Just the Girls: Weekend Getaway to Charleston, South Carolina

Sights and Insights Tour

If you have the time, make room for a historical tour in Charleston as there is so much Black history here. As an original slave port, Charleston has deep ties to slavery and the Black experience from many standpoints in the United States. We took Al Miller's day tour to visit the Sea Islands in Johns and James Creeks. His two-and-a-half-hour tour took us through Black Charleston — where Porgy and Bess got their inspiration. We also saw the infamous Angel Oak tree, the McLeod Plantation and the Emanuel Methodist Episcopal Church, sadly known as the home of the 2015 shooting that occurred in Charleston. Al also does tours to introduce you to the Gullah Geechee culture, and he'll sing for you too — be prepared to sing along! Al does a wonderful job telling and recounting our stories, to make it an educational and worthwhile experience for everyone of all ages.

Charleston City Market

I can't pass up a good outdoor market, so I was in heaven when I realized we were staying directly across from this one! Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., (with a night market on Fridays and Saturdays), this market features goods from local artisans that offer everything from sweetgrass baskets (a good that originated in West Africa) to shea butter (try Heaven Scent) to spices, candles, grits, clothing and more. You can eat while you shop (try Callie's Hot Little Biscuit) and meet the entrepreneurs here too. Plus, you'll be walking through historical grounds as this market was started in 1807!

Afternoon tea at Camellias

If you are staying in downtown Charleston, book the Afternoon Tea service at Camellias at the Hotel Bennett. The Hotel Bennett is part of the Salamander Resorts, owned by the fabulous Shelia Johnson (co-founder of Black Entertainment Television). Camellias has a lovely tea service in a pink-themed room with pink marble on their bar. The service is about two hours and costs $65, or more if you add a glass of rosé champagne. You sample sweet and savory pastries, desserts, and sandwiches from two trays, as you sip on teas from around the world. My favorite parts of the room are the little nooks and cranny alcoves, where you can take Instagram-worthy pictures under the grand chandeliers. You'll feel fancy as soon as you enter this room, and it is as charming as it is cozy and cute.

Girls night out dinner

Gingerline - Hands down my favorite restaurant when I visited Charleston! This bright, colorful and vibrant restaurant stimulates you as soon as you walk in! Everything is cute - from the decor to the ice cubes in the cocktails to the plating of the food, this place is just downright adorable. There is an all day menu, a weekend brunch one and a happy hour, where you can eat everything from market street tacos with freshly caught fish, braised chicken and beef and grilled shrimp. Then there are the beef empanadas, salads and sandwiches that hit the spot. But my FAVORITE thing was the "Sin Sal" cocktail, a heavenly blend of smoked grapefruit, tequila and lemon. Put this place on your list and wear something cute when you go because it's a must visit!

Happy hour and group dinner

Frannie and the Fox - This is not your standard pizza joint. This restaurant is a lovely Italian eatery in the Emmeline Hotel, with a private dining room for parties (which is where I held my 50th birthday dinner) and a courtyard in the back of the restaurant. Their wood-fired pizzas are divine! Get the Taleggio - it will change your life! It is both tart and sweet at the same time, as the black pepper, honey, and cheese make for an explosion of flavor at first bite. Other "must trys" are their margarita pizza, blue crab fritters, roasted shrimp, green beans, and hanger steak. The cocktails are a must - my special drink for my friends was so good I was salivating. Visit here for a fun time with friends and/or for their happy hour. You won't be disappointed! Ask the concierge team to help you put together a great group dinner here, OR ask about Hank's Social Hall or Hank's Loft, two other places you can host private dinners, too!

Great family spot for brunch

Fleet Landing Bar and Grille - This Waterfront restaurant is located on Concord Street on the wharf where the cruise ships come in. Great Low Country food like shrimp and grits, red rice, fried fish sandwiches, oysters, hushpuppies and GREAT french fries! If Gin is your cordial of choice, try their Sage Against the Machine cocktail - it was yummy and savory.

Fleet is a big restaurant so if you have a group that needs to be fed fast for lunch, I'd recommend going here as you will likely get a table with a view, without breaking your bank.

Classic upscale dinner

Hank's- This is a classic seafood restaurant on Hayne Street near the Charleston Market. Reminded me of a classic steakhouse feel with the crisp white tablecloths and excellent service. Ok, let me get back to the food! The She Crab soup is a muted but layered bisque made with flour that is a staple in Charleston. The shrimp and grits dish was plentiful and flavorful, as was the roasted Grouper. The bread is divine and dangerous! Visit them for brunch too.

Neighborhood water hole

Coast Bar and Grille - Located on John Street in the "cut" as I like to say because it is a little hard to find, but when you do, you'll feel like you are in a fun American-style restaurant reminiscent of Acme Oyster Bar and Restaurant. It has great fish tacos, oysters, and buffalo shrimp and they have a fresh catch section on their menu Lots of high-top tables that can accommodate groups, but try to keep it to six people because they don't take reservations over that amount. Try to nab the long table by the door that seats 14!

Breakfast and coffee

Clerks - This cute coffee shop is located in the Emmeline Hotel and offers handmade coffee drinks made just for you. It has a city type of feel despite being in Charleston; you feel like you can read an entire newspaper here at one of their cute tables, or you can take your coffee (or tea) to the Emmeline lobby and sit on their retro couches. They offer breakfast, brunch and lunch here too, so add one of their breakfast sandwiches, scones, bagels or parfaits to your order. There is also an open mic Nite here from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to take your coffee experience to another level!

Dessert

Daddy's Girls Bakery - This black-owned bakery is owned by Nate and Chastity Brown, and it is the BEST bakery I have used...and I am from Philadelphia! I ordered specially decorated cupcakes from them for my 50th birthday, and their infamous and indulgent "Charleston Chewies" for my gift bags (which can be shipped, btw). The cupcakes were rich, moist, sweet and worth every calorie, and the Charleston Chewies were a fun departure from a regular brownie. You can taste the brown sugar in every bite and I just loved them. My only wish is that I could sample every dessert of hers, but I'd have to live in Charleston. Visit their shop to sample her goodies. They even do cake decorating and wine classes there!


There are so many great restaurants in Charleston to try. We didn't get to all of them but here's a list of other ones that are highly recommended: Best Restaurants in Charleston