Charleston
I feel so lucky every single day when I wake up because I get to call Charleston home! There aren’t enough words to describe how magical Charleston is because it is truly one of a kind. The Holy City has so much to offer from its restaurants to its beaches to its history. There is no shortage of things to do in Charleston or creative people making things happen in Charleston! One of my most favorite activities to do in Charleston is going on walks and bike rides around the different historic neighborhoods while looking at the colorful homes and imagining who lives inside them, past and present. It’s hard to pick a favorite neighborhood between South of Broad, the French Quarter, and Ansonborough. I recommend Charleston for every type of trip including a romantic escape, a couples trip, a girls’ getaway, a mother daughter weekend, and a family trip! I love answering questions about Charleston so always feel free to shoot me an email with questions!
Must Have
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Shop
Small by Hampden
Hampden is by far my favorite clothing boutique in Charleston so I was thrilled when the owner, Stacey, expanded with a new store on King Street. Small by Hampden is a concept store a few doors down on King Street in Charleston that houses some of their more casual designers (aka my favorites!) like Ulla Johnson, Rhode Resort, SEA, Staud, and Ganni. -
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Amanda Lindroth
Amanda Lindroth opened in Charleston in the spring of 2019 on Upper King to lots of fanfare. The store itself is absolutely stunning! It is designed in a custom tent (within the storefront) so you immediately feel as though you’ve been transported to your favorite Caribbean island. Everything Amanda Lindroth designs is fabulous. Think rattan everything and beautiful entertaining essentials like block print linens! -
Shop
Lake Pajamas
Lake Pajamas caused quite a splash when they opened their doors in December 2018. The store is filled with all the beautiful, comfortable, soft pajama styles Lake has come to be known for. Also, the shop carries a few of their other favorite brands like RMS Beauty. The Lake Pajamas store is so special because it is their flagship store and currently their only brick and mortar. It was designed by Charleston’s own, Olivia Brock, making it even more magical. -
Shop
Beau & Ro
Beau & Ro opened its first-ever brick and mortar store in the fall of 2019 in none other than Charleston! They make beautiful handbags and jewelry that I simply can’t get enough of. I wear my Beau & Ro rattan earrings non-stop and love my straw bags from the playful yet well-defined brand! The store also carries a curated selection of other designers and brands like Assoline, Lele Sadoughi, and more! -
Shop
Roller Rabbit
Roller Rabbit opened it’s doors in Charleston in the fall of 2019 to many happy Charlestonians! The brand actually used to have a store in Charleston a few years ago but the location was closed when the brand went through some restructuring. So, we were all thrilled to see it open it’s doors again, this time on lower King Street. You’ll find tons of swoon-worthy pieces from baby clothes to beach cover-ups to bedding. -
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Blue Bicycle Books
Blue Bicycle Books has been selling books in Charleston since 1995. It is a truly wonderful local bookstore that is much larger than meets the eye. All of their books are so well curated and organized and the staff always has great recommendations. They also source vintage books about Charleston and the Lowcountry! Blue Bicycle does so much for the literary community of Charleston by bringing tons of authors and events to town. Pop in for a book! -
Shop
Cannonborough Collective
Situated on Cannon, right in the middle of other creative store owners (i.e. Candy Shop Vintage and Mac & Murphy), the Cannonborough Collective sells a collection of locally sources and made products like Charleston Weekender Turkish towels. It’s a bright, colorful, and happy shop! -
Shop
Buxton Books
Buxton Books is Charleston’s other local bookstore! It is connected to the beautiful Charleston library downtown so this bookstore also is very influential in the literary community of Charleston. They also do incredible author events around town in partnership with the library. It’s incredible to have two wonderful and thriving local bookstores to shop at! -
Shop
Old Whaling Co.
Old Whaling Co. opened the doors of its Broad Street store in 2019. The light-filled space is full of the brand’s bath and body products all inspired by the sea! Ole Whaling Co. has a dozen or so signature scents that they infuse into their beautifully crafted, effective, and affordable soaps, bath bombs, body butters, perfumes, salt scrubs, and candles. Everything is delicious + the items make wonderful gifts!
Eat
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Eat
Little Jack’s Tavern
Little Jack’s Tavern has my favorite burger in town! I also absolutely die for their roast chicken. We love Little Jack’s tavern year round but we gravitate toward the restaurant a ton in the fall and the winter because it’s one of the best spots to hunker down on a chilly day. You’ll see what I mean the minute you walk in – think old school, upscale, refined diner. -
Eat
Basic Kitchen
This light, bright, and airy spot serves up delicious healthy (but hearty!) food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring the best local and seasonal produce and ingredients. I also happen to think their juices and cocktails are some of the best in town! You’ll leave feeling satiated and refreshed. Don’t miss the chance to dine on their adorable garden patio on a beautiful day too! -
Eat
The Peninsula Grill
The Peninsula Grill is old Charleston! My favorite time of year to dine here is during the holidays because it’s a dressier spot. The Peninsula Grill was made famous by its coconut cake, which is absolutely divine! It’s worth a visit just for dessert if you have too many other restaurants in town you want to try. -
Eat
One Broad Street
Opened in an old refurbished bank, One Broad Street is a neighborhood favorite among locals. It’s situated in the perfect location to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner before exploring Rainbow Row and the South of Broad neighborhood. The menu is just as vibrant as the locals passing through! -
Eat
Baker's Bar
The day Baker’s Bar opened, it instantly became one of our neighborhood favorites. It is located in the basement of the restaurant One Broad so it has an über cozy atmosphere. To me, it feels like a restaurant that could be nestled in the West Village of New York. The menu consists of pizza and other Italian dishes. We always love the seasonal pizzas and the no cell phone policy. -
Eat
Malagón
Malagón is a delicious ode to Spain! Everything is Spanish from the menu to the wine list to the retail. Take my advice and order the ‘La Bomba’ it is out of this world! At dinnertime, Malagón is buzzing with dinners making for a very lively atmosphere. I love the dinnertime vibe but also really enjoy Malagón during the day for lunch Tuesday – Friday for a more quiet setting. Also, don’t miss weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays! I would classify Malagón as a foodie Spanish experience! -
Eat
Husk
The year Husk opened, it was named the best new restaurant in America. Since then, it has been a Charleston hot spot. Make a reservation well in advance if you want to snag a coveted table here. While Sean Brock is no longer involved, it is still a definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is one of my favorite parts as it’s in a beautiful old house. Be sure to pay a visit next door to its bar too! -
Eat
Le Farfalle
With so many delicious Italian restaurants in town, it can be hard to pick a favorite but Le Farfalle should definitely be on your list. It has an upscale vibe and a delicious selection of appetizers, vegetables, pastas, and mains. The space is big so it’s a great spot to consider going with a larger group. -
Eat
Wild Common
Wild Common is located in the restaurant portion of what was previously Cannon Green (Cannon Green is still open but exclusively as an event space now). It opened in the summer of 2019 with a very unique menu. Wild Common is really a culinary experience of fine dining with custom tasting, a la carte, and small bites menus. The atmosphere is quirky and full of character too. It’s a great place to go for a special occasion or for a foodie adventure. -
Eat
Maison
Maison is a cute little foodie French bistro. I say foodie because the menu has a lot of French favorites on it but many are prepared with a special touch or in a unique and creative way. Every meal I’ve had here has been really delicious and satisfying! When I crave French food, this is one of my go-tos. -
Eat
Delaney Oyster House
Delaney Oyster House is a must for seafood lovers. It prides itself on its premium seafood and oysters, which I think is what coastal South Carolina southern cuisine is all about. It is located within a quintessential historic Charleston home so guests can dine inside for a dining room setting or outside on the side porches during a beautiful day. If you come to Charleston with the intension of hitting every oyster shop, then add this restaurant to your list. -
Eat
Estadio
Estadio opened in the fall of 2019, giving downtown Charleston her second Spanish restaurant opening of the year (the first was Malagón, see above). However, I’d classify Estadio and Malagón differently. Estadio is a modern take on traditional Spanish food but you can expect to find all the classic Spanish dishes you know and love. We seriously love the croquettes here! -
Eat
Goat Sheep Cow North
Goat Sheep Cow has been a favorite of my family's for forever. Their original location is located in the South of Broad neighborhood so it has always been a little local gem of a cheese shop. At the Goat Sheep Cow North location, you can enjoy all the delicious wine, cheese, charcuterie, and more in their big plush booths or on their adorable little outside patio. It’s one of my favorite places to go for happy hour in the city. -
Eat
Daps
Daps established a bit of a cult following in Charleston since opening its doors. The friendly neighborhood spot serves breakfast all day along with delicious daytime-approved cocktails. Ask any local and they will tell you that the shining star on the menu is the chickpea breakfast sandwich. -
Eat
Off Track Ice Cream
As soon as Off Track Ice Cream opened in Charleston, it immediately became my favorite ice cream shop in town. They make all of their ice cream from scratch using a few simple ingredients (local when possible!). Their vegan ice cream is honestly just as delicious as their regular ice cream too. The flavors are out of this world and so creative with seasonal flavors always coming out! The key lime pie flavor will blow your mind.
Drink
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Drink
Citrus Club
Obsessed would be an understatement! This rooftop bar at The Dewberry Hotel is so well done with minimal but super chic kind of retro vibes and amazing cocktails. The waiters all wear adorable uniforms, which is a little special touch I love. The views from the outdoor seating area are some of the absolute best in town! -
Drink
Graft
At Graft, the walls are lined with different wines to choose from to enjoy right there in the bar. It might sound like it would be hard to pick a bottle but the two sommeliers (aka long-time friends) behind Graft created their own honest, relatable, and often funny tags for the bottles they sell. So, it’s a blast selecting a bottle to enjoy! Graft also has a menu of wines by the glass! -
Drink
The Bar at Husk
Located in the small building next to its big sister Restaurant Husk, the Bar at Husk is a must-stop place to drink in Charleston. The cocktail menu is full of interesting & lovely libations. We really love the cozy atmosphere here and love the small food menu as well! It’s a great spot for a drink before or after dinner. -
Drink
Bangkok Lounge
There is nothing chic about Bangkok Lounge but it is a whole ton of fun! Bangkok Lounge is a dive-y karaoke bar on King Street that is a really fun spot to go when you are in a party mood. On the weekends, there can be quite a line so be prepared to get there early if you want to get in and sing. It’s important to note though that you can sing karaoke at Bangkok Lounge 7 nights a week! -
Drink
Coquin The Petite Café & Bar
Coquin is a charming little coffee shop meets café meets bar that opened in Charleston in the fall of 2019! When you step into Coquin, you embrace the art of the Parisian Lifestyle. Coquin serves up bites all day long including pastries in the morning, sandwiches in the afternoon, and charcuterie + more when the sun goes down. Similarly, you can grab a specialty coffee during the day and switch to a yummy wine or martini at night. It’s a wonderful all day experience! -
Drink
Harken Café
The minute Harken Café opened, it became an instant classic! Harken was opened in the fall of 2019 by the owners of another CHS cult favorite, The Harbinger (I say cult favorite because The Harbinger really has a cult following!). Harken is a neighborhood coffee shop filled with character, delicious food + drink, and a warm atmosphere (I always see a familiar face). I’d recommend Harken to anyone visiting Charleston! Menu must-haves: avocado toast, daily slab pie, daily baguette sandwich, and the ever-changing mind-blowing baked goods.
Stay
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Stay
Zero George
An absolutely charming historic boutique hotel! The vibe is traditional yet contemporary and will leave you inspired at every turn. It's composed of five historical residential buildings that all have a porch or a patio. Plus, the in-house restaurant is outstanding and they offer amazing cooking classes! If that isn't enough, they serve guests complimentary wine and cheese every evening. Did I mention they have bikes!? I'm in love with this hotel! -
Stay
86 Cannon
Adore, adore, adore! I absolutely put this boutique hotel on the top end of my favorite places to stay in Charleston. The Inn is owned by a husband and wife who used their vision to purchase an old Charleston house and turn it into a luxury 5-bedroom B&B. There are three common spaces – a library, a bar, and a dining room - as well as two long porches, ample parking spaces, and complimentary bikes available to guests too. They also serve a light breakfast as well as cocktails at happy hour. You can just book one room or you can book out the whole house. 86 Cannon truly offers everything! -
Stay
The Dewberry
A gorgeous luxury hotel that, I think, has a very New York City meets Charleston feel. Expect old-world charm with a modern edge. The hotel's bar, Living Room, and restaurant, Henrietta's, are both fabulous spots in the city and musts, especially if you're staying in the hotel. In addition, the rooftop bar, Citrus Club, is by far the best rooftop bar in the city! The Garden & Gun boutique is nestled in the hotel as well! -
Stay
The Inns
The Inns consist of a few different historic old homes that have been renovated and revitalized to create an authentic and upscale low-country vacation home experience! I can tell you that the mattresses are Heavenly and all the details like the beautiful huge side porches are perfection. This is a great option is you are traveling with your family, a group of friends, a few couples, or a bachelorette as you can book a whole house!
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Do
Carriage Tour
A great way to see Charleston is on a carriage tour. I recommend doing a carriage tour on your first day in Charleston to help you get a lay of the land, learn some of the history of the city, and see beautiful parts of town you might have missed otherwise. My carriage tour guide company of choice is Palmetto Carriage Tours. -
Do
Sailing
My parents found Captain Paul of Charleston Sail years ago and we still love and use them to this day. Paul and his wife own the boat and take you out on marvelous little sailing trips. We always bring wine and some snacks! It’s the perfect way to see Charleston from the water and enjoy a beautiful day. -
Do
Beach Day
If you are planning a trip to Charleston in the spring or summer, then I highly recommend adding a beach day to your vacation. All the beaches are within easy driving distance with Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island (my favorite!) being the two closest. In my opinion, the windblown seagrass makes our southern beaches some of the prettiest in the county! -
Do
The Water Room
The Water Room is as beautiful as it is zen as it is clean. It is Charleston’s best clean nail salon! The Water Room uses only nontoxic, clean beauty products, and offers chemical-free treatments. I’m in love with the space and I really can’t get enough of the selection of 8 free, cruelty free, vegan, nontoxic polishes (they are all beautiful colors)! There is also a room that can be closed off for private parties. The Water Room opened its doors in January 2019 and has become a beloved part of our beauty + wellness scene. Every time I go, I leave happier than when I walked in! -
Do
Walk & Talk Tours
Walk & Talk Tours technically launched in 2018 but I didn’t become aware of the incredible tour company until 2019 so I’m including it in this post! Plus, Walk & Talk launched a new facet of business in 2019… “Full Hot Tours,” which is a bar hop/bachelorette style tour. Tyler, who runs the tours, has an incredible wealth of knowledge about Charleston, a fantastic sense of humor, and a love and admiration for the Holy City that really shines through on her tours. I particularly love Tyler’s walking tours of Charleston so much because, instead of spitting out fact after fact, she does a wonderful job of storytelling. On a Walk and Talk tour, you’ll explore some of Charleston’s most beautiful streets while learning about the city’s rich history and historical gossip.