Hello, my friends! Recently, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Charleston, SC and wanted to share some highlights, plus my top picks for things to do and see.

Where I stayed

My friend and I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Charleston Historic District. This was definitely one of the best places to stay in the area. It’s a block from King Street (major for shopping, restaurants, bars, etc.), as well as being only a short drive from other destinations, like Mount Pleasant area. We were able to walk to most places, which was great!

Top Sites to See

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is a series of colorful, gorgeous historic houses near the French Quarter in SC. It’s also the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. While this is perfect for the architecture-lover, it’s also a major instagram location. It’s the perfect place to take a solo-pic plus, if you go when everything is in bloom, the flowers really add to the whole Rainbow and magic feel.

The Battery

If you are a history buff, or just love the water and old houses, definitely go down to the Battery and take a scenic walk back up Meeting street or King Street. There are some beautiful mansions, plus you can walk along the water and take in those beautiful views.

Sullivans Island – Fort Moultrie beach

One of our waiters actually told us about this beach and its famous dolphin sightings, which did not disappoint . It’s the perfect beach for a leisurely walk, without the crowds that come with bigger beaches. It also has a really nice trail that loops around the beach.

Tip for seeing dolphins: walk all the way down past the fort and onto the part of the beach that swimming isn’t allowed (Near the lighthouse). This part of the beach is closer to the open ocean, so you’ll have more luck spotting dolphins, as well as other sea critters.

Outerbank’s Filming Locations

If you’ve seen the Netflix show, Outerbank’s, then you most likely know that most of it was filmed in the Charleston – Mount Pleasant area. If you’re looking for some fun filming spots to go, check out The Wreck of Richard and Charlene (used as Kie’s family restaurant), Geechie Seafood (Shem creek, used as Pope’s family seafood shop), Huntington Island (used for most beach scenes, as well as having the Huntington Island lighthouse), and Ben Silver on King Street (Sarah and John B’s shopping trip).

Top Picks for Shopping

King Street

For major brand name shopping, head to King Street. For cute beachwear, head to Half-Moon Outfitters or Brandy Melville for more casual basics. If you’re looking to splurge, rest assured King Street has plenty to offer for all visitors to Charleston. Check out Louis Vuitton, Scotch & Soda, and Kate Spade. Looking for more vintage, boutique options? Upper King Street and little side streets have you covered. Check out Farside Vintage, Ensemble Consignment Boutique, and True Lucia for unique and vintage finds.

Top Picks for Food + Drinks

La Patisserie at Hotel Bennet

I love little french bakeries, so this place instantly pulled me in. Whether you’re just looking for coffee or in the mood for something sweet, this place delights. Their Matcha Latte’s are made perfectly and I seriously recommend their chocolate croissants. These croissants are perfectly fluffy and flakey, and the perfect addition to your morning coffee or tea. They also have a large selection of cakes, quiches, and chocolates!

Bourbon N’ Bubbles

One of the most important things I will say, MAKE SURE you make reservations for lunch and dinner, because places pack up quick in Charleston. This place really hit it out of the park. This place is a combination between upscale and casual dining. The food is absolutely fantastic! Their menu consists of fresh caught fish, locally harvested veggies, and premier selection of champagne, bourbon, and cocktails. My favorite cocktail was the
palmetto 75, a mix of gin, grapefruit liqueur, blueberries, citrus, and prosecco. It went great with the market catch of the day, which was a red snapper paired with sweet potatoes and asparagus.

Maya

Maya is an elevated mexican restaurant, offering playful appetizers, tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas focused on seasonal flavors. The atmosphere is definitely more relaxed and reminds me of a magical forest. I ended up getting their classic chicken tacos with salsa verde, pickled onion, and cilantro. They also have a fun, refreshing variety of cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic mocktails. I had the Cruel Summer cocktail, which was a refreshing mix of vodka, chrysanthemum, lemon, and soda. My friend enjoyed their Post-Melon mocktail, a easy and fresh mix of watermelon, mint, and lemon.

INK Rooftop & Lounge

This is the perfect place for a girl’s night-out. It has a fun, night-club vibe and the rooftop is definitely the main highlight. It features neon light signs, comfy outdoor couches, fake grass, and lovely city views. Again, definitely a very instagrammable place. I’m definitely more of a relaxed nigh-out kind of girl, so this place was perfect. The inside was more busy, but the rooftop was actually pretty chill and the perfect place to just sit down with a drink, chat, and have fun with some friends. The top floor outside reminded me of Alice in Wonderland (due to the fancy couches and tables and fake grass).

Well, that ends my highlights for Charleston! Anyone else take a trip to SC lately? What were your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments!

x. Miranda