02 Jul If you have 24 hours in…Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is one of the best cities in the United States to spend a long weekend. Of course, I’m incredibly biased because I spent a year living there, but all the same, it should definitely be on your bucket list. The Charleston “to do” lists can be quite overwhelming, so I’ve picked a few of my favorites to help you get started.
Sometimes the best restaurants to hit up aren’t necessarily the ones that are on Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurant’s List. A place that has been open a long time, despite trends, is often the sign of a solid, local spot. And Charleston certainly has no lack of local watering holes.
For lunch: Cru Café – I absolutely love this place and you will need a reservation, even for lunch. The menu isn’t fancy and it changes often, but it’s always spectacular. The only negative thing about it is potentially the wait, which can be long if you haven’t planned ahead. A word to the wise – don’t try to make crazy adjustments to the menu. The chef prides himself on the way things are. (I’ve learned this the hard way).
For drinks/entertainment: Hall’s Chophouse – You have got to love a spot where recent college grads, young couples out on the town and business people collide in a hazy, boozed-up frenzy. If you are lucky enough to snag a spot at the bar, you shouldn’t give it up. As a piano player serenades the crowd, you’ll be tempted to sing along to some of your favorites. The owner likes to be social, so you’ll also likely find yourself chatting with him at some point in the evening. If you need a late night bite, order the Parmesan truffle French fries for a decadent treat.
For dinner: For the indecisive diner, Charleston can prove to be a very frustrating place. There are just too many options and too little meals. I’m going to simplify it for you. Make a reservation at either FIG or the Ordinary, two restaurants run by Mike Lata, who is one of Charleston’s original farm to table masterminds. At FIG, you’ll find a contemporary but comfortable vibe and a rotating menu of locally inspired cuisine paying homage to its Southern setting. Don’t skip dessert either – a recent menu item, the sticky sorghum cake, demonstrates the pastry chef’s delicate but delicious hand. If you are a seafood lover, head to The Ordinary, where the clams and oysters are so fresh you’ll think they were plucked from the sea only a few minutes ago.
To stay: In February, Richard and I were in Charleston for two nights and we stayed at Zero George. It was the coolest, quintessentially Charleston experience. The hotel is comprised of several old homes that were renovated and connected, creating an amalgamation of the old and the new that truly embraces the current Charleston vibe. Each morning, you’ll wake up to a simple, yet elegant breakfast, complete with freshly baked biscuits. Between five and seven in the afternoon you can also have a complimentary glass of wine and a cheese plate – perfect for getting you revved up for your nighttime activities. You’ll pay a bit of a premium for the room, but for all of the little treats that you get along the way, we found it to be worth the splurge. We also found the staff to be incredibly accommodating and the room comfortable and cozy.
To do: Walk, a lot. Take the downtime in between meals as an opportunity to explore the city. If you walk down East Bay Street towards the water, you’ll pass by what is affectionately known as Rainbow Row, a group of antebellum homes painted various shades of pastel. Continue around the corner to the Battery, where you’ll be greeted by a spectacular view of Charleston Harbor, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. If you find yourself there on a Saturday, be sure to go to the Charleston Farmer’s Market, which is located near the College of Charleston in Marion Square. From there, walk to upper King Street, where most of the growth has taken place in recent years. You’ll discover lots of trendy places to grab a treat (as if you could still be hungry at this point) or shop around a bit.
Clearly, I could write a million words about how incredible Charleston is, but you’ll have to go check it out for yourself.
PHOTO CREDIT / Zero George
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