All Things to See, Do & Eat: Charleston, South Carolina

• Historic Horse & Carriage Ride: Perhaps the most fun and unique way to see the "Holy City" is in a carriage! On this tour, you will see many churches, mansions and gardens covering 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston! During the ride, guests will learn about the city's history, specifically its important role during the civil war. This is a perfect way to see many of the city's sites without having to be cooped up in a car, or exhaust yourself by walking all day! Plus, you have a knowledgable guide at your service to make sure you don't miss anything and entertain you with facts and stories along the way!

• Fort Sumter Visit: The historic Fort Sumter marks the place where the American Civil War began. This is where the first battle took place, just off the coast of Charleston. From the harbor, visitors can take a 30-minute ferry ride to the fort, where they will meet Park Rangers. The rangers will relay stories from the bloody battle that took place there. Then, you can take either a guided or self-guided tour of the fort itself. This is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon since it doesn't take all day, and there is a combination of history and sight-seeing to enjoy while on the ferry ride! Anytime you're on the water, be on the lookout for aquatic wildlife! Passengers will also be able to see the famous Rainbow Row and the Battery from the ferry.

• Food Tour and Cooking Class: It's no secret that Charleston is a foodie paradise! With French, African and even pirating influences on southern cuisine, it is not a surprise that this marvelous city can boast about their unique favors and local dishes. The best way to sample all of the different flavors is on a food tour through the city! Due to its proximity to the water, you can bet several of the dishes will involve the freshest of seafood. Some of the most popular "Charleston" dishes are she-crab soup, shrimp and grits and oysters. If seafood is not your cup of tea, not to worry, Charleston is also famous for chicken bog, hoppin' John and boiled peanuts. Wash it all down with a cold glass of Charleston sweet tea and you'll be feeling like a local. If you fall in love with the unique flavors and dishes of Charleston, you can take it a step further and take a cooking class to learn how to recreate the dishes back home!

• Nighttime Ghost Tour: In a city so rich in history, there's bound to be some spooky folklore and ghost stories to be heard. After a day of learning about the history of the city and tasting its local delicacies, one of the best things to do is wait for the sun to go down to learn about the spirits who never really left. Wander the darkened streets and old cemeteries as you listen to stories of pirates, patriots, criminals and founding fathers from as far back as 1670. You'll visit graveyards, execution sites and places where there have been documented ghost sightings. Maybe you'll even experience some paranormal activity as well!

• Boating Excursion: Charleston is a harbor town, so beaches and water are never too far! There are many options to get on the water. For the adventurous, rent a speed boat or jet skis for the day and zip across the waves! For those who want to see some marine life, you can take a wildlife cruise at a slower pace with a captain who knows all of the top spots for seeing dolphins! For the romantics, you may prefer to charter a private sunset cruise to enjoy the rocking of the waves with your honey after a long day in the city.

• Island Beaches: Not far from downtown are five different beaches in Charleston, each with unique qualities and opportunities to explore! These include Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms and Seabrook Island. Depending on your vacation style (whether you're a couple or visiting with kids, etc.) can determine which beach you may prefer. While all islands offer family activities and beautiful stretches of land, some are more serene and others lively! It all depends on what type of "beachy vibe" you are looking for. Between all of the islands, there is something for everyone - championship golf courses, horseback riding on the beach, fishing, water sports, nature trails and more!

Breakfast & Lunch

• Callie's Hot Little Biscuit: This is deceivingly categorized under breakfasts even though at HLB, biscuits continue to be served late into the night, too! Callie's Hot Little Biscuits are so unique and delicious that they have been featured in The New York Times, Opera, Southern Living and more. What makes them so unique is their perfect flakiness as well as their menu full of variety! From the traditional biscuit to sweeter options (like the cinnamon caramel) or more savory flavors (like country ham or sausage), there's something that even the pickiest of eaters will swoon over!

• Saveurs du Monde Cafe: Serving both breakfast and dinner, Saveurs de Monde Cafe has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. The cafe is located in downtown Charleston as well as a second location on Seabrook Island. The owners and founders traveled extensively on their catamarans all over the world and brought back a knowledge of cuisines from their travels. Combining those flavors with healthy and local foods, Saveurs de Monde was created, literally translating to "tastes of the world". Guests can expect to find an extensive menu featuring many pastries, crepes and quiche as well as salads, traditional baguettes sandwiches, soups of the day and savory desserts! Think "French" with an American flair.

• Harken Cafe: This is a local go-to for coffee in the heart of downtown Charleston, making is easily accessible at anytime! They offer fantastic coffee as well as specialty seasonal creations and a very nice breakfast and lunch menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Their display cases are also always full with fresh pastries if you need a quick grab-and-go pick-me-up!

Dinner

• Magnolias: Magnolias has been serving its upscale southern cuisine featuring low-country flavors for over 30 years. The focus is serving local cuisine with an elevated flair while using traditional ingredients and cooking techniques that help to create an artful presentation. You can be sure to find many of the classics on Magnolia's menu, some with a twist (like fried green tomatoes, crab bisque and low country bouillabaisse - a classic dish full of creole flavor). The menu features many fish and shellfish entrees but also offers a variety of meat options all cooked and served in a traditional Charleston way! To experience the culinary art in Charleston, look no further than Magnolias, a proven favorite among locals and visitors alike!

• Sorelle: If you're planning a fancy night out, be sure to make a reservation early at Sorelle! There is a central bar, wine room and grand dining room to offer a variety of dining experiences. Their menu is full of Italian and southern flavors to create something very unique. Honestly, I wish I could have ordered everything on this menu. The owners must have foreseen that being a dilemma since guests can order the "chef experience" for the table, inclusive of many of their popular course options and wine pairings. This is truly a gem in the city!