CHS Summer Bucket List Bingo

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Beach, please.

There are three islands with public beaches within 25-30 minutes from downtown Charleston, but my personal favorite is Sullivan’s Island, known for being the locals beach (no short term rentals here), as well as former home to Edgar Allen Poe. Here are the essential spots for a great summer beach day. 

Sullivan's Island Beach

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This is my favorite Charleston beach spot! Known as the local's beach, celebrities like Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert have homes on the island, but all the beach stations are public and popular with locals and tourists. There is lots of free street parking, just make sure to read the signs and keep your tires off the actual road. Visible alcohol is banned on all Charleston beaches, so make sure to keep it in a cooler and drink from an opaque tumbler to avoid being fined.

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Poe's Tavern

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The beer tastes better at Poe’s Tavern after a day on the beach, but their specialty burgers will forever be their signature item, all of which can be subbed with a vegetarian patty. Named after the famously dark poet who spent a few years living on Sullivan's island, Edgar Allen Poe's poetry is written on the stalls of the bathroom. They don't take reservations, so get there early to beat the line.

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The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery

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This is a place where at any given time of day you will both see vacationers buying bottles of frose and locals sipping $1 hot coffee- stop off to grab a breakfast or lunch sandwich on your way to the beach! Yes, the frose flavors rotate daily, yes everything is pink, and yes you can get it as a flight with penis gummies... best of luck sticking to that breakfast sandwich ;)

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Afternoon on Shem Creek

Historically, Shem Creek was home to the shrimp docks and ice house in the small town of Mt. Pleasant. You can still go there to buy fresh caught Mt. Pleasant Seafood, but most locals go to drink and dine along the water or access the water by boat or paddle board. All great options, and you are bound to spot both dolphins and a few drunken visitors on tiki boats in the process.  

Visit Shem Creek

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Historically, Shem Creek was home to the shrimp docks and ice house in the small town of Mt. Pleasant. You can still go there to buy fresh caught Mt. Pleasant Seafood or grab a drink on the water. Shem Creek's public park has free parking and you can take the boardwalk pretty far into the water.

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Coastal Expeditions on Shem Creek

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Likely your best rental option if you opt to kayak or paddle board with Shem Creek as your launch pad. Just make sure you do this BEFORE ordering a rum bucket from the nearby Red's Ice House.

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All the frozen things you need in your life

Order a Paradise Whip from Pineapple Hut

The Pineapple Hut

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Nothing says summer in Charleston like a Pineapple full of whip, which you can buy at locations on Folly Beach or downtown Charleston. The paradise whip is not only delicious, but incredibly instagram-worthy, as the vegan soft serve comes in a full pineapple. It also melts fast, so share with a friend or opt for a smaller cup topped with sprinkles or Tajin.

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The Pineapple Hut

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This is the OG location on Folly Beach, but read longer description in downtown location.

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Order an ice cream flight at Off Track

Off Track Ice Cream

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Tucked just around the corner from bustling King Street, Off Track offers innovative, made from scratch ice cream flavors with local ingredients, so its hard to choose just one! Luckily you don’t have to when you spring for an ice cream flight, or opt for an ice cream sandwich between their freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies.

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Order a Game Changer at Home Team BBQ

Home Team BBQ

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It’s all in the name, you’ve been warned! This beloved SC BBQ spot’s frozen drinks are just as well-known as their meats. The frozen Irish coffee is also delicious, but pair with the loaded nachos for sustenance. There are multiple locations around town, but this one is the most central

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Home Team BBQ

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Just make sure to pair your game changers and/or frozen Irish coffee with some water if you opt for the Sullivan’s Island location- you are likely in need of some serious re-hydration following a fun beach day.

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Bike or walk along the Battery seawall

The Battery seawall was used for protection from artillery fire during the Civil War, and now from flooding during hurricane season. Start at White Point Gardens and walk along the water while admiring a row of antebellum mansions facing one of the city’s most historic landmarks. You can also see Fort Sumter from here when looking out at the harbor,

White Point Garden

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White Point Garden has some of the oldest iconic oak trees on the Charleston peninsula. Start there, then walk a long the Battery, the elevated seawall and sidewalk along the southernmost point of the city and surrounded by historic antebellum mansions.

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Get out on a boat!

Why settle for views of the water when you could be out on it? The Daniel Island Ferry is an easy, affordable option that takes you to and from downtown. For dolphin or sunset tours of full day boat charters, check out Coastal Expeditions or Holy City Boat Tours.

Daniel Island Ferry

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The Daniel Island Ferry is an easy, affordable way to get out on the water while visiting Charleston. The route takes you to and includes views of the famous Ravenel bridge. Check the daily time tables, but it usually runs through sunset.

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Drink downtown on a rooftop

There aren’t too many tall buildings in downtown Charleston, since historically none could stand higher than the neighborhood church steeple, which later lead to it being nicknamed the Holy City. So while there are less rooftop bars, they have wonderful, unobstructed views. 

Citrus Club

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My all time favorite Charleston rooftop bar is The Citrus Club, located at the top of The Dewberry. You get views of downtown, church steeples, and Marion Square on one side, plus water views and the Ravenel Bridge along the other. Enter through the main entrance of the Dewberry on Meeting Street and walk to the desk by the elevators - the concierge will give you a pass to access the rooftop. Get there at least an hour before sunset for optimal seating.

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Sunday brunch and beer at Holy City Brewing

Holy City Brewing

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Charleston is nicknamed the Holy City, and it's also the name of one of its most popular, longtime local breweries. Its located 15 minutes north of downtown in the trendy Park Circle neighborhood, with a huge outdoor bar and patio along Noisette Creek. Sunday brunch is served all day, and there's a monthly Holy City Farmer’s Market. If your dates don’t line up with the market, no worries, there is bound to be another special event happening that weekend.

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Attend a Charleston RiverDogs baseball game

Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park

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In Charleston, you go to a baseball game for the sunsets. Ok, also the cheap beer and possibly Bill Murray sightings… but mainly the sunsets! The RiverDogs baseball stadium is located on the peninsula, caddy corner to the Ashley River and surrounded by marshland, so MAKE SURE to go out back to watch the sunset while attending a minor league game. Plus, Bill Murray is part owner and self-appointed “Director of Fun” for the Charleston RiverDogs baseball team and often attends the games.

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The Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Ballpark is also featured in: 

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8 Spots to Watch the Sunset in Charleston

Ain’t no sunset like a Lowcountry sunset, especially in the fall. The perfect combo of salty sea breeze, lapping waves, and pink streaked skies will have you all up in your feelings. Here are 8 different spots that will take you all over the city as you chase those magnificent hues- a great break between all the great food and drink you are undoubtedly consuming.

Nature • Photography • Beach • Relaxation

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Schedule a 30, 60, or 90 minute call to pick my brain on all things Charleston, personalize your travel itinerary, and/or cover logistical details that only a local would know.

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Where to Stay in Downtown Charleston

Charleston remains a top travel destination (Travel + Leisure just ranked it as the "Best City in the U.S. to visit" for its 11th consecutive year), but that also means the options of where to stay in this southern foodie town continue to grow. Take it from a local who lived and works downtown - there are plenty of options and they all are not created equal. You want historic charm paired with modern amenities, and bonus points for walkability so you can enjoy those cobblestone streets and and an excuse for a nightcap. These local hotel recommendations have all those things and each offer their own unique flair. The list is roughly ordered from most to least expensive, but may vary by season and availability.

Couples • Female Solo • Car-free • Groups • Architecture • Art • Boutique • Luxury • History • People & Culture • Romantic • Shopping • Foodie

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For any questions, always feel free to reach out to me via email (emma@travelfilled.com) or DM me on Instagram (@travel.filled)