Charleston, SC
There are so many facets to this thriving city: waterways, beaches, cypress groves, bird sanctuaries, golf, and downtown venues. With its antebellum architecture and pastel palette, Charleston is a living painting. Visit historic points of interest, and explore the cobblestoned walkways hidden between lamp-lit streets lined with palmettos. While quaint, the city bursts with culture and creativity, managing to embody Old World charm as well as a cosmopolitan sense of the present. Travel farther north to neighborhoods like Cannonborough, Elliotborough, or Wagener Terrace and you’ll find a dynamic scene populated by the city’s growing creative class. For the full Lowcountry experience, try to also steal some time off the peninsula to check out the swamps, creeks, and beaches.
Milk & Honey Tip
The best way to get to know the city? Get lost in the quieter streets downtown. Just wander the back alleys of a residential neighborhood like Ansonborough or Harleston Village. Then ramble through one of the myriad graveyards dotting the city for a taste of what makes Charleston unique.
Eat
James Beard award-winning HUSK features an ever-changing seasonal menu of locally sourced Southern dishes served in a gorgeous restored Victorian-era home. It can be hard to get a reservation, so if you run into any issues just head across the street to the Bar at Husk, which features a similar ingredient-driven food menu, and a drink menu full of beautiful cocktails. Slightly North of Broadway (SNOB) is a contemporary Southern American bistro and a Charleston staple. From scallops, to Carolina flounder, to lamb, to shrimp and grits, SNOB is one of the best restaurants in Chucktown. Butcher & Bee has an incredible wine selection at great prices!
Play
The Historic Charleston City Market is a famous flea market in central Charleston and you’ll find anything and everything to bring back for all your loved ones. It’s open 365 days a year, and features everything from handmade pottery, to Charleston’s famous sweetgrass baskets, to gorgeous paintings, jewelry, souvenirs and more. For more shopping head to King Street - my favorite boutique on King is a store called Skinny Dip – on 345 King St. – where you can shop on the first floor, and then head to the second floor to their rooftop patio and coffee/wine bar after. Charleston has a lot of haunted history, and the famous Charleston ghost tour is the only way to go to learn more about the dark side of Charleston.
Sleep
Zero George [Boutique]
Located in the Ansonborough district, where the oak trees are as stately as the buildings, this eighteen-room boutique comprises three restored 1804 residences and two carriage houses, all of which are connected by a palmetto-shaded courtyard. While the formal architecture evokes old-South charm and languid afternoons spent wiping condensation from a glass of iced tea, the interiors have been given a makeover. That’s not to say that history’s been scrubbed away — the original heart pine flooring remains, along with some authentic millwork — but the casual elegance of the furniture betrays a thoroughly modern sensibility. The private open-air patios attached to each room give way to the lush courtyard, where the atmosphere is perfected by wicker and wrought-iron furniture.
The Dewberry [Luxury]
Honoring the history of the landmark L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building (circa 1964), The Dewberry captures the luxury and quiet restraint that are hallmarks of historic Charleston. Inside and out, The Dewberry is a manifestation of founder John Dewberry’s vision of “Southern Reimagined.” Secret-recipe limewash. Decorative hand-crafted metalworks. Period furnishings. Thought-provoking works of art. Every square inch of The Dewberry reflects a tight-knit collaboration between preservationists, designers, architects, artists and artisans over the course of eight years. Bordering Marion Square, The Dewberry is a local landmark, as well as a marquee destination for residents and visitors alike.
Montage Palmetto Bluff [Experiential]
Montage Palmetto Bluff is nestled along the May River in the Lowcountry of South Carolina between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. Set within an award winning 20,000 acre development, the resort encompasses an extensive nature preserve, walking trails, marina, two vibrant villages, restaurants, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The resort includes a total of 200 guest accommodations which all pay homage to the region’s rich heritage. Eight inspired dining options offer cuisine curated from the freshest ingredients, harvested from the surrounding waters, woods and farms. Spa Montage Palmetto Bluff includes 13 treatment rooms, a plunge pool, whirlpool, steam sauna, fitness room, salon and boutique.
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