After a quick train ride, I arrived to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. It's like the elegant, older sister to Savannah and offers unlimited things to do (from the City to the plantations to the beaches) and an incredible dining scene. Add in its own impressive history (Founded in 1670 as Charles Towne) and a City rule to restore all historic buildings, you have a gorgeous place to explore. And did I mention it's only a short plane ride from NYC? It's no wonder Travel + Leisure named Charleston #1 on its top North American City list.
Watch: The Patriot, Cold Mountain and the Notebook
Do: Same as Savannah, get acquainted with the town and history with a quick horse-driven carriage tour. There are a bunch of them available from the City Market.
See: City Market, Shop along King Street, Charleston Museum, Waterfront park, and just stroll around downtown Charleston to see all the unbelievable historic homes south of Broad street. Drive down towards Kiawah island where there are some tea plantations (and Boone plantation), and a very old huge oak tree (Angel Oak).
Kiawah island is a private island but there is a public beach at one of
the ends. (Kiawah Beachwalker Park). Or drive down towards Sullivan Island,
you will cross the bridge and end up at the beach (Isle of palms beach
is adjacent to it)
Eat: The grocery, Fig, Leon's, Circa 1886, The Ordinary, Husk, Martha Lou's kitchen. Also, Bull Street Cafe (on king) and fabulous sandwiches, and even dinner. And grab a piece of famous coconut cake from Peninsula grill!
Stay: I stayed at the historic Mills House (Wyndham Grand Hotel) which is both lovely and centrally located. I could literally walk everywhere from there, from the City market to the water front.
*For more travel photos see my instagram @carrieamitchell #thestylishtraveller
