So apart from our little Toms Eco Lodge trip recently, our main family outing was to the US for a bit of a road trip, first stop Charleston…
We arrived to what has to be the smallest arrival hall I have yet experienced in the US. It was the middle of the night, and once we had navigated customs, it wasn’t long before we were out in the warm night air searching for the hire car and then on to our hotel for the next couple of days.
I would definitely recommend The Wyndham Garden City Hotel with its huge rooms, friendly staff and a plunge pool for an over-excited, completely jet-lagged 3-year old to let off a bit of steam in. A stay here also includes breakfast which happens to feature a waffle machine. Whilst probably standard in many a US hotel, this was THE BEST THING EVER for those of us under the age of 20…
As our hotel wasn’t in the Historic District, we had a short drive in every day over the beautiful bridge – but parking is easy and plentiful (during the week at least!). We parked next to the Visitor’s Center, worth a visit in itself if you happen to have a miniature train enthusiast with you as it’s currently housed in the Train Museum, and home to the most beautiful old green and red steam locomotive sweetly named “The Best Friend of Charleston”. It’s a good place to start anyway, as you can arrange tickets for many things here and advice on what you might like to see…
We spent the day exploring the extremely well preserved Historic District, taking in the obvious sights such as Rainbow Row, and the French Quarter, but also ducking off the beaten track from time to time to discover quieter things, our favourite of which had to be the a gorgeous old cemetery, quite overgrown and draped in Spanish Moss which meant it was very atmospheric.
Afterwards it was down to the waterfront to cool off in the fountains before the biggest seafood lunch at Fleet Landing. This place gets busy, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, but it’s definitely worth it.
Look out for the hundreds of tiny crabs that live along the river bank whilst you wait. If you like them, the oysters with cocktail sauce are Soooo good here. I can also recommend the shrimp po boy!
Having eaten enough for the remainder of our time in the US on our first day alone, we decided to take in a bit of Charleston Street Art and walk to the Aquarium…
Charleston far surpassed my expectations, it’s gorgeous and friendly and we would return for the very end of our stay too…
I have lived close to Charleston my whole life and have visited too many times to count, and it is so refreshing to see it through your eyes! So happy that you had a nice visit :)
Honestly Ava, we loved it. I would actually be happy to move there! :D Thanks so much! x
This is just how i imagine Charleston! Lovely photos and introduction, looking forward to reading more about your road trip. #farawayfiles
Thanks so much Nancy! :) x
Charleston is one of the places I’d most like to visit in America – it always looks so pretty and I love the architectural style of the buildings. Sounds like the seafood is well worth a visit too! Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
I know you would love it Clare, it’s so gorgeous! :)
I appreciate there is a lot more to charleston but my kids would have loved the waffle machine in the hotel too!
It’s the little things isn’t it? :D Thanks Karen!
How lovely!!! It’s a place I have yet to get to and I’m on this side of the pond!!! I hope your US stay was completely enjoyable.
We had such a great time. We will have to make it to Texas one day! :) xx
Charleston looks like such a haunting place – and I don’t just mean that beautiful cemetery! I’d love to go some time.
I would really recommend it Nell, it’s gorgeous! :)
My husband would die for those oysters. I love architecture too – Charleston looks wonderful
I loved everything about it, even the Oysters! :D x
This looks amazing. I love the Spanish moss in that cemetery it would be amazing to see and walk through I also imagine cooler too! We are planning to visit at some point as have friends that live there. So it’s really nice to see how family friendly it really is.
Oh you must, it’s such a beautiful area! :) x
Oh we love a good road trip and love the sound of this one. And a waffle machine you say?! Wow!
We had such a good time. Thanks Jenny! :)
Oh my gosh, I don’t blame you for digging into that amazing seafood. Charleston looks great. Love the street art you found.
Thanks Claire, it was fab! :) x
Sounds amazing xx
Thank you. xxx
The news and features we are fed by the press show America in a very different light, it restores my faith in human nature reading about such a quaint, beautiful town there.
It really is beautiful… I think we only get to hear negative things about a lot of places in our media… x