The first time I went to Charleston, my friends and I stayed in an Airbnb right off of King Street. The location was great, with easy access to bars, restaurants, and shops. But the location also made it super loud and a little dirty, being so close to bars and restaurants. This last time I went to Charleston with my husband we stayed at the Mills House and it was great! This is one of the oldest hotels in Charleston but has recently undergone a renovation. The pink building is classic Charleston and the location is ideal, in between King Street and Meeting Street, walking distance to all the local attractions. Mills House also has a beautiful rooftop pool and many outdoor areas to sit in and enjoy a morning coffee. Speaking of coffee, the hotel also has a coffee shop called The Black Door Cafe and a restaurant, Iron Rose, with a great outdoor dining area. 

Both times I have been to Charleston, I made a trip to Magnolias. I crave their fried green tomatoes! The first time I went we had brunch and it was exceptional. This time, my husband and I opted for a late lunch and it was just as good. Classic, Southern-style comfort food such as fried chicken and pimento dip, its a must-visit. Another popular destination in Charelestin is Husk. We have visited their location in Nashville and the one in Charleston is just as spectacular. The atmosphere is great, as it’s in an old, Southern-style house with gas lanterns outside and a porch in the front. Husk uses farm-to-table style dining and their menu changes depending on what’s in season but each time I have been, the food is delicious!  Leons is a staple in Charleston and a local favorite. Classic fried chicken, oysters, and hush puppies are on the menu here and each dish was awesome. They also have a full bar with great drink options. 

One of the most fun experiences I had while in Charleston with my girlfriends was going on a Segway Tour of local Mount Pleasant. Learning to use the segway takes a couple of tries but once you get the hang of it, it’s a great way to experience the local town right over the Ravanelle bridge with beautiful historic homes and a great view of Fort Sumter. Our guide, Cliff, was patient and told us a bunch of important historical information on our tour Another must-do while in Charleston is to take a horse carriage ride. You will see tons of them around the city and there are many companies to choose from. My husband and I did this, and like the segway tour, it was a nice, relaxing way to see around the city and learn about the history. While in Charleston, you MUST try a classic, Southern biscuit. We went to Callies Hot Little Biscuit in City Market but there are locations all over the city and other biscuit spots to try. A hot, buttery, Southern biscuit with pimento cheese, egg, and sausage is a great way to start your day while in Charleston. Another great way to start your day in Charleston is to visit Harken Cafe, with the best matcha I have had and an incredible ricotta biscuit. 

This last time I was in South Carolina, my husband and I took a day trip to Sullivans Island, which is about a 20-minute Uber ride from the city. It’s a beachy town with great restaurants and a laid-back vibe. We ate brunch at the Obstinate Daughter and their Lowcountry Frites and homemade quiche were out of this world! Lastly, no trip to Charleston is complete without a visit to a local plantation. There is so much history in Charleston and learning more about a location’s past is an experience I always like to include in all of my travels. When I was there with my friends we visited Magnolia Plantation and took a tour of the old slave quarters. It was so interesting learning what the plantation’s history included and also how it is used today. 

Charleston is a quick, two-hour flight from NYC and is a great way to spend a long weekend or even a few more days. It’s an easy city to get around, with lots of Southern charm and beautiful weather. The wharf area is a beautiful way to spend the day and look out at the river. The local shops and restaurants offer so many options and the overall atmosphere makes it a great place to add to your list of cities to visit.