Who is ready for 2021?! I know our sweet family is! After a very unexpected and crazy 2020, we are looking forward to a new season as a family and getting back to exploring!
Over these last few months, we watched God provide through the craziness, soaked in extra family time, “reset” our priorities and found joy in the simplest of things.
Tyler and I also may or may not have “social-distanced”, hence our 2nd little boy arriving in just a few short weeks 😉 We can not wait to welcome him and watch Hudson become a big brother! This beautiful gift alone with make 2021 one of our favorite years; however, there are also so many exciting adventures ahead to share with you all.
Hello everyone! I think we could all agree it has been a crazy couple of months. The world stopped and we decided to take some time for ourselves to be a family. We missed sharing our adventures with you! We look forward to diving back into our routine now that there appears to be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel; however, please know our hearts are with everyone whose “normal” won’t be the same anytime soon. It is also so important for us to share our hearts are heavy for those deeply impacted during this intense moment in our history with COVID-19.
In the coming weeks, we hope to support our local businesses and get back to exploring new places and old favorites! As in all things in life, we do not want to live in fear, but rather celebrate the many joys we are blessed with today! We invite you to join us again on our journey!
Growing up, every season change, holiday, you name it…my mom would decorate the house! I joyfully remember coming home from school to a surprise to represent the time of year! These memories are so deeply cherished to me as she is no longer with us; however, her love to bring fun and joy in our home has inspired me to do the same with my own family!
A simple, easy way to add some joy is to decorate our mantle! This month, with Valentines Day in mind, I decided to focus the display on beautiful floral arrangements, bright pops of color and favorite holiday candies. Listed below, I have put together a quick DIY for you to have the opportunity to replicate it in your own home! I also have a step-by-step video, so go ahead and click here if you want to watch in addition to the guide below.
Step One | Glassware
First things first, take a look to see what you are working with! I like to layout all of my decor elements out on the table to see what looks best before I start filling vases with floral arrangements. Try to keep things symmetrical, but also don’t be afraid to have fun! Use vases of different heights and shapes to add visual appeal!
Pro-Tip | If you are looking to elevate your seasonal displays, simply pickup some fun glass vases, jars, candle holders, etc. What is great about glass is that it adds a very elegant, simplistic finish that you can use for any seasonal decor in your home. My favorite places to shop are HomeGoods, Walmart, Ikea and Amazon. Great prices!
Step Two | Floral Arrangements
Stop by your local florist or grocery store for some fresh flowers! I stopped by Trader Joe’s, which is one of my favorite places to shop! When selecting florals to make a display, be sure to take your time choosing flowers with complimentary colors.
When you are ready to get started, decide what flowers you want in each vase and cut the stems (very important step) accordingly! Just remember, try your best to have displays at different heights.
Pro-tip | If you love tulips, like I do, but don’t want their stems to droop put a penny inside the vase. You will thank me later! Also, if you are looking for a lasting, economical option, try fake plants or flowers! I would miss the smell fresh flowers bring, but it is a great way to get the same effect without always having to swap out the flowers!
Step Three | Add Color / Theme Decor
For Valentines Day, I wanted to add a few playful “heart-inspired” elements to the display! I went to Target’s dollar section (my favorite) and found a cute love-letter banner. I also purchased traditional Valentines Day candy and paper to cut out my own hearts. This is an easy, affordable way to bring a crafty side to the display.
Pro-tip | If you have kids, let them help you! Set aside some time for them to create homemade valentines to add to the display or let them pick out their favorite candy! The most important thing with any decor in your home is to make it personal and right for your own family!
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! You did it! What is great about this display is you simply can just change out a few elements to apply it to any season or holiday! Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more fun decor ideas soon!
Aspen, Colorado has been on our must-go list since the moment we moved to Colorado! In celebration of Tylers birthday, we carved out some time over a long weekend to adventure as a family. We packed up and set off on our –hour adventure from Denver to Aspen.
Let me just start by saying Aspen is truly the most luxurious mountain getaway. From the picturesque mountains, world-renowned skiing, designer shopping, fine dinning and overall prestige…this is by no means a typical mountain destination.
Aspen is a place where people want to be “seen” and every venture out on the town is a statement. Obviously it would have been awkward to snap photos of people on the street, but man it was a sight. Every (I mean every) person we saw was decked out in designer and I’m not talking well-known winter wear brands like North Face, Patagonia, Helly Hansen, Arc’teryx, etc. I am talking about Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Balenciaga, Channel, etc. From the hats and gloves, all the way to the jackets and snow boots! Yes, we felt very underdressed in our still very nice winter gear.
It is also no surprise it is celebrity and who’s-who getaway destination. Arriving into town, we passed the airport which was lined with maybe a hundred private jets all parked on the jetway. We have always heard about how incredible Aspen is, but we were definitely surprised by how at times over-the-top the location really is.
Walking downtown, you will find streets and streets of designer shopping. It is definitely not a typical mountain town with fun restaurants and “boutique” shops….think more Rodeo Drive, but in the mountains. Luxurious, four-wheel drive sports cars and private “black” SUV’s shuffling passengers all over town. Upscale, fine dining restaurants offering a unique ambiance and unparalleled food quality. Also, not the most kid-friendly. When we entered a new restaurant, we were never offered a high chair and often felt like it was an “inconvenience” for us to have Hudson with us. Personally, we didn’t mind at all, but if you have more than one child (requiring a high chair) don’t expect the royal treatment.
Unless you have a nanny who can watch your kids while you go “out”, just expect it to not be the most family-friendly destination particularly in downtown Aspen; however, when we popped over to Snowmass (also a part of Aspen, 10 minutes from downtown) that had a much different atmosphere. Families where everywhere! There is an entire separate village and community over there, so if you are looking for a more family-friendly spot…head to Snowmass.
Overall, it was an incredible trip and we will definitely be back in the summer-time to enjoy the lakes, fly-fishing, hiking, biking and so much more! We are also so looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful Aspen trees change color in the fall. It truly is a year-round destination. Check out our favorites below.
Where to Stay
W Hotel ($$$)
We stayed at the W hotel located right at the base of the mountain and steps from downtown. It was recently built and offers a swanky, modern feel. Clean lines and minimalist decor in the rooms offer a luxurious feel. It is definitely a “hip” location, with music jamming as you walk into the lobby, a regular DJ mixing, lobby cocktail lounge and rooftop bar/ swimming pool. You will typically find a bit of a younger crowd who are looking for some action and nightlife, but also have the means to stay at an upscale hotel.
Valet Parking | $52 per night (no self-parking available)
Resort Fee | $50 per night
Kid Friendly | Yes, cribs available for setup in the room. Bathroom is “open”, so please note there is no ideal separate space for sleeping baby.
If you are looking for a place to be a bit more economical, Aspen is not your place. Like I said, it is the vacation destination for the who’s-who, so that comes with a price tag. Honestly, most places were a bit over-priced for the basics; however, there are two places that are a must-go and well worth the premium.
French Alpine Bistro ($$$)| If you have read any other blogs about “best restaurants” in Aspen, one place that is always at the top of the list is this place! Everyone praises this place including: The New York Times, Vogue, Food Network and many others! It is absolutely incredible! From the unparalleled ambiance to the quality of the food, you will not be disappointed. From French onion soup, croque madame, crepes, fondue, seafood…not one thing on the menu is not divine. It is small and intimate, you be sure to make reservations for dinner! If you are looking to pop-in for lunch, try to go right when they open so you get a table. You can not leave Aspen without eating here!
The White House Tavern ($$$)| When I think “tavern”, I think more of a rugged, hole-in-the-wall escape….not this place. From the moment you walk in and smell a delicious smoky aroma, look up to the beautiful exposed vaulted ceiling and see chefs preparing gourmet food in front of you, you will understand this is no hole-in-the-wall place. Beautiful leather seating, exposed brick and white linens make this place more upscale dining experience, but absolutely delightful. They are known for their premium sandwiches, shareable snacks and selection of distinctive wines, beers and cocktails. It is also a small location with limited seating, so plan accordingly!
Another place we heard is an incredible “experience” is The Pine Creek Cookhouse. Nestled in the scenic Castle Creek Valley (30 minutes outside of Aspen), The Pine Creek Cookhouse is a remote American Alpine culinary experience. What is so unique about it is that you book an experience on their property and then eat! For example in the winter, enjoy a Ski, Snowshoe or Horse Drawn Sleigh tour around the property and then sit down for lunch or dinner. Be sure to book in advance and designate a day of your trip to fully immerse in this experience!
Explore
Aspen is such a fun place to explore. From walking/shopping downtown, skiing the multiple mountains, playing in the snow, to venturing through multi-million dollar residential neighborhoods…there is something for everyone! Traveling with Hudson does have its limitations, but that just means we get to enjoy different activities in this particular season and look forward to new memories/ different experiences in the future!
Shop | As I mentioned, Aspen is a renowned shopping destination with various designers offering unique collection offerings specific to their clientele in Aspen. From Montclair, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Channel, Prada and many more!
John Denver Sanctuary | Have you ever heard of John Denver or the song “Rocky Mountain High”? If so, stop by the sanctuary honoring him just a few steps from downtown. The sanctuary features beautiful gardens, bridges crossing the Roaring Folk River, picnic benches and more! The beautiful walking path also connects to other parks and is at the center of high-end surrounding neighborhoods.
Gondola Ride | Take the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of the mountain to the Sundeck Restaurant. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and opportunity to see a birds-eye view of the charming downtown. (It is operating year-round, with a few select closure dates. You don’t have to purchase a lift ticket in the winter, simply opt for the “sightseeing” pass)
Snowmass Village | Jump in the car or take hotel transportation to Snowmass Village. It is a beautiful drive into the village nestled back into the canyon. Along the way, you will see cross-country ski courses, snow-mobiling, ice skating and much more! Inside the village you will find fun places to eat or simply enjoy the ski-in and ski-out atmosphere.
Residential Neighborhood Exploration | Tyler and I absolutely love driving around new places and exploring the local neighborhoods. Aspen has some of the most prestigious and expensive real estate in the world. With many places close by starting at 10 million and working their way up from there! Enjoy a drive seeing the neighborhoods, while enjoying the beautiful views surrounding the town. (Also, if you are like us with a little one, drive around while your little one takes their nap…don’t get stuck in the hotel room when you could be out adventuring!)
The Dairy Block, also known as the Milk Market, was incredible! It is located in the heart of downtown Denver, CO. It is walking distance from Coors Field in an area of town called LoDo. It is a unique micro-district that offers fine dining, shopping, office space and a boutique hotel called The Maven.
The Dairy Block isn’t just an amazing urban experience, but also a place filled with history. Dairy Block was once home to Windsor Dairy, founded by H. Brown Cannon. Back in the 1920’s, this block was a busy dairy operation serving the families of Denver, CO.
The modern design ties back to it’s history with charming milk carton lights lining the main alley, stunning graphics with a dairy theme and fine design offerings such as custom “moo” light fixtures, etc.
The Dairy Block is easy to navigate, with each offering mainly found on each “corner” of the block. You can find the market, which offers 15 different culinary experiences, the Free Market which offers multiple shopping vendors and Bruto restaurant and last, but certainly not least is the Maven hotel / Class A office space which sits directly above the block. The Maven hotel lobby, lobby restaurant and the Poka Lola bar are down on the corner opposite of the market.
Let’s just say we will be back to dive into all of the other food offerings we didn’t have the opportunity to try; however, what we did happen to enjoy was soooo tasty! Our favorites are listed below.
Albina by the Sea | We finally found good seafood in Denver! We split the blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich and it was amazing. One of our new favorites! They also appear to have an incredible selection of other tasty seafood offerings including: crab cakes, fish and chips, mussels…should I go on? They also have an $8.00 lunch special Monday-Friday on their seafood sandwiches! Did I mention they also sell their fresh seafood offerings too!
Bruto | Bruto was offering a $2.00 per oyster special, so we gave it a go. Some of the best oysters we have had in a while. Charming atmosphere, separated from the other hustle and bustle of the market, so it was a very relaxing dining experience.
Bao Chica Bao | We enjoyed three different offerings of their “signature” buns including hoisin chicken (our personal favorite). We felt like the only thing we felt was missing was the buns being warm.
Huckleberry Roasters Coffee | I tried their chai latte, while Tyler went for their traditional drip coffee. My latte was amazing, but a bit over-priced in my opinion. I will say it would be a fun place to land for a bit, very bright and airy with great work-space areas. Tyler’s coffee was very bitter, which I know is the trend of “hypster” coffee others enjoy…not us. We are used to Papa’s Roast coffee which is to die for! Full of flavor and not bitter. We are spoiled and now true coffee snobs because of it. If you want to try some, click here.
Where do I even begin? Quebec City, Canada still is at the top of our list of favorite destinations traveled thus far. It was not a must-see place on our list initially, but now we tell everyone it’s a must go! We visited in January, 2018 in celebration of Tyler’s 30th birthday (for those wondering, yes before our little Hudson). It is known as the Worlds Snow Capital!
Often, a key difference between our destination picks is that I will typically always shoot for something “tropical”, while Tyler absolutely loves the snow and anywhere freezing. The colder the better. It’s was a surprise trip and we both couldn’t have been more excited to venture off! We took off work about 3 days and tacked on to a weekend, so we were in Quebec roughly 5 days with travel included.
At the time we were living in San Jose, California, so we took a flight from SFO to JFK, then a flight from JFK to Quebec City. We flew with United. The airport is very small in Quebec City, so it is very rare to find a direct flight unless you are coming directly from the east coast. I used Google Flights to track pricing on tickets. Tickets fluctuate depending on time of year, but we paid roughly $350 per ticket at the time. With the weather being between a high of 20 degrees and a low of 6 degrees, most people steer clear.
Quebec, Canada definitely delivered the cold weather, but also the most winter-wonderland magic! The most important thing to do when traveling to a cold destination is to have the right apparel. If you do, you can enjoy your time; however, without it you are destined to be miserable. (To learn more about our favorite winter gear, stay tuned for an upcoming post!)
I purposely planed our trip during Carnaval de Quebec, which is one of the oldest carnival’s in the world. It started in 1894! It is known for it’s incredible ice sculptures throughout the city, slides made out of ice, delicious maple syrup dessert and the famous Bonhomme character. What is so crazy is that unlike most festivals in the United States, the Carnaval de Quebec only cost about $15 per person! The city comes to life during this special occasion, with ice bars filling the streets (serving a local favorite Caribou), special programs/competitions throughout the city and families everywhere! To view the 2020 program line-up, click here.
I splurged a bit and we stayed at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. It was an absolute dream of a hotel. It was the eye-catching, statement landmark of the city. It is known as one of the most picturesque hotels in the world. With its location being right in the heart of the city, it was easy to walk everywhere and it had the most beautiful views in every direction. The horse-drawn carriages also stop right outside the main entrance, so no need for a car! The rooms were quaint and charming, with most rooms offering views of the Lawrence river or downtown cityscape. The hotel offers a tour which is a must (even if you aren’t staying), because there is so much history throughout the hotel including a special room where WWII allies met for the Québec Conference(s). To learn more, click here.
Also, I can’t forget to highlight the FOOD. I mean, what an incredible foodie city. We heard from a local that there are more restaurants per capita in Quebec City than New York City! What?! Did I also mention they are known for Poutine….Tyler’s absolute favorite! It is a local favorite with a base of fries, coated in brown gravy and finished with cheese curds on the top. Heaven in a dish. If you have had it outside of Canada, particularly Quebec….I wouldn’t trust it. Since this trip we have tried lots of places (in some of the biggest US foodie cities) and can’t find a true authentic experience. If you know of a place, please let us know!
Favorite Local Restaurants:
Queues de Castor Vieux Quebec| We tried dozens of places for poutine. This was hands-down our absolute favorite place! It is nothing fancy of a restaurant inside, more grab-and-go, but perfect to pick up and walk around Old Town.
Charbon Steakhouse| If you are looking for a nice dinner during your stay, this is your place! Incredible food, I say food because everything from the bread to the steak was divine, and the ambiance was truly one-of-a-kind. It was not over-priced in the least bit, worth every penny…a must-go!
Casse-Crepe Breton| The best crepes walking distance to the hotel. They make them right in front of you at the counter! Tight restaurant, so it would be difficult to maneuver a stroller…but totally worth checking out!
Pub L’Oncle Antoine | Oldest pub in Quebec City, dating back to 17th Century. You feel you are in a wine cellar, with a cozy fireplace adding to the ambiance. Local beers and great French onion soup!
1608 Bar | This bar is located inside the hotel and has views overlooking the Lawrence river. Perfect place to enjoy a drink and charcuterie board after your hotel tour!
Favorite Local Attractions:
Hotel de Glacé | One of two ice hotels in the world. A must-see! Incredible masterpiece, made entirely out of ice. You can stay overnight, but personally I wouldn’t want to stay in a sleeping bag in the freezing cold….but you can take a tour, enjoy an adult beverage at the ice bar and be on your way! We booked a package through the hotel to have a bus pick us up and take us. We opted for the smaller package, only 1.5hrs in length and I’m glad we did. Staying beyond that would be a bit much unless you were headed to the massive waterpark next door! (Side note: If you are looking for a destination wedding venue and the cold is your jam…every year they reconstruct a different wedding chapel design!)
Old Town Quebec City | Words can not begin to describe how picturesque this area is. Buildings dating back to the 1600’s, with a beautiful stone church from 1688 right at the heart of the town square. Throughout the month of Carnaval de Quebec, the storefronts are elaborately decorated and have ice sculptures, life garland, etc. You feel you stepped into a dream! Don’t miss the opportunity to take the Funiculaire du Vieux Quebec from the upper part of the city down to Old Town. Not only is it a novelty, but offers incredible views of the Lawrence river and Old Town.
In a city like Charleston, there is so much to see and do! We arrived mid-day on a Thursday and left first thing on Sunday, so we were really only there for 2 full days.
There is definitely a time and place to get up early and explore vs. lay low and enjoy a more relaxed trip. If you are looking to pack in a lot of adventure and sight-seeing into your trip check out our suggested weekend guide below! If you are willing to get out there and explore, you sure can pack a lot into a weekend!
Day One | Venture Outside of the City
Something Tyler and I love to do is rent a car for one day. If you are in a city where you can get around easily like Charleston, you don’t need a car the entire trip; instead, opt to rent a car for day-use only to get out of town to see things harder to get too while paying a fraction of the price (overnight hotel parking, additional charges per day, etc.) Plan to go adventure outside of the city and pack in everything that is not central and easy to get too!
Stop One | Find some breakfast! We headed to Playa Bowls on Market Street, because it was quick and easy. It was also a short walk to the car rental location, so all around a good call for us.
Stop Two | Take your car across the beautiful Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to Mount Pleasant, an island directly across from Charleston, SC. The bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and tallest structure in South Carolina. It is 2.5 miles long, so if you were thinking of walking across I would just note the distance.
Stop Three | Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. This is a must-see when in Charleston, SC. This plantation is known as “America’s most photographed plantation”! It is where scenes from The Notebook (Allie Hamilton’s family home) were filmed, the famous oak tree row was recreated in Gone With The Wind and where Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively got married! It is one of America’s oldest working farms with a very powerful and meaningful history. It is such a picturesque setting right on the river, with beautiful well-kept gardens, 500 year old oak trees and the home itself beautifully maintained. (We preferred its immensely over the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. If you are looking to enjoy beautiful gardens, go to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, but if you are looking to tour a true “plantation” visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. The Magnolia Planation home was very underwhelming and in a lot of ways not as beautifully kept. It was also a “summer home” for many years, so not even a true working plantation.)
Stop Four | Head over to Sullivans Island for some lunch (16 mins away from Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens), but on your way there don’t forget to stop and enjoy the picturesque views of Isle of Palms. From the street, it is hard to see the ocean past all of the beautiful beachfront homes, but find a public access beach path to get to the water. You won’t regret it! The beach-front goes for miles… enjoy picking up some seashells, peak at the luxurious real estate
Stop Five | End the night at Rappahannock Oyster Bar! You will not be disappointed! To learn more about it, click here.
If you are like us and want to see more before handing over the keys of your one day rental, take a night time drive through the neighborhoods of the French Quarter! The French Quarter is considered the oldest part of Charleston, SC with homes dating back before the 1700’s! At night, the owners have their front entry way gas lamps burning and it’s a great way to close out an evening. Stop the car at Battery Park to enjoy the sound of the ocean, romantically lit park and original homes (one where George Washington stayed). It is stunning both during the day and at night.
Day Two | Enjoy Downtown
After a fun-filled day one, now it’s time to dive into day two! This time staying local
Stop One | Find some breakfast!
Stop Two | If you are visiting over the weekend, stop by the Historic Charleston City Market and stroll through the marketplace. To be honest, it is quite touristy and there are lots of trinkets…but if that is what you are in too take a look. For us, it was a quick pass-bye, but maybe for some of you, you might want to take your time. The overall area of town is very fun, historic and a fun pocket you won’t want to miss seeing.
Stop Three | Carriage Ride. Now I know some might be skeptical and think it must be a “tourist” trap….but it was truly our favorite tour while in Charleston, SC. The tours are regulated by the city and each guide has to go through an intense program and be licensed! The city also uses a special “lottery system” for which route each individual carriage can take, meaning no company is better than the other and each route will hold different history! The city goes to great lengths to ensure the history is being properly portrayed. It is also not expensive ($30 per person) for about an hour tour. You walk away with such an appreciation for the history of the city and understanding of details you would have completely missed if they weren’t pointed out to you!
Stop Four | Now that you have enjoyed your carriage tour, hopefully, it has ignited an appetite to explore some more now that you know what you are looking at. Pick up a Charleston walking map and hit the road! The streets are short, so you can easily walk all across town! If you are wanting to move a bit faster, rent a city bike which are located all over the city!
Stop Five | After a day on your feet, you will be hungry! Trek across town (Lyft/Uber if you don’t have a car) to Edmunds Oast Exchange, NOMO to find a bit to eat or two or three! May we suggest a bit of progressive eating…. to learn more about our favorite restaurants in the area, click here.
Stop Six | Shop on Market Street and walk around Marion Square. (During the spring, Marion Square is a masterpiece with all of the beautiful Charleston flowers) Enjoy many unique boutiques, well-known brands such as Yeti, Vineyard Vines, Chubbies and luxury designers such as Louis Vuitton. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it.
Stop Seven | End the night out on the town on Market Street and around the Historic Charleston City Market which is lined with fine dining, bars, clubs and everything in-between. We would recommend starting at The Darling Oyster for some oysters and oyster shooters! If you want to know where else to stop by, click here.
Does anyone like hotel hopping? Just us, that’s okay! We love seeing new places and if it means getting a good deal at three different hotels that is what we will do. There is a time and place to stay in one spot, for us it is a resort-style hotel where we plan to spend most of our time at the hotel, but in a new city….we are often out of the hotel exploring all day!
We are loyal Marriott Bonvoy members, so in Charleston, SC we stayed at three different hotels: Renaissance Charleston, Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston and Courtyard by Marriott Charleston.
Renaissance Charleston
Located right in the heart of town, the Renaissance Charleston offers an elegant experience with stylish finishes and sophisticated feel. Bright and airy rooms and touches of fun with edgy rabbit wallpaper in the bathroom and artsy gallery wall above the desk. It has a boutique feel and offers a pool, fitness center and a speakeasy inspired bar called Sixty8 Bar & Grill. All of the pools we saw are quite small, more like lap pools and this one is just the same. It’s there, but too small of a space to lounge. (Also, no hot tubs in the area…which makes sense it’s too hot and humid usually)
Valet Parking | $36 per night (no self-parking available)
The Grand Bohemian collection of hotels truly are unique, bohemian inspired locations that create an ambiance of glamour and luxury! The hotel showcases beautiful artwork throughout the lobby, the hallways, in your room and also in a special curated gallery! The floor to ceiling windows, walk-in tiled shower and artsy finishes in the room celebrate the bright colors and elegance of Charleston, SC in a fun, quirky way. The hotel is literally right across the street from the Renaissance Charleston, so it is also in the heart of the city with easy walking distance to restaurants, shopping, the water and historic French Quarter.
Valet Parking | $32 per night (no self-parking available)
Also in a great location, the Courtyard by Marriott Charleston was right off Marion Square. Again, just a few steps away from everything Charleston has to offer! The room had beautiful floor to ceiling windows and a more modern/updated feel. This hotel is a bit more of an economical choice, but a great option.
Pro Tip: If your hotel appears to have carpet in the rooms (in the south) find another hotel. The carpet holds heat and moisture, which often creates a musty-moldy smell 😬 if it hasn’t been replaced recently. Most hotels in the Charleston area now have hardwood or tile floors, but it’s a good thing to look out for! No one likes to stay in a beautiful room, but it smells funny!
The food scene really is all you hear about! There are so many amazing restaurants and unique offerings all over town. From fresh seafood (our favorite), BBQ, local southern classics and everything in-between!
We always try our best to find the “local spots” and often ask anyone who we interact with what their favorites are! This time around we were very lucky, because we had some friends who call Charleston, SC home and could give us all of their recommendations.
We throughly enjoyed every restaurant we tried and have so many we sadly missed, but we will be back to try again soon!
Check out our favorites below:
Rappahannock Oyster Bar ($$) | We feel we had the best seafood in Charleston, SC here! Incredible selection of local fresh fish, a fun oyster bar where they shuck right in front of you and an awesome happy hour Monday-Friday 4:00-7:00pm. It is located off of the touristy path, in an old 19th century cigar factory! Incredible atmosphere! Another fun note is that the restaurant also features a new pantry concept which offers a seafood market inside the restaurant and also showcases all of the seafood they are serving inside the restaurant! There is a large seating capacity, so it is also great option for larger parties. 10 out of 10, put it on the list!
The Darling Oyster($$) | Located right on King Street, The Darling Oyster is in the heart of the action and night scene downtown. It is open until 2:00am, so a great spot if you are looking to find delicious food on the later side. The Darling Oyster also has an incredible oyster bar, the best oyster shooters we had in town and a charming atmosphere located in a beautiful refinished 115-year-old storefront. A refined seafood menu offering brunch, raw bar, dinner, drinks and dessert…a new favorite for us right downtown!
Lewis BBQ ($$) | Another favorite off of the beaten bath is Lewis BBQ. It is a quick 10 minute drive outside of downtown in the pocket of town called NOMO. Surprisingly, Charleston is not known for its BBQ…but this place and Rodney Scott’s BBQ definitely put that reputation to shame. A true Texas-style BBQ joint and after you learn its story it all makes sense. John Lewis, a true mater of BBQ, moved to Charleston, SC in 2015 and opened Lewis BBQ on 2016. He has a crazy impressive resume in BBQ, having co-founded La Barbecue in Austin which was voted “Best BBQ in Austin”. If you are looking for a traditional Texas-style BBQ this is your place. Pick your meat by the pound, your sides, dessert and don’t forget to get some sweet tea.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ($$) | While we were driving around, we stumbled upon this place. It was packed inside! We had just finished dinner, so we were absolutely stuffed already…but they have a drive-through! Tyler couldn’t resist and I wasn’t too hard to convince! We tried their ribs and man were they delicious!
Kaminsky’s ($$) | Charleston has a fun night life downtown. On Friday and Saturday night we saw lots of college students, bachelor and bachelorette parties and groups of friends ready to go out and have a fun time! Us on the other hand wanted to just find a fun spot to grab dessert, but it was late. Kaminsky’s is such a fun spot and it is open until 1:00am. It is a dessert cafe that has a local coffee shop feel, but it serves more than coffee! Kaminsky’s is know for their famous boozy and non-boozy milkshakes, dessert cocktails, barista offand case full of homemade rotating desserts. A fun place to land after a fun day exploring around town!
Playa Bowls($$) | We headed over to Playa Bowls to enjoy a healthy breakfast! They are known for their bowls such as Açaí, Chia, Pitaya, Coconut and any other combination you would like! They are located right on King Street, so if you are staying close to downtown it is a quick walk to a fun spot. They are open everyday from 8:00am-8:00pm, so there is no limit to when you can enjoy a bowl! Playa Bowls has 65 locations nationwide, so you can also enjoy a bowl in multiple locations across the country! The fun, vibrant surfer decor also makes it a fun instagram-worthy location.
Shem Creek Bar & Grill ($$) | If you want a true local (more grunge-like) location this is your place. It is right across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, in an area of town called Shem Creek. Shem Creek is right on the water, so the pocket of restaurants offer beautiful views. We were hoping to check out NICO, but they close mid-day and we just missed it, so we headed to Shem Creek Bar & Grill. We ordered one of the “favorites” a scallop, shrimp and local fish dish in a sherry sauce served with grits. It was incredible! The oyster shooter, not so much.
We were only in Charleston, SC for three days, so sadly we just couldn’t fit any more eating in; however, there are a few other restaurants we want to highlight that we will visit next time!
FIG ($$$) | Let’s just say almost everyone we talked to mentioned this place! It offers a bit more upscale dinning experience, but we hear just stopping at the bar during happy hour is the best. We were told not to leave without trying the , so give it a try for us!
167 RAW ($$) | If you haven’t picked up on it already….we absolutely love seafood. This place, also highly recommended, looked adorable. Smaller location, so getting a larger party into the place might be difficult. They are known for their variety of tasty seafood dishes!
Butcher & Bee ($$) | Are you looking for a sandwich? This is your place! It is located next to Edmunds Oast, a fun pocket of restaurants and breweries 10 minutes from downtown. Grab your food and sit outside on the beautiful patio.
Tattooed Moose ($) | A true local spot. They are known for their famous duck sandwich! A fun upbeat watering hole serving elevated bar food and craft beer!
5 Church ($$) | This place is inside an old church! You might miss it off the street if you walk by too quickly, but walking inside you are in awe of the magnificent . It is a posh new American dining destination and cocktail bar. Stop by for dinner or a late night cocktail.
Hi Friends! It is nice to meet you! We are the Crist family and we live in Denver, Colorado!
You will mostly be hearing from me, Christianne Crist (aka the mama bear of this tribe). My boys Tyler and Hudson are my everything and truly make life a beautiful adventure. Tyler and I have been married for 2 years and our little Hudson boy just turned 1 in December.
We recently relocated from San Jose, California in September, so we are enjoying being tourists in our own city. Tyler has lived all across the country, whereas up until recently, I enjoyed being a California girl.
We absolutely love traveling to new places and returning to old favorites. We are foodies who enjoy local flair, explorers who don’t mind running around town and most of all we love sharing our experiences with the people we love.
We feel immensely blessed to live the life we do and look forward to sharing it with you. Our passion truly comes from realizing life is short and creating memories with the ones you love is a gift.
Crist Adventures 