Charleston
One of the best cities in America, Charleston lived up to its hype. Here’s how:
Where to stay if you’re a group of 12: Get an AirBnB on Folly Beach.
Folly Beach is a super cute beach town about 15-20 minutes from Charleston, so I definitely recommend at least visiting. But what I found in looking for places was that options for larger groups at affordable price points are few and far between in Charleston, while Folly Beach had a few good options, even at the last minute. Sand Dollar Social Club was a place we may or may not have had a few too many drinks at. Now you know.
Where to go for brunch: 82 Queen
This place slaps you with southern charm, from its hilarious service to menu to beyond-cute-design. We thoroughly loved this spot, and it was an ideal first place to check out in the city.
Where to spend the day at the beach: Folly Beach
This is s super cute little beach town reachable by a 20 minute drive from Charleston over the marshlands. The beach isn’t the most beautiful, but there is water and there is sand, and sometimes, that is all you need. Pier 101 Restaurant and Bar is also a great spot for a burger with a view!
Where to see some dolphins and a legendary lighthouse: Flipper Finders Boat and Sea Kayak Tours
A great way to spend an afternoon, this tour allowed us to see the incredible beauty of the waters around Charleston. Our guide was very knowledgable and lots of fun! Highly recommend.
Where to get a fire Insta: Rainbow Row & Pineapple Fountain
These are two icons of Charleston and are incredibly photogenic, so hit it up.
Where to see a tree: Angel Oak Tree
Trust me, its worth it. I had to really convince the group to go, but its an absolute beauty of a tree. Its massive and honestly just takes your breath away. Its history is quite dark though, so do keep that in mind when marveling at it.
Where to learn about Charleston’s not-so-great past: McLeod Plantation
The property and grounds may be beautiful, but its history - not so much. It’s one of those things you kind of have to do, as slavery was a pertinent part of this city’s past, and it is important to recognize it. The tour runs a bit long, but it is certainly emotionally charged and makes you intimately connect with the stories of those who were here.
Where to have some awesome seafood: Charleston Crab House
This place was so damn good, you just absolutely have to try all of it. And its just next to the McLeod Plantation, which makes for a convenient outing.
Where to enjoy dinner with a view: Fleet Landing Restaurant
This is a super popular spot so be sure to make a reservation and enjoy great local eats with views to match.
Where to go for a trendy rooftop bar: Ritual Rooftop
This is a great dinner spot with some tapas style foods, views over Marion Square, and a really cool design and vibe that turns into a fun party as the night goes on. Plus, the area around Marion Square is where you want to be at night so this is a perfect dinner + pregame spot.
Charleston is truly just an incredibly beautiful city. It has a charm and ambiance to it that is almost unmatched anywhere in the country (see: Savannah). It’s perfect for couples, families, and bachelorette parties - there’s ghost tours (which we did and still joke about to this day, both in good and bad ways), boozy boat tours (this got wild), and plenty of history and damn good food. Definitely a city that needs to be on your American bucket list!