Last year, we took a trip with our pup to Hilton Head Island, SC and FELL IN ABSOLUTE LOVE. We both grew up going to Florida beaches, and while those still remain a top favorite of ours, there’s just something so amazing about the South Carolina coastline.
So when thinking of places to go for our baby moon, the Charleston area was top on the list. I’m overly obsessed with the low country feeling, huge porches, southern cooking and massive trees that this area has to offer. It’s so peaceful.
We drove over late Thursday night, spent the night at a hotel and then had the entire day on Friday to explore everything Charleston has to offer. Here’s what we did!
Our first stop was Bitty & Beau’s Coffee. We were recommended this coffee shop by a coworker of Taylor’s, and I’m so glad we stopped by! They advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by employing them at their shop. Organizations that help the special needs community will always have a special place in my heart (I worked for a non-profit years ago that did just this).
After that, we strolled down the street and happened upon the Historic Charleston City Market. Okay, how come nobody told us about this!? We literally had no idea! It’s the cutest little open-air market that has hundreds of vendors. Everything from local art to leather goods, food items and baskets. It was so cute! I ended up purchasing a few items for our boy – a sweet little stuffed animal & a summer swim hat.
By the time we finished up there, it was just about lunch time and our friend’s recommended a place called Fleet Landing. We were planning to go there for dinner, but reservations were HIGHLY recommended (which we did not have) and it was right around the corner from the market. So we thought just MAYBE they could get us in for lunch. Y’all, it was so good! It’s right on the water and the atmosphere is so fun. Taylor got the fish of the day with okra & rice and I ended up getting the gumbo (pic below). We highly recommend!
After that, we strolled up and down King’s Street which is Charleston’s main shopping area. It feels like it’s miles and miles long! Which i’m not sure if it actually is, or if it’s because this pregnant mama can only walk so far before needing to put her feet up. Either way – it’s a must do.
We ended our day in Charleston with dinner at Husk, and then ice cream to follow from Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe. Can I be honest? I was not impressed with Kaminsky’s. We ordered an ice cream sundae to share and it was so bland. I didn’t care for the taste of the ice cream, and it had minimal toppings. Nothing special about it at all. HUSK WAS AMAZING THOUGH. A must! They serve up locally-sourced, southern dishes with a flare. It was definitely an experience and we can’t wait to go back.
pics from our day in Charleston
Once we finished up in Charleston, we drove about 30 minutes towards the coast to Kiawah Island to spend the rest of our trip. Neither of us had been to Kiawah, but from what we researched it looked like a great place to unwind for a few days.
We stayed at The Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The property has a huge resort (The Sanctuary), hundreds of villas & homes, multiple golf courses, restaurants, and shopping. We ended up staying in a villa, but I think next time we’d like to get a room at The Sanctuary since that’s where we spent most of our time lounging at their pool and beach access. Taylor played a little golf, I did a little shopping, we spent time at the beach and pool, and enjoyed a few of the restaurants the island has to offer.
Kiawah Island is exactly what you’re looking for in a relaxing, beach vacation. Everything is at a much slower pace and you truly feel rejuvenated by the end of the trip. We will definitely be back and we can’t wait to bring our boy with us!
Pics from our days on Kiawah Island
Thanks for reading!
xx
