Why I Love Charleston
It isn’t a coincidence that my husband and I find ourselves in Charleston for a week at a time each year - sometimes more! Every now and then we will even visit twice in a year. But on this last trip, I really started to think of what draws me here year after year. I visited Charleston for the first time over a decade ago and have just been enchanted with its charm and grace ever since that visit. When I met my husband, I knew just the place for a romantic weekend getaway and we have been hooked ever since. In fact, we have our eye on settling down here in the future, as it’s just one of those happy places for us. But “why Charleston?” so many friends and family have asked.
For starters, Charleston looks like a movie set. It’s so attractive and idyllic with all its pastel-colored doors, homes, and buildings; polite people; and gardens and blooms which just leave onlookers oohing and aahing. Each block is more eye catching than the next and provides inspiration and wonder of how to recreate a trellis or ivy wall back at home.
The food is out of this world and the restaurant scene isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. We literally go each year to eat. Of course, we have favorites we revisit each year – which we count down the days for (Hello Leon’s chicken sandwich - and I am a pescatarian!). But each year, five or six new spots pop up in between our visits and I’m forced to live vicariously through Instagram until I can get back down to visit them myself. The cuisine these days is so much more than low country southern dishes.
There is the Tavern Burger at Little Jack’s Tavern that Bon Appetit has named the best burger in the nation! And if you go to Little Jack’s, you’ll have to have a Grasshopper to drink - It ties in nicely with the old school vibe they have created at the tavern.
The best fish tacos, ahi poke and guacamole can be found at 167 Raw - we eat here more than once on each trip. Do not fear the line (they don’t accept reservations) as you can have a glass of boujee bubbles or a beer while you wait!
And the last night of our most recent trip, we dined at Melfi’s - which truly rivals the pastas and pizzas we have had in Italy. It’s now our new favorite restaurant in Charleston and we will be going back on our next visit.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do love the southern cooking and always have some shrimp and grits on each visit but I always find there are so many places I want to revisit or try and never enough days. I guess that is why we keep coming back to visit!
Are you still with me?! Just as there’s no shortage of things to eat, there is certainly no shortage of things to do. While wine and fineing around town is my cup of tea, there is just so much more to Charleston than that. Each neighborhood offers something different.
The downtown tourist area where you can watch the basket weavers and catch a carriage ride through town (not to be missed there are 4 different tours through different areas of town).
The waterfront park to see Fort Sumter in the distance and cool off on the peninsula breeze.
Three distinct and equally amazing livable neighborhoods: historic Ansonborough, the famous South of Broad - with the amazing large-scale homes, and the lovely French Quarter with the cobblestone streets. We walk for miles and miles each day with our coffees trying to decide which one would be ours someday.
The wonderful stores that line King street for shopping and between North King to Cannonborough/Elliotborough will bring you all the new impeccably designed restaurants, cocktail bars and boutiques.
And the shopping! Living in the DC area, I have no shortage of stores and boutiques, but Charleston has been drawing in such special vendors. Hampden has always been one of my favorite stores (luckily, they have a fantastic website to shop from while at home) but as of late, Amanda Lindroth, Margaux, and Lake Pajamas have all decided to open their doors to call Charleston home. It’s is so fun to visit and touch what you peruse online finally in person.
What’s that you say, “you want to get out of town.” Oh, well luckily, Sullivan’s Island is just 15-20 minutes away over the bridges. If you want some history and blooms, Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place aren’t to be missed. Strolls through Hampden Park and Colonial Lake offer a beautiful change of scenery. And if you are looking to resort, spa and golf you can always spend a few nights on Kiawah Island at The Sanctuary - always a fantastic time.
If your feet tire, bikes are a perfectly acceptable mode of transportation as are pedicabs. And yes, they have Uber for those of you that are so inclined. If you need a little polish and pampering, check out The Water Room to get your toes sparkling again. If you are looking to switch it up from shopping and beaches, you can take a cooking class at Zero George (one of our favorite hotels), have a seat and a cocktail at The Citrus Club (one of my new favorite spots), or a wine and cheese tasting at Bin 152 or Goat Sheep Cow (just make sure it’s the one up north - the one south of broad is take away only – we’ve make that mistake once). You could always have them pack you a nice picnic for one of the parks or beaches!
As you can see, there are options galore in Charleston. You can bike or walk, be fancy or casual for dinner, take it indoors or out, and pamper yourself at the spa or sweat it out at Longevity Fitness and CHS Revolution. Hey, you have to make room for all of that delicious food and drink. Charleston really does have it all on its tiny little peninsula!
You are probably wondering where should you stay? Charleston has so many great hotels all of which have their own character and amenities. 86 Cannon is my absolute, all time, favorite. On any given trip, we visit a couple to try out their rooftops and cocktail bars - But more on that later. I just wanted to get you excited to visit first!