One of the first questions we often ask couples is “ Where do you plan to go for your Honeymoon?” If the answer is “ We are not sure yet…” The first suggestion for me is always Charleston. During our many travels around the country Charleston continues to be the location that all other East coast locations are compared to. With the rich historical ties to the American revolution, as well as the British trade that helped define the nation, its story and culture is truly unique to Charleston. Let's take a deep dive into the city.

Travel:

If you are traveling to Charleston from North East Ohio, Breeze Airways out of Akron Canton airport offers some incredible deals on direct flights. Once you arrive in S.C. you will experience a much slower pace than what most people are accustomed to. The hospitality of the South is on full display almost immediately as you step off the plane. Transportation from the airport to the downtown is great. There is public transportation on the public bus system available for a minimal cost, but we prefer taking an uber from the airport directly to the hotel.

Places to stay:

Charleston offers some incredible hotel and AirBNB locations to choose from. From the big chain options, to smaller family owned boutique hotels, from East Bay St. to King St, there is a ton of options to choose from. Our personal favorite has been the Ansonborough Inn, located at 21 Hassel St. This hotel is a 1920’s paper mill that was converted in the early 2000s to a boutique hotel. Each room is different and very unique. The wall art is focused on the rich shipping history of the area as well as different dogs. A common theme in the area is a wine and cheese soiree each afternoon with heavy hor d’erves. Enjoy a cask of your preferred wine up on the rooftop terrace before you start your night. The views of the downtown, and the Cooper river will not disappoint.

Food and Drink:

The options for food and drink in the city are almost endless, so we will focus on just a few to get you started. If seafood is your thing, hang a left on East Bay and head towards Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar. located at 186 Concord St, this renovated Navy pier location offers some of the best Lowcountry fair with a great cocktail selection. If Southern cuisine is more of your style, you will be hard pressed to beat Magnolia’s on 185 East Bay St. Magnolia’s has become a staple for elevated Southern fare. But be sure to make reservations, because seats fill up fast. If you are looking for a more low key vibe with great drinks, Big John’s tavern at 251 East Bay, is your kinda place. One of my personal favorites, for food and drink during the day as well as late night. Their bourbon selection is top notch. This is just a small overview of the offerings that area has to offer. No matter what your vibe is, rest assured the city has you covered.

Out on the Town:

The city has so many things to look at and do this section could legit be a blog within itself, but we will cover some of our favorites. As soon as the sun goes down, the city opens a new chapter to it’s visitors. Every side street and ally offers a new sight to see and a story to be told. The gas lights on the front of most buildings set the scene of another time and place. If you walk down Hassel St to King St, then left towards Battery Park, you will see the vibrate shopping district of Charleston. From major name brands to smaller mom and pop shops this is the area you have to hit to experience the vibrant shopping that the city has to offer. If you continue South across Broad St, you will enter into the “South of Broad” residential district. This is where the magic of Charleston at night truly shows itself. The eerie calm of the city becomes evident almost immediately, but fear not, Charleston is ranked as one of the safest cities to explore year after year. The revolutionary era architecture is in full display from King St, to East Bay St, thanks to the city’s efforts to restore each and every building in the French Quarter to its original glory. Once you hit Battery Park, be sure to take in the breeze from the bay and the massive Live Oak trees that fill the area. Once you reach the center gazebo, be sure to walk up either Church St, or Queen St. Both offer incredible homes and sites to see. If you get tired of walking be sure to snag a seat on one of the many horse drawn carriage tours offered throughout the city. There are several carriage tour companies to choose from but we loved Old South Carriage Company. Their horses are mainly all retired Amish work horses, and some we found out are from the Amish districts here in Ohio. There are several tours to choose from both day and night and each is unique in its own way from the travel path, horse, and your carriage captain acting as your personal tour guide along the route. On chilly days they offer blankets and have semi covered carriages for rainy days too.

Other Sites to See:

If you are into American military history, the USS Yorktown is a must see. From the public pier, take the water taxi to Patriots Point. Your ticket for the Yorktown will include access to the USS Yorktown, USS Laffey as well as the Vietnam Experience exhibit. All of which I would highly recommend. These exhibits will take between 3 to 4 hours to explore to be sure to plan accordingly. If the party vibe is more your thing, just up the road from Patriot Point is Shem's Creek. A true Lowcountry party spot, where Red’s Icehouse sets the tone for boiled peel and eat shrimp and mixed drinks.

Conclusions:

If you are looking for a unique and memorable honeymoon experience, Charleston S.C. should definitely be on our list to look into. It will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I think it will be the same for you, once you experience it for yourself.

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