Southern Charm in Charleston South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is a charming, historically rich and beautiful city. I really had no idea what to expect before visiting, and now it is one of my favorite cities. The first thing to note is that there is the city of Charleston, but additionally little islands off the coast of Charleston that serve as adorable beach towns. These towns are good to stay in if you are looking for more of a beach vacation. The different islands are: Kiawah Island, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms. I stayed on Folly Beach, which is a 20 minute drive from downtown Charleston. This location was ideal because it’s only a block from the beach, yet just a short drive away from the city of Charleston. The food in Charleston is EVERYTHING!! From seafood to fried chicken to pecan pie, there is something for everyone in this city. My boyfriend is a major foodie, and he loves finding the best restaurants in the area to go to. I'll give credit where credit is due and say thanks to him, we ate at the best places in Charleston.
These are for sure the top 3 places to go when you visit South Carolina. Bring your appetite!
Restaurants
Jestine’s Kitchen
This old-school southern restaurant is a must in Charleston. There is always a line to get a table, but is so worth it in the end. I tried the Classic Southern Plate, and I still think about it to this day. Just writing about it makes my mouth water. It is such a personal family feel. The owner walks around to each table and, if you are interested, tells you the history of the restaurant. Super cool place with amazing classic southern food.
Magnolias
This famous restaurant in downtown Charleston is another one that is well worth it. Reservations need to be made pretty far in advance. Magnolias is more upscale than Jestine’s Kitchen, but they both have amazing classic southern food. You must try the fried green tomatoes, they are a southern classic that you have to experience when you are in Charleston.
Hall’s Chophouse
Another restaurant that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. After a week of eating fried chicken and fried everything, we decided we needed a change of pace. This steakhouse has the best service I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. From the moment we walked in, it felt like we were VIP celebrity guests. We got bombarded (in a good way) with hostesses and servers welcoming us and even complimenting my dress! (This place is very fancy so dress up and get those good instas!). The owner even shook our hands when we arrived and left. Not only was the southern hospitality amazing, but the FOOD... wow! The waiter/waitress comes out with all the different types of steak you can get. They explain the marbling, how it’s cooked, and everything you would want to know about the steak you are about to eat. I chose the filet mignon and it was just incredible. No complaints about this place, besides the fact that I wish there was one in New York or on Fairfield’s campus.
Shopping
The best part of every vacation… SHOPPING! I get so excited to travel to new places because I love finding cool and unique things that you can’t find anywhere else. Here are some of those places in Charleston where you literally shop till you drop.
City Market
The Charleston City Market is one of the coolest markets I’ve been to. It goes on for blocks and has 300 daily vendors, each with unique products such as soaps, jewelry, sports cards, clothing and baskets. You can pretty much find anything at this market. It also has little boutique shops that line the market streets to allow you to shop even more. It is a must-do activity!
King Street
King Street is a famous and historically rich street in Downtown Charleston. It is pretty much the center of the city and has the most beautiful southern charm. It houses high end luxury shops, boutiques, restaurants and even touristy shops. King Street shopping is so much fun because of the beautiful architecture you get to experience while doing the best activity (shopping!)
Tanger Outlets
On a rainy afternoon we ventured to the Tanger Outlets, which is right by the Charleston airport. These outlets were a fun thing to see and shop at because they had different stores than we might see up here in the Northeast. My favorite was Palmetto Moon because it had a bunch of different South Carolina college gear and adorable crew necks (I have a serious crew neck obsession). This is definitely something to consider doing if you have some downtime or it’s a rainy day.
Things to do
Magnolia Plantation
If I could have my wedding anywhere in the United States, it would be at this plantation. It is hard to find words to express the beauty that this plantation holds. The owners transformed this historical plantation into a learning experience and a beautiful place to visit. There are various historical tours, a petting zoo, and a boat ride (we saw alligators!) that are offered here. You definitely need a whole day to do all of their activities, but it is so worth it.
Pineapple Fountain If you walk over to the Charleston Harbor, you will find the cutest fountain! I am obsessed with pineapples, so this was a must on my list. The fountain is shaped like a pineapple, and it has the best views. It’s the perfect place to just sit and relax between meals or catch your breath during a chaotic day of touring.
I hope you find your way down to Charleston and enjoy some southern charm for yourself <3
- Krystal Shaw