A few months ago we took a girls trip up to Charleston, SC for a long weekend getaway. I love Charleston's charm, atmosphere, history and all of the amazing places to eat, shop and drink. If you have never been before, do yourself a favor and make it your next vacation. It's perfect for a long weekend because there is plenty to see, but it is a small town so you might not need an entire week. If you do go for longer, I highly recommend taking half the trip to visit one of the islands nearby for some beach time (Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island).
Check out what my friends and I got up to in the beautiful city of Charleston!
The Hotel
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel
Location Location Location. Charleston, SC is a walking city so make sure where you decide to stay is near where you want to be. It may cost more to be within walking distance, but it is well worth the extra cost.
The Renaissance was a perfect location, just a little off to the side, right by the College of Charleston. We were able to walk just about everywhere we needed to. The accommodations were pretty standard, nothing too extravagant and our group was able to get joining rooms so that was nice. The only annoyance was having to pay for parking at the parking garage across from the hotel, but at least the lot was close I guess.
I would definitely recommend this hotel if you are looking for a good location and just planning on using the hotel as a place to rest your head at the end of the day. It's not right in the thick of things, but it's easy enough to walk anywhere you want to go.
The Drinks
Stars Rooftop
We spent our fist night at Stars, a restaurant that becomes more of a bar after the dinner crowd is gone. They had a great DJ, a rooftop bar and wine on tap. It was pretty packed, but super fun. We danced the night away to 90s tunes and drank our fair share of Riesling on tap served by some very friendly bartenders. I would highly recommend this place for a night out with the girls.
The Rooftop Bar at Vendue
I had been here before, so I was excited to bring my friends back to this beautiful rooftop bar the second night. It was a great place to hang out as we were aiming for more of a chill night. The views really are great, but it was actually pretty chilly while we were in Charleston so we didn't venture onto the patio much because of the wind. We stayed by the bar near heat lamps under the covered tent they had set up for warmth. When the weather is nice, there's nothing better than this rooftop bar with twinkle lights. Don't miss it.
The Food
Queology
This award winning BBQ place was our first stop when we made it to Charleston around lunch time. Our hotel wasn't ready and we were starving, so it was a great find. The pulled pork was amazing and the drinks were pretty awesome for a bbq place. The service was super friendly and we loved the location right by the City Market. If you're tired of seafood and craving some great BBQ, check out Queology!
Toast
Another award winner, Toast served up some amazing breakfast. The wait was actually pretty long, but we walked around to kill time and they served coffee and mimosas and Bloody Mary's while we waited so it wasn't too bad. Also, it's not just a breakfast place. Apparently Toast is named after glasses toasting, not the slice of bread. However, their breakfast food was delicious so the name made sense to me either way.
This place is just neat, when you walk inside it's all brick and iron and beautiful. We had dinner here the first night and their food is just as good as their drinks. I got a flight to sample all of the beers they brew in house and it was the perfect compliment to a delicious burger. Go inside for a drink at the very least, it's worth seeing inside the building.
Our last meal in Charleston was one of our best. We were dying for some seafood being so close to the ocean so we found this oyster house right by the City Market. The service, the atmosphere and the food were all top notch. Most people got oysters, but there were plenty of other items on the menu and nobody was disappointed.
Sassyass Coffee
The name alone was enough to sell us on trying this coffee cart. The people running it were so friendly and very conversational with all of us. The coffee was also delicious! They had a huge selection and the ice cold lattes were just what we needed to pick us back up after walking around the city. Make sure you look out for them on your visit there! We found them right by that park with the obelisk
Carmella's Café and Dessert Bar
This place was adorable. I actually didn't eat anything there because I wasn't hungry, but my friends did and said the food was pretty good. Some of them also got an alcoholic shake or something and said it was pretty amazing. It's a little tight in the space, but the windows open up into the street and give the shop an airy vibe. It seems like the perfect spot for drinks and dessert.
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
Right next to hotel we were staying in was this tiny chocolate shop. The chocolates were beautiful and they had such a huge selection! My friends got a few and said they melt in your mouth. If you need a chocolate fix, check this place out.
The Sights
Kings Street Shopping
You will find a ton of high end stores on Kings Street and a few local shops. You could easily spend a day walking around shopping in Charleston. There are also a lot of art galleries around the city that you should peak into. It's always a little awkward since we clearly were not going to buy million dollar paintings, but all of the store owners we encountered were very friendly.
Battery Park
With beautiful views of the water and the famous bright houses, taking a walk around Batter Park is a must. You can see historic Fort Sumter from the raised pathway along the water and we even caught a glimpse of a wedding happening right in the park. It's a nice place to stroll and get a bit of shade on the hotter days.
Historic Charleston City Market
If you've never been to Charleston before, this is definitely something you need to check out. It's a huge open air (except for a small closed in part) market place where people sell everything from crafts to food to all those touristy souvenirs you want to bring home to your friends. The closed in part is probably the nicest with a few permanent shops. They have a small barbeque place and sandwich/coffee shop that you can take a quick break at, because the market is pretty long. Once you've gone to it a few times though it kind of loses it's appeal and it's always packed with tourists.
Walking Around Charleston
Honestly, I love just walking around Charleston. There is beauty on every corner, from the brightly colored homes to the churches to the parks. I love a good cobblestone road and the private gardens that you can peak into from the street are impossible not to swoon over. It's such a historic city and a lot of it has been left intact and renovated with so much love. I could wander around this city for hours and not get tired of the little treasures I find. Do yourself a favor when you visit Charleston, get lost. Turn down street after street and then find you way home.
Charleston is a place I would return to time and time again. It's beauty and atmosphere are so unique and so refreshing. There's history, architecture, entertainment, restaurants, bars, shopping, art and so much more. Charleston is one of my favorites, and I think it would be one of yours too.
Have you been to Charleston before? I'm always looking for new places to explore in one of my favorite cities! Share you recommendations below!
xx Kristen
