trip recap: charleston, south carolina
A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina.
This was my first time visiting what I consider to be the proper South. Growing up as a Northerner, I was completely fascinated with Southern culture. I wanted to live on a beautiful plantation with a wrap-around porch surrounded by magnolia trees. I wanted to drink sweet tea, wear a seersucker dress, and court a cute Southern boy.
Even though my dreams of becoming a Southerner didn’t come to fruition, the next best thing to do is marry a man with a long line of rich Southern history. I’ll get to that history a little bit later, but first the trip.
I arrived in Charleston after a long weekend in Austin for the BlogHer food conference. I almost didn’t make it due to some nasty weather in Houston, but thankfully the travel gods were on my side. I arrived Sunday at midnight exhausted, but excited knowing that I would wake up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach.
The whole Grier family (all fourteen of us) were staying the week on the Isle of Palms. The Isle of Palms is about a 30 minute car ride from downtown Charleston and is full of vacation rentals, resorts, and homeowners. We stayed in a house on the Wild Dunes Resort property, which was beachfront! Holla!
Now, to try and keep all fourteen of us on track, we had to keep somewhat of a schedule. We decided to have one activity in the morning before it got HOT-HOT and then head to to the beach in the afternoon. Since I didn’t land until the wee hours on Sunday, I decided to sleep in and then marinate on the beach with the girls, while the men folk did a little fly fishing.
I can’t tell you how relaxing it was to lay on the beach without a care in the world. The last time I laid on a beach was in Vieques in December. Note to self: this needs to become a habit.
Tuesday was our first trip into downtown Charleston. Can I just say that Charleston is a beautiful city! I love how the city has preserved so much of it’s history and culture. So, what better way to see the city and learn a little history at the same time than on carriage ride! We toured through old neighborhoods and learned there is a BIG difference money wise between North and South Broad street. If you have a lot of scrilla, South of Broad is for you!
We even saw Rutledge avenue, which is Mr.B’s mothers family name. Remember when I mentioned Mr.B had some serious history in his family? Well, Mr.B’s great grandfathers, grandfather was Edward Rutledge, one of the signers of Declaration of Independence! Pretty sa-sweet, huh?
After our trip down historic trivia lane, we moseyed over to King Street to find some eats. I heard that Charleston was a foodie town, but I didn’t realize all the delicious options until I was down there. We stumbled upon King Street Grille for sandwiches and Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream.
With the temperature rising, it was on to the beach for a some sand castle building and boogie boarding fun!
Since the reason we came to Charleston was to celebrate Mr. B’s parents 40th wedding anniversary, we surprised them with family pictures on the beach. Our photographer was a rockstar. There was a storm brewing and he took 70 pictures in forty minutes. Do wha? And the crazy part, they turned out beautifully. Minus my bonkers winded look, of course.
Wednesday we were up and out the door early to check out the USS Yorktown. Ships. History. Not my cup of tea. But! A family that tours historical old balls ships together, stays together. Actually, it was pretty neat, especially the mess hall and all the equipment it took to feed all those truckers.
Since the men folk wanted to stay and tour more of the ship + the submarine, the girls decided to make like a banana and split. The beach was calling our name! Okay, I am not the biggest fan of swimming in the ocean (weird, I know), but I had a blasty-blast splashing in the waves with my little nieces and nephews. Oh, to be a kid again!
Dinner on Wednesday was my fav. The men folk decided to make everyone dinner – beef and fish tacos, fresh guacamole, mango chutney, and of course, sangria!
After dinner, the boys wanted to play in the ocean, while the rest of us looked for shells. Plus, you can’t beat a beautiful beach sunset.
Thursday was our last full day in Charleston. We ventured into town early for lunch and found a delicious spot called, Southend Brewery Smokehouse. I enjoyed a cold blonde ale along with a tasty Old South burger piled high with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and bacon. I will be recreating this soon!
Everyone needed to walk off lunch so we strolled through the local market square. There were tons of trinkets and souvenirs being sold. Although, I couldn’t concentrate on anything because the sweat was rolling down my legs and back. Major gross-town.
With the kiddos hot and tired, half of the group headed back to the house, while Mr.B, Chuck, Evan, and Andrea and I went on a foodie pub crawl. First stop, Magnolias. This restaurant has been around for almost 30 years and is a destination for tourists as well as locals. I ordered their adult version of the Arnold Palmer, but wasn’t a big fan. It was super sugary. I would love to go back and try some of their food because I saw a jalapeno humus that looked to die for.
Next on the stop on the foodie train, High Cotton. This restaurant reminded me of a lot places back in Chicago. Old mahogany oak – very martini lunch style. I sipped on the Old Southerner, which was their take on a Mosow Mule. I loved the ginger effervescence.
After we left High Cotton, we decided to take a pedi-cab and head north to Macintosh’s.
This restaurant was right up my alley. I was completely smitten with Edison light bulbs and the waiters wearing vests. I ordered the sunrise, which was champagne mixed with a smoky bourbon. We also shared a couple of the appetizers – smoked sausages, cheeses, and whipped foie gras! Whoa bessie.
Our last and final stop was at the Charleston Cocktail Club. Since it was a sister restaurant to Macintosh’s, it was literally right upstairs. This my favorite stop. The decor was made to look like an old speakeasy with unfinished walls, dark drapes, and one hell of cocktail menu. I ordered this antipasto martini that was out of this world. The salt/pepper mixture around the edge was enough to send me over the edge. This martini was so complex and full of flavors I’ve never tasted. High-five Charleston Cocktail Club, you are a true gem.
And just like that, our trip came to an end. I had a fantastic time in Charleston. I feel as though I barely scratched the surface so you bet your sweet tookus I will be back!
Until next time, Charleston
so jealous!! We’ve been emailing around to try and get out there. BALLS!
Carrian, you totally need to go! It’s super fun with stuff for kids and grown-ups!
Your trip looks wonderful! We went two years ago and also stayed at Isle of Palms too! It was so beautiful and relaxing. My Aunt and Uncle are lucky enough to call Charleston home. I hope to get back sometime soon.
So jelly your aunt and uncle get to live there! Isn’t Isle of Palms amazing? I can’t wait to go back!
I Love Charleston.. and you went to some great places. So glad you had a great time 🙂
Thanks, Erika! It was a blasty-blast! Definitely can’t wait to go back:)
Swoon….I’ve always wanted to vacation in Charleston. Thanks for sharing your vacation with us! Miss you lady jane xoxo
I miss you too!! And you totally need to go to Charleston. It’s so amazing!
On our road trip across country last summer, Charleston was our favorite food city. Magnolias- um, YUM. We ate so much there, lol! I told my husband that if he ever wanted to surprise me and take me on a long weekend somewhere, I want to go back to Charleston!
I seriously need to go back and eat at Magnolias! We only had time for a drink:( I’m thinking BlogHer Food needs to be there next year!
Incredible! I’ve always wanted to visit Charleston and it looks every bit as fun (and delicious) as I imagined. Absolutely lovely recap, Lauren!
Georgia, you would love it! I seriously can’t wait to go back!
Looks like you hit all the hot spots! 😀 What a fabulous trip! Next time we’ll have to hang out! 🙂
We had a fantastic trip! Thank you sooooooo much for all of the recommendations! I can’t wait to go back!
I. miss. you. Looks like you had a blast… and you’re so darn pretty!!
I miss you too!! And remember, pretty girls have pretty friends:)
I never ever knew Charleston was so awesome! Adding it to the “I want to go to there” list immediately (because OMG, I need a beach stat). 🙂
Dude, you gotta go! It’s off the hizzle. Foodie town + beach = epic vacation!
Why aren’t we real life friends and family members? This trip sounds insanely perfect and relaxing!!!
Ha! We are totes real life friends:) Liz, you gotta take the family down there once baby lemon is born!
It sounds like you had an amazing trip! The old South is so beautiful. I have somehow never been to Charleston, even though my parents live in coastal NC–totally close enough for a weekend trip down, right? I guess the part where I live in California is the problem. 🙂
Totally understand. I lived in Chicago and never headed north to Wisconsin. How did I never experience the land of cheese? Sigh. Sometimes you have to move away to fully appreciate it.
No way!! We just missed each other. I was in Charleston two weeks ago on vacation and stayed on Isle of Palms as well. Beautiful beaches and a beautiful city. We ate VERY well. I couldn’t get enough of the fried green tomatoes. We ate at a restaurant called fleet landing that had a fried green tomato stack stuffed with warm crab salad. OMG. I definitely hope to head back at some point. Although, preferably in April or May. It is HOT and HUMID. Whew! Every night by the time we parked our car and actually found our way to a restaurant, we needed showers again. Gross town indeed.
I can’t believe I missed you! Shoot. We actually stopped by Fleet Landing for a quick drink, but didn’t eat there. Charleston is way to fun!
Like others above said, I’ve been wanting to visit Charleston!! It’s definitely going to happen one of these days, but I have to figure out how to leave the kids behind so I can just sit and relax while eating all of the amazing food. 😉
Nikki, you would love Charleston! If you bring the kids, I promise there is a ton to do to keep them distracted while you chill on the beach:)
LOVE THIS! Another place on my to-do list now, THANKYOUVERYMUCH LALA!! I want to see more pics of your fantabulous family, including your mother-in-law with the incredible southern style!! Glad you had an awesome trip beautiful! xoxo
You are welcome! 🙂 Charleston is so your cup tea. I’m telling you, the next food blog conference needs to be there!
What a fabulous trip! Adding Charleston to my must-visit locations!
Cassie, Charleston is so your m-o! Paul and you would have a blast there!
I’ve always wanted to visit Charleston and your post makes me want to now more than ever! What a fun (and tasty) trip!
Kelley, you have to go! It’s the perfect spot for a fun family vacation.
Okay, is it weird that you are back in Denver and I am here in Isle of Palms, South Carolina?? I mean seriously! LOL
Your trip sounds like so much fun and I have to check out some of the spots you hit if we venture into Charleston!
WHAT????!!!! No way. That’s is so random!! You have to check out the Charleston Cocktail Club. It’s amazing!
What a great trip! Love all of the photos — we recently visited NC for a day, but SC has been on our list like, forever. Need to visit soon 🙂
I’ve never been to the eastern coastal beaches, but have always wanted to go. That sunset walk on the beach snap sealed the deal for me. Maybe we should plan a blogging girlfriends vacay together? I’m game!
I visited Charleston once years ago and loved it! I hope to make it back there someday.
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