CC Travels

Haylee and I took a MUCH NEEDED weekend getaway to Charleston, South Carolina. I have heard so many good things about Charleston and if I had more time on the east coast, I would absolutely be returning in the summer. Perfect for a girls trip to escape with endless mimosa’s and brunch, or even a romantic weekend for two.

The drive itself was only about 5hrs from Jacksonville, NC, but we stopped at the halfway point in Myrtle Beach, SC, to explore the pier for an hour. We even saw a local fisherman catch a baby shark!

We paid $12 each just to catch some photogenic views on the SkyWheel…but who are we kidding? We were the views. Get yourself a best friend that knows all your good angles.

After driving all day, we didn’t make it very far from our hotel the first night except for a literal feast at Red Lobster. Believe it or not, I had never been. I don’t know if it was the exhaustion or the massive caloric surplus of food we put down, but Haylee and I ended up laughed hysterically throughout the entire meal. You know those people you can do nothing with, but it feels like you’re having the absolute best time? She’s it for me. We could probably sit in a box and be easily entertained by our own jokes for hours.

Saturday morning we stopped at Page’s Okra Grill and fell in love. Page’s is the kind of restaurant you go to if you want to enjoy not only the food you came for but also the people you came with. We realized that once we saw people walking around with giant mimosa carafe’s, this was the place for us.

A large open patio with covered seating and a walk-up bar to enjoy a drink while you wait. I imagine Page’s is a restaurant almost guaranteed with at least some amount of time on the table wait list so I wouldn’t recommend stopping by if you’re in a hurry…or plan driving anytime soon after you indulge in their fabulous drink menu.

I ordered the Bacon Bloody Mary and shared a mimosa with Haylee while we waited for our table. Do you have the desire to be slightly drunk at breakfast with your best friend? Just follow in our footsteps because that’s EXACTLY what happened. As I’ve mentioned in my Ireland Series, I am not much of a drinker and I am always very hesitant to order alcohol with my food as it tends to ruin the flavor for me. I’m 23 and don’t jump at the offer of an alcoholic beverage? I know, sue me. However, my Bacon Bloody Mary was INCREDIBLE. Which only makes sense as it is voted #1 in Charleston. The mimosa was fantastic as well (anything with an entire bottle of champagne for two lightweights is probably fantastic 100% of the time). I ordered the Crab Cake breakfast which consisted of crab cake patties over an English muffin with eggs and hollandaise sauce. Plus, a side of home fries and cheese. It could’ve been the alcohol, but I almost cried when I took my first bite it was just that good.

Once our blood alcohol content lowered to a reasonable level, we stopped at the USS Yorktown which was built during WWII as the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy. This is the closest I’ve ever been to the “real” Navy (even though she decommissioned in 1970), as I’ve only been stationed in hospitals and clinics so far. Afterward, I surprised Haylee with a visit to the Angel Oak in Johns Island right outside of Charleston. This tree is 400-500 years old and stands 66ft tall.

Next stop: The Boone Hall Plantation. Where are my The Notebook fans? I knew that Nicholas Sparks has his novels mostly based in the Carolina’s, but I had no idea this plantation was Ali’s house in the movie. I originally just wanted to see the infamous long driveway covered in the low hanging mossy oak tree branches, but having scenes from one of my favorite movies come to life was the cherry on top. We parked ahead of the driveway and changed in my back seat, much to the disappointment (or happiness) of passerby’s. The scenery was far too beautiful not to take advantage of.

For dinner, we had pizza downtown at Mellow Mushroom and tried to get into a frat house at the College of Charleston. Not to party, but just to say I have stepped into one and then leave. Mission was not successful, but the adventure in the process was well worth it.

Sunday morning we had brunch at The Husk, another amazing restaurant downtown on King Street in a Victorian-era house. A farm to table kind of restaurant and satisfied our taste for…you guessed it, MIMOSA’S! We walked around downtown (the iconic and colorful King Street plus a few side streets) while we waited for our table. Charleston is a perfect mix of sweet southern charm and laid back beach vibes.

Having had just recently returned from my amazing trip to Ireland, this collection of seemingly simple stone bricks really hit an emotional chord for me. Placed in SC in 1851, the stone pillar stands at the Hibernian Hall for the Hibernian Hall Society in downtown Charleston, honoring the organization’s founders with stone from Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway (in Northern Ireland and was originally on my itinerary had the weather been more pleasant up North). The society was founded in 1801 as an Irish benevolent organization, their president rotates from Catholic to Protestant.

My senses were constantly overwhelmed from the beautiful scenery and amazing food–we could’ve stayed happily for another week. The South has so much to offer in its history and charm. I plan on making a trip even further south to Savannah, Georgia possibly this fall.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Don’t forget you can get $15 credited to your account for future lodging reservations if you use my Booking.com coupon (652ccd93). $100 limit per coupon code so get to booking 😉