For as long as I’ve lived on the East Coast, I can’t believe I only recently visited Charleston, SC for the second time. This harbor town is full of history and if there’s one thing I love, it’s a nice long walk through a beautiful town!
My first visit to Charleston was over a decade ago and there have been so many changes in that time! If you’re looking for a fantastic weekend full of delicious food, beautiful scenery and a bit of a history lesson, Charleston is the place to be.
I’m sharing some of my favorite photos from my recent trip to inspire you to plan your own! Charleston is a fantastic location for a fun girls weekend, a family trip or a romantic getaway.
Bring Your Appetite (and your wallet) to King Street
King Street is well known for its shopping but what I most enjoyed were the restaurants and cafes that lined this popular street. From fine dining to donut shops and craft beer, there is something for everyone on King Street.
We started our trip with a delicious meal at 492 and it was wonderful. I love trying new things and this time, I sampled an Affogato for dessert. Have you ever had one? I didn’t love this version because it also included berry cobbler and it didn’t really go with the coffee. But I’m glad I tried it!
If you go, make sure you walk to the back of the restaurant to check out this button wall. I dare you not to touch it!
Boone Hall Plantation is a great way to spend a morning, or an entire day! Here you will learn the good bad and ugly details of plantation life in the south and see some really interesting antiques.
Do you remember the TV miniseries North and South from the 80s? It was filmed here. They also used it for some movie called The Notebook but you’ve probably never heard of it.
Driving around Historic Charleston was one of my favorite things to do. I was visiting with my friend Erin who was testing out a Toyota RAV4 and we loved winding in and out of roads taking pictures.
As a child of the ocean (born and raised in Florida) I am always drawn to the sea. Charleston Harbor was probably my favorite location and I could have stayed there milling about for hours.
Take a Carriage Tour
I do love walking, but another great way to see the city and learn about its rich history is by carriage. There are many companies offering tours each day and when the weather is nice, there’s nothing better!
I recommend grabbing an outside seat for prime photo ops. You are going to want pictures of the million dollar houses you pass. Trust me on that one!
Another great restaurant is Poogan’s Porch, where we had brunch on our last day. It was southern gluttony at its finest. Let’s just say, fried pimento cheese was on the menu and it will bring out the y’all in all of us.
Be sure to grab a Bloody Mary while you’re there. Especially if you like them spicy!
Where to Stay
There are plenty of great options for lodging in Charleston. We had the pleasure of staying at the Francis Marion Hotel which is one of the oldest hotels in town. I felt safe and well taken care of during our stay and I loved the weekend farmer’s market that popped up right across the street!
The rooms were clean and while the bathrooms were indeed tiny, it’s not without reason. This hotel was the first in Charleston to offer private bathrooms in each guest room! That fun fact definitely made up for the lack of space.
I’ll have a full hotel review up soon but in the meantime let us know, have you ever visited Charleston? What’s your favorite way to spend time there?
Andrea Updyke was born and raised in Clearwater, FL where she inherited a love of travel from her parents. Before she was eighteen, Andrea had traveled to Mexico, Israel and Egypt as well as every state on the East Coast.
Andrea’s website, Just is a Four Letter Word, is an online destination for working moms to get ideas, tips and encouragement for everyday living.
Hi, We are here interested in your photo walk, We are. in town already, how can I contact you? My cell phone 617-710-2244