Only one day in Charleston, SC? Hit up the highlights with this One Day Charleston Trip!
Hi friends!
As I briefly mentioned yesterday, the hubs and I took a Charleston day trip on Sunday! I have to admit that one of my favorite parts about general aviation flying is the definition of a practical day trip really opens up. Driving to Charleston from the mountains takes four plus hours, but with good weather it only takes a little over an hour to fly.
The hubs and I were itching to go SOMEWHERE this weekend, but we decided it would be much easier if we just went for the day... no packing and no getting doggy day care for Rhett!
Plus, flying meant we got to catch some views of the mountains in the early morning.
We were airborne by nine and the fall color in the mountains was gorgeous.
We were in Charleston by our 10:30 brunch reservation! Because nothing screams Charleston like a good southern brunch.
We ate at Magnolias and split the Smoked Salmon Frittata...
... and Banana Pudding Stuffed French Toast.
Holy sweets batman... that was a syrupy peanut butter dressing!
After brunch we walked through the market and down King Street.
My favorite part is exploring the historical and residential areas south of Broad Street.
There are hundreds of iron gates that I find enchanting.
We walked for several hours (had to burn off that breakfast!) and eventually ended up along the riverfront where we found a bench and watched the boats.
The hubs was sweet enough to carry my bag from my King Street shopping. New scarf-- woo-hoo!
The weather was still fairly warm and humid, a vast contrast from the mountains.
For an early dinner we got a huge bucket of steamed local oysters at AW Shucks and had a feast! It was kind of a messy disaster, but totally worth it.
And to finish off our perfect Charleston day we found our way to the Market Pavilion Bar. It's one of my favorite places in the city because of the views of the Cooper River Bridge. I like to talk about the time I ran over it in the Cooper River Bridge Run and the hubs always pretends like the stories are fresh and new. Good Man. 🙂
To cap off the day we had this killer ice cream sandwich. It's homemade and so delish. If you are ever up there, I highly recommend it.
After dessert we left town and got back home just before the sunset in Asheville! It was a busy but perfect day in one of my favorite cities.
Want to learn more about general aviation, what and why I fly? Check out this post about the time the Hubs flew us to the Bahamas!
Thanks for stopping by today. Come back tomorrow for more pretty fall views. I'm visiting the Biltmore Gardens with my friend Marilyn!
I'm linking this post up for Travel Tuesday and Weekend Wanderlust.
Your turn!
What's your favorite day trip?
Do you have any favorite places in Charleston?
Andrea says
All of the food looks amazing! Charleston is such a great food city!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! So good!
Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} says
What a fun way to get around, sure beats driving! I have had Charleston on my US travel list for too long, I need to check it off!
JulieWunder says
It does beat driving! Great to see you here today!
Mandi Korn says
What a wonderful day trip. We went to Charleston on our Honeymoon and had a blast, and I cannot wait to go back. I am glad that you mentioned the restaurants that you like, Im always up for recommendations on good food. Your views of the mountains from the plane are amazing too.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Mandi! It's such a good time there. Also try Hanks, Husk and SNOB!
Jess @hellotofit says
Those mountains are GORGEOUS! Ray and I will be traveling to Charleston in a couple of weeks. I made dinner reservations at Magnolia's!
JulieWunder says
Oh fun!!! I'm so glad you get to go! Try Hanks, Husk, Saffron for bagels and the coconut cake at Charleston Grill 🙂
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
What a fabulous day trip, it looks gorgeous!
Thanks for linking up for #wednesdaywanderlust
JulieWunder says
Thanks Malinda! It was a great day!
Farrah says
I've never been to South Carolina, but my current apartment-mate is from there! 😀 Looks like you had a ton of fun, and yay for such a pretty view! I am all about the stuffed french toast lately--that looks all sorts of amazing! <3
JulieWunder says
It is! Charleston is a really cool place.
Diana Elle says
We're going to Charlotte in Dec, I'm hoping we get to drive to Charleston to visit!
JulieWunder says
It's a great place! I hope you get to go! So nice to see you here today!
vince DiCarlo says
So did you write the forecast for the flight?
JulieWunder says
Always 🙂
Debbie@debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com says
So glad you had a great Sunday in Charleston! What a beautiful place to spend your day. And that dessert looks yummy!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Debbie! It was a great day!
kathy says
I have never been to Charleston. I hope to go next Spring or Summer! You and your husband are a beautiful couple!
kathy says
I have never been to Charleston! I hope to go next spring or summer. You and your husband are such a beautiful couple!!
JulieWunder says
You are too kind! Thank you! Charleston is great-- you'll love it!
Dan Steadman says
favorite day trip is Asheville or the Blue Ridge, have been to Charleston once...favorite place is Hyman's Seafood in Charleston
JulieWunder says
Oh yeah... that place is sooo good. I don't even really like fried food, but I LOVE that!
Nicole L says
I love the southern charm of old town Charleston! And those aerial views of the trees..AMAZING!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! It's a special place. Great to see you today.
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says
The views of all of the fall foliage from the above is absolutely beautiful! It definitely seems like you got to see a lot during your day visit. Your brunch looks absolutely amazing, and I feel like I shouldn't have read this while hungry!
JulieWunder says
I totally feel ya!! I read way to many blogs hungry and then can't think straight! Great to see you today!
Lauren says
Ohhh I'm hoping to get to Charleston soon! I'll be moving down South in a week of so and this city is on of the top of my list! That brunch looks divine and I would make the trip alone for that ice cream sandwich!! 😀
JulieWunder says
You'll love it! It's a really unique place.
Jenny says
Ooooh, Charleston just sings to me! We get down there any and every chance we get. We love to stay at Charleston Place or Market Pavilion (um, rooftop bar!) and we love happy hour at Pearlz--try it next time and let me know what you think! And Toast for brunch, but I heard that they recently stopped their bottomless mimosas, so we might be looking for a new brunch spot...priorities. 😉 What a perfect Sunday you had!
JulieWunder says
I'll have to try happy hour at Pearlz! I've done Toast and love it-- we just didn't want to wait this time.
Have you done Hanks or Husk for dinner? Wow so good!
Jenny says
Yes! Hanks is nostalgic--my grandparents used to love going that place, so we still make a point to go. Husk is AMAZING! We went to Husk Nashville earlier this year, and loved that one too!
JulieWunder says
Ohhhh!!! I want to go back to Nashville!
Jenny says
🙂 So fun!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jenny! 🙂
Annmarie says
I have never been to Charleston but always wanted to go. I am a huge history buff and it seems like there are so many interesting things to see there!
JulieWunder says
Yes! We've done all the history stuff in the past, so didn't do it this time... but it's a perfect place for history!
Diane says
Love the fall foliage !! Food looks delightful and you guys look marvelous !
JulieWunder says
Thank you!!!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I am so jealous! I bet that having a plane really does open the door to more traveling opportunities! I love Charleston! We have been there in a few years, but every time we go, I always want to go to Gaulart & Maliclet.
Love the pictures! You look beautiful!
JulieWunder says
It's such a cool place. I do feel very blessed-- it's a lot of fun.
Tanja says
The ice-cream sandwich looks great! And the view from the helicopter,amazing! Looks like a nice day trip! #travel tuesday
JulieWunder says
Thank you! It was a lot of fun!
Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com says
Looks like you guys had a fantastic day trip! Just seeing that banana pudding stuffed french toast is making my mouth water! I need a spontaneous day trip in my near future!!
JulieWunder says
Yes you do! It's a lot of fun, especially when it involves stuffed french toast!
Blane Sherer says
See, there are advantageous to some spontaneous traveling ( smile ).
Loved those mountain shots from the air ( beautiful ).
That chocolate ice cream sandwich looked especially tasty !
JulieWunder says
Thank you! It was really good!