Domestic: Charleston, South Carolina

Founded in 1670, Charleston, SC is one of the South’s most historic destinations. Charleston offers luxury, history, and an abundance of Southern hospitality. This city is a hotspot for history lovers, romantics, beach goers, and cruise goers alike. So not only can you wine and dine in one of the most romantic southern cities, you can walk the beach by moonlight, then the next day be swept away to sea on a cruise-line for further ventures!

Lay of the land

Being South Carolina’s second largest city, Charleston abounds with a population of 120,083 people that call the city home. Charleston is located on the coast of South Carolina just below the mid point of the coast line. The city is very much influenced by water. The Atlantic Ocean, Ashley and Cooper River, come together to form the peninsula that surrounds Charleston. The city often experiences floods during high tides and tropical storms.

Haunted Tours

Being so old Charleston must have some pretty gruesome horror stories to tell right? Your answer is most definitely yes! Take a stroll through a graveyard, read the tombstones, walk through a dungeon, experience the haunted jail, and see the dark side of Charleston. All the while through the 1 1/2 hr tour, guides tell you the history and stories of Charleston’s ghosts, haunted houses, witchcraft, and superstitions. Who knows, maybe you’ll even see a ghost?

Carriage Tours

If ghosts are too frightening for your tastes, a carriage tour will be much more suitable for a daytime viewing. Carriage tours can be found all throughout the city at various times throughout the day. No matter what the size of your party there is a carriage tour to suit your needs. Small carriages seat anywhere from 2-6 people and larger parties, horse drawn wagon rides can seat from 12-20 people.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

The plantation offers guests a plethora of activities for all interests! The plantation offers tours of the magnificent colonial Drayton family house, a nature train tour, a boat tour, a slavery to freedom exhibit, and even a petting zoo! Each tour lasts around 30-45 minutes and teaches guests about the history and local culture of the plantation.

Wentworth Mansion

Built in 1865 by a wealthy cotton tycoon, the Wentworth Mansion changed hands over time and ultimately became one of the top 3 luxury hotels in the United States. Start your day off with a complimentary breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, enjoy the southern tradition of an evening port, sherry, and brandy, follow up with afternoon hors d’oeuvres and wine, a day at the spa, dinner in the mansion’s own fine dining restaurant, and finally tuck yourself in at night with the nightly turndown service complete with chocolates on your pillow.

The French Quarter Inn

Immerse yourself in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District at the French Quarter Inn. Upon check in you can expect champagne and lady fingers promptly brought to your door. Evenings feature a wine and cheese reception for all guests of the hotel. Before bed, you can relive your childhood with warm milk and cookies served each evening in the hotel lobby. The next day, plan on a gourmet breakfst served in the lobby, terrace, or even stay in bed and have it delivered directly to your hotel room.

HarbourView Inn

Enjoy a hotel with a view, HarbourView Inn overlooks Charleston’s Waterfront Park as well as Charleston Harbor. From your window you can view the Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, as well as boats gliding along the waterways. Not just a hotel with a view, you can savor the other amenities this hotel offers. Amenities such as Portside Breakfast served atop the rooftop terrace, all day snacks and tea, afternoon wine and cheese, warm milk and cookies, afternoon hot tea, and an evening turndown service with lightweight robes and a special treat on your pillow.

In Charleston you expect to find an exquisite array of fresh seafood, comfort food, and southern cuisine. Keep an eye out for fresh fish, prawns, shrimp, and even gumbo while you’re in this particular port city!

Circa 1886

A hidden gem situated in Wentworth Mansion’s lovely gardens, the restaurant was originally the carriage house for the first owners of the mansion. Contrasting it’s classical historic physique, Circa 1886 serves up contemporary cuisine at it’s finest. This restaurant strives for only the finest local ingredients. Expect to pay anywhere from $25-$45 for a main entree.

Charleston Grill

Located on historic King Street, the Charleston Grill offers guests a culinary variety like no other. This restaurant has a selection of four main menus for guests to choose from. Each one has it’s own flavor profile and specialties ranging from fresh seafood to down home southern cooking. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25-$40 for a main entree.

39 Rue de Jean

Step off the streets of Charleston and into a restaurant reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie. 39 Rue de Jean serves guests classical French fare such as Coq au Vin and Ratatouille. The restaurant is open for three meals a day, brunch, lunch, and dinner. When dining here expect to pay anywhere from $14-$25 for a main entree.
Charleston, South Carolina has so much to offer. The beauty of the plantations along with the history really makes an unforgettable honeymoon!