Explore the Carolinas: In the two states to our south, you’ll find beaches, cities, and mountain towns that make for idyllic vacation spots. Before you pack the car and head down I-95 this summer, get the lowdown on some new-to-you locations in North and South Carolina — and find out what’s new this year at your old favorites.
Drive time from Dulles: 8+ Hours
With its pastel-hued homes, cobblestone streets, and swaying palmetto trees, Charleston sings of romance. It’s a honeymooners’ paradise — but everyone else should visit, too. Founded in 1670, Charleston is chock-full of history that transforms to meet modern times. All you need to do is step outside to absorb its rich history and charm.
Cultural sites take a conscious approach to the past, paying homage to the enslaved people who made the city what it is today. During a self-guided walking tour, you’ll be able to marvel at the variety of architectural styles in the city, from the Colonial to the Art Deco to the Charleston single house, which faces south and sideways.
The neoclassical 1808 Nathaniel Russell House in the South of Broad neighborhood boasts a free-flying staircase. In the French Quarter, the Dock Street Theatre showcases intricate wrought-iron balconies. (Once known as the Planters Hotel, the structure is the last remaining antebellum hotel building in Charleston and has been reconstructed and transformed over the centuries.)
Iconic accommodations like the Wentworth Mansion, built in 1886, put you in the lap of landmark luxury, while The Loutrel, a 50-room boutique hotel, has a contemporary design influenced by the Holy City’s resplendent greenery. (The rooftop terrace, open to hotel guests, offers views of the tree line, plus the steeple of St. Philip’s historic church.)
At Charleston Waterfront Park, the beauty of the Charleston Harbor and Cooper River greets you, as does the pineapple fountain, a symbol of the city’s welcoming nature and charm. The park, which opened in 1990 after Hurricane Hugo’s destruction, provides an inviting spot to run, bird-watch, or just relax.
Throughout the city, you’ll find a helping of hospitality, whether it’s at restaurants, like Husk, or just out for coffee. For java, fuel up at Bad Bunnies in Cannonborough-Elliotborough — the floral walls beg for a photo — and enjoy a healthful lunch of avocado toast on Charleston gold rice bread at the new Alcove Market in Harleston Village. The market is the work of the Easton Porter Group, which is also behind the nearby Zero George Street hotel (and Virginia’s Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards) and its splurge-worthy caviar bar.
If timing suits, enjoy a Spoleto Festival USA show: Dock Street is among the locations for the annual performing arts bonanza from May 26 to June 11, with opera, theater, dance, and more.
Head out of downtown to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, a 30-minute drive inland. The destination has been open to the public since the 1870s, allowing folks to admire the 66 acres of gardens replete with river views, Spanish moss, and flora — azaleas in the spring, and magnolias in the summer. Four former slave cabins have been restored and are part of the guided From Slavery to Freedom tour, included in garden admission.
Charleston’s barrier islands beckon for leisurely waterside activities. The 1,049-foot pier at Folly Beach reopened in December after a two-year renovation and features Moonlight Mixers (family-friendly evenings with dancing, food, and drink) from May to July. Just 21 miles from Charleston is Kiawah Island and its eponymous golf resort. It’s worth it to spend at least a night at the resort, which has been undergoing a massive renovation since 2017. A tip for NoVA pickleball fans: The resort is introducing two dedicated courts this spring. Charmed, we’re sure.
Where to Stay
The 45-room Palmetto Hotel opened in March in the renovated former home of the Saint Hotel. It pays homage to Charleston with antique lobby settees reupholstered with fabric made from an early 20th-century Isle of Palms postcard print and a palmetto chandelier. Its location in the French Quarter puts it close to attractions like City Market.
Where to Eat
Vern’s. Locals love the new American cuisine from Daniel Heinze, a semifinalist for a 2023 James Beard Award.
Cold Shoulder Gourmet. Go for the sandwiches, but realize they sell out early.
Fiat Lux. Enjoy the food and views from this glam rooftop at the Hotel Bennett. Its rosy-hued Camellias indoor Champagne bar sparks joy, too.
Sorelle. For dinner, try the Pillows of Gold ricotta tortelloni at this trendy new Italian restaurant from chef Michael Mina.
Good for Newbies
Book a guided excursion, if you’re unsure of striking out on your own. Charleston Bicycle Tours will have you admiring the harbor from the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Two Sisters Tours, led by a pair of native Charlestonians, will walk you along the Battery — a defensive seawall and promenade along the peninsula lined by antebellum mansions. On the water? Try Coastal Expeditions’ three-hour Shem Creek kayak expedition to see manatees (and more) in the summer. And pick up a locally made item (maybe a feather-clad bow tie by Brackish) at Preservation Society of Charleston on the shop-lined King Street.
What’s New
The much-anticipated International African American Museum opens in June. Located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf — a major former slave-trading port — the museum houses upward of 700 artifacts from the 17th century on that explore the African American journey, cultural heritage, and beginnings. A genealogy and ancestry resource center and memorial garden are on site.
This story originally ran in our May issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
