CHARLESTON AND FOLLY BEACH GETAWAY: TRAVEL GUIDE
As a midwestern girl, I remember my first visit to the ocean.
How things have changed.
After moving to South Carolina for grad school, at 22 I went to Kiawah Island, near Charleston, with a friend who is a native Charlestonian. She told me that the little blue light reflectors on the dark tree-covered road to Kiawah were grave markers for the spirits of the Gullah people. Yes, I believed her.
Fast-forward a few years and our family vacations at Folly Beach when we can. We love the throw-back, casual feel of the place, along with the proximity to Charleston.
Here are a few places I love in Charleston and Folly. It’s a beautiful walkable city and the architecture is stunning.
I’ll leave the tourist stops for the experts, but here are a few of my favorite Charleston artists, restaurants, cocktail spots, art galleries, and shopping.
The Vendue – Charleston’s Art Hotel
This historic hotel is not only surrounded by art galleries, but their tagline is ‘Charleston’s Art Hotel’ and they showcase over 300 pieces of art on their property. They employ full-time docents on staff, offer daily art tours, and have an artist-in-residence program with openings receptions open to the public.
I love the rooftop at the aforementioned Vendue Hotel. They serve a nice specialty cocktail and even offer a large format ‘rooftop rocket’ cocktail selection for a party of 10.
The Pavilion rooftop bar at the Market Pavilion Hotel
Do you see a pattern here? This rooftop is fancy. There’s even a pool on it, which is very old-school elegant, and I love it. But you can still show up casually dressed and enjoy magnificent views of the city. The drinks aren’t cheap but you’re paying for the atmosphere and a view of the Charleston steeples, the Ravenel bridge, and the rest of the city.
The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
The Southeast Wildlife Exposition began in the 1980s and now the annual exhibit features over 500 artists, exhibitors, and wildlife experts from around the world each February. My dad’s company business took him there every year, and I have significant memories of enjoying the art exhibits, along with a few nice dinners with mom and dad.
A Charleston Travel Guide wouldn’t be complete without restaurant recommendations.
There are SO many to choose from.
The nice dinner with mom and dad always included the crispy flounder at Anson, and a stay and at the boutique historic Ansonborough Inn, which includes ‘an afternoon wine and cheese social.’ My mom and I went back to Anson for dinner last month, and the crispy flounder with apricot shallot sauce was as delicious as I remember.
Seafood, always seafood. I love eating outdoors and especially near water. Don’t miss Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar. Try to get a table on their outdoor deck. I always like oysters and a glass of prosecco, but everything is good.
Lunch? They are also open for dinner, but Five Loaves Cafe has this little lunch special where you get three homemade soups in cute little espresso cups. Perfect for foodies who can’t decide. Like me. Their downtown location is temporarily closed, but check out their Summerville or Mt. Pleasant locations.
A few more of my favorite restaurants… FIG for local ingredients and seasonal menus, Poogan’s Porch for southern food, and a damn good Bloody Mary.
The Darling Oyster Bar
Stop at Husk for regional ingredients posted with sources posted on the chalkboard by the door, and 82 Queen for iconic Lowcountry food, a New Orleans’ style courtyard, and my favorite she-crab soup. The Darling Oyster Bar is the perfect stop for raw oysters, a cocktail, and people watching.
Ok, I’m not there just for the food, but the restaurant scene IS phenomenal in Charleston.
Charleston Art Galleries
Charleston has tons of art galleries, and I haven’t been to them all, so let me know if I missed one you love! Here are a few of my favorites:
Miller Gallery. It’s bright, it’s cheerful, it’s welcoming. They also carry beautiful handmade art gift items. I bought a cool pair of earrings there the last time I visited.
Meyer Vogl Gallery is a contemporary gallery owned by three women who are committed to serving the community. Laurie Meyer and Melissa Vogl also show their work there, alongside other talented artists.
Don’t miss my all-time favorite artist, Betty Anglin Smith, and Anglin Smith Fine Art Gallery, which she owns with her triplets, who are also artists. Two are painters and one is a photographer. I stop there EVERY time in Charleston. Which is often.
Redux Contemporary Art Center offers art exhibits, lecture series, and also houses studios for 38 contemporary artists. They also have a community printmaking and darkroom facility. They offer quarterly open studios and regular exhibitions.
Artists & Art Supplies
Don’t miss a stop at Artist and Craftsman Supply for art supplies. It’s the coolest, local feeling art supply store in town. At least I think so. My friend Kim and I traveled to Charleston for a painting class by C. Brooke Ring at The Skinny Dip. Harrison Blackford‘s beautiful Charleston scenes hang in the space as well.
Other highlights…I’m not much of a shopper, but I do LOVE shopping on King Street, and stopping at King Street Cookies. Warm cookies and really cold, all you can drink milk. Need I say more?
It sounds like I eat and drink A LOT, but I am all about the ambiance, and I LOVE hotel lobbies. Be sure and stop for a cocktail, cocktail, or a Coke at the cozy Thoroughbred Club bar at Belmond Charleston Place.
Here are a few more favorites:
Brunch and a Bloody Mary bar, oysters, or the grouper sandwich at Rita’s Rita’s Seaside Grill in Folly Beach.
Head to Wiki Wiki for a poke bowl which interestingly is switching places with another Folly Beach favorite – Taco Boy Can’t wait to see them both.
One of my favorite memories was Bradley Cooper and all my girls at our annual Oscar party, this time in Folly Beach. Those details you probably don’t want to hear, but they included a cutout Bradley Cooper, karaoke, and lots of movie discussions.
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