We are back from our quick weekend trip to Charleston and while we were there I got a lot of DM’s asking if I would be sharing a city guide. This past trip was mostly business as we were there for wedding prep. We had meetings with our caterer, event rental companies and a long visit out to the venue so there wasn’t a lot of down time for sightseeing. However since I have been to Charleston a ton of times over the years, in lieu of a full city guide (there are a ton of detailed ones online) I wanted to share the spots I always love visiting and a few new places we tried on this past trip.

{a perfectly layered facade on the famous Chalmers Street}

Fall is my favorite time of year in the south. Although the coast doesn’t see much seasonal change in terms of foliage, you can’t beat the weather on a nice sunny day. We got so lucky with weather (really hoping for this during our wedding next year!) and had no rain or humidity. Charleston is by far my favorite city to walk around in the U.S. It is incredibly flat and there is so much beauty to look at that you can walk for miles without even realizing it. I didn’t take as many photos as I normally would, but every doorstep, streetlight and facade has some characteristic I wanted to stop and stare at. The charm is incomparable and the rich history is so unique.

One of my favorite things to do in Charleston is walk around the French Quarter and South of Broad. Not for the stores, but tucked in from the water are a tangle of streets that can’t be beat. The characteristics like old cobblestones, gas lanterns and stunning doors are everywhere. Some of my favorite streets (south of Queen Street) which are great for photo ops are Chalmers, Church, Elliot and lower Meeting. Early morning is such a beautiful time to walk around before everything gets really crowded. The lighting is great, it is quiet and it allows for the magic of the city to really sink in!

We stayed at The Mills House hotel on Meeting Street where I have stayed in the past. The hotel is a great location and allows for easy walking to King Street (great for shopping), The French Quarter and south of Broad. The famous pink facade makes it easy to find and a perfect place to snap some photos. Other great hotels are The Planter’s Inn and Belmond Charleston Place.

The Mills House is also right across the street (out of the side door) from two of my favorite spots, Poogan’s Porch and the bar at Husk. The restaurant at Husk is also quite famous, but the bar is incredible and has a wonderful dark interior that feels like stepping back in time. Poogan’s porch is great for a meal any time of day, but I love brunch and dinner, especially if you can get a spot on the first or second floor porch. I suggest making a reservation as this place books up quickly on the weekends. Other delicious stops are;

Rodney Scott’s BBQ

The Ordinary

Basic Kitchen

FIG

Carmella’s (they are making our wedding cake!)

Rooftop at The Vendue

The Gin Joint

Charleston City Market

*shops on King: Lake Pajamas, Hampden Clothing, Candlefish, Worthwhile, George C. Birlant & Co Antiques

Other spots I love: Candlefish and all of the shopping on King Street, The Battery and going out to Mount Pleasant if you have a rental car. The old village and Shem Creek have such beautiful views that show off that quintessential Low Country vibe. Shem creek has a ton of fun restaurants like Saltwater Cowboys, Shem Creek Bar & Grill and Red’s Ice house.

A trip up to Cypress Gardens (where they filmed the swan scene in The Notebook) feels like a once in a lifetime experience. Sadly there are no swans there (ah movie making!), but you do get to go out on a row boat through the cypress trees and spot some alligators that live in the water!

You really can’t go wrong no matter what you do in Charleston. There is no other city quite like it and this past visit reminded me just how much I love this part of the country. We chose to have our wedding here because the city has everything we love. History, incredible food, drool worthy sites and an air about it that feels so authentic and inviting!

What I Packed