Top: (similar here) | Skirt: (similar here) | Choker: Natalie B | Sneakers: (similar here)
The time to head South is now. With its cobblestone walks, historic homes, and famous spots for delicious country fares, Charleston has all the charms of a city we’ll never tire of. And I’m so pleased to put together this comprehensive travel guide for those of you who are ready for serious southern allure and cuisine.Travel tips: A few things to keep in mind if you’re ready for Charleston, South Carolina. Most places are accessible by foot, this means no need to rent a car or worry about public transportation. With a bike or a quick Uber tap, you can be onto your next spot in a matter of minutes. I was able to get where I needed to go with ease by using Uber most of the time and I wasn’t disappointed at the efficiency of the service, either.
Packing tips: Since this is the South, temperatures are quite hot and as summer approaches, they will get even steamier. The weather is sunny most of the time which means shades and plenty of sunscreens. It also means a hat, breezy tops, dresses, sneakers, and tons of bug repellent (I prefer these wipes or the bracelets for the kids) because there is no shortage of mosquitos. Think laid-back fashion with light, breathable fabrics, and minimal jewelry.
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Day One
Dress: Fame and Partner | Shoes: (similar here) | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Necklace: Natalie B
After a short flight from New York, I arrived in Charleston. It was my first time visiting so I wasn’t too familiar with the airport so I relied on using Uber at the Charleston Airport to get to my B&B. I stayed at 86 Cannon and did my check-in in the afternoon. I chose to stay here because I wanted to get a true taste of Charleston’s hospitality by staying in one of the many B&Bs. Not only do these serve you breakfast, but many are located in historic homes which add an element of magic. This particular one is a remodeled home from the 1800s.
The neighborhood is off the beaten path, which made my stay feel authentic. I could literally feel how it might be to live here. While the neighborhood is tucked away, it’s rumored to be an up-and-coming area. What I found was a great art/food/shopping scene that mostly only locals frequent. Nothing is better than chatting with locals to understand the town, culture, and history. The B&B offers simple breakfast of coffee and juice, almond croissants, yogurt, and cereals. Not the typical Southern down home breakfast, but it serves the purpose and saves time in the morning. Between 5-6 pm, they offer wine and cheese tasting. It was a nice touch. The mini bar is complimentary, wine, however, is not.
Rating: 4/5
Price: $$
Tips: They provide bikes! This is a wonderful way to check out the neighborhood and beyond. It gave us a better idea where to go the next day as well.
Alternative (where you will find me on my next trip): Zero George Hotel
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We dined at Husk, a restaurant famous for southern-style cuisine. However, we weren’t very pleased with our food. The chicken skin appetizer was delish but quite greasy, the meat board was salty, both corn bread and breaded catfish were very dry as you might have seen via my Insta-stories. The chicken lacked flavor. However, their menu changes daily, so everyone’s experience will be very different. Perhaps we came on a bad day?
Rating: 3/5
Price: $$$
Tips: In order to get a spot at Husk, you need to book in advance. They do take walk-ins if you don’t mind waiting for a long time and then eating late. This is exactly what we did. We stopped by early to leave our name on the list, then went off to explore the town a bit. If you’re a whiskey fan, they have a Husk bar next door where you can waste the minutes away while indulging in a Southern classic and feeling super relaxed.
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Day Two
Top: (similar here) | Shorts: (similar here) | Shoes: (similar here) | Sunglasses: Miu Miu
Rainbow Row is only a 10 minute ride from our B&B making it super easy with an uberX ride. Located just south of Broad Street. It offers a cheerful pastel-painted neighborhood, the most photographed part of Charleston.
Next, we went to Waterfront Battery where we saw the famous pineapple fountain. Here we could sit back and really get into the Southern way of life. Later we made our way to Tradd Street which is home base for the famous Charleston charm. Streets were lined with flickering copper carriage lanterns and we felt like we stepped through a time portal.
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For lunch, we made our way to Leon’s Oyster Shop, another place known for Southern-style cuisine. We ordered a chicken sandwich and a fish platter and enjoyed the rustic feel of the town.
Rating: 4/5
Price: $$
Although there was a huge storm in the afternoon, it didn’t really kill our spirit much. We took the opportunity to squeeze in a nap in our charming B&B and was rest assured that we could rely on the Uber service in Charleston to venture out to dinner. For dinner, we slipped into The Ordinary. They have plenty of seafood cuisine to satisfy any seafood lover. Once a bank from the 1920s, it now houses an upscale seafood restaurant with vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and a well-stocked bar. We ordered the seafood tower, a smoked oyster appetizer, and a roasted red snapper served whole and cold lobster rolls.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $$$
Tips: They have daily specials, so take advantage of the offers. Also love the $1.50 oysters during oyster happy hours Tues – Fri 5:00-6:30PM. Well worth it!
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Day Three
We started our day at Black Tap Coffee. A perfect stop for a cold brew or lavender latte with almond milk. A latte lover’s dream for minimal fees. Don’t let this place pass you by.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $
Boone Hall Plantation is one of the country’s oldest working plantations and most photographed. Although it was about a 25 minute Uber ride away, it was well-worth the trip for the history lessons when in Charleston. The fact that we stood on a piece of history and learned more about slavery really helped us understand the South more. It is a must-see for the architecture, but also the lessons.
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Top: (similar here) | Skirt: Planet Blue | Shoes: Free People | Earrings: Free People
The Americano was only 15 minute Uber ride from the Plantation, plus it was on the way to the beach. A nice place to stop to grab a quick drink and to catch a breeze. However, the brightly colored space was perhaps the main attraction.
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The Obstinate Daughter was the lunch spot that offers rustic Italian cooking and Lowcountry seafood. Our order included a crab salad, Old Danger pizza (don’t miss out!), and smoked local fish. Bonus, The Obstinate Daughter is so Instagram-worthy, the casual beachy vibe includes rope lighting, gray wood, and blue tones.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $$
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For an after lunch stroll, Sullivan’s Island was ideal. A walk on the beach was the perfect plan. And we got there right before the storm hit. Sullivan’s Island very quiet, almost secluded, and it should be noted that there are no lifeguards on duty. Just 20 mins away from the city, it has lots of delightful restaurants and shops to keep the whole family happy. It was a busy day, but Uber made it possible to see all these places in Charleston in the same day without any hassle.
We wanted to stay in for dinner, so we got David’s Carry-Out. This is soul food at its best. It’s recommended by a lot of my followers and is a local’s favorite. Good food that won’t break the bank? Yes, please. We got chicken wings, a seafood platter, oxtails, and pork chops. It was a mountain of food, to say the least! A hidden gem that delivers charm and cuisine.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $
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Day Four
Hampton Park isn’t on the must-see lists of things to do in Charleston, but we went there for a quick morning stroll. It was peaceful enough and gave us decent contact with green spaces.
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For lunch, it was The Park Café, located right next to the Hampton Park. Perhaps after 3 days of Southern food, we wanted to take a break. Hubby and I both got The Park Lettuces with chicken and shrimp, totally scrumptious. Also, do try their Cold Brew Creations if you’ve got a sweet tooth. I had Eastwood –coconut and whipped Nutella, better than I expected, so, so good.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $$
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BONUS: Although it rained a lot during our stay, thanks to Uber, we got to where we wanted to go with ease and in minimal time. Here are a few places that were on our list that we were hoping to see, but we didn’t get to visit. But now it gives us a reason to go back!
– Charleston City Market
– Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
– Candle Making Class at Candlefish
– Carriage tour of downtown Charleston
– Hominy Grill for a hearty breakfast
Hope you guys enjoyed my Charleston guide. Have you been to or are you headed to Charleston? What were you favorite spots or are planning to see? Please share them with me below.
*Thank you Uber for sponsoring the post!
