Second State Coffee - Alexandra & Taylor's favorite cup of coffee - so much so that we brew it in our Texas home every morning! There are a few locations throughout Charleston, including one in Mount Pleasant close to the Holiday Inn.

Harken Cafe - A favorite of Alexandra and enjoyed by Taylor, Harken sits on one of Alexandra's favorite quaint streets downtown. We love them for their unsweetened almond milk and they also serve great snacks and light lunch offerings! Alexandra's pick is the greens and grains bowl for lunch and the quiche is a delicious option no matter what time of day!

Mercato at Sorelle - A newer spot on famous Broad Street downtown, Mercato is a casual spot with delicious coffee and casual Italian light bites. We recommend grabbing an iced latte before taking a stroll down King Street!

Clerks Coffee - On the first floor of Hotel Emeline, Clerks serves Second State Coffee and is a favorite stop-in location for an afternoon pick me up.

Basic Kitchen - Alexandra & Taylor's favorite spot for lunch when out and about on King Street, Basic Kitchen offers local, healthy options. Our favorite is the Basic Bowl, and Alexandra loves the fresh juice options and the turmeric lattes with unsweetened almond milk.

167 Raw - Delicious seafood, and a favorite amongst both tourists and locals, 167 Raw is always busy and doesn't take reservations. To avoid the wait, go during off-hours or grab a drink around the corner at Bar 167 while you wait.

Sullivan's Fish Camp - If you make it out to the beach on Sullivan's Island, stop in at the Fish Camp for some local seafood.

Chubby Fish - A cute local spot in the heart of a local Charleston neighborhood, Chubby Fish doesn't take reservations but is a great spot for a local feel.

Chez Nous (https://www.cheznouschs.com/) - The perfect Charleston date night spot, Chez Nous is situated in an old home with a quaint bar area and patio seating. The menus are handwritten daily by the chef, and include just six choices hand picked and created with local and fresh ingredients.

Le Farfalle (https://www.lefarfallecharleston.com/ ) - This has quickly become a dinner favorite for pasta or the market fish. They book up quickly, so if you don't have reservations, get there right at opening time to request bar seating, which doesn't require reservations. They also have a great coffee and tea menu, while you wait for your dinner!

The Darling Oyster Bar - We recommend sitting at the Raw Bar for the full experience!

Sorelle - A modern and refined Italian option in a great spot on Broad Street, Sorelle is a newer option in Charleston and is a great option for pasta and refined dishes. If they have it on the menu, we love the spaghetti squash.

Southbound - We haven't tried Southbound yet, but it came highly recommended to us by locals on our last visit. Let us know if you check it out!

Frannie and the Fox - Inside Hotel Emeline, Frannie and the Fox sits in a gorgeous courtyard and has a variety of options including yummy pizza and delicious salads.

Citrus Club at the Dewberry - A gorgeous rooftop setting overlooking Charleston steeples and other sights. No reservations are taken, but the views are worth the wait. Join us here on Thursday, April 18th for casual drinks and snacks to kick off the weekend!

The Bar & Patio at Husk - A favorite for whiskey offerings with a beautiful garden patio. Husk is a Charleston favorite that is worth checking out. The Bar & Patio is much easier to get into than it's restaurant counterpart next door.

The Gin Joint - One of Alexandra & Taylor's favorite sentimental spots for good conversation and creative drinks, with a speakeasy vibe. No reservations.

Bin 152 Wine Bar - Cozy wine bar on lower King Street with extensive wine selection and lots of charcuterie offerings.

Waterfront Park - A great spot to walk the pier and look for dolphins! Alexandra tends to see them on her morning walks, so if you are an early riser, this is a great option!

Children's Museum of the Lowcountry

South Carolina Aquarium

There are so many spots in Charleston and the surrounding areas that are both beautiful and historically significant. One of our favorite things to do is visit the historic homes sprinkled throughout downtown Charleston. A few of our favorites are:

Edmonston-Alston House - A gorgeous home on The Battery, the Edmonston-Alston house is historically significant and beautiful.

Nathaniel-Russell House - One of Alexandra's favorites, this historic home features beautiful wallpaper and gorgeous gardens.

Aiken-Rhett House - A different feel than the other homes on this list, the Aiken-Rhett House is a wonderfully preserved picture of life in the 1800's.

We also love to visit the Gibbes Museum of Art. Alexandra's favorite art gallery is just across the street, so be sure to visit the Meyer Vogl Gallery if you have a little extra time!

For longer excursions, consider visiting Patriot's Point or Fort Sumter.

The French Quarter - See the beautifully colored buildings, amazing churches, and spring blooms that give Charleston its charm. We could spend all day exploring this area and the nearby South of Broad neighborhood!

The Battery & White Point Garden - You can't miss this waterfront walk!

Colonial Lake Park - A quaint and charming inland lake in the heart of a downtown residential area, Colonial Lake Park is a great place for an afternoon stroll with a cup of coffee from Second State, just down the road. Moultrie Playground is nearby, and we look forward to seeing you there for a game of pickleball on Sunday, April 21st!

Pitt Street Bridge - The visit to Old Village in Mount Pleasant is worth the trip to see the views of the marsh and downtown Charleston from Pitt Street Bridge.

Sullivan's Island - Great public beaches that are perfect for kids! Just a short drive from downtown Charleston or Mount Pleasant.

Candlefish - A Charleston favorite for candles and gifts. You can attend a candle-making workshop or visit The Library, a unique experience for discovering your new favorite scents!

Savannah Bee - Taylor's favorite spot for a mead tasting while Alexandra shops on King Street, Savannah Bee has a variety of edible honey products and beauty options that you will love!

Buxton Books - A cute, local bookstore with a section dedicated to Charleston authors.

Juliska - Alexandra's dream come true! A lovely store for table settings and design.

Amanda Lindroth - Another favorite of Alexandra, check out Amanda Lindroth to explore island style. This is how her love for Sailor's Valentine's started!

Lake Pajamas - The coziest, softest pajamas and robes you'll ever touch! Great for both adults and littles, there is an upstairs section that you don't want to miss!

Hampden (https://hampdenclothing.com/) - Alexandra's favorite King Street store for a cute dress or a new pair of shoes!

Art Galleries - There are many local art galleries throughout the city. Alexandra's favorite is Meyer-Vogl, in part owned by one of Alexandra's favorite artists, Melissa Vogl.

There are many other stores on King Street that Alexandra and Taylor love and frequent, including Veronica Beard, Loeffler Randall, and Clayton and Crume. Another great pick for littles is Minnow, with the cutest pajamas!