Hi friends!
After a whirlwind of a week in Charleston, I wanted to share my favorite places to eat, shop, and see in Charleston, SC! There are so many Charleston guides out there, but if you are looking for a more laid back take on Charleston, this is the guide for you! I love taking it easy on vacation! I'm not one for too much of a crowd or huge social scene, even on vacay!
Places to Eat
My hands-down favorite place to eat! My parents and I eat here every single time we come down to Charleston! It is a must-do on my list! If you like eating the best seafood ever off of paper plates plastic cups, this is a place for you. The environment of this restaurant is so laid back! It's actually not even a real enclosed building. The dining room is a large screened-in porch! Don't worry, for the summer they have fans and in the winter they cover the screens in plastic and run the fireplaces! Not only do they have the best fried shrimp, but they also have the best sunset view on Shem Creek. A new added bonus of The Wreck, the Netflix series Outerbanks films here! So if you are feeling pouge, this is definitely for you!
If you aren't a big fan of seafood, (like Chris), then a good Mexican restaurant at the beach is a great choice! There's something about chips and queso at the beach that hits different! I love Mex 1 because of their burrito bowls! They also have a huge bar selection if you are looking for somewhere fun to stop on Sullivans Island!
This was a new one for me this time! Saltwater Cowboys is a super popular place to go if you are looking for a huge outdoor bar eating area! Chris and I went here on a Friday night which I wouldn't recommend doing if you are looking for a more laid-back vibe. I could definitely tell this a popular college hangout spot/ bar scene! Again, nothing wrong with that, just not us! However, I got fried shrimp and it was really good! Chris got BBQ chicken and it was really good as well! Saltwater Cowboys is located right along Shem Creek and has great views as well!
When I go downtown Charleston, I love eating at Fleet Landing! They are right on the water and have the best food! In my opinion, they have the best shrimp and grits! Fleets also has a really good brunch and lunch menu! So before you hit all of the downtown Charleston shopping, you can fuel up at Fleet's!
Places to Shop
One of my go-to places for some hardcore shopping is in Mt. Pleasant! The Towne Center stores always have really good sales, especially Belk! You can always find a good deal there. This trip I snagged a pair of Dolce Vita booties that were $150 for $30! I also love stopping in Palmetto Moon for all of the cute boutique style pieces!
Isle of Palms
If you are looking for cute local beach stores, IOP is the place to go! There are several beach and souvenir shops along Ocean Blv that have been there for years and have the cutest gifts. There is also a Ben and Jerry's so yall know you want to stop for a waffle cone!
Charleston Market
Not only is this a must-stop for shopping, but it's also a must-see place too! As far as shopping, if you are looking for unique handmade pieces and jewelry, this is a good place to go. I always love just walking through and seeing all of the artwork!
King St
If you are looking to hit all of the designer stores and adorable boutiques, King St is your place to shop! Walking down King St you can find stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Kate Spade, Kendra Scott, and Anthropologie! You can also find boutiques like Dress Up, Oops, and other local shops!
Places to See
Isle of Palms Beach: Every time we come down to the beach, we stay on IOP! It's a great laid-back family beach, and it's never too crowded. There is also a public park right at the pier if you are coming down just for a day trip!
Shem Creek: Not only does Shem Creek have great restaurant options, but there is also a walk bridge that goes all the way down along Shem Creek! You can catch amazing views of the Charleston Cooper River Bridge at sunset from the walkway!
Rainbow Row: Rainbow Row is the cutest colorful street to stop and take a picture if you love a good colorful background! There are also cobblestone streets right across the road that have gorgeous views as well!
Battery & Waterfront Park: I put both of these together because both places have gorgeous waterfront views! I love driving around the battery to see all of the historical homes!
Sullivans Island Fort: Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island is a great stop if you want to get your dose of SC history! There is also public beach access here! This is the beach where Chris proposed! From this beach, you can watch the sunset over Charleston!
There are SO many other amazing places to see, eat, and shop in Charleston! But like I said, I love a good laid back trip, so these are my favorite places to go!
