For my birthday this year, I told David to forgo any gifts so we could plan a getaway to one of my favorite cities to just wander around aimlessly and enjoy the scenery. We lucked up with a beautiful, sunny weekend in January and thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Holy City. I was grateful then, and even more so now, since all the weekends following have resulted in winter weather in Raleigh! Here are the best things to do in Charleston for a winter weekend!
Weekend in Charleston SC: the Best Things to Do in the Winter
A Weekend in Charleston – Where to Eat
Frannie and the Fox
Friday Supper
We arrived later in the evening on a Friday and after checking in to our hotel and freshening up, we headed downstairs for dinner at the delicious Frannie & the Fox. We started with the beef and pork meatballs and then ordered wood-fired pizzas for our main course. David ordered the pepperoni and I ordered the white pizza, with burnt honey and black pepper. It was absolutely divine and I received several messages from followers that they agreed! It’s a must order!
Sunday Brunch
We also enjoyed Sunday brunch out on the patio after checking out of our room. It was a delightful way to end our trip at the same restaurant we started it. David got the two eggs breakfast while I opted for the brunch sandwich. Both were served with their crispy potatoes, which were my favorite part of the meal!
Clerk’s Coffee Co.
Located at the main entrance of Hotel Emeline, Clerk’s Coffee Co. serves up delicious coffee and breakfast options. They’re open all day and have great options on their “off the menu” as well! We started our Saturday with a lavender latte, breakfast sandwich and a breakfast pocket. It’s a delight!
Brown Dog Deli
When David and I celebrated our 6th anniversary in Charleston, we found this delicious lunch spot walking distance from where we were staying. This was David’s only request while we were in Charleston this time, and I was happy to oblige! We both ordered the Cardi B and split an order of fries. The food is absolutely delicious and you’ll want to take some time to explore the decor! We go to the one on Calhoun St., right near College of Charleston.
Lenoir
Now you know we couldn’t come to Charleston and not dine at Vivian Howard’s restaurant, Lenoir, right? It’s a newer spot right off of King Street and a short walk from Hotel Emeline, where we stayed on this trip. We started with the cornbread and for our main courses, David had the k-town patty melt with fries while I opted for the snapper with the grits and grains. I’m always impressed when David is willing to try something new, and he really enjoyed the grits and grains, especially since it is served with pork rinds. Lenoir also serves Tarboro Brewing Co. beer and had David’s favorite on tap. Add it to your list! You won’t be disappointed.
A Weekend in Charleston SC – What to Do
Take a Saturday Stroll
There is truly nothing I enjoy more than just strolling around cities. To be honest, it’s one of the things David and I do best together while traveling. The more we’ve traveled together, the less we’ve made plans for trips so that we can enjoy this aspect of being together in a new place. It’s a great way to find off the beaten path places to pop in for a drink or shop. Hotel Emeline was the perfect home base for this and also for a location walkable to everywhere we wanted to go.
Shop on King Street
I always enjoy walking down King Street and taking in the shops. We stopped in Buxton Books, Love Shack Fancy (which wins the award for the best facade decor), and Candlefish.
Check out the Battery
We wanted to check out the Mini Coopers that Hotel Emeline has as an option for guests to use, so we drove down to the Battery. Out of all the times I’ve been to Charleston, I’ve never made it down there. It was a chilly and windy day despite the beautiful sunshine, so we enjoyed more time walking around the park and the side streets. Learn more about the history of the Battery here.
Grab a Drink at Bay Street Biergarten
David and I took a little spin around town and we spotted Bay Street Biergarten. We decided to pull in for a quick drink before heading back to freshen up. It’s got great heated seating outside, lots of seating options inside, and a great selection of beer and wine on tap.
Enjoy a Spa Treatment at the Dewberry Spa
Image via The Dewberry
We have friends who rave about the Dewberry and I have to say, it totally lives up to the hype. This was definitely the best massage that I’ve ever had. David and I each received the 60 minute replenishing and relaxing massage. Our services started out in the relaxation room before heading to our rooms. The attention to detail was part of what made this so enjoyable. There was a heated mat for me to stand on after I took my slippers off, my robe was placed in a warmer while I received my treatment, and then to finish the treatment, there was a warm duvet available. It was just… lovely. Highly recommend booking a treatment here while in town!
Have a Toast at Camellia’s Champagne Lounge
On our most recent trip, I spied Camellia’s and made a mental note to visit on our next trip, so after dinner at Lenoir, we walked down and grabbed a drink. I ordered a glass of Veuve and was very much in my happy place. David was a good sport about it, as well! It’d be a great spot for a girls’ weekend for sure!
A Weekend in Charleston SC – Where to Stay
Hotel Emeline
David and I absolutely adored our stay at the Hotel Emeline. Between the fantastic decor throughout the building to the in-house restaurants and Keep Shop, it’s a true gem! It was a prime location for everything we had planned and we loved all of the amenities. For a full recap of our stay, be sure to check out this article.
Shop this weekend in Charleston SC post
