Visiting Charleston, SC
*This picture is from https://www.charlestoncvb.com/
If you live on the East Coast- in any capacity- Charleston, SC should definitely be on your weekend trip list. Charleston is a fun small, southern town on the Atlantic ocean, rich in history and delicious food options galore.
The city of Charleston (then, Charles Town) was founded in 1670 by British colonists and named for King Charles II. During the American Revolution, the British captured Charleston but were forced to withdraw troops in 1782 and then the name was officially changed from Charles Town to Charleston. In April 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, which is located right off the coast of Charleston, starting the Civil War.
Charleston is rich with history and has such amazing Southern charm to experience. You can wander the streets and walk along the waterfront for hours, stopping in shops, museums or to grab an oyster shooter. Below is a list to get you started on planning your visit- from where to eat an a few things to do.,
Where to eat:
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: We went to Callie’s on Upper King and while it is small, it packed some huge flavor. We got our order to go and ate it on the roof/ by the pool area of our hotel. The biscuits aren’t heavy at all, but rather light, flaky and buttery. We tried the sausage, egg & pimento cheese, the biscuits & sausage gravy and the country ham biscuit. All were delicious and I would absolutely recommend putting this on your breakfast list.
Edmund’s Oast: Edmund’s is a bit out of the main part of the city (we had to Uber there, as it wasn’t walkable) but I would definitely out this restaurant/ brewery on your list. We went for dinner, but in retrospect, I would suggest going for a late lunch and a beer tasting.
Husk: Husk, originally opened and owned by southern Chef Sean Brock, Husk serves and showcases Southern Cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. I loved everything about Husk- the historical home it is housed in, the service and of course, the food. If you are going to Charleston, and are unable to get a reservation at Husk, I would recommend rescheduling your trip. While the menu changes constant.y, make sure (if they have it) to get the succotash, any sort of fried chicken they are making, anything that has the Carolina Gold Rice and some sort of pork dish. You will not be disappointed!
Fig: Fig is another spot that should be at the top of your list. Located in downtown Charleston, they also serve local and seasonal southern food. MIke Lata, the chef and owner, has done an amazing job redoing a historical building into a contemporary and cozy dining room. Their menu also changes constantly, but I would recommend any of their veggie sides, the chicken liver pate and the fish stew, if it is on the menu. Don’t leave without having dessert- the butterscotch pot de creme is unreal!
Darling Oyster Bar: Darling Oyster Bar was one of my favorite meals while in Charleston. The restaurant is housed in a restored store front that was redone in a vintage, classic way. We went for brunch, and had amazing oysters, fish fry and the most unreal Bloody Mary’s you have ever seen. The Bloody Mary’s came with a king crab leg, lobster claw and hush puppies- essentially just brunch in a glass.
What to do:
Two Sisters Walking Tour: Wherever I go, I try to go on some sort of walking or historical tour. Since Charleston is rich in American history, I knew that I had to go on a tour. I found Two Sisters by a recommendation of a coworker and it was such a great and informative tour. They took you all over the historical downtown, weaving in history and stories of the locals. It was really great and a wonderful way to spend one of your first mornings in Charleston.
Grab a drink at the Dewberry Hotel: The Dewberry Hotel is a restored historical building, previously the L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building, made into a stunning and trendy hotel. The Dewberry is a mid-century modern fan’s biggest dream. It is lux and stunning all while preserving the Southern style. Grab a drink and a snack at the hotel’s bar’s Citrus Club (rooftop terrace with views of the city and sea) or in the first floor bar, Living Room.
Visit Fort Sumter: Fort Sumter, which is located right of the coast of Charleston, is notable because it was there that the first shots were fired that started the American Civil War. You have to visit Fort Sumter by boat and it is a nice way to see the city and coastline from the water.
Visit Historical Houses/ Manors in the Area: The Charleston area is filled with historical houses and manors (plantations) that are rich with history. I would definitely recommend putting a few on your itinerary.
