It’s no secret we love Southern design here at BHI. I am so lucky to have people on my team that are as inspired by travel as I am. This past year Jess traveled with her husband to Charleston, South Carolina and came home ready to weave a little piece of the South into all of our projects. Today we are sharing with you all our Charleston travel guide.
CHARLESTON: A Travel Guide
Charleston is known for it’s southern charm, hospitality and rich history. Although we love our Midwestern roots, we have always “fancied” the southern lifestyle. One trip to Charleston, and you will see what we mean!
WHERE TO STAY
Images courtesy of Zero George Instagram @zerogeorgest
If you have any aspirations to go to Charleston, book Zero George now. Although it’s only a few years old this boutique hotel and café has quickly become one of the hottest places to stay and dine in the Holy City. Your heart will skip a beat when you first step through the entrance gates of this stunning property just off Bay Street. You can expect to be greeted by a brick-paved patio, lush greens, beautiful southern colors, porches lined with gas lanterns and unexpected courtyards; all of which are set inside the perimeters of five restored circa 1804 buildings. This place is dripping in charm! Note worthy: when it’s time to leave the grounds to explore the rest of the city, they have complimentary bikes so you can cruise in style.
Images courtesy of 86 Cannon Instagram @86cannonst
Although we haven’t stayed here, we have been following 86 Cannon on Instagram since the day it opened. The stacked porches, the beautiful decor, and we have heard their food is delicious! We can’t wait to go back and try this cute bed and breakfast!
WHERE TO EAT
Images courtesy of Chez Nous Instagram @cheznouscharleston
Chez Nous is a Mediterranean inspired restaurant with deep French roots hidden in a quiet neighborhood just off of King Street. It’s simple and quaint yet there isn’t a detail that hasn’t been thought of. One of our favorite parts: the handwritten menus that are composed daily and feature only two choices for your starter, entreé and dessert. The small selection is a good thing, as the kitchen {which you can watch from your outdoor table} has the freedom to focus on flawless execution.
Images courtesy of Husk Instagram @huskrestaurant
Since you are in Charleston you can’t miss out on the opportunity to get superb southern fare and HUSK Restaurant offers the absolute best! With a regularly changing menu, locally sourced ingredients and it’s James Beard Award-winning Chef this place alone will leave you wanting to make Charleston a yearly destination. If that’s not enough, the thoughtfully restored late 1800’s Queen Anne mansion should seal the deal. Do yourself a favor and make sure to leave plenty of time before your reservation to visit their bar next door for a cocktail and appetizer. The chicken wings will change your life!
Images courtesy of Darling Oyster Bar Instagram @darling_oyster_bar
Charleston’s proximity to the water leaves no shortage of amazing seafood. The world-class oysters are available throughout the city but our favorite stop is The Darling Oyster Bar. Stop in for lunch or happy hour to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, great drinks and delicious food.
WHERE TO GRAB A MID-AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP
Images courtesy of sugarbake.com
When in need of a little something sweet, this is the place to go! Enjoy one of their small batch cupcakes… your welcome 😉
Images courtesy of Goat.Sheep.Cow website
A great place to grab a sandwich or snack on the go. If lunch is what you are after, be sure to get there early or call ahead that morning because the artisan sandwiches go quickly!
WHERE TO SHOP
One of the reasons we love to travel is all of the inspiration it provides. A great source are the nearby shops where you can quickly get an understanding of the local design aesthetic. Although Charleston is very rich in history, the city has a young vibe which provides a little something for everyone. Here you can find some of the most amazing and beautifully curated antique shops, local artisans and trend-forward shopping.
Images courtesy of fritzporter.com
Fritz Porter is a boutique offering a curated selection of antiques, custom furniture, lighting textiles and art with a pop-up atelier area.
Think Mark D. Sikes meets Stella McCartney in this beautiful boutique. Some of the latest trends in fashion can be found in this store, so plan on giving yourself a little time to peruse the racks!
GALLERIES
If you have a passion for the arts, there is no shortage of credible art galleries. There are two “gallery districts” in Charleston but they are very close to one another, making it very easy to enjoy them at your leisure. You can find Gallery Row along Broad Street and the other within the French Quarter which is just a block north.
Images courtesy of Spencer Art Gallery Website
PLANTATIONS
You can’t visit the south without touring a few Plantations. The history that exists in some of these buildings and grounds is fascinating, and really gives you an inside perspective on what life was like hundreds of years ago in the South.
Images courtesy of draytonhall.org
Built in 1738, Drayton Hall was founded by it’s owner John Drayton. Passed down thru the families generations, the plantation was preserved through the Civil War, and to this day has never been fully restored. Drayton Hall still stands being one of the first examples of Palladian Architecture in the United States.
Images courtesy of middletonplace.org
In 1741 the family of Mary William’s, heiress of John William’s, a wealthy landowner, inherited the land that became Middleton Place. Married to Henry Middleton, the property was handed down through 4 generations through the Civil War. Each generation added to the grounds new gardens, buildings, and homes. In 1886, the main house was destroyed by an Earth Quake, but the some of the other buildings survived.
TRAVEL NOTE: Most of Charleston shuts down on Sundays so plan accordingly when booking your trip!
As you can see there is much to do in the charming city of Charleston! We would love to hear your favorite spots in this historic city, and please share any pictures you take with us while traveling to these places, we love being inspired by our followers travels. Don’t miss our 1st travel guide to Nashville, Tennessee.
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