Now that we have covered all the food and drink in Charleston, let’s cover the rest.
WHERE TO SHOP:
All the big names are found on King Street, with little boutiques sprinkled in. Here are a few favorites.
E. Blackhurst: This boutique carries a small selection of clothing and gifts. I stopped in for a greeting card and found the perfect one with my sense of humor. Amazon Prime has spoiled us all.
Candlefish: So many good smells!
Impeccable Pig: Affordable dresses and accessories.
Cannonborough Collective: We almost walked by this corner gem. They have balloons and wares from local artisans, and we happened to drop in when the owner AND one of the sellers was there- so friendly and welcoming! I got a postcard illustration of Charleston to add to my growing (and constantly crooked) gallery wall. Also, these photos were taken before I discovered the settings on my camera to adjust for outdoor vs. indoor lighting…baby steps!
Mac and Murphy: Another pocket-sized store staffed by the owners. They have a ton of stationary and colorful office accessories.
WHAT TO DO:
Unitarian Church Cemetery: Go down the little hidden alleyway off King Street and you’ll find yourself in a lush, green cemetery garden. It is considered the oldest Unitarian Church in the South, built in the 1770’s.
Rainbow Row: While strolling through the historic neighborhoods, you can’t miss the pastel homes known as Rainbow Row. While you are down there, Bedon’s, Longitude, Philadelphia, Price’s, St. Michael’s, and Stoll’s Alley were recommended to us. Hidden treasures around each corner!
Waterfront Park: Home to the pineapple fountain and a lovely cool breeze off the harbor!
Battery Park: This sliver of green space at the Southern end of the peninsula is surrounded by water and enormous houses. We wandered down the alley ways and admired the architecture and lush greenery surrounding these over-the-top homes. My favorite stretch, which I discovered by chance while going for a run, was Legare Street. I found myself imagining life behind the wrought iron gates, sipping sweet tea in a rocking chair, overlooking the perfectly manicured topiaries and fountain. I saw a party rental unloading tables for a backyard soiree that looked wedding-worthy. Wonder if they’d notice an extra guest?
Marion Square Farmer’s Market: This is the biggest farmer’s market I have ever seen! You’ve got the typical produce stands, arts and crafts, live music, and street performers.
All the things we didn’t do:
Old Slave Mart Museum: I really wanted to see this, but unfortunately, it is not open on Sundays.
Aiken Rhett House , Nathaniel Russell House: These beautiful old homes are available to tour with ticketed admission.
Walking tours: There are many to choose from, but we did not allow enough time and chose to wander and discover on our own!
Fort Sumter: History buffs may enjoy visiting this national monument in Charleston Harbor.
Gibbes Museum: This art museum was high on my list, especially considering the forecast of rain all weekend. Since we made it through without rain during the day, we did not make it to the museum, opting for outdoor activities instead.
Charleston City Market, not to be confused with the farmer’s market, was not as impressive. It felt more like a tourist trap, so I wouldn’t waste your time…unless you want a good, old fashioned biscuit. We were told Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit in the market is top notch.
Magnolia Plantation, Boone Hall Plantations: While these are pretty close to the city, we opted out since we did not rent a car.
Folly Beach: So close to the city, but alas, not enough time.
This is the only modern house we saw in Charleston. So unique!
HOW TO GET AROUND:
Many people were biking around the city. Considering Charleston is very flat, this is an easy place to cruise around. By foot and via Uber worked well. The Uber drivers were all so friendly and willing to give their honest opinions on what to do and eat (and NOT do and NOT eat).
WHERE TO STAY:
Well, we picked a busy weekend to visit. Everything close to the action would cost an arm and a leg, so we chose to stay further north. Our Airbnb was really cute and cozy, and a short Uber ride (or slightly long walk) to most locations. The forecast was for rain all weekend, but thankfully it waited to dump down on Sunday evening. In the middle of the night, we woke up to a horrible sound, like an unbalanced washing machine about to explode. Anyone else know that sound? Or are we the only ones who haven’t properly balanced our washer at home? We cased the house, looking for something amiss. Finally, we followed the sound to below our bedroom. I didn’t see a basement, but there must have been one. At this point, I’m starting to worry the place will just combust, so there’s no way I can sleep again. Do we call the owner? She’s not local… Then, we realize that the buckets of rain probably triggered the sump pump. Long story short, we survived. But, the sounds of an unfamiliar home can be quite unsettling!
If you missed the food and drink post, you can catch it here.
All the food and attractions listed in these posts, plus more, are on my handy dandy map!