The Holiday: Southern Edition
Charleston & Savannah make for a festive escape.
While I have done many prior write-ups on my adventures around the Southern USA, this one is specifically made for the holiday season, where Charleston in particularly charming in all of its decor. And as a brief history overview, Charleston was founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. Yet its forward momentum are apparent across all facets of the city — from its top-tier culinary feats to its ever-evolving roster of shops, museums, and must-see attractions. Alongside abiding favorites and famous views — shopping on King Street, wandering down Rainbow Row, snagging a table at Fig or The Ordinary, venturing out to one of the nearby beaches — the city continuously boasts a variety of exciting openings and relative newcomers that quickly ingrain themselves in Charleston culture.
When to visit: Spring is lovely, as it Fall (Oyster season begins in early October). But the weather in December for the holidays is wonderful and sunny.
Do: I always book walking, history tours and spend a lot of time photographing the fabulous houses of historic Charleston | Visit the wonderful museums | Shop around King Street and the City Market | Visit Folly Beach for its white-sand beach with restaurants | Visit one of the large plantations | Charleston Sailing Adventures provides some of the best views of the Battery | For more, visit Charleston Tourism
Seasonal Events: Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour, Charleston Christmas Special, Charleston Farmers Holiday Market, Boone Hall Farms Christmas Tree Festival, Polar Bear Plunge on Folly & Sullivans
Seasonal Events: Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour, Charleston Christmas Special, Charleston Farmers Holiday Market, Boone Hall Farms Christmas Tree Festival, Polar Bear Plunge on Folly & Sullivans
Eat: A quintessential list of places to eat from Eater
Stay: Hotels are a bit uneven, I usually Airbnb, but here the latest Conde Nast Traveler list
Side Trips: I always make a stop in Savannah, which you can easily drive or hop a train too. It Is much smaller but just as charming. And in between the too, Beaufort is a lovely place to stroll and eat.
For more, visit Charleston Tourism