Charleston, SC
Charleston Harbor
Ah.. good ole' Charleston. Located on the coast of South Carolina, this southern gem is full of charm. From historic Antebellum houses to the custard filled pastries, there is so much to see!
Whenever I imagine Charleston, the first thing that comes to mind is great food, sunny skies, and trees. Now that might sound silly to some but believe it or not, Charleston is full of nature. Whether you are walking through the city center or out on a nature trail, you will find trees everywhere. Not only that but you will also find that most are covered in this plant called Spanish Moss. For those of you who have never seen this plant, it grows from hanging branches and drapes down like hair. So be sure to watch where you are walking so you don't get tangled in it!
Enough about plant life, let's get into what all the fuss is about. Like I mentioned this city is off the coast of South Carolina which makes it one of the port cities on the East Coast. When visiting, I recommend you wear comfortable shoes, park your car, and get out to explore. There are several walking paths along the seaside as well as throughout the city. One of the great things about Charleston is that it is flat, making it a very walkable town.
There are shops throughout the city that range from designer stores to coffee shops. If you are hungry then look no further because this city is full of diverse cuisine. Are you looking for a steaming bowl of shrimp and grits? Or are you looking for seasonal vegetables that have been blackened to perfection? Or are you looking for a chocolate fix? Charleston hands down is one of the best places for any foodie, like myself.
As most of you know, I can go on and on about food. So instead of doing that, I do want to mention two places: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar and Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar. Out of the places I've gone so far in Charleston, these two stood out to me the most. Carmella's desserts are delicious, filling, and the serving sizes are on point. For Fleet Landing, the service was great, food was flavorful, and the waterfront location is lovely!
As far as things to do in Charleston, this city packs a punch! There are a variety of museums, parks, and tours available for anyone interested. For more information, please click here. Some of my favorite things were the French Quarter and the Battery promenade areas. In these areas, you are able to walk along paths that go from historic neighborhoods to the harbor. I love to walk around and take my time learning a new area, so for me sightseeing by foot is my favorite pastime.
Another big event that happens every year is the Cooper River Bridge Run. This "run," is a 10k that travels over the Cooper River Bridge and ends in the heart of downtown Charleston. The race is to promote healthy lifestyles and encourages people to stay fit. My family does this race every year, making it a tradition of sorts. For more information, please refer to here.
This southern city is one of my favorite places to visit, especially when the weather is nice. There is so much to do and so much to see throughout that each time I visit I always find something new to try. If you are ever able to visit Charleston, be sure to research and prepare your feet for all those steps!
Lastly, I will say if you are looking for hiking options in this area, there are plenty. For now, I’m not going to go into it since I will be sharing my thoughts on that in other posts. So stay tuned!
Pro tip: Parking can be scarce in some locations within the city. Be prepared to pay for parking and pay attention to "no parking signs."