Everything you've heard about
Charleston, SC is absolutely true! I'd be really surprised to hear if
you hadn't learned anything about this charming city yet because
it's pretty popular. The Holy City entertains nearly 4 million
visitors on an annual basis. Good thing it's large enough to
accommodate all those who choose to travel to Charleston, SC; it is
the second-largest city in South Carolina!
This town offers all sorts of different
experiences depending on what appeals to you. Trust me, you won't run
out of things to do in this bustling town no matter what you're into.
While a weekend getaway is sufficient to explore some of the
highlights of Charleston, SC, it's not nearly enough time to
experience everything they have to offer from the amazing local
restaurants found around every corner, to the museums, churches, and
other architectural delights to see throughout the town.
WHEN TO GO
The question really should be, “When
is there NOT a good time to go”, because you can visit Charleston
during any season and be pleasantly surprised by what you can
discover. Late fall had lovely weather during the day with crisp,
cool nights after the sun went down. A far cry from the dead heat of
summer I experienced when visiting last year in August. The only way
I'd tell you to go during the summer is if you planned on spending
most of your time at a Charleston, SC beach! Otherwise, you'll be
going from one air conditioned store to another for a reprieve from
the heat—I speak from experience.
WHERE TO SLEEP
My most recent trip to Charleston
mid-November included accommodations that were a whole lot different
from what I experienced previously. Mainly, because this trip wasn't
planned by me (I'm cheap). Cody was the one who made all the arrangements this
time around, which is a little out of the ordinary for us because I'm typically
the planner. I was downright shocked when we were pulling into a
hotel that was right in the heart of downtown Charleston!
And not
just any hotel either, we would be staying at the CHARLESTON PLACE,
which, from what I could tell on the outside, was as posh as it gets!
We were greeted by valets and ushered in by bellhops. I didn't know
what to do with myself. I was floored. All I could keep thinking in
my head was, “How much did he have to pay for this place?!"
haha But he wouldn't divulge that information no matter how many
times I asked.
[RELATED ARTICLE] 20 Reasons Why I Love Charleston, SC { link }
After I got over the initial shock of
how fancy this hotel was that we would be staying at, I was
railroaded yet again by how beautiful our room was. Seriously, I
don't get to stay in places like this normally, so I'm easily impressed.
We even had a balcony that overlooked the courtyard below that gave
us a nice little view of a small portion of the city. The bathroom
was ridiculously luxurious, too, with marble tiles on the floor and
bathtub walls. It was almost like stepping into a magazine. I felt so
spoiled. Aside from how amazing this place was, the staff was also
super friendly, courteous, and always asking how they could help make
our stay more pleasant. A girl could certainly get used to that sort
of treatment, for sure.
WHERE TO EAT
One of the main reasons we love
Charleston so much is due to the fabulous restaurants that can be
found without even really looking very hard. We had some terrific
food during our last trip, and we were very much looking forward to
revisiting some of our favorite restaurants as well as try a few new
ones while we were there.
When it came to breakfast we were quite
lost on where to go, so we basically stumbled around until we found
something that tickled our fancy. After stopping in to check out the
menu at several different places, we settled on breakfast at a place
called TOAST. I think that one of the major reasons people eat at
Toast is because they are home of the bottomless mimosa. Truth be
told, that was probably the deciding factor of why we were eating
there! Haha Although I have no complaints whatsoever about the food I
ate. The “Eggs Meeting Street” was pretty delicious! It had a
fried green tomato topped with a crab cake, poached egg and
Lowcountry remoulade sauce, served with home fries. I ordered it
because it sounded so weird, and I just had to get a taste. The
tangyness of the flavors in this dish may not appeal to everyone, but
I thought it was very good!
[RELATED ARTICLE] 5 Great Restaurants in Charleston, SC { link }
Based on a recommendation someone gave
on the WW Facebook page, we found out about a fairly new restaurant
in Charleston called HUSK. This restaurant was named 2011 Best New
Restaurant in American by Bon Appetit Magazine. So, what's all the
hype about? Well, Husk has decided to do things a little differently
than the typical restaurants you'll come across, not just in
Charleston, but anywhere, really. The menu at this restaurant changes
daily, and they take being a locavore to a whole new level with
their commitment to only serving ingredients procured from the South.
After pouring over their menu, and not
being able to decide on what I wanted, I decided to ask our server
what she recommended. Actually, I asked her what was the best-looking
dish they had today, which elicited an interesting look, rightly so.
I ended up going with her suggestion, which was the Monte Cristo. It
included VA Lamb BBQ, TN Buttermilk Cheddar, fried egg, Surry
Sausage, and Potato Hash. I've grown accustomed to seeing a plate
piled with a number of different ingredients, so to have this lovely
plate presented to me in such a simple fashion was really out of the
ordinary. It doesn't look like much, but looks are certainly
deceiving in this instance, because the food was fabulous! I can't
wait to go back and eat at this restaurant the next time we're in
town!
Aside from our eating exploits and the
time spent at the amazing hotel, there wasn't much time left to do
anything else, really. A weekend in Charleston, SC isn't near enough
time to explore everything this multi-faceted city has to offer.
However, you'll definitely want an excuse to come back and discover
more!
If you're looking for things to do in Charleston, SC, I have included some links in this post to related articles from my past trip that could be useful (look for the red text above). I would have included some here, but the post was getting entirely too long! Another thing missing from this post is the "bonus surprise news" I promised to share, which I fully intend on doing, but I'm going to save it for Thursday because it deserves more than just a blurb!
If you'd like to find out more about
Charleston, SC, here is a link to the visitor's website.
If you're looking for things to do in Charleston, SC, I have included some links in this post to related articles from my past trip that could be useful (look for the red text above). I would have included some here, but the post was getting entirely too long! Another thing missing from this post is the "bonus surprise news" I promised to share, which I fully intend on doing, but I'm going to save it for Thursday because it deserves more than just a blurb!
Question: Have you ever been to
Charleston, SC?
What's your favorite thing about this city?
What's your favorite thing about this city?
I haven't been yet. Always get stuck in NC on my way down to those parts. :D
ReplyDeleteI have been, in November of 2009. Stayed at the Embassy Suites Historic Charleston, which used to be the original Citadel Military College building. It was so interesting, but the best part was its close proximity to historic downtown restaurants and shops. A very walkable location. Loved your post and photos!
ReplyDelete@Prin: haha...NC has a funny way of grabbing hold and not letting go :D
ReplyDelete@Michelle: Thank you! Charleston is a great place to explore on foot. Not having to worry about parking (and remembering where you parked) was also a plus!
I want to go to Charleston. One of my best friends moved there 1 year ago and I HAVE to go visit. Good excuse to see a new City!! Your pictures are beautiful
ReplyDelete