A Quick-Getaway Guide to Charleston, SC

My husband and I recently returned from a weekend getaway to Charleston, SC celebrating his birthday and our anniversary. We don’t get away often, so we labored over the destination. We wanted somewhere romantic, with good food, pleasant weather, and a slower pace. Charleston fit the bill beautifully.

For anyone who may be considering a quick trip to the Holy City, here’s what we loved.

| STAY |

There are a host of beautiful places to stay in Charleston. We considered Hotel Bella Grace, 86 Cannon, Zero George, and Hotel Bennett, but we ultimately decided on The Dewberry. Situated across from Marion Square, the hotel preserves the architectural integrity of the mid-century building. We chose The Dewberry for a variety of reasons, including complimentary bikes and house cars. The concierge team was the kindest and most capable team of individuals, and the valet was equally as helpful. If you’re looking for a great hotel centrally located in downtown Charleston with people who will make you feel at home, The Dewberry is it!

| EAT | 

HUSK
Read any Charleston dining review, and Husk will likely be on the list. And for good reason …  Husk sources local, heirloom ingredients, and the food is inventive with nuanced flavor. We started brunch with a wood-fired funnel cake topped with preserved strawberries, ricotta, black walnuts, and basil. I followed with an omelette filled with duck confit, while my husband had the French toast. Husk operates inside a historic, late-19th century home and is a stunning property inside and out.

THE OBSTINATE DAUGHTER
We hopped into The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island for lunch. Influenced by French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine, the restaurant has a refined beach vibe, and the food was decadent. We ordered pasta dishes that featured a richness balanced by bright flavors. The wood-fired pizzas looked mouth-watering.

MAISON
We had late-night dinner reservations at Maison on Friday. We started dinner with the spectacular Mussels Bourride with leek fondue and baguette. The fondue was so decadent, I was tempted to lick it right out of the bowl.

THE MACINTOSH
Being kid-free means we could eat a late dinner at The Macintosh, and it ended up being our favorite dinner spot. A farm-to-fork eatery, The Macintosh sources local Lowcountry ingredients from area farms and waterways. We started with the Local Lettuces, followed by Shrimp Tagliatelle for me and the Mac House Ground C.A.B Burger for the hubby.

CALLIE’S HOT LITTLE BISCUITS
Founded with the goal of keeping the Southern biscuit-making tradition alive, Callie’s serves up flaky, buttery, made-by-hand biscuits that practically melt in your mouth. The shop on upper King Street is tiny, and it gets busy fast. We managed to hop into line when it was short, but by the time we left, it snaked out the door. Get your breakfast to go and eat it on a park bench in Marion Square.

One note about dining in Charleston … restaurants book fast! So plan to make your dining reservations one month in advance.

| DO | 

Charleston traces its roots back to 1670. It was named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II, and rich history and time-honored culture abound. Several structures date back to pre-Revolutionary War days. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, for example was built in 1761. And in 1776, a British fleet carrying 270 guns attacked Colonel William Moultrie’s palmetto fort on Sullivan’s Island. With such a storied history, we were excited to immerse ourselves in the past. 

BIKING
Our favorite thing to do was to experience the city at a slower pace on bikes. We loved meandering Church Street and exploring some of the beautiful, historical neighborhoods. As mentioned above, The Dewberry offers bikes free to guests, but if you choose to stay elsewhere, download the Holy Spokes app for access to bike rentals around the city.

CARRIAGE TOURS
Carriage tours are also a great way to see the city and hear about its storied past. We enjoyed an hour-long tour with Palmetto Carriage Works. Our guide was engaging and informative, sharing a wealth of historical info.

FORT MOULTRIE AND THE OLD EXCHANGE & PROVOST DUNGEONS
If you eat at The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island, plan a quick trip to Fort Moultrie. Erected during the Revolutionary War, it was used in that battle, as well as in the civil war and WWII. It’s a bit of a hike, but you can walk from the restaurant to the fort. History buffs will also enjoy a visit to the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeons (downtown). Built in 1771, this is where the British imprisoned American prisoners of war, where city leaders entertained President George Washington, and where South Carolina leaders ratified the U. S. Constitution.

| SHOP |

King’s Street boasts some of the city’s best shopping, and while we didn’t have time to do much browsing, we did pop into CandleFish. The store has a farmhouse-boho vide and sells beautiful candles, but don’t just stop there. If you have time, take one of their hands-on candle-making classes. A class was in session while we were there, and it looked fun.

| SEE |

On our third day, we headed out to Middleton Place. Built in 1775 and expanded throughout several generations, Middleton Place is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America. The property features 110 acres and functions as a sort of living history museum. Spanish moss canvasses the trees and Live Oaks estimated to be nearly 1,000 years old dot the property. Had we had more time, we would have also hopped over to Drayton Hall, an original, preserved plantation home. I had also hoped to see the Charleston Tea Plantation, but time did not allow.

| SIP | 

LA PÂTISSERIE
This little gem of a coffee & pastry shop was our favorite place to grab a latte and croissant! Located on the ground floor of The Hotel Bennett, it feels casually Parisian. The staff was kind and the lattes were excellent. 

If you’ve been to Charleston and want to add some ideas, or if you have a question, drop them in the comments. (All images are mine except for hotel images 1, 2 and 4 (clockwise from top left), which are sourced from The Dewberry Instagram feed.)

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