My Favorite City in South Carolina

Photo by David Martin on Unsplash

Charleston, South Carolina, a city full of history, romance, good food and beautiful views. The one place I could go to over and over again and still not be bored. From where I live in upstate South Carolina, Charleston is only about a three hour drive. Just a hop, skip and a jump down I-26. While the drive down there can be quite boring with the exception of driving through Columbia, the minute I smell the paper mills working away, my heart smiles a little.

From shopping to the beach to historic moments marked all across the city, this beautiful town has something for everyone, but what are a few highlights you need to do while on vacation?

The Charleston City Market

One of my first stops every trip is to the Charleston City Market. This is where I pick up Benne wafers for the fam jam. I'm not even going to lie, as a kid, I hated these, but adult me has learned to appreciate them. This nutty, crunchy, cookie is a staple in the South Carolina lowcountry. Benne (pronounced ben-e) is the Bantu word for sesame. They were brought over to the southern U.S. by African slaves. The Benne Wafer itself has a rich buttery flavor. My mom prefers hers a baked a little more giving them a more caramelized flavor while I prefer them lighter and flakier. Either way, its a must try if you've never had them before. Also in the Charleston City Market, you can find many locals weaving baskets from sweetgrass. These baskets have been made by hand in Charleston for more than 300 years. In the market, you can also find beautiful paintings of the local scenery and pictures from photographers.

Boone Hall Plantation

Lovers of "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks will recognize this oak tree lined drive leading up to the plantation house almost instantly. Boone Hall Plantation not only served its role as Ally's families home in the movie, but was also where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds got married! Englishman Major John Boone founded the plantation in 1861. Draping with Spanish Moss, the three-quarter mile avenue of oaks welcomes you to the plantation house. Boone Hall Plantation offers many events throughout the day to education you on the history of the land like house tours, presentations about the Gullah culture, plantation tractor tours, slave houses built between 1790 and 1810 adapted to show different timeframe in American history and even a garden tour. Their goal is to educate people about America's history including slavery in a way that pays honor and respect to how far to the progress of Black Americans.

King Street Shopping

If you are looking to shop until you drop, King Street is where you are going to want to head. With every store you could ever imagine, you can definitely do all of your Christmas shopping on this one strip. I'm talking Kate Spade, Anthropologie, local boutiques and more.