Chucktown (Charleston, SC)
- Chad Moreland
- Aug 14, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 12, 2019
Having been to Charleston more times than I can count since I was a young teenager, I still find it more eye catching and exciting each visit as compared to the last. The Holy City, one of its many nicknames, has been on the rise in popularity with travelers from all over the world and it was about time for me to get back down there before summer slips away. I came across the video below and felt I should repost it to show a glimpse of just how charming and beautiful Charleston is 300 plus years since its founding.
Use this handy weekend guide to Charleston so you can easily figure some of the best places to eat, sleep, and play!
Where to eat
1) Queen Street Grocery - A charming cafe in Harleston Village serving savory & sweet crêpes, hot-pressed sandwiches, all day breakfast as well as craft beer, wine
queenstreetgrocerycafe.com
2) The Daily - A hipster-like coffeehouse that has something for everyone, offering Stumptown brews plus cold-pressed juice, beer, breakfast sandwiches and more .
shopthedaily.com
3) Husk - If you can only pick one place to eat in Charleston, let it be Husk! The hype is very real for all the right reasons. The food here, which is all sourced locally, will keep you talking about it for days. The unique thing about this place is that, due to everything being farm to table, there are new menu items added everyday depending on what ingredients are available, so you really can't get board with this place!
huskrestaurant.com
4) High Cotton - Known as a refined eatery with daily live music and Lowcountry fare cooking, you're taste buds will thank you for dropping in at this restaurant. It's near all of the shopping and art galleries along King Street, so you're never far from great entertainment.
highcottoncharleston.com
5) The Rooftop at The Vendue - While the food is best for sharing due to the portions being small, you really can't beat the cocktails and incredible city views from the roof top. This is undoubtedly a favorite spot of mine.
thevendue.com
Where to stay
1) Zero George - Okay, so this is a little pricey, but honestly the accommodations are worth it and you can make weeekend getaway here extra special by taking part in one of the cooking classes.
https://zerogeorge.com/
2) Belmond Charleston Place - Keep this in your back pocket for a romantic getaway. Honestly though, I don't think anyone can do luxury quiet like Belmond. When you can't stay at the hotel, at least spend some time at the beautiful spa. Fun fact: This hotel and leisure company was formerly the Oreint Express. They operate luxury hotels, train services and river cruises around the world. I've added to my bucket list the overnight train journey from London, England to Venice, Italy. A guy can dream, right?
https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/usa/sc/charleston/belmond-charleston-place/
3) Airbnb - Being a frugal person, I know budgets are a way of life. You can often count on Airbnb to have not only options for the budget conscious, but also places that are very unique. In Charleston, you may be hard pressed to find a place that strays too far out of the norm, like a boat, a tree house, etc, I don't doubt you'll find a charming place that feels like home. It's also fun way meet new people.
https://www.airbnb.com/
4) The Meeting Street Inn - Located in the heart of historic downtown, you'd be hard pressed to find a better priced inn in the same area. You're able to walk to every major site in the city from here and Folly Beach is only a short drive away. After a long day out, you can enjoy a glass of wine in the stunning courtyard.
https://www.meetingstreetinn.com/en-us
Things to do
(Video by me)
1) Fly in helicopters is a must for a great aerial view of downtown, I LOVED the ride around the harbor, but they also offer more routes including one that will fly you over Folly Beach, which I've put on my list of things to do next time I'm in Charleston. The guys who operate the helicopter are friendly, informative and make you feel comfortable. I had never flown in a helicopter up until this day, but it didn't take long for my nerves to calm. The prices are reasonable, so check them out!
http://www.flyinhelicopters.com/
2) Charleston Sole Walking Tours - There are a lot of great walking tours in Charleston so there's no easy way to say one is better than the other; however, I do believe it's worth the money to pay for one versus doing a free walk, but that too depends on your budget and what you find important. I loved my two hour tour with Charleston Sole Walking because the people who lead the tours truly know the history of the city better than most. Our tour began near the French Quarter and our guide, Fin, started off by informing us of Charleston's history and about the different styles of architecture along the walk. Fin's knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it is brilliant. He is also funny and personable. The history and Information he shared is authentic and honest.
https://www.charlestonsole.com/
3) Rainbow Row and Water Front Park - Perhaps one of the most photographed places in Charleston, these lovely, colored homes make for a very pleasant walk. The homes have history, of course, as well as a unique style to each. They're very close to the beautiful Waterfront Park where you'll find the Pineapple Fountain. Nearby you'll also find cobblestone streets, some leading you to interesting shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. You'll find plenty of nearby parking, but I always park in the BB&T parking garage in downtown as it's next to the famed market and many more Charleston gems.
4) Visit Charleston's Historic Houses. Since Charleston is so old, you can surely bet that you'll get your fair dose of history lessons in your trip if you visit the historic houses/museums around the city. I love these well maintained properties because it feels like stepping into a piece of history! My personal favorites are the Aiken-Rhett House and the Nathaniel Russell House.
5) The Battery - The Battery is a landmark defensive seawall and promenade. Take a historical walk alongside stately mansions on ones side and vast harbor views on the other, and enjoy a picnic under the large oaks at the White Point Garden. This is a great place to take a break from all of the walking your're sure to do in this gorgeous city.
(All photos by me)
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