Charleston has been on my list for quite some time and it most definitely did not disappoint! The recommendations felt endless for this quaint little city and I could hardly wait to explore. I learned a few things pretty quickly: the humidity is real, don’t try and stay on your diet, and happy hours are abundant.
Where To Stay
We stayed in Mount Pleasant in a cute little Airbnb 3 minutes from Shem Creek, 15 minutes from downtown, 8 minutes from Sullivan’s Island, and 20 some minutes from Folly—a perfect location if I do say so myself! We did a lot in a short amount of time, which I initially felt was plenty of time (Thurs-Sun), but with their various beaches and so many great restaurants, I’ll definitely be going back. Each area offered a different feel, some more relaxing, others more upbeat but all with cute southern charm!
Downtown Scene
King’s Street. Shop till ya drop. With so many boutiques and other well known retail companies, there is an outfit there for you. We walked the street, popped into stores, stopped at some bars and just went with the flow! The weather was having pockets of rain so it was the perfect day to shop.
Restaurants
It seemed like all the great eats were downtown so we hit up Poogan’s Porch for lunch. I wish I had a picture to show you the chicken and waffles but I actually blacked out while eating them. Basically what I’m saying is don’t ask questions and just do it.
For dinner, Magnolias and Husk were highly recommended. I attempted to make reservations but both were completely booked for the weekend. We ended up going to Magnolias Thursday evening and had no problem grabbing a seat a bar table. Cornbread croutons on a grilled chicken caesar with some fried mac and cheese, yes please.
Husk recommended to join their 5:30 walk up waitlist for their 2nd floor covered balcony. It’s encouraged to arrive around 5:10 before the crowds but get there at 4:45 because it’s the difference of being first or tenth. The food is farm to table, all local, with amazing service and simply over the top mouth watering. Their menu changes often but if the peanut butter pie is on there-do it. If you aren’t able to get a table, check out their bar next door. Known for speciality cocktails and a curated menu, it also seems to be a fan favorite.
Check out Amen for happy hour for their $4 glasses of champagne, $3 vodka sodas, and a dozen oyster for under $10. Get there a little before 4:00, the bar fills up fast!
Head to Paw Paws for a flight over the biscuits with their various spreads. One order is enough to share but it’s hard to pick a favorite between the pimento cheese, wildflower honey butter, strawberry jalapeño jam.
Lewis BBQ is more of a laid back scene where you select your meats and sides in a school lunch style format. Quick and easy and highly delicious.
Rooftop Bars
The Vendue Rooftop and Stars were our go-tos. The Vendue was highly recommended and is a 1 minute walk from Magnolias. The roof was cute and inviting and seems like a great place to just chill. In Charleston they’re not allowed to build higher than the church steeples (or so I was told), so it wasn’t the most epic sights I’ve ever seen but the 360 view was neat and I bet it’s a great place to watch the sunset.
Not many people recommended Stars until we were in Charleston and this was by far my favorite of the two. I didn’t catch a view but the vibe itself was awesome–white lights and greenery for days.
Beachin’
Sullivan’s Island
A beach with a very laid back vibe with a non-touristy feel. We stopped at the Co-Op for some coffee and avo toast and then headed to the sand. Poe’s Tavern was highly recommended for the best burger in town so that was the next stop. Poe’s, named after Edgar Allen Poe who grew up in Sullivan’s, has a whole restaurant with food inspired by his books. We ordered the Hop Frog because cowboy burgers for the win.
Isle of Palms
A very laid back environment and right next to Sullivan’s, this area was swarming with locals. The Windjammer offers concerts of well known artists and local performers. The Dingy, where we spent our time, offered a dive bar like environment but was accompanied by an inviting patio decorated with white lights and picnic tables.
Folly Beach
This area is beach vibe central with a very island feel. Snagged breakfast at the Lost Dog Cafe, stopped for some beach goodies at a local market, and then made our way to the sand. This was more of a lively scene and packed with people. After the beach we hung out at Snapper Jack’s rooftop but then had to venture back to get ready for dinner. Next time I go back to Charleston, I plan to spend more time in Folly!
Outdoor Activities
Aside from the beach, Charleston offers a lot of other outdoor fun. The Battery is a park near the water that affords some great views of historic Charleston homes and waterfront sights. Stop by the Waterfront Park as well to catch a glimpse of the pineapple fountain and snag a seat by the water to take a moment and enjoy the scenery. A couple minutes away is Rainbow Row, which is a series of colorful historic Charleston houses and a hot spot for tourists to snag a quick photo.
We also stopped at the Charleston Market right in the heart of the city, which was not too far from Amen and Paw Paw. This place is huge and it’s filled with trinkets and local goods!
Shem Creek offers a waterfront dining and drinking scene along with paddle boarding and kayaking in the Cooper River. We even saw a pod of dolphins swimming by during cocktail hour which we then heard isn’t all that uncommon! We grabbed drinks on the rooftop at Red’s Icehouse and then had dinner at Saltwater Cowboys.
So much fun was had in this town and I can’t wait to go back. Plans for our next trip will include more time at Folly and kayaking!
Till next time Charleston!
