Taking a trip to Charleston, SC had been on our bucket list for years and we decided it was time to check it off our list. We figured out how much it was going to cost, cashed in a few frequent flyer miles, booked the hotel and placed an order for the 2017 Official Visitors Guide of Charleston. We had been to Savannah, GA a few times and fell in love with the city. Everyone said that if we loved Savannah, we would surely love Charleston. They were not wrong. Charleston is rich in history, vibrant, full of life and color, with something to offer everyone.
We flew American Airlines and checked into the Holiday Inn on 425 Meeting Street. We used hotel points to book the hotel. The room was average but clean but further away from everything than we thought. If we were to do the trip all over again, I would have chosen one of the historic inns. We arrived June 26th and let's just say it was a tad bit hot. Keep in mind that at this time, bring light, comfortable clothes and shoes. We scheduled Uber to pick us up from the airport which worked out perfectly.
We flew American Airlines and checked into the Holiday Inn on 425 Meeting Street. We used hotel points to book the hotel. The room was average but clean but further away from everything than we thought. If we were to do the trip all over again, I would have chosen one of the historic inns. We arrived June 26th and let's just say it was a tad bit hot. Keep in mind that at this time, bring light, comfortable clothes and shoes. We scheduled Uber to pick us up from the airport which worked out perfectly.
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Since Thomas and I are big FOODIES, I'm going to start with dining recommendations first:
Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar, 186 Concord Street, (fleetlanding.net) - historic downtown restaurant with a waterfront dining room and a wrap around deck. At the hostess' recommendation, we both ordered the blackened swordfish with red rice (Catch of the Day) and it was delicious. This was the first time having red rice and thinking it was spicy, I almost didn't get it. The hostess assured me it was a tomato based rice and very mild. So glad I tried it!!
Toast of Charleston, 155 Meeting Street, (www.toastofcharleston.com) - a very quaint, easygoing eatery known for it's breakfast and serving Southern classics in a convivial setting. Our servers made me the best white chocolate mocha I have ever had. It arrived at the table piping hot, in a big white decorative mug, with a foam heart on top. Our breakfast was so good that we actually ate there 3 different times. From the omelets to the pancakes to the bacon and sausage, my mouth was watering.
Another Broken Egg Cafe, 99 N. Market St. #4, (www.anotherbrokenegg.com) - The buttermilk pancakes made with their own house recipe were AMAZING! Another Broken Egg just partnered with Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. They are committed to using the freshest domestically sourced crawfish and shrimp in all its cafes.
The Oyster House, 35 S. Market St., (www.oysterhouse.com) - I would compare the food to that of a Red Lobster with the decor being more pub like. We had fried shrimp and grits; well, Thomas got my grits because I didn't like them. I've never had grits before. There is a first time for everything.
Indaco, 526 King Street, (www.indacocharleston.com) - Indaco (Italian for Indigo) serves rustic Italian cuisine by Executive Chef Elliot Cusher. Indaco is different than other Charleston restaurants because its decor is rustic with butcher blog tables, lime-washed walls, and white brick. Italian is my favorite food and after having seafood for several days, I was craving pizza. Trevor, our waiter, brought fresh Italian bread with olive oil for dipping, two glasses of our favorite wine, and the freshest most delicious Margherita Pizza with San Marzano tomato, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
Savannah's Candy Kitchen of Charleston, 32 N. Marketing St., (www.savannahcandy.com) - After all of the salty food, we needed something sweet. I happily chose the chocolate covered pecan turtles which Thomas and I shared as we walked the streets of Charleston browsing the stores.
5Church Charleston, 32b N. Market St., (www.5churchcharleston.com) - We stumbled upon this old church that had been renovated into a bar and restaurant. The decor is dramatic with high vaulted ceilings and original stained glass windows. This New American serves snacks to steaks as well as craft cocktails. The bar setting is dramatic with a romantic ambiance. Thomas and I are not what you call night owls and we impressed ourselves with how late we stayed enjoying good conversations and our favorite wine while sitting at the bar.
There were other restaurants that I wanted to try but couldn't get reservations. HUSK, Minero, and Hyman's Seafood were among those.
Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar, 186 Concord Street, (fleetlanding.net) - historic downtown restaurant with a waterfront dining room and a wrap around deck. At the hostess' recommendation, we both ordered the blackened swordfish with red rice (Catch of the Day) and it was delicious. This was the first time having red rice and thinking it was spicy, I almost didn't get it. The hostess assured me it was a tomato based rice and very mild. So glad I tried it!!
Toast of Charleston, 155 Meeting Street, (www.toastofcharleston.com) - a very quaint, easygoing eatery known for it's breakfast and serving Southern classics in a convivial setting. Our servers made me the best white chocolate mocha I have ever had. It arrived at the table piping hot, in a big white decorative mug, with a foam heart on top. Our breakfast was so good that we actually ate there 3 different times. From the omelets to the pancakes to the bacon and sausage, my mouth was watering.
Another Broken Egg Cafe, 99 N. Market St. #4, (www.anotherbrokenegg.com) - The buttermilk pancakes made with their own house recipe were AMAZING! Another Broken Egg just partnered with Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. They are committed to using the freshest domestically sourced crawfish and shrimp in all its cafes.
The Oyster House, 35 S. Market St., (www.oysterhouse.com) - I would compare the food to that of a Red Lobster with the decor being more pub like. We had fried shrimp and grits; well, Thomas got my grits because I didn't like them. I've never had grits before. There is a first time for everything.
Indaco, 526 King Street, (www.indacocharleston.com) - Indaco (Italian for Indigo) serves rustic Italian cuisine by Executive Chef Elliot Cusher. Indaco is different than other Charleston restaurants because its decor is rustic with butcher blog tables, lime-washed walls, and white brick. Italian is my favorite food and after having seafood for several days, I was craving pizza. Trevor, our waiter, brought fresh Italian bread with olive oil for dipping, two glasses of our favorite wine, and the freshest most delicious Margherita Pizza with San Marzano tomato, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
Savannah's Candy Kitchen of Charleston, 32 N. Marketing St., (www.savannahcandy.com) - After all of the salty food, we needed something sweet. I happily chose the chocolate covered pecan turtles which Thomas and I shared as we walked the streets of Charleston browsing the stores.
5Church Charleston, 32b N. Market St., (www.5churchcharleston.com) - We stumbled upon this old church that had been renovated into a bar and restaurant. The decor is dramatic with high vaulted ceilings and original stained glass windows. This New American serves snacks to steaks as well as craft cocktails. The bar setting is dramatic with a romantic ambiance. Thomas and I are not what you call night owls and we impressed ourselves with how late we stayed enjoying good conversations and our favorite wine while sitting at the bar.
There were other restaurants that I wanted to try but couldn't get reservations. HUSK, Minero, and Hyman's Seafood were among those.
As you know, we love history and haunted places. Here are some fun things you can do whether it be by yourself, with two or more!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road, (www.magnoliaplantation.com) - Magnolia Plantation, oldest plantation on the Ashley River, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has some of the most beautiful gardens, paths, and wildlife. Guided tours include Magnolia Plantation House / History Room, Nature Train, Nature Boat, From Slavery to Freedom, as well as the gift shop. It was so relaxing as we held hands and walked enjoying the beautiful landscape.
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, 1235 Long Point Road, (www.boonehallplantation.com) - This is one of America's oldest working, living plantations and we got to tour it!! It was by far, my favorite! The road leading to the plantation was draped with old Spanish moss filled Oak trees. The mansion overlooking the property was built in 1936 is vast and spacious and boasts the Georgian Style decor. There is much to see here!
Patriots Point, Home Of The USS Yorktown, on Charleston Harbor, 40 Patriots Poind Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC, (PatriotsPoint.org) - Talk about history. What an awesome experience for us. We even got to see the USS LAFFEY; "The Ship That Would Not Die", the submarine USS Clamagore, visited the Medal of Honor Museum and the Vietnam Experience Exhibit. This was particularly interesting to me because I had two uncles who faught in the Vietnam War.
The Haunted Jail Tour, 21 Magazine Street, (www.bulldogtours.com) - The jail is Charleston's most haunted building and has been featured on Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. We just had to see it and booked it through Bulldog Tours (843-722-8687). The Old City Jail housed pirates and Civil War prisoners. On this exclusive tour, we got to see where Charlestons worst criminals lived and died. And supposedly some still live there today!
If your interested in other ghost tours through Bulldog Tours, try the Ghost and Graveyard Tour, Ghost and Dungeon Tour, Dark Side Charleston, Haunted Pub Crawl, or the Haunted Arsenal Tour. We heard good things about all of them!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road, (www.magnoliaplantation.com) - Magnolia Plantation, oldest plantation on the Ashley River, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has some of the most beautiful gardens, paths, and wildlife. Guided tours include Magnolia Plantation House / History Room, Nature Train, Nature Boat, From Slavery to Freedom, as well as the gift shop. It was so relaxing as we held hands and walked enjoying the beautiful landscape.
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, 1235 Long Point Road, (www.boonehallplantation.com) - This is one of America's oldest working, living plantations and we got to tour it!! It was by far, my favorite! The road leading to the plantation was draped with old Spanish moss filled Oak trees. The mansion overlooking the property was built in 1936 is vast and spacious and boasts the Georgian Style decor. There is much to see here!
Patriots Point, Home Of The USS Yorktown, on Charleston Harbor, 40 Patriots Poind Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC, (PatriotsPoint.org) - Talk about history. What an awesome experience for us. We even got to see the USS LAFFEY; "The Ship That Would Not Die", the submarine USS Clamagore, visited the Medal of Honor Museum and the Vietnam Experience Exhibit. This was particularly interesting to me because I had two uncles who faught in the Vietnam War.
The Haunted Jail Tour, 21 Magazine Street, (www.bulldogtours.com) - The jail is Charleston's most haunted building and has been featured on Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. We just had to see it and booked it through Bulldog Tours (843-722-8687). The Old City Jail housed pirates and Civil War prisoners. On this exclusive tour, we got to see where Charlestons worst criminals lived and died. And supposedly some still live there today!
If your interested in other ghost tours through Bulldog Tours, try the Ghost and Graveyard Tour, Ghost and Dungeon Tour, Dark Side Charleston, Haunted Pub Crawl, or the Haunted Arsenal Tour. We heard good things about all of them!
For the shopper in you...
King Street is a shopper's paradise and is lined with national retailers and boutiques.
Summerville (Summerville exit off Interstate 28) follow the signs to the historic district and town square. There you will find local boutiques and shops including 12 antique stores, children's store, coffee shops, and restaurants.
Historic Charleston City Market, - 188 Meeting St., (www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com) - This is a fun place to shop day or night. From trinkets to handmade items, your bound to find something to spark your interests.
We had a day where the weather would not cooperate so we scheduled some indoor activities.
South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, (scaquarium.org) - The Sea Turtle Recovery was my favorite. Both a hospital and guest experience, Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery makes the real-life rehab of sick and injured sea turtles visible to every quest. There is even a room with a large window to view surgeries. They document each patient's journey from rescue, to rehabilitation, to release.
The Joseph Manigault House, 360 Meeting Street, (charlestonmuseum.org) - One of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures, the Joseph Manigault House, built in 1803, reflects the urban lifestyle of a wealthy, rice-planting family and the enslaved African Americans who lived there.
The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, (charlestonmuseum.org) - The museum is one of the oldest museums in the United States. It's collections include historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts, and two homes; the Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward Washington House (which we didn't see because we ran out of time).
I hope you enjoyed the blog. If you are thinking of visiting Charleston, feel free to contact me and I'll try to help with suggestions.
xoxo,
Bobbi Jo
King Street is a shopper's paradise and is lined with national retailers and boutiques.
Summerville (Summerville exit off Interstate 28) follow the signs to the historic district and town square. There you will find local boutiques and shops including 12 antique stores, children's store, coffee shops, and restaurants.
Historic Charleston City Market, - 188 Meeting St., (www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com) - This is a fun place to shop day or night. From trinkets to handmade items, your bound to find something to spark your interests.
We had a day where the weather would not cooperate so we scheduled some indoor activities.
South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, (scaquarium.org) - The Sea Turtle Recovery was my favorite. Both a hospital and guest experience, Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery makes the real-life rehab of sick and injured sea turtles visible to every quest. There is even a room with a large window to view surgeries. They document each patient's journey from rescue, to rehabilitation, to release.
The Joseph Manigault House, 360 Meeting Street, (charlestonmuseum.org) - One of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures, the Joseph Manigault House, built in 1803, reflects the urban lifestyle of a wealthy, rice-planting family and the enslaved African Americans who lived there.
The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, (charlestonmuseum.org) - The museum is one of the oldest museums in the United States. It's collections include historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts, and two homes; the Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward Washington House (which we didn't see because we ran out of time).
I hope you enjoyed the blog. If you are thinking of visiting Charleston, feel free to contact me and I'll try to help with suggestions.
xoxo,
Bobbi Jo
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