Charleston is known for its culinary expertise, and we were lucky enough to have some favorites. If you can get a reservation at any of these you'll be in great shape! The Grocery (farm to table): https://thegrocerycharleston.com/ Chez Nous (French): https://www.cheznouschs.com/ The Ordinary (Seafood): https://eattheordinary.com/ or Husk (Traditional Southern): https://huskrestaurant.com/home/ More casual options would include: 167 Raw: https://167raw.com/ Rodney Scott's BBQ: https://www.rodneyscottsbbq.com/ Xiao Bao Biscuit: https://www.xiaobaobiscuit.com/ Harbinger Café (Jane's FAVORITE!): https://www.theharbingercafe.com/ Miller's All Day (we got engaged in the photo booth here!): https://millersallday.com/ It’s hard to go wrong but reach out if you have questions!
Our favorite route to experience the city is to walk from the battery at White Point Garden to the iconic Rainbow Row. Continuing from there past the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon we would walk up and down the old market and then up King Street. Another wonderful walk is crossing the famous Ravenel Bridge which gains you a wonderful view of the peninsula.
We were members of the Gibbs Museum and enjoyed a few events there (It just a few blocks from the reception!). There’s a tremendous amount of history in Charleston and we never found a museum that we didn’t enjoy or learn something from. If you prefer a spooky visit, we had our socks scared off with Bulldog tours more than once.
Charleston has beautiful beaches and they can be enjoyed most of the year. Sullivan’s Island is the closest and is where Edgar Allen Poe spent his time in the Army. Folly Beach has the best vibes and is where people do their best surfing impression. Isle of Palms is a beautiful beach but it’s the farthest away.
Away from downtown you can find plenty of things to do as well. Angel Oak is just on Johns Island and is said to be the largest live oak east of the Mississippi. Charles Towne landing is just over in West Ashley and is the location where Charleston was originally “founded”. If you’re into golfing, you’ll have heard of Kiawah. It’s a short drive away and if you can cough up the cash to play, you won’t regret it.