A Few Days in Charleston, South Carolina

You may recall we moved back to Denver from South Carolina a few months ago. Little did I think that we would be returning so soon. This time however, we found ourselves in the low-country of Charleston, South Carolina for a few days on a whirlwind trip through the South. This was probably our third time in the city, but I love this town a little more each time we come through. We also visited Savannah and Tybee Island, spending time with Chris’ family and finished the trip in Atlanta. Chris also lost his second phone in a year, fishing both times, so we are missing half the pictures.

To start, we flew in to the Atlanta Airport which was about a five hour car ride to Charleston when you land during rush-hour. Probably not the greatest planning with several closer airports nearby. And we added a three hour flight delay on top of it. But we knew that is where the trip needed to end as Chris had plans with some friends. We had some good laughs reminiscing of prior travels on those same roads just last summer. Like finding ourselves at a tire shop with a flat, on Father’s Day in the middle of nowhere coming home from a trip to Hilton Head. We finally got into Charleston in the late night hours after leaving our house at 4:30 am. We headed to Publix because it was still open and close by. And their deli is always a good choice for late night fried chicken.

The next morning we were quickly off to enjoy all the sites we could fit in. We knew it would be our best weather day. We did a boat tour around Charleston Harbor and learned the history of so many forts. While generally we are quick to associate Charleston with the Civil War, we learned more about what an important fort town it was during the American Revolution. It was also awesome to take in the sky line city views from the water. A different perspective that you wouldn’t get from just walking the streets.

Except we did plenty of walking too, how could you not with all those oak lined streets and cobblestone roads. The colorful homes untouched by time. We were there during March so the trees were starting to just grow back from winter, but the colorful azaleas were in full bloom. To make the walking segment more enjoyable for the boys we did a scavenger hunt of the major sites like Joe Riley Waterfront Park, The Battery and the Charleston City Market. The scavenger hunt voluntarily ended for the day at about stop #8 of the fifteen, where the next “excursion” began.

The Charleston City Market – where we spent a good chunk of time shopping and chatting with the vendors. Nothing like overindulging in market purchases making your bags overweight at the Frontier check in desk. Some of our treasures were the world famous Carolina Gold (rice), a peach cobbler baking set and some various art pieces. And the grits were a big hit with Chris’ family that weekend at the large seafood boil they had planned.

And what kind of story would this be if I didn’t tell you where we ate while in a land of so many restaurants! Charleston is definitely a trip for eating and sampling and drinking, the choices are literally endless. One of the nights we headed about 20 minutes outside of Charleston to Bowen’s Island Restaurant.

There are a series of islands surrounding the Charleston area that give you a real low-country relaxing vibe. We’ve travelled to several other South Carolina island beach towns before like Fripp Island, Hilton Head and Folly Beach before. But Bowen’s Island might be the epitome of relaxed coastal vibes. Meeting some locals to the island, they let us know restaurant has been around for ages originally only providing sandwiches for the shrimpers and fishermen as they came in to dock for the day. The menu is now primarily shrimp & fish-fry, oysters and a scattering of southern style appertizers. Cherry on top – the bar stays open and the portions are huge!

More Things To Do and Eat:

Charleston really is such a vibrant city – it is no wonder why it is consistently rated as a must-do vacation! Other things we experienced (but may lack some pictures because of that lost phone) were:

• Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe
• Saffron Restaurant and Bakery (I had a new take on the everything bagel, because I couldn’t eat one more biscuit!)
• Big Bad Breakfast
• Historic Horse and Carriage Tour
• Fort Sumter National Monument
• Rainbow Row
• Angel Oak Tree

I really should find some of the pictures from our previous trips to Charleston and see the difference that time makes!