Quick Spring Getaways

When the new year started, I wanted nothing more than to stay put in Charleston. It’s been glorious spending so much time at home in the city that I love so much. However, now that the weather is warming up a bit, I’m definitely getting an itch to travel and explore a bit. It feels great to have a few quick spring getaways on the horizon to keep me inspired and to keep my creative juices flowing! For me, nothing inspires me more than travel and loving my surroundings.

Summer tends to bring about longer trips so I thought I’d share a handful of quick spring weekend getaways that are easy to book for a short trip. Psssst, if you’re still inspired by winter and snow flurries instead of spring and blooming flowers, then be sure to read my post on the 5 best winter weekend getaways easy for anyone on the east coast!

Quick Spring Getaways

The Lowcountry: Charleston, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff

The Lowcountry is an area along the South Carolina coast that it so wonderful, beautiful, and interesting that it has its own culture, geography, architecture, and cuisine. The minute you hop in a car and drive around this area a bit, you will understand the significance of the name. Within the Lowcountry, there are a few places I love including the magical city I live in, Charleston, the under the radar town of Beaufort, and the beautiful Palmetto Bluff neighborhood/resort.

You can easily drive between all three in under 2 hours so you can make a nice little trip between 1, 2, or all 3 of the destinations depending on how long your getaway is. P.S. on your drive between Charleston and either Palmetto Bluff or Beaufort, be sure to stop at Carolina Cider Company. It’s an inspired little store filled with delicious jams, honeys, relishes, mustards, chutneys, grits, nuts, soups, ciders, teas, and more!

Charleston:

When planning a trip to Charleston, use this post I wrote about all the new wonderful places that have opened in Charleston in the last year or two. Note: I mention the best tried and true places in the post too! I also recommend reading my guide to Charleston beaches as part of your spring trip research. My top hotel recommendations include Zero George, 86 Cannon, The Inns, and The Dewberry! Feel free to always email me here with questions too! The cobblestone streets of Charleston are waiting for you!

Beaufort:

When planning a trip to Beaufort, use this Beaufort Travel Guide I wrote. Beaufort is a beautiful little town that is perfect for a one night stay. I definitely recommend staying at Anchorage 1770 as we stayed there and loved it! Don’t miss meals at Lowcountry Produce and Old Bull Tavern, shopping at Scout Southern Market, as well as a leisurely walk, bike ride, or carriage ride through the Historic District neighborhood.

Palmetto Bluff:

When planning a trip to Palmetto Bluff, definitely stay at the Montage Palmetto Bluff or rent a house. There are some incredible houses to rent on vrbo! When exploring Palmetto Bluff, be sure to take in the natural beautiful of the property on a bike ride, watch the sunset while dipping your toes in the water off the dock, and make s’mores in the fire pits!

Coastal Georgia: Savannah, Sea Island, Cumberland Island

Just south of the Lowcountry is coastal Georgia, which is equally beautiful in its own enchanting way. I grew up spending a ton of time along the coast of Georgia as my grandparents lived on Sea Island. My grandmother taught me so much about the south and Georgia in particular so this part of the country will always hold a piece of my heart. Edwin and I also did our mini-moon on Sea Island right after our wedding for this very reason!

Savannah is at the very top of my list of prettiest cities in the United States. Many people group Savannah with Charleston together in their minds (because of their proximity to each other) but they are actually incredibly different with diverse histories. Cumberland Island is a little slice of heaven off the Georgia coast… it is only accessibly via ferry or boat so it’s a bit of a different experience.

Savannah:

When planning a trip to Savannah, read my Savannah Travel Guide for all my recommendations. One update to my guide I need to make is where to stay… there is a new jewel in town, the Perry Lane Hotel. It opened its doors in summer 2018 and immediately became a beloved destination in the heart of the Historic District. A few other Savannah musts include eating at The Collins Quarter and Sandfly BBQ, indulging your sweet tooth at Leopold’s and Chocolat, drinking up at The Artillery Bar, shopping at The Paris Market, Number Four Eleven, and Alex Raskin Antiques, as well as exploring the town squares and historic homes.

Sea Island:

When planning a trip to Sea Island, you have a few different options for where to stay that range in price point. I recommend the stunning Cloister, the Cloister Beach Club, the Cloister Ocean Residences, or renting a house. Also, I love The Lodge and have heard good things about The Inn. I recommend eating at Tavola, Southern Tide (Sea Island veterans – this was Big George’s), The Market, Nancy, Southern Soul Barbecue, Certified Burgers and Beverage, and Palm Coast Coffee. Shop at the Tibi Outlet, Vine Market, Petite Maison, Violas Market, and GoGo Jewelry (my grandmother’s favorite). Did I mention that there is tons to do!? For starters, the beach is gorgeous! See all the activities here and the spa (it’s unreal!) and fitness options here.

Cumberland Island:

When planning a trip to Cumberland Island, the place to stay is the Greyfield Inn. The Greenfield Inn will take you back in time to a world of wonder, beauty, and grace. It is truly tranquil and inspiring! It was built by Thomas and Lucy Carnegie as a private home but it was converted into an inn in the 1960s (it’s still run by the family). Cumberland Island is only accessible by boat, which gives the whole experience an extra special touch. A few highlights: untouched beaches, wild roaming horses, unbelievable sustainable food grown on the island, biking, kayaking, fishing, and more.

Florida: Palm Beach, Miami, 30A

If you read Rhyme & Reason regularly, then you know that I absolutely love Florida! There are so many places to discover and explore in Florida that I feel like I have only just begun.  I’m sharing about three spots I know well (I don’t like recommending things I’m not knowledgeable about) but I wanted to also mention the top spots on my Florida bucket list! In Florida, I’m dying to visit and discover St. Augustine, Amelia Island, Fort Myers + Sanibel, and Islamorada (and the surrounding Keys – I’ve been to Key West and loved it so I want to explore more!). Have any of y’all been there!? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Palm Beach:

When planning a trip to Palm Beach, definitely read my Palm Beach Travel Guide. Palm Beach is a seaside dream! When in Palm Beach, you can feel old Florida oozing in every nook and cranny of the city. I highly recommend staying at The Colony Hotel or the Pineapple Pad! Both are uniquely Palm Beach and have so much charm and character. If you like history, art, or architecture, then you absolutely must tour the Flagler Museum. There are a handful of delicious spots to eat included in my guide like the delicious Pizza Al Fresco. Don’t miss the amazing shopping at Aerin, CJ Laing, Leta Austin Foster, Mecox, Amanda Lindroth, Kirna Zabete, Margaux, and more (see my guide).

Miami:

When planning a trip to Miami, take a peak at my Miami Travel Guide for all my recommendations for where to stay, eat, drink, shop, and explore. I have stayed at The Edition Hotel and the 1 Hotel and can’t recommend either enough! The food in Miami is unbelievable and I really dive into it in my travel guide but I must recommend a new favorite, Mandolin. My favorite Miami activity: the beach! The colors of Miami Beach and the clear, warm ocean water = heaven!

30A:

When planning a trip to 30A, be sure to read my 30A Travel Guide for hotels, restaurants, and shops! I was first turned onto 30A by my aunt and uncle who have off and on rented houses, owned a house, and owned a boat along 30A. When I first saw the beaches along 30A, I truly could not believe my eyes. The white sand beaches are gorgeous and the water is crystal clear… it feels like you should be in the Caribbean! 30A is a wonderful place to go with family or friends to rent a house but I also recommend staying at The Pearl and The Watercolor Inn.

Santa Monica:

I lived in Santa Monica for 5 years after college so it will always feel like home to me! It is such a special part of Los Angeles that has so much going on with new places opening every month! Los Angeles is a huge city, which can be overwhelming to explore all at once so I think it’s a great idea to go to just Santa Monica for a quick spring getaway. My favorite hotels in Santa Monica are the Oceana, Palihouse, and Shutters. Sip drinks near the ocean at The Bungalow and the rooftop of the Shangri-La Hotel. Eat at the delicious relatively new restaurant, Élephante, or the unreal sushi handroll spot, Kazu Nori. Shop along Montana Avenue at Jill Roberts, Burro, Clare V., Sleepy Jones, Rooms & Gardens, and Shabby Chic.

Palm Springs:

Oh Palm Springs, what a warm, curious, and colorful place! I’ve spent a good amount of time in Palm Springs over the years going back to my childhood so I’m excited to recommend it because the desert oasis has so many amazing hotels, spas, golf courses, shops and restaurants. In my mind, Palm Springs is all about the hotels. Each fabulous hotel in Palm Springs has its own unique Palm Springs identity yet they all differ.

At the top of my list are the Holiday House and the Parker. Mark D. Sikes designed the Holiday House so you know just from that that it’s amazing! The Parker feels like an adult playground with beautiful pools, bars, hammocks, bocce ball, and more. Other fabulous hotels to consider at La Serene Villas, Sands Hotel and Spa, Ace Hotel, Korakia, The Rowan, The Desert Collective, and La Quinta (a lot, I know). A few fan favorites in Palm Springs for dining are Cheeky’s, King’s Highway, Norma’s, Birba, and El Jefe.

Scottsdale: 

I grew up in Phoenix so I know Scottsdale pretty well. My top hotel recommendation for Scottsdale is easily the Valley Ho. The hotel has a chic, modern desert feel and is so close to the shopping, restaurants, and bars of Old Town Scottsdale. The pool and bar scene at the Valley Ho are both super fun too! When looking for great spots to eat in Scottsdale, I recommend Postino, Olive & Ivy, Chop Shop, The Mission, Arcadia Farms Café, and The House Brasserie. The best fashion boutique in Scottsdale is Stephanie’s and the best activity is definitely hiking Camelback Mountain!

I hope this post helped inspire a few weekend spring getaways for you! I’d love to hear where you are traveling this spring! xx