Guidebook for Charleston

Michael
Guidebook for Charleston

Food Scene

It's a great farm-to-table option. One of Charleston's favorites for more than a decade. Classy. Impeccable service. One time we saw the mayor there. My favorite dish is the roasted Carolina quail.
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Slightly North of Broad Restaurant
192 E Bay St
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It's a great farm-to-table option. One of Charleston's favorites for more than a decade. Classy. Impeccable service. One time we saw the mayor there. My favorite dish is the roasted Carolina quail.
Some of the best food we've had in Charleston. You always need a reservation, but they do have a communal table. You wait in the bar until seats open up there and you join others already seated there.
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FIG
232 Meeting St
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Some of the best food we've had in Charleston. You always need a reservation, but they do have a communal table. You wait in the bar until seats open up there and you join others already seated there.
Your best bet for oysters in Charleston. There's usually a line outside the door, but it moves fairly quickly and you can have a glass of wine while you wait. Primarily seafood menu, and as fresh as you'll get. One day I witnessed a fisherman drop in and sell part of his catch to the manager.
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167 Raw
193 King St
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Your best bet for oysters in Charleston. There's usually a line outside the door, but it moves fairly quickly and you can have a glass of wine while you wait. Primarily seafood menu, and as fresh as you'll get. One day I witnessed a fisherman drop in and sell part of his catch to the manager.
This location of Pearlz is here in West Ashley, only about 10 minutes from our house. It's as good as the famous one downtown, and even has a patio for outdoor dining.
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Pearlz Oyster Bar
9 Magnolia Rd
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This location of Pearlz is here in West Ashley, only about 10 minutes from our house. It's as good as the famous one downtown, and even has a patio for outdoor dining.
Funky and wonderful. Features oysters and fried chicken, killer scalloped potatoes and surprising brussels sprouts. Great patio for people watching when it's not too hot or too cold. Also a fun bar.
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Leon's
698 King St
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Funky and wonderful. Features oysters and fried chicken, killer scalloped potatoes and surprising brussels sprouts. Great patio for people watching when it's not too hot or too cold. Also a fun bar.
Best pizza we've found in Charleston. Wood fired and spicy.
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Monza Pizza Bar
451 King St
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Best pizza we've found in Charleston. Wood fired and spicy.
Possibly the best seafood in the Charleston area. We ate here in December 2017 and left fully satisfied. Don't let the fact that it's in a renovated Pizza Hut fool you; this place rocks.
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NICO | Oysters + Seafood
201 Coleman Blvd
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Possibly the best seafood in the Charleston area. We ate here in December 2017 and left fully satisfied. Don't let the fact that it's in a renovated Pizza Hut fool you; this place rocks.

Drinks & Nightlife

Best rooftop bar in Charleston. Views to die for, very sophisticated and upscale. You can't go wrong stopping in for a drink here.
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Pavilion Bar
225 E Bay St
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Best rooftop bar in Charleston. Views to die for, very sophisticated and upscale. You can't go wrong stopping in for a drink here.
Great music on the patio. Crowded and hip scene. Even when it's cold, the overhead heaters keep you warm.
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Republic Garden & Lounge
462 King St
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Great music on the patio. Crowded and hip scene. Even when it's cold, the overhead heaters keep you warm.

Parks & Nature

This is the site of the original settlement of Charleston. It's only five blocks south of us. Wonderful exhibits showing what it looked like around here in 1670. A replica ship, cannons, reconstructed defenses, in a park-like setting with gardens and stunning views of the Ashley River.
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Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Towne Rd
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This is the site of the original settlement of Charleston. It's only five blocks south of us. Wonderful exhibits showing what it looked like around here in 1670. A replica ship, cannons, reconstructed defenses, in a park-like setting with gardens and stunning views of the Ashley River.
Funky beach town with restaurants, bars and shops, and a nice long sandy beach good for swimming and sunning. You can park for free. If you want to use (outdoor) showers and changing cabanas, you can pay $8 and park closest to the more remote end of the beach in the county park.
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Folly Beach
East Ashley Avenue
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Funky beach town with restaurants, bars and shops, and a nice long sandy beach good for swimming and sunning. You can park for free. If you want to use (outdoor) showers and changing cabanas, you can pay $8 and park closest to the more remote end of the beach in the county park.

Essentials

Five blocks from us, well-stocked grocery store with generous hours.
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Publix Super Market at Ashley Landing Mall
1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd
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Five blocks from us, well-stocked grocery store with generous hours.

Sightseeing

Walking through South of Broad is one of the first things you should do when you get to Charleston. Park your car on the Battery; spaces open up all the time. My favorite street to view the stunning houses and gardens is Legare. Stroll up to Broad, go east on Broad to Meeting or Church, turn right and walk back down towards the water. Please be aware, there is only one public restroom for the entire area south of Broad Street. It is by the Hazel Park Playground on East Bay Street
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South of Broad
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Walking through South of Broad is one of the first things you should do when you get to Charleston. Park your car on the Battery; spaces open up all the time. My favorite street to view the stunning houses and gardens is Legare. Stroll up to Broad, go east on Broad to Meeting or Church, turn right and walk back down towards the water. Please be aware, there is only one public restroom for the entire area south of Broad Street. It is by the Hazel Park Playground on East Bay Street
This is where the Civil War began. The ride on the boat out to the island will give you a lot of history about the war and its effect on Charleston. Then you can spend an hour or so exploring the fort. Book tickets in advance, and catch the boat at the Aquarium.
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Monumenti Kombëtar i Fort Sumter
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This is where the Civil War began. The ride on the boat out to the island will give you a lot of history about the war and its effect on Charleston. Then you can spend an hour or so exploring the fort. Book tickets in advance, and catch the boat at the Aquarium.

Shopping

One of our favorite stores for interesting, affordable and unusual souvenirs of your trip to Charleston. Local artists have created clothing, artwork, cards and more.
Indigo
4 Vendue Range
One of our favorite stores for interesting, affordable and unusual souvenirs of your trip to Charleston. Local artists have created clothing, artwork, cards and more.
Charleston's coolest bookstore. Lots of books on local history and personalities. New and used books. Very convenient to Marion Square.
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Blue Bicycle Books
420 King St
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Charleston's coolest bookstore. Lots of books on local history and personalities. New and used books. Very convenient to Marion Square.
If you're creative, you'll really enjoy this funky basement store with everything an artist might want. Friendly people, great card selection, framing materials, paints, canvases, brushes, and all sorts of art supplies.
Artist & Craftsman Supply Charleston Downtown
143 Calhoun St
If you're creative, you'll really enjoy this funky basement store with everything an artist might want. Friendly people, great card selection, framing materials, paints, canvases, brushes, and all sorts of art supplies.

Arts & Culture

Don't be put off by the fact that the house is empty. It's the only plantation house in Charleston that survived the Civil War. The rest were burned down by the Union Army. The house dates to 1736, and is hauntingly beautiful. It's a type of historic preservation that doesn't erase history by painting and fixing up to "restore." My favorite plantation visit.
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Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River Rd
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Don't be put off by the fact that the house is empty. It's the only plantation house in Charleston that survived the Civil War. The rest were burned down by the Union Army. The house dates to 1736, and is hauntingly beautiful. It's a type of historic preservation that doesn't erase history by painting and fixing up to "restore." My favorite plantation visit.