This charming little city is the perfect weekend trip. It was just my mom and I, celebrating Mother’s Day with a girls only jaunt. After a quick flight and ride to our hotel, we hit the ground running. Given that it’s a relatively small city, we walked pretty much everywhere with the exception of one bike ride. I loved the contrast of the beauty of the old city and its rich history and the vibrancy of the newly gentrifying neighborhoods. There’s something for many here, but I would recommend Charleston even more so if you have an appreciation of great food.
Eateries
This was our favorite dinner in Charleston. Unable to get a reservation, we walked in on a Friday night and, by happenstance, found two seats at the bar. FIG was one of the original restaurants that helped put Charleston on the map as a food destination almost sixteen years ago. I was truly impressed, between the seamless service and the outstanding, seasonally-focused food. Our server was on his game, and each dish was better than the next. If I had one dinner in Charleston, it would be here.
Delicious food, but the service left much to be desired. We had some delicious dishes, but it was disappointing for there to be such a disconnect between the high quality of the food and the poor quality of the service. I had hoped it was an off night, but in talking to some locals, that didn’t sound like the case. I learned there seems to be a current challenge finding good people given the rising cost of living in the city and the lack or public transportation.
Tucked away on a side street in Cannonborough-Elliotborough, this was a favorite, between the delightful space and fantastic food. The menu has European influence and changes every day based on what’s available locally. It will arrive to the table hand-written, and you’ll have a choice between one of appetizers, entrees and desserts. The food was artfully presented but not over the top. Whether you do lunch or dinner, this spot is a must. Given the dimly lit, cozy setting, I would imagine this would make for the perfect date night (I went for lunch with my mom).
This was a fun brunch spot. We sat at the counter and were right in the action, watching the chefs prepare and plate and, even better, use the Green Egg. We ordered a bevy of small plates and thought the food was great. The whipped feta with spicy honey was especially delicious.
Amazing little cheese and wine shop with the friendliest staff. We walked over after our visit to Mrs. Whaley’s Garden and picked up some cheeses to take back to the Zero George for happy hour. The location on Church is the original and is only retail, while the newer location on Meeting has a sit-down option.
Activities
This is only open on Saturdays, so start your day off with a stroll through the park and explore all of the vendors.
This mighty little garden is perfect for taking a pause from the hustle and bustle of King Street. Mrs. Whaley once wrote a book about her garden, which garnered national acclaim. Though she passed many years ago, it’s maintained by a young man who lives locally who’s doing a beautiful job.
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
We had walked over after an afternoon in Canninborough, but the museum was unfortunately closed due to a new exhibition being installed. We’d heard great things and will definitely check this out on our next visit.
This carriage tour was recommended by our hotel, and we loved it. They can be found inside the Big Red Barn on Anson Street. Though tours run every 15 minutes, you may want to purchase your tickets prior if you’re on a timeline. We didn’t have a reservation and had to wait for a bit. A city of Charleston certified guide will take you on an hour-long carriage ride; our guide was witty and unbelievably knowledgable about the history of the city.
Our hotel provided bikes, but the official bike share program in Charleston is Holy Spokes. Aside from the catchy name, there are docks conveniently located around the city so you can jump on and off throughout the day.
King Street
You’ll likely find yourself on King Street at several points throughout a weekend in Charleston. My mom had been there less than six months before, and there were a handful of new options even since then. It’s a constantly changing landscape, albeit rather touristy at points, but there are some wonderful shops on this street. If you love clothes like myself, you’ll likely hear about Hampden. Though they carried some incredible designers, both for clothing and accessories, I didn’t love the way things were merchandised and found browsing a bit overwhelming. Instead, I would check out some of the options below.
Ro Sham Beaux, White’s Mercantile, RTW, IBU, Candlefish, + Lake
Cannonborough-Elliotborough
Have lunch at the ever-charming Chez Nous, and then roam the streets of this newish neighborhood. It’s seen quite the gentrification in recent years and is prime with restaurants, shops, bakeries and more. It’s quieter and feels less less discovered than downtown. The shop owners of each place we visited, particularly J. Stark, were so friendly and welcoming, it made me want to stay the afternoon.
J. Stark, Taxidermy + Candy Shop Vintage
Where to Stay
We absolutely loved our stay at the Zero George. The hotel has a warmth to it, between the beautifully restored residences and carriage houses to the helpful staff. It’s only sixteen rooms, all spacious with a modest elegance. Every afternoon, the hotel offers a happy hour with wines, bubbly and cheese pairings. We looked forward to coming back after exploring for a glass of wine and cheeses on the porch. The restaurant at the hotel, Zero Restaurant + Bar, is not to be missed. You can catch a glimpse of what the chefs are up to when you walk into the reception area, where the kitchen is completely open and you’ll be greeted with the aromas of that night’s dinner or a cooking demonstration. Though we considered staying at The Dewberry, we found it to have somewhat of a sterile feeling after visiting. We couldn’t have been happier with out stay at the Zero George and would stay here again without question.