A Local’s Love Letter to Charleston, South Carolina

• Old Village of Mt. Pleasant - Located across the Ravenel Bridge from downtown, Old Village is one of Charleston’s oldest waterfront neighborhoods. The residents are committed to preserving their history and the houses are charming time capsules to days gone by. A small main street has charming shops and restaurants worth stopping in. Make sure to visit Pitt Street Bridge. A former trolley bridge connecting Mt. Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island, it’s been maintained as a public space for walking, fishing and taking in stunning views of the harbor.

• Sullivan’s Island - Charleston has three main beaches: Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and, my personal favorite, Sullivan’s Island. This is a beachfront neighborhood where people actually live and are proud to call home year-round, evidenced in the stunning landscaping and decorating touches that abound. The beach is the most “untamed” of the three and I love walking the shoreline with my dog Annie during their off-leash dog hours. There is also a small but mighty restaurant scene. On Sullivan’s, you can spend the whole day relaxing and taking in the views.

• Park Circle - Less than 10 miles from downtown, Park Circle is the neighborhood I call home and is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in the area. A planned community dating from the 1900s, its name comes from the central circular park which now houses the world’s largest inclusive playground. Park on East Montague Ave and enjoy North Charleston’s version of Main Street. Make sure you check out Itinerant Literate Books and the Station, a marketplace home to over 60 vendors selling all sorts of wares. If you’re hungry, there are many restaurant options. One of my favorites, Jackrabbit Filly, is hard to get into without a reservation, but always worth checking in.

• King Street (specifically Second Sunday) - The MAIN thoroughfare of downtown Charleston is the place to shop. While chain stores have started to infiltrate, you can still find lots of art galleries and local shops to delight and entice. Everything is slower in the South, so start at the corner of Spring and King and enjoy a lazy afternoon of strolling and shopping. If you’re here the first weekend of the month, make sure to check out Second Sundays, when a portion of the road is closed off to vehicles and becomes a big block party.

• Magnolia Plantation - One of the oldest homes in the South that is open to the public daily. The river views, live oaks ensconced in Spanish moss and the incredible gardens are worth a visit.

• International African American Museum - Twenty years in the making and just opened a year ago, the IAAM is quickly becoming an important part of Charleston’s tourism. The museum’s location was chosen intentionally; it’s where tens of thousands of slaves disembarked from the ships that carried them from their homes and into their new lives. It’s an important museum that tells the story of African Americans across the centuries.

• Walk South of Broad - The most exclusive neighborhood in downtown Charleston, South of Broad is filled with gorgeous historical homes and gardens that have to be seen to be believed. I have spent days of my life crisscrossing the streets of this neighborhood and I never get tired of peeking into gardens and marveling at ornate architectural detailing. This is also where you’ll see Rainbow Row, the iconic Charleston landmark of colorful homes. But don’t stop there. Keep walking along the Battery, a former seawall turned pedestrian thoroughfare, until you hit White Point Gardens, six acres of old oaks and incredible views. You’ll often see locals enjoying the open space and having a picnic. I highly recommend joining them.

• Hampton Park - One of the largest parks in Charleston, with incredible landscaping and a beautiful lake. This is where locals go to stretch their legs, get fresh air and be inspired.

Day trips

• Botany Bay/Edisto Island - One of Charleston’s Sea Islands. The drive to Edisto Island is worth the visit alone. Canopies of oaks and Spanish moss abound. One of my favorite spots on the Island is Botany Bay Preserve, a nearly 4,600-acre area with three miles of untouched beach, historic buildings and forests. The crown jewel is Botany Beach, accessible via a half-mile shell-lined trail that cuts through the marsh. It’s often referred to as Boneyard Beach; erosion has caused tree limbs to fall, many of which tumble into the water and create a maze that’s fun for everyone to explore. Keep an eye out for the beautiful shells — but remember, taking any is prohibited — and animals in tidepools. On your way back into town, stop at King's Farm Market and grab some tasty local produce!

• McClellanville/Bulls Island - About an hour’s drive from downtown Charleston, McClellanville is a picturesque fishing town filled with charming homes and historic churches that feel right out of yesteryear. If you happen to be coming the first weekend of May, enjoy the Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, which focuses on blessing the town’s shrimping vessels before the shrimp season. On your way back to Charleston, take the ferry to Bulls Island. A 30-minute ferry ride (filled with lots of opportunities for wildlife spotting) takes you to the uninhabited island, where 16 miles of trails and private beaches await. This is the untamed Lowcountry at its finest.

• Harken Cafe - If it hasn’t already sold out for the day, I am getting the “Great Dane” pastry every time — it’s basically coffee cake but with an avocado cream filling. Sounds weird but tastes AMAZING.

• Millers All Day - A mid-century design and creative riffs on Southern staples mean this place is always bustling. If you’re going to try grits on your trip to Charleston (and you should), Millers is the place to do it.

• Babas on Cannon - Reminiscent of the cafes that dot the streets of Europe, Babas is a beloved neighborhood staple. There will always be a line out the door to order, but hang tight — it moves quickly and is worth the wait. The chocolate hazelnut pound cake and the peanut mocha are worth sitting a spell and watching the world go by.

• Basic Kitchen - The design of the restaurant is worth the recommendation alone, but luckily the food is just as good. Southern food can be quite heavy and sometimes you need something a little lighter! This restaurant is vegetable-forward and focuses on seasonal local produce. My girlfriends and I love to go here when we are downtown; we always start with an order of buffalo cauliflower to share.

• Xiao Bao Biscuit - Housed in a former gas station, this place radiates cool. The Pan-Asian menu is all delicious, but I recommend the Okonomiyaki cabbage pancake. You can have it as is, but I’d strongly encourage adding the sunny-side egg and pork candy.

• Leon’s - Fried chicken and oysters, in one restaurant?!? At Leon’s, the two are reminiscent of your two friends who don't make sense on paper but are a match made in heaven. Housed in an old body shop (are we sensing a theme?) this place is filled with Americana kitsch that radiates nostalgia. Make sure you add a side of scalloped potatoes to whatever you order (trust me) and if you have room, soft serve for dessert.

• Vern’s - One of the hottest restaurants in Charleston since it opened in 2022. When we have a special occasion to celebrate, I faithfully set my alarm 30 days out to ensure I snag a reservation. The menu is separated into small, medium and large dishes; order the charred sourdough and, when you devour that in 10 seconds flat, make that a second round. Vern’s is a small but mighty space where the staff work together with militant precision and no detail is left unnoticed. Make sure you stop by the bathroom, where the owner fills shelves with beautiful floral arrangements.

• Kultura - Upscale Filipino food unlike anything else on the Charleston dining scene. My husband is half Filipino and he said their arroz caldo might be the best he’s ever had (but don’t tell his family)!

• The Obstinate Daughter - An elevated nautical atmosphere welcomes you the moment you enter this space mere blocks from Sullivans island's aforementioned beach. Southern food filtered through a European lens results in a seafood-forward menu supported by a killer lineup of pizza and pastas. I love to go there for the most holy of Charleston traditions: Sunday brunch. “Eggs in purgatory” is my heavenly cap to a perfect weekend in Charleston.