Charleston Getaway: A Holiday Weekend of Charm and History

We had planned a holiday weekend in Charleston to enjoy the festivities and decorations.

We arrived on a Thursday afternoon and took an Uber to our hotel. Having visited the area previously, we didn't require a rental car for our short city stay. We stayed downtown at the Limited Hotel, conveniently located in the historic district between Meeting and King Streets, a 20-minute walk from the Charleston City Market. The property is part of Marriott’s Tribute Collection.

That first night we had reservations at the Oak Steakhouse, considered one of the top restaurants in town. It's a small chain with seven locations nationwide. Although we had an early reservation, the place was already bustling with large groups celebrating holiday parties. My 14-ounce prime New York strip was satisfactory, but my wife’s filet mignon was overcooked. We ordered a $14 family-sized whipped potato side, which was barely enough for one person and tasted like it was from a box. When we shared our experience with the manager, they appeared indifferent. We will certainly not be returning to this disappointing establishment.

For Friday morning we had secured for a guided tour of the Edmonton-Alston House, a mansion we hadn't explored previously. It offers a stunning view of Charleston Harbor. Featuring Corinthian columns and a rooftop piazza, the house is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, which was popular in the early 19th century. The Alston family still owns it, and its interior remains preserved to resemble its appearance 150 years ago.

We enjoyed a delightful barbecue lunch at Poogan's Smokehouse on East Bay Street. Afterwards we walked through the City Market and had drinks at Henry’s on the Market. Established in 1932, it is the oldest restaurant in Charleston and South Carolina. The atmosphere was pleasant, and there was a good band playing. Our next activity was the Holiday "Sleigh" Ride. You climb aboard a specially decorated carriage driven by one of Santa’s elves. After a 20-minute caroling ride, you visit Santa’s workshop for cookies, cocoa, and a photo. It was a very festive experience.

We had dinner reservations at 82 Queen, an award-winning restaurant in the French Quarter renowned for its local cuisine. We savored the duck and the shrimp & grits. We enjoyed the duck and the shrimps & grits.  Before returning to our hotel, we visited the Charleston Place to see their legendary famous snowfall show. The hotel is stunningly decorated for the season with numerous Christmas trees. It was a delightful experience. We would love to return to Charleston and stay there for a few nights.

We spent Saturday morning at Marion Square exploring the Charleston Holiday Market. I wouldn't choose to go there again since most of the vendors weren't related to the holiday theme.

While in town we had purchased tickets for a matinee at the Charleston Music Hall to see the Charleston Christmas Special, which featured a cast of 28 professional singers, dancers, and musicians. It was an excellent Christmas show. Our next destination was at the Blind Tiger Pub, a well-known spot in Charleston famous for its Christmas decorations. It's a lively and enjoyable place to spend time. Later, we dined at Virginia’s on King, a restaurant offering Southern cooking in Lowcountry style. We thoroughly enjoyed their fried chicken dinner. On our walk back to the hotel, we made a final stop at Prohibition, a bar and restaurant with vintage-inspired decor. It was also beautifully decorated for the holidays and was bustling due to the winter commencement ceremony at the College of Charleston.

Our flight was scheduled for late afternoon on Sunday, so we had booked brunch at Church and Union, a restaurant situated in a former church. However, due to a storm causing record-breaking rainfall in the city, the restaurant was flooded, and we couldn't get in. Instead, we returned to the Charleston Place Hotel and enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch buffet at the Palmetto Café.

We had a wonderful experience in Charleston, an excellent destination for holiday celebrations. The city boasts fantastic hotels and restaurants, which should be reserved ahead of time if you plan to visit on weekends.