I am so excited to share this post. As you know my mom and I went on a Mother/Daughter trip over Mother’s Day weekend to Charleston. I wrote in this post how we love to do little trips together and this is our 2nd big trip. The last big trip we went on was Napa/Sonoma which was also so fun, but Charleston was just so charming and cute and we loved it. Ever since we had started watching Southern Charm we had both wanted to go there together. I had been the last 2 years, but would go back to this city every year if I could. The last 2 years I had gone in August, so it was nice to go when it was a little cooler in May. I think the Spring time was the perfect weather and it was not too crowded as well. My favorite thing about this city is the architecture and honestly the food. If I could live in this town I would, and would love every minute of it. Between the colorful houses, the Southern cuisine, the old roads, and the many cute shops, it is a town you have to visit.

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To Stay

• Mills House $$ – This is the hotel that my mom and I stayed at and we really loved it here. The first thing that caught my eye was the pink color of the hotel building. This was very useful for taking outfit pictures of course. We enjoyed our room and the old Southern charm, and especially our distance to some of the best restaurants. It is located right across from Husk and close to all of the restaurants we frequented too. They also have a really pretty courtyard that is open for food and cocktails that looked so cute. I would definitely recommend this place, and it was not that expensive compared to the other hotels we were looking at either.
• Belmond Charleston Place $$$$ – I stayed at this hotel the last 2 times that I came to Charleston. This is one of the best hotels in my opinion in Charleston. Not only do they have great shopping inside with high end stores, but it is centrally located to all of the shopping on King Street. The restaurants in the hotel are so great and the rooms are the perfect little Southern charm. It is a little more expensive then some of the other hotels, but worth it.
• Spectator Hotel – $$$$ – This is one of the hotels that I had looked at when deciding which one that we were going to stay at. We went on a busy weekend because not only was it Mothers Day weekend, but college graduation as well. When I had looked up the hotel the pictures looked pretty amazing. It was more sleek and modern with the decor, but still just as fabulous. I have heard that the restaurant and bar are just as great too, so maybe next time this will be our place.

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To Eat/Drink

• The Darling Oyster Bar – We had to come here as I had heard great things from several people. This was the first place we ate at on Saturday night when we got in. It was the cutest little restaurant with white old fashioned tile floor and a bar that was totally Instagram worthy. Their oysters are really good and their oyster shooters are even better. I had never had one before and mom and I had to try one. It is like a little Bloody Mary shot with an oyster in it. It sounds weird but is really good. They also had great bubbly rose which is always a plus!
• Jenni’s Ice Cream – I feel like there is not enough great things to say about this cute ice cream place. They have the best flavors and there was always someone in line no matter what time of day it was. There are seasonal flavors that they have too, and everything is just so delicious. We came here twice out of the 2 1/2 days we were in Charleston if that tells you anything!
• Poogan’s Porch – This little restaurant was right across the street from our hotel and was so good. It also has really great prices which is always a plus. We went here for brunch on Mother’s Day and got in right away and got to sit outside on the porch. If you go you have to get the pimiento cheese fritters! Holy cow they melt in your mouth and are so yummy. Their biscuits are also some of the best I have ever had. I would recommend going for brunch so you can try those yummy sides.
• Eli’s Table – This was another restaurant that was just around the corner from our hotel. On the second day after we had walked seriously all day long we wanted to go grab dinner close. We were really surprised at this cute intimate restaurant. It was a nice restaurant that had the essential Charleston Southern cuisine, but with some traditional plates as well. During this dinner we decided to get a couple of appetizers and it was more than enough food. I would highly suggest the smoked gouda fondue and the prosciutto and fig crostini. The wine list was also really good and their service was exceptional. The waiter came out several times and brought us little bites of food that the chef had cooked up.
• Hominy Grill – We had heard that this was a must go to place if you ever come to Charleston. It was a little off the beaten path so we couldn’t walk to it which was still ok. We went here for brunch before we went to the plantation and it was a yummy success. There is always a wait here, but luckily they have a little window that serves drinks while you wait outside. I got the shrimp and grits which is what they are known for and my mom had a really good cheese breakfast biscuit meal.
• Sugar Bakeshop – This was closed when we tried to go it but looked like the cutest little bakery. I love trying new sweets in new cities. I have heard it is really good so make sure to look at the hours of operation and try a yummy cupcake there.
• Husk – If you really want to go this James Beard winning chef restaurant be prepared to plan your trip in advance. I had called asking for reservations and they did not have any until about 4 weeks after our trip. Apparently it is some of the best Southern food. It was also located across from our hotel which we did manage to get a picture in front of. It is housed in a historic white beautiful house that made for a great photo opportunity 🙂
• Leon’s Oyster Shop – I went here last time I visited Charleston for lunch. This place has some of the best fried chicken as well as oysters. It is a cute place and one that you can get all of your comfort food needs met. The portions are good and the food even better.
• City Lights Coffee – On the last day we didn’t grab brunch and I needed coffee stat so we walked about 5 minutes away and found this little cute coffee shop. Not only did they have great coffee, but they had even better croissants too. It is really small inside but we managed to get a 2 top table right by the window which was cozy and great for people watching.
• The Vendue – This is one of the best rooftop bars located on top of the Vendue Hotel. I had come here the last 2 times and if you go at sunset it is a sight to see. They have music at night and of course plenty of rose to drink as well. It is a great place if you have a group and can sit together and enjoy the view.
• The Gin Joint – We walked into this little bar to see it but ended up sight seeing more instead of getting a drink. It looked like a cute little place and I have heard a lot about it. It reminded me of Anvil here in Houston with a lot of great cocktails. Next time I am in Charleston I will try this out!
• Indaco – Mom and I stumbled upon this Italian restaurant when we were walking down King St. on our last night and were extremely hungry. We are so glad we did because it was such a yummy Italian place. That was one type of cuisine I would not have thought we were going to have while in Charleston, but so glad we did. The food was extremely fresh and the gnocci was out of this world.

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To Do 

• Carriage Rides – This was the first time that I had been on a horse carriage ride and was so excited. I think I was more amazed at the horse and it’s ability to do a complete tight u-turn on command whenever it was called upon. The tour was about an hour long and we got to venture to some of the areas of town that we hadn’t been to yet. The history lesson was my favorite part with little fun facts throughout.
• Rainbow Row – You have to go to the few colorful houses that make up Rainbow Row even if it’s just for the pictures. This is probably the most famous landmark in Charleston and the houses are literally like the Rainbow. I always am amazed by the cute flower boxes and the door knockers that line these houses.
• Boone Hall Plantation – We had to go to this plantation not only because it is our last name, but because the Notebook was filmed here as well. This was such a fun trip and was a 20 minute cab ride away from where we were staying. We spent a couple of hours here doing the tour of the house and the whole plantation which was pretty amazing. We even got to see the little water area where Noah and Allie were in the boat in the Notebook.
• Walk Around – Throughout the trip I think we walked most of the time throughout the historic area. Our hotel was centrally located and trying to find some of the cute houses was number one. We got to see Patricia’s house from Southern Charm which was a highlight. South of Broad was filled with so many gorgeous homes that I wanted to take pictures in front of all of them. We also did a whole lot of walking on King Street which had the best shopping.

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To Shop

• Candlefish – There is not enough great things I can say about this little shop off of King St. They sell nothing but candles so I was in heaven! They carry several different brands but I was partial to their own brand which has probably 100 different scents. You can tell them what you typically like and they will have a candle in no time for you.
• Moon & Lola – I always like to go in this shop when I come here. They have the best prints that you can buy and the best bar accessories. I seriously love coming in and taking pictures inside of the decor because it is so dang cute. If you are looking for the perfect gift you will find it in here.
• Mac & Murphy – This is a little stationary shop that is really close to Sugar Bake Shop. I feel like no matter what your age is you still need to have nice and adorable stationary. I would really recommend coming into this shop.
• Candy Shop Vintage – I have heard great things about this shop but was unable to visit it. You all know that I love vintage here in Houston so I think I would go crazy in this store.
• Market Street City Market – This is an open air market that is set up in the middle of Market Street which has vendors lined up inside with little knick knacks. I have always found the cutest souvenirs here. Mom and I got matching fun coasters this time and I also have bought a stainless steel pineapple serving tray here in the past. It is fun to just walk through here and people watch and browse as well.

If you haven’t been to Charleston yet I would seriously go on your next vacation. I feel like over the last couple of years it has gotten a lot more popular than it has in the past. Bachelorette parties are now happening there and just little fun girl getaways. I think personally a cute romantic trip with your boyfriend or hubby could also be fun or even going with the whole family. It is a charming city and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you have any questions on anything please feel free to comment on this post, I would love to hear your feedback 🙂