The Christmas season may be over, but why not set a goal for next year?
We were invited to a friend’s wedding in Charleston in mid-December and after some back and forth we decided to take the chance and spend a long weekend in Charleston in the run-up to Christmas. And what can I say – it couldn’t have been nicer!
Getting There:
Within the USA, Charleston can be easily reached via Charleston International Airport. This is just 15 minutes outside of the city. We took a rental car straight from the airport. The pick-up process took place conveniently in the terminal and the car could be picked up in the adjacent rental car park.
If you want to use taxi/public transportation, Uber/Lyft is the best option. There is also a bus shuttle to downtown (CARTA), but I can’t say anything about the frequency or comfort of the shuttle.
Charleston in general (and why it deserve a place on your travel bucket list ):
Charleston’s cityscape is shaped by the colonial era. Even though this chapter of US history has to be assessed very critically historically (Charleston, for example, was considered one of the most important destination ports for the Atlantic slave trade and the highest-grossing slave market on the North American mainland), the architecture of this period is truly impressive. Not many cities in the United States convey as much history and tradition as you can experience when walking through Charleston. The colonial-style buildings and cobblestone boulevards are reminiscent of the romantic old south, or even the odd European old town, while the direct coastal location offers plenty of scenic variety.
Not to mention the incredible cuisine! Anyone visiting Charleston should definitely try the local specialties such as Shrimp & Grits or She-Crab Soup.
Where to stay:
I have to be honest and say that as a family of four with children aged 3 and 5, we are increasingly leaning towards the “holiday apartment” accommodation option and less towards hotel stays. The convenience of a separate living room and a kitchenette have more than paid for themselves during recent vacations and allow everyone involved to start the day more relaxed and end the evening more peacefully.
So we ultimately decided on a wonderful “condo hotel” in Charleston.
“The Charlestonian” (https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-charlestonian-charleston1.html) is centrally located in the Cannonborough district, which, in addition to some good restaurants, coffee shops and cute boutiques, also has the immediate vicinity Proximity to King Street, Charleston’s iconic shopping street.
We really enjoyed the location because of its walkability.
A special tip for breakfast in Cannonborough: Holey City Bagel (43 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403). Incredibly delicious bagels that are second to none. It’s best to pre-order online, because the line stretches from the store to the street in the morning!
I can only say good things about the condo hotel itself. The building itself dates back to the 19th century and has been lovingly modernized without losing its old charm. A parking lot belonging to the hotel offers free parking, which paid off with our rental car. We stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment, which, in addition to a small living/dining area, also had a veranda where we enjoyed our morning coffee.
The apartment was equipped with everything your heart could desire – coffee, tea and even a hair straightener were available.
The Charlestonian also offers other room categories and room sizes to suit all needs and travel groups, and I highly recommend it!
In general, there is no shortage of high-quality hotels in Charleston in various price ranges (although in my opinion they tend to start in the high-priced segment). At Christmas time, hotel lobbies are transformed into winter wonderlands. So even if you don’t sleep in the “Charleston Place” or “Hotel Bennett”, you should definitely take a short walk through the hotel lobby. The decoration is really very cute and festive.
What to do in Charleston with little children?
In general, it can be said that, in our experience, parking is very easy to find in Charleston. So if you are traveling with your own or borrowed vehicle, you will find public parking spaces on many corners, which at $2/hour don’t cost too much. We used this option several times and then explored the city from a centrally located parking lot.
Waterfront Park, Pineapple Fountain and Rainbow Row
Pineapple Fountain and the entire Waterfront Park area are great for taking the kids for a stroll and catching a glimpse of Charleston Harbor. Children can let out some extra energy at the Hazel Parker Playground at the southern end of the boardwalk. Not far from here is Rainbow Row, a row of thirteen colorful historic houses. This is definitely worth a detour and a photo. We parked in a parking lot at 82 E Bay St and set off from there.
Depending on the time of year, some of the surrounding cafes are ideal for a quick stop and to warm up (or cool down). We treated ourselves to a little refreshment at Bakehouse Charleston (160 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401).
Strolling through the French Quarter
The bustling French Quarter is part of the former walled, oldest part of Charleston. A stroll through the cobblestone streets and a visit or two to one of the many art boutiques is a must for every visit to Charleston.
It’s also home to the 19th-century Charleston City Market, which sells clothing, crafts and art. This is also worth a visit and invites you to stroll and shop for souvenirs.
South Carolina Aquarium
This was our “fallback” plan for rainy days or cranky kids who were tired of strolling through the city center. Fortunately, we were all equally enthusiastic and spent all three full days in the fresh air walking, stopping in cafes and admiring the Christmas decorations and didn’t have to resort to visiting the aquarium at all – so I can’t describe any personal impressions.
But it was recommended to me by various families as being worth seeing.
More than five thousand animals can be admired here, including North American river otters, alligators, gray herons, owls, loggerhead turtles, fringed seahorses, jellyfish, puffer fish, green moray eels, horseshoe crabs, starfish and sharks. The largest exhibit in the aquarium is the Great Ocean Tank, which stretches from the first to third floors of the aquarium and is the deepest tank in North America at 42 feet. The aquarium also features a touch tank where visitors can touch horseshoe crabs, Atlantic stingrays and other marine animals.
Check out https://scaquarium.org/ for current opening hours and ticket prices.
Brunch and Stroll along King Street
We started our last full day of vacation in Charleston with a delicious, typical American brunch at Toast! All Day (453 King St, Charleston, SC 29403). The menu is diverse and includes the typical breakfast classics as well as some southern specialties. The Deluxe Stuffed Cheeky Toast is a house delicacy for a reason.
Afterwards we spent a good 3 hours (with short park and cafe breaks) on King Street, doing window shopping, strolling through the market and browsing through one or two cute boutiques.
The great Christmas decorations and lighting on every corner create a very special atmosphere at this time of year.
Activities for the summer: Explore local beaches
Since we were in Charleston in December, we didn’t consider beach trips. But here are the top 3 beaches that were recommended to us and that we would visit if we stayed again in the warmer months:
Folly Beach is one of Charleston, SC’s most popular beaches, known for its laid-back, local vibe and surf-friendly waves. This offshore island beach offers a mix of surf shops, beach rentals and restaurants, making it popular with locals and visitors alike. Thanks to its convenient location just a short drive from downtown Charleston, Folly Beach offers easy access to all of Charleston’s attractions. However, be aware of traffic in summer. Plan to arrive by 10am to secure parking.
Isle of Palms is one of Charleston, SC’s most family-friendly beaches, just minutes from Mount Pleasant. This public beach has numerous amenities, shops and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for families. Particularly popular with beachgoers is the section known as “Front Beach” from 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue.
Sullivan’s Island is one of the quieter beaches in Charleston, SC. It’s known for its pristine views, low number of short-term rentals, and lack of hotels, making it a favorite among locals. This barrier island north of Charleston Harbor is ideal for a day trip.
Charleston’s Cuisine :
Charleston is known for its good and varied cuisine. Even though eating out with small children is still a challenge, this holiday also motivated us to try out a restaurant every evening. If you can, you should plan early on where you want to go and when and make reservations via Opentable. Although the city offers a wealth of restaurants, it also has as many hungry locals as tourists who like to eat out a lot.
We can unreservedly recommend all of the restaurants on the list:
Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar
Seafood Restaurant (205 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401)
Super nice atmosphere, the menu is extensive with a focus on fish and seafood. The food, both appetizers from the raw bar and the main courses, were first class.
Poogan’s Porch
Traditional Southern Cuisine (72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401)
The restaurant is located in a typical colonial-style house and has a great ambience. The guest rooms are tastefully and generously furnished so that it doesn’t feel crowded even when the house is full.
The menu includes some Southern classics and every dish we tried was top notch. Be sure to try the She-Crab Soup and Shrimp & Grits!
Fleet Landing
186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 2940
Located in a 1940s former naval building, Fleet Landing Restaurant offers classic and contemporary seafood dishes (186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 2940)
The atmosphere is a bit more “rustic”, so definitely suitable for a more relaxed dinner with children. The maritime charm is inviting and the food is great.
Be sure to try some of the local classics here too!
Charleston – in a nutshell
Definitely put on your travel list! The southern charm of this town is truly unparalleled. The selection of great restaurants, walkability, and architecture make Charleston a great (long) weekend destination.
We also found everything to be very child-friendly. The only small drawback was the lack of playgrounds in the city center, which we would have liked to have seen more of for the age group our children are currently in.