Charleston, South Carolina
I can’t quite put my finger on it and I think that might be because what I am referring to is intangible, but there is something about the SouthEastern United States that I am drawn to. The Spanish moss maybe. Nonetheless, it keeps me coming back and I hope to see myself back in South Carolina again in the near future. If there were a place where all my dream would come true, it would be here.
Anyway, allow me to tell you why I love it soooo much 🌼🤍
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge - view from the international african-american museum
To be honest, Charleston was not on my radar until I watched Netflix's Outer Banks which is filmed there and in the surrounding area. My current favorite show and always on in the background when I am doing mindless tasks. With that, I have visited Charleston twice in the two years once with my mom and once solo and would yap all day about if you gave me the opportunity as I find it super magical and the people so kind.
The Food
You can’t go wrong with the food in the low country whether it be pastries, coffee, oysters and basically anything and everything.
(from left to write in no particular order)
this place is pretty special. i started and ended my solo here as my official first and last meal in charleston. it sits right on ellis creek if you couldn’t guess and I recommend coming here right around sun set and watching the sky dim over the water. also, the shrimp and grits pictured and seafood linguine are worth the visit. a woman also blocked traffic for me to allow me to back out the parking lot so southern hospitality is alive and well.
got this recommendation from OBX’s Madelyn Cline. its a good one. the lemon caper schemear on the avocado toast allows it to stand superior to all other avocado toasts which i enjoyed mind you extremely exhausted after waking up a the butt crack of dawn to watch the sunrise over folly beach.
really good coffee and i am very critical and coffee obsessed. located in the lobby of a beautiful next to the charleston market. highly reccomend walking through after grabbing your joe.
Poogans Porch
my mom and i started our trip here. it does the south justice and set the right tone for what was too come. get the biscuits and thank me later.poogans porch shrimp a grits deserved their own spot on the grid
great oyster shop located on King Street in a reimagined autoshop. its a vibe.
also deserving of 2 spots on the grid. amazing fried chicken worth multiple visits a trip. plan ahead though as they often carry a wait
located about halfway in between the daily and leons oyster shop on King Street. my mom and I discovered this shop while waiting for our table at leons. i came here again on my solo trip right after landing its soooooooo gooooood. I dream about the lemon cookies on a weekly basis.
The Outdoors
South Carolina is a beautiful state simply put.
With it infamous humid and rainfall, South Carolina is lush, green and rich with beautiful nature scapes. I suggest a drive through Johns Island if you have the time and visiting Angel Oaks Tree famous for being one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi river. Kiawah Island offers beaches a bit of the beaten path as well if you are looking for a less crowded experience. Lastly if I could only recommend one thing to you… if would be the sunrise on Folly Beach. This how I ended my solo trip before killing time feeling inspired at The daily and heading to the airport.
The History
South Carolina is a Southern State with Southern history and you can find it embedded in the food, architecture, stories and Native and long residing groups in South Carolina low country.
Whether or not you are seeking out the southern history if will find you with the historic plaques and locations all over Historic Charleston. Below are spots I have visited and can speak to.
Charleston Museum - oldeset museum in US founded in 1773
Joseph Manigault House - a part of the Charelston museum collection
Boone Hall Plantation - slave quarters still sit on the property today and they pay great homage to the gullah history
International African-American - if you are seeking the history from a different point of view, a modern exhibit having opened in 2023.
