Charleston Must Do's
If you find yourself in downtown Charleston, you will find that most things revolve around King Street. King Street is beautiful, and it is home to Rainbow Row, a collection of brightly colored houses, and also many restaurants, bars, and shops. If you are looking for a hotel or an air B&B King street is the place to be close to.
Hotels*
Sitting room in the Bennett hotel
Bennett- www.hotelbenett.comThis hotel is so beautiful and has the best location right on King Street by all the bars, shops, and restaurants! Walking in, it feels like walking into a European castle or the Kardashians home (haha). it has two beautiful staircases on both sides when you enter, and a gorgeous chandelier in the center. It feels like a hotel made for women by women. Even if you don't stay here, you have to stop by the Pink Champagne bar, Cameliias. It is as girlie and pink as it gets from the floor to the Chandelier. The rooms are gorgeous and the service is 5 star. Every request we made was handled immediately, from the turn down service to the robes, it just doesn’t get better than this hotel. There is also a rooftop pool and bar which can’t be beat in Charleston in the summer and an amazing spa.
The Dewberry-www,dewberrycharleston.com This hotel is as southern and charming as it comes! The building was once a federal building that Mr. Dewberry renovated to make a glamorous and elegant hotel. It has a great location, amazing views of the city, a fun hip rooftop bar called the Citrus Lounge, a great cocktail lounge on the main floor, not to mention the staff is the definition of Southern Hospitality. The hotel car will take you to your destinations if it is available, and the bellmen and concierge were always available to answer questions and help with planning. Highly recommend!
The front of the Dewberry hotel
DINING-
Halls Chop House-www.hallschophouse.com
This steak house is one of the most famous in Charleston. Everything we ate was magnificent, from the steaks to the oysters, to the sides. They bring out the meat on a platter to show you what your options are as far as cut, and dry or wet aged before you order. The atmosphere at Halls is busy, cozy and southern.
If you are in town on a Sunday, you should definitely go for the Sunday Gospel Brunch. Mr. Hall himself is usually there to greet the guests, and there is a gospel choir singing during brunch.
The Ordinary-
Famous for the fried Oyster sliders, this seafood restaurant is fantastic! It is in a building which used to be a bank, and the decor is impressive. Come during happy hour for half-priced oysters.
5 Church-
5 Church is an actual church that was renovated into a restaurant. The inside is beautiful and attention is paid to every detail, high ceilings, stained glass and an amazing marble bar. We had a large party and everyone was happy with their entrees. The food was delicious. Probably one of the best charcuterie boards I have ever had. I recommend reservations!
Poogan’s Porch-
Poogan’s Porch is an amazing little breakfast spot located in an old Victorian house erected in 1891. We went for brunch and were immediately met with buttermilk biscuits. The breakfast entree’s were to die for. and the service was amazing. Ask about the history and the ghost stories! www.poogansporch.com
Leon’s-
Leon’s is an old garage that was turned into a very cool rustic restaurant. Famous for it’s fried chicken, oysters and drinks. The food was really good.
Sweetgrass Roses
THINGS TO DO:
Charleston Marketplace- www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com
The marketplace is a line of indoor stalls set up selling authentic souvenirs and food. The sweetgrass baskets and roses one of the nations oldest and prettiest handmade craft. The craftsman make them while you watch and they are so beautiful. If there is one souvenirs that you have to get while visiting, this is it.
Candlefish-www.candlefish.com
This is the coolest candle shop I have ever been to. They have 100 scents to choose from and don't list them by a name, but instead, by a number. You can make your own candle which was fun and smells amazing!
Charleston Haunted Jail Tour- www.bulldogtours.com
This tour takes you through the cells and hallways of where Charleston’s worst criminals lived and died from pirates to Civil War prisoners. It also gives quite a bit of historical information. It was also featured on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures and the Travel Channel.
Boone Hall-
I was a little reluctant to do a plantation tour, but I am really glad that I did. It is one of America’s oldest working plantations, and has continually grown crops for 320 years. This is the beautiful place where Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively got married. It was also the house and grounds for some of the filming of The Notebook. The entrance is a drive with Southern Live Oaks covering almost a kilometer up to the house. Oak tree’s lining and overlooking the driveway to the beautiful southern plantation home. The home tour was just okay. It was interesting to learn the history of the estate but disappointing to only be allowed in two rooms in the mansion. It was interesting seeing 9 original slave cabins and imagining how bad and tight their situation must have been. They have a tractor tour to take you around the whole plantation but we sadly didn’t get to see all of it, because there was a wedding taking place that evening.
IOP Beach-
I had no idea that Charleston had great beaches. It does. The water comes in low waves so its perfect for kids, the sand is soft and white, and the water is the warmest I think I have ever felt. It is a journey from the car to the actual beach, so be prepared for a little bit of walking and some crowds. There is a stand to rent chairs and umbrellas on the way to the beach which is nice if you are visiting. There are also restaurants and bars lining part of the beach to have lunch.
I can not wait to get back to this beautiful city on the water. Two days was not enough. It reminded me of New Orleans, but prettier, cleaner and way safer. It has such a fun girlie vibe, and the food is amazing!
