRINK
- Pearlz Oyster Bar (The oysters were good, but Darling’s were better)
- Darling Oyster Bar (My favorite meal — the scallops)
- The Rooftop at The Vendue (Awesome spot for drinks!)
- Husk Restaurant (It was good, but we didn’t think it was amazing)
- The Daily by Butcher & Bee (Such a cute little market! Definitely worth a visit)
- Toast (Good for brunch, but nothing phenomenal)
- Kaminsky’s Most Excellent Cafe (It smelled odd and the cake wasn’t that great)
- Gin Joint (YES! The bartender was so engaging and our drinks were delicious)
- McCrady’s Tavern (Loved this tavern tucked back in an alley)
- Caviar & Bananas (Awesome market near the College of Charleston)
- Poogan’s Porch (Great Southern-style meal)
DO
- Stroll along Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park (don’t miss the famed pineapple fountain!), through the Battery and White Point Gardens, and admire the gorgeous, massive homes South of Broad.
- Check out a ghost tour, like the ones through Tour Charleston. It wasn’t scary, but it was a quick way to get to know the city.
- Find the alleys! Charleston is full of them. Philadelphia Alley was my favorite.
- Spend some time at church — or at least looking at them. St. Philip’s Church is said to be very haunted, and the Unitarian Church graveyard is where Edgar Allen Poe’s wife, Annabelle Lee, is buried.
- Make a custom candle at Candlefish, which is a gorgeous shop and has a whole library of scents.
- Walk through Charleston City Market and buy soaps from the Old Whaling Company.
- Take the ferry to Fort Sumpter National Monument.
I definitely recommend spending at least three days in Charleston — more if you can!
RLB Ink. 