Last year we started a little tradition. The day after Christmas Pearce and I take off on a vacation to recover from the madness (I mean that in the best way possible!) of Christmas, escape our normal routine, and spend uninterrupted time together. It’s my favorite. Last year we went to Asheville, NC and this year we made the trip to Charleston, SC. Why Charleston? Pearce had never been before this trip, I adore the city, and it’s close to home.
^^ Carolina Cider Company is a must on your drive into town!
If you’ve ever visited CHS you know just how dreamy it is…
Where We Stayed:
Y’all might remember the story a few months back where my friend Hannah and I drove up to NC for Whitney’s wedding, thought we’d be staying in an air bnb, and chickened out. That was probably in our best interest. This time around, I felt 100% better about giving it a try because Pearce was with me. No offense, H! I know you’re fully prepared for whatever life throws your way, with pepper spray and what-not! 😉
We found THE cutest air bnb on Daniel Island – here’s the link. Ps. Pay attention to the cleaning fees and weekend rates, the total price fluctuates a bit. Our hosts were great, the garage apartment was perfect, and we loved the location. We didn’t want to be smack dab in the middle of downtown Charleston so staying on the adorable DI was the perfect solution. The studio apartment was private, unlike a lot of air bnb’s we looked at that were actually just rooms in someone’s home. Not really what we wanted for a vacation. The room came complete with a very nice private bath, small lounge area, kitchenette (mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker), dining table, queen sized bed, and large closet to store your luggage. The hosts also offer their beach chairs and beach cruisers to any guests wishing to ride around the island or enjoy South Carolina’s beaches. I thought that was the sweetest touch!
We squeezed a lot of fun into our week in Charleston. We joked that for every day we spent in CHS we’d have to add a day to our trip because we discovered sooo many additional things we wanted to try, just by walking around. Seriously though, y’all should see the Charleston list I started in my iPhone! It’s massive.
A few things we did:
Visit the Carolina Cider Company. || As mentioned above, this one’s a must. Stock up on the yummiest lowcountry treats, gifts, and cider! We bought a huge jug of the Cinnamon Apple Cider. Well worth every penny, and calorie.
Check out the beaches on Sullivan’s Island. || Because we live at the beach I don’t usually devote too much of our vacation time to check out other beaches, but we like to at least stop by. Sullivan’s Island is such a fun little beach town with gorgeous coastal architecture unique to the area.
Snap photos on Rainbow Row. || Rainbow Row is a CHS must! The cluster of colorful, historic homes is such a beauty. Bring your camera (obv.) and fill up on inspiration. You’ll be itching to run home and paint your entire house pink, or at least your front door! Fun fact – Rainbow Row is the longest cluster of Georgian Row Houses in the United States! You won’t find anything like it anywhere else.
Shopping on King Street. || Ask any Southern Fashion Blogger – King Street houses some of the best boutiques in the country. We spent a whole day browsing shops and taking advantage of post-Christmas sales. A few favorites: Roberta Roller Rabbit, Moon & Lola, Finicky Filly, Candlefish, Candy Shop Vintage, Beckett, and Hampden.
Walk the Battery + drool over the S.O.B homes. || We could have spent two days straight wandering around Charleston’s jaw-dropping neighborhoods. Just take a scroll through this hashtag and you’ll catch a small glimpse of what all the fuss is about.
Stop by Celadon Home. || Celadon is one of my favorite home decor shops ever! Their pieces are so charming and unique. If you want to stop by, set aside at least two hours to make your way around the store. And bring a truck! 😉
Spend a day at Boone Hall Plantation. || Visiting Boone Hall was like stepping back in time. The oak lined drive, talented storytellers and picturesque plantation are nothing short of magical. If you love history, you’ll eat up everything that BH has to offer. Admission is around $25 per person which includes entrance into the house, and a full day of guided tours. All tours are optional so you’re able to pick and choose how you’ll spend your day. We highly recommend the “Exploring The Gullah Culture” presentation!!
Ps. We also spent some time exploring a few of South Carolina’s beautiful parks so Pearce could play a few rounds of disc golf. If y’all happen to have a hubby who’s into the sport, shoot me an email and I’ll give you the down low on disc golf in the palmetto state.
What are your favorite places to visit in Charleston?!
