Charleston, South Carolina, is much more than the clip-clop of horses drawing carriages down cobblestone streets lined with moss-covered oak trees and stately antebellum homes. (But yes, there is all of that, too.) The modern Charleston melds the city’s rich past with a thriving culinary and culture scene. Southern chefs and bartenders are leading the way with inventive dishes and creative cocktails, as the roster of dining options expands monthly. Room counts are growing year by year, and the new accommodations certainly don’t lack for style. One of the best in the city is Zero George, a 16-room stay carved out from five early-19th-century buildings. The owners, Dean Andrews and Lynn Easton, also operate Cannon Green, an eatery and event venue located inside what was once an industrial art gallery. When asked what one should do with a weekend in the Holy City, Easton opens with this: “Oh, Charleston, where to start? Maybe with dinner reservations!” Below, Easton shares her secrets for getting the most out of her hometown, naming all those insider spots only a local would know.
“To experience the best of contemporary Charleston, make your dinner reservations early, as the hot restaurants book at least a month out,” says Easton of Charleston’s award-winning culinary lineup. A weekend is not enough time to do the foodie scene justice, but who says you have to stop at three meals a day? “You’d do well to give our hotel's Zero Restaurant + Bar a call, as well as the Ordinary for Mike Lata’s wizardry with fresh local seafood; FIG for everything fresh and delicious; Husk for Sean Brock’s acclaimed menu; or Charleston Grill for elevated cuisine and service, plus live jazz. For more casual Lowcountry fare, venture beyond the peninsula out to Bowen’s Island for oysters, or the Wreck on Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek for off-the-docks fried shrimp. Downtown there are some spots for a more casual dinner or lunch: Try Leon’s Oyster Shop or a lobster roll at 167 Raw. Then top off your weekend with Sunday brunch at Cannon Green.”
“Then when you get here, dig in and don’t worry about the calories. You’ll spend the rest of your weekend moving,” Easton says. First up, a morning bike ride around the peninsula—a route that will take you around the Battery, past Colonial Lake, and up to Hampton Park for an overview of all the different neighborhoods. There’s also city-operated walking tours that will “lead you down charming alleyways and give historical context to the architecture, gardens, and other important places.” But the best way to experience the steeple-dotted skyline, Easton thinks, is by water. “I love a sunset sail around the Battery.”
For shopping, King Street has been the commercial heart of Charleston for centuries, and today it’s as vibrant as ever. “One of my favorites is Hampden Clothing,” Easton says. “They keep my wardrobe fresh without being too trendy.” She also notes that folks at RTW are experts at finding the right pieces that fit your style, and at Ibu on Lower King Street “you’ll feel transported to distant lands where exuberant color, textures, and meticulously handcrafted pieces imbue global glamour.” Susan Hull Walker opened the boutique last year and is dedicated to showcasing the work of female artisans from around the world. To find something dapper for the men in your life, Easton suggests dropping by Billy Reid. “And don’t miss family-owned stalwarts like Croghan’s Jewel Box and Bob Ellis Shoes for quintessential Charleston flavor.”
As a city that dates from the late 1600s, it's no surprise that Charleston is an antiquer's delight, and there’s no better place to peruse than Lower King Street. “Beeline to John Pope Antiques; you won’t be disappointed,” says Easton. “His eclectic collection is top-notch.” She also suggests Alexandra, which specializes in delightful French antiques. Art galleries are everywhere, and more often than not they warrant a trip inside. “I love the variety of original work, much of it local, at Corrigan Gallery on Queen Street, as well as the contemporary offerings at George Gallery in a fabulous old storefront on Bogard Street.”
If you’re looking for experiences farther off the beaten path, “Visit the Firefly Distillery about 30 minutes away on Wadmalaw Island. It’s a fun way to sample Lowcountry spirits and get a taste of rural sea island beauty. An equally rewarding excursion is out to Middleton Place in the Ashley River Plantation District to roam the storied camellia gardens and hear about colonial history,” says Easton. “And downtown, check out the cooking class schedule at my hotel's Zero Restaurant + Bar.”
