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Final week our household took a last-minute, 2-day-3-night journey to Charleston, South Carolina and it was *chef’s kiss*. It was our first time there, and we arrived having finished zero planning and no itinerary with the aim of exploring, having fun with the sights, and consuming some great things alongside the way in which (spoiler: we achieved all three!). Actually, it might need been our favourite weekend journey but (tied with New Orleans). So listed here are all of the locations, actions, and meals that made our journey so nice.
Why We Picked Charleston As A Spot To Go to?
Ever since we moved to Florida three years in the past, our household holidays have modified a bit. We used to nearly all the time choose locations with a seashore and/or pool close by, however now that we now have each at house, we discover ourselves extra keen on walkable cities or small cities with attention-grabbing sights, retailers, parks, eating places, and extra. And Charleston was nearly excellent for that! As our kids have gotten older – they’re now 9 and 13 – they take pleasure in exploring extra, and we not discover ourselves in search of out playgrounds and youngsters’s museums. So whereas every thing we did right here was completely kid-friendly (and dog-friendly!) it will not be excellent for youthful children.
The place We Stayed In Charleston, SC
A part of the rationale we booked this journey so final minute is that we got here throughout this awesome-looking Airbnb that occurred to be marked all the way down to fill a number of days between bookings (and you already know we love a sale). We stayed for 3 nights, and it was such an incredible spot and a well-managed rental, as the numerous evaluations attest to, which is what made it straightforward for us to click on that e book button. It could’ve completely been well worth the full value too. Observe: this wasn’t paid or sponsored in any manner & they don’t know us from Adam.
We had the upstairs unit (“The Poppy Suite”) however the downstairs can be out there from the identical host, in addition to a number of different listings round Charleston. We will’t say sufficient good issues about it. It was nicely adorned, very clear, nicely stocked, and each kid- and dog-friendly. The one disadvantage for some individuals is perhaps that it solely has one lavatory, however you all know that we’re fairly comfy with that!
The center bed room pictured above is the place our daughter slept, and our son had a cute bunkroom within the again. Sherry and I took the entrance bed room as a result of it opened out to the entrance balcony, which we closely used and beloved. We spent a few hours on the market throughout each of the total days that we had in Charleston, simply hanging out and studying and having fun with the breeze. It was the proper spot to take a break from strolling round (particularly in the course of the hottest components of the day) as a result of it stayed shaded and I can’t promise you’ll expertise the identical breeze that we had, however it was there each days we have been on the market, and it was good.
And as a lot as we favored the Airbnb itself, we largely picked it as a result of it was in an incredible location that was walkable to eating places, espresso retailers, and extra. It’s in a neighborhood referred to as Cannonborough / Elliotborough, for these accustomed to Charleston.
The place We Explored In Charleston, SC
Since we have been solely in Charleston for 2 full days, we determined to make use of sooner or later for exploring town and the opposite for trying out a number of the surrounding seashore communities (not only for the seashore – a buddy tipped us off about some nice meals and issues to do on the market too).
We opted for a go-with-the-flow type journey, quite than widespread vacationer actions like visiting historic websites or museums so maintain that in thoughts. There are various of these issues to do in Charleston if your loved ones is in search of that form of journey as nicely. Throughout our metropolis day, we walked from our home on Spring Avenue all the way down to King Avenue – the primary avenue full of outlets and eating places that traverses Charleston – and simply kinda popped into retailers, ate, and loved the structure alongside the way in which.
We in all probability may’ve spent an entire day (or extra!) simply strolling and taking a look at the entire historic houses. In addition they had guided strolling excursions that regarded fascinating, so if we ever went again I feel we’d strive a kind of. I’ll share our favourite shops and eating places in a minute, however first I’ve to drop in a number of extra lovely houses. We beloved seeing all of those iconic Charleston aspect porches with their very own “hospitality doorways” alongside the entrance (they appear to be an actual entrance door, however simply result in the open-air porch on the aspect).
Charleston felt like such a cool metropolis as a result of though there are such a lot of very outdated houses and historic particulars, it was additionally colourful and vigorous. It didn’t damage that we have been there when every thing was in bloom. And let me let you know, this metropolis LOVES window packing containers.
And simply take a look at this shiny pink church we wandered previous in Charleston’s French Quarter (sure, they’ve one too, similar to New Orleans, which is one other weekend journey we took & beloved this yr).
Talking of coloration, we in fact hit up Charleston’s iconic Rainbow Row, which is a row of brightly coloured Georgian houses alongside East Bay Avenue (don’t fear, “Rainbow Row” comes up in Apple and Google Maps, so it’s very straightforward to seek out).
We clocked about 6 miles of strolling on our first day and, after looping house for a noon break, we drove again within the night to hit up a number of the additional spots from our home (like Rainbow Row and Pineapple Fountain). We do loads of strolling round our neighborhood at house, so our youngsters didn’t bat an eye fixed at this kind of mileage – particularly because it was damaged up with meals, a few hours again at house within the A/C (nicely, we have been studying on the porch however they have been inside with the AC), and loads of stops in retailers.
The place We Shopped In Charleston, SC
Many of the shops we popped into have been situated on or close to King Avenue, and we mainly simply wandered into something that regarded attention-grabbing. Just like the tented rattan paradise that was this Amanda Lindroth retailer.
We all the time attempt to hit up an impartial bookstore at any time when we journey, so we have been comfortable to encounter Blue Bicycle Books. In some way we missed the signal for Buxton Books additional down King Avenue, however that appears to be one other widespread native bookseller.
We didn’t encounter a ton of kid-specific shops (aside from this toy retailer within the Charelston Metropolis Market) however at 9 and 13, our youngsters love random issues like plant shops, artwork retailers, and even a stationery retailer (they purchase pens and felt tip markers like they’re connoisseurs). In addition they had a shocking quantity of enjoyable smelling soaps on the Outdated Whaling Firm (pictured under) and all of us beloved trying out the artwork within the Mitchel Hill Gallery furnishings retailer. We rounded issues off with a good time within the Mildred Newberry stationery store (see: they like markers and pens).
And naturally, Sherry made certain we stopped into Stitching Down South, which is the pillow retailer opened by Craig Conover from Bravo’s Southern Attraction. There have been no precise sightings of any Bravolebrities, however that was not for lack of effort (the hassle largely being Sherry randomly whispering “Craig?!” and “Paige?!” as we walked round city. Can’t consider that didn’t work…).
As a lot enjoyable as we had strolling round Charleston itself, our two favourite shops have been truly over the bridge nearer to a few of Charleston’s seashores.
Exploring Charleston’s Seashores
As I discussed, hitting the seashore isn’t actually the primary cause we e book a trip anymore simply because we stay on the seashore full time, however we have been all excited to drive out to Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island one morning to test them out, since we’ve heard such nice issues about these communities and a buddy gave us some tips on the place to eat and another enjoyable stuff to do and see on the market.
We parked close to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet in Isle of Palms to take pleasure in a pleasant morning stroll on the seashore since IOP appeared to be essentially the most accommodating to canines on the seashore. After a pleasant seashore stroll (they’d some good shells & Penny beloved sniffing every thing) we went on the hunt to discover a place for espresso & brunch and stumbled upon a retailer in Sullivan’s Island referred to as A Maker’s Put up. It had the best mixture of artwork, housewares, and vegetation. And each of our youngsters walked out with new books that they bought, so it was successful for all ages.
After posting about our journey on Instagram final week, the photograph above in all probability bought essentially the most curiosity – a lot in order that I’m certain Sherry’s fingers damage from typing “it’s referred to as A Maker’s Put up” again and again in her DMs. It’s fairly laborious to overlook from the highway, however it’s subsequent to a shiny pink place referred to as The Co-Op (the place we ended up getting espresso) if that helps.
Our different favourite cease out that manner was a store we hit up on the way in which again from the seashore in additional suburban Mount Plesant. It’s referred to as Plant Home and – after A Maker’s Put up was such successful for our whole household – I discovered it simply by googling “plant retailer.” I’m a hero.
We’ve since realized that it’s a sequence with 7 areas within the Southeast (even one again in our outdated hometown of Richmond, VA!) however it was completely new to us right here in Charleston and it’s in all probability the longest we spent in any single retailer the entire journey! They promote each plant and pot you can think about, and the shop itself is simply crammed to the brim with stuff to have a look at. Plus there’s a very enjoyable exercise they provide anytime you cease in…
… they’ve DIY terrarium stations! So for $25 every, our youngsters bought to assemble their very own plant terrarium. They every picked out two small vegetation together with their spherical glass vessel after which the entire “toppings” on the worktable have been free: soil, sand, rocks, shells, moss, and so forth. There was a lady who guided them by means of all of the steps, and every child had a lot enjoyable. Sherry additionally had enjoyable when our son sometimes requested for a hand.
The workers was tremendous pleasant and useful, so the children bought nice steering for constructing and caring for his or her terrariums too. They actually allow you to simply stroll in and make one anytime – however in addition they have scheduled workshops for grown-ups, and there’s even a bar with booze within the retailer!
As a lot as we loved all of those retailers and actions, the true highlights of our journey have been in all probability the meals.
The place We Ate In Charleston, SC
We’re under no circumstances tremendous eating individuals and our trip MO is simply to seek out locations with scrumptious meals and a enjoyable ambiance. Charleston didn’t disappoint on this entrance!
Breakfast in Charleston
Each mornings we bought breakfast at neighborhood spots inside a brief stroll from our Airbnb. The primary was Daps Breakfast & Imbibe which had nice espresso, big egg sandwiches, and much more big pancakes. On reflection, the children may’ve shared an order (we knew they have been massive however we didn’t understand they’d be THIS BIG). I additionally in all probability may have gotten a “aspect” of pancakes with my order that may have fed them each! These have been the Fruity Pebble ones that our daughter bought (our son went with one thing dusted with cocoa powder).
Our different breakfast was at Holey Metropolis Bagels which, initially, earns factors for a top quality pun in its title (Charleston’s nickname is “the Holy Metropolis”). The bagels themselves are the closest factor we’ve needed to a New York type bagel shortly and the connected espresso store was nice too.
Lunch & Dinner In Charleston
One other couple of nice spots inside strolling distance of our Airbnb have been Pink Cactus and Gasoline Cantina, each with Mexican menus. Pink Cactus seems fairly unassuming from the road (the patio is kinda plopped into a few parking areas) however the meals was scrumptious and generously sized. They don’t have a child’s menu and like to not make substitutions, however each of our youngsters loved what they bought (they’ll every deal with a little bit of spice which was undoubtedly current). We later met somebody who labored at Plant Home who stated her pals drive 40 minutes to go to Pink Cactus, so apparently it has many devoted followers.
Gasoline Cantina undoubtedly beat Pink Cactus within the out of doors ambiance division. It’s situated in an outdated gasoline station and the again patio, the place we ate, was the proper place to sit back on an attractive summer season night. Assume strings lights, TV, massive followers, together with bocce and big Jenga to maintain the children entertained.
I took the above photograph the next morning on our stroll to Holey Metropolis (therefore it trying closed… as a result of it was). However I snapped the pic under the earlier evening on our manner out to the patio. They actually leaned into the previous gasoline station factor by turning some gas pumps into sconces!
One other tremendous chill meal we had that was massive on ambiance was our dinner on the Port of Name Meals Corridor. The meals corridor gave us a number of choices – I bought Greek, one child bought seafood, and the remainder bought smash burgers – and the seating space was good and shady. For dessert, all of us tried pineapple delicate serve for the primary time at The Pineapple Hut.
Most likely our favourite meal food-wise was throughout the bridge in Sullivan’s Island at a spot referred to as The Obstinate Daughter. A buddy really helpful this as a spot with implausible meals the place we may “gown up a bit”, so initially we wrote it off (none of us packed something remotely dressy). However then we occurred to drive by round 11am and noticed a number of households consuming on the patio in very informal apparel, so we determined to have an early lunch. And boy are we glad we did.
I bought the particular of the day, a peach flatbread pizza with balsamic drizzle, and it completely hit the spot. The youngsters break up a cheese flatbread and a few pasta, which they each declared: “one of the best.” Sherry bought some scrumptious ahi tuna particular with a cream sauce and potatoes. This was the one meal we didn’t have leftovers from, as in, we licked every of our plates clear. Sure, that whole pizza went into my stomach.
There’s a gelato store in the identical constructing referred to as BeardCat’s Candy Store, which we bought for dessert. You get to pick two flavors even for a small dimension, so Sherry and I break up a darkish chocolate + olive oil and salt gelato. They actually drizzled olive oil on the highest, which I wasn’t so certain about at first, however it ended up being extraordinarily good.
Was Charleston Canine Pleasant?
Sure! Aside from a number of shops that stated “service animals solely,” we discovered every thing in Charleston to be extraordinarily canine pleasant: our Airbnb, the seashores, and the out of doors eating places. As a result of we had such good climate throughout our keep, we have been in a position to eat each single meal exterior. For some meals – just like the breakfast locations and the meals corridor – it meant considered one of us staying exterior with Penny whereas the others positioned our order, however that’s no massive deal and one thing we do at eating places again house too.
Since Penny’s a small canine, we sometimes choose her up at any time when we go into a store simply in case. That is extra for our & her security than anything (that manner she doesn’t attempt to eat one thing underneath a show, get spooked by a store cat, or unintentionally knock one thing over together with her leash). We additionally sometimes ask an worker “is it okay to deliver our canine in right here?” simply to be secure. Everybody was very happy to have her! She was additionally the one member of the family who requested to be carried a number of occasions exterior when she didn’t really feel like strolling. #spoiled
As our Airbnb hosts identified of their booklet, many of the Charleston space seashores are canine pleasant too – however the guidelines differ by space and time of yr, so you’ll want to test earlier than you go. In Could we have been in a position to take Penny on the Isle of Palms seashores with no downside.
Our Journey To Charleston, SC: A Abstract
For Charleston first-timers who did little or no planning for this 2-day-3-night weekend journey, we had a good time. For comfort, I believed I’d bullet the locations talked about on this put up multi function spot for you.
- Our Airbnb: The Poppy Suite on Spring Avenue
- Strolling down King Avenue
- Visiting Rainbow Row & Pineapple Fountain
- Exploring the French Quarter
- Trying out homes on Cannon Avenue
- Strolling on the seashore in Isle of Palms
Buying
Consuming
Thanks for an incredible journey, Charleston. We’ll be again!
Different Household Journeys We’ve Taken
In the event you’re keen on our tackle different locations or in the hunt for family-friendly journeys, you would possibly take pleasure in a few of these posts too:
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