Charleston is a beautiful walkable city and the architecture is stunning. I’ll leave the tourist stops for the experts, but here are a few of my favorite Charleston artists, restaurants, cocktail spots, art galleries, and shopping.
THE VENDUE - CHARLESTON'S ART HOTEL
This historic hotel is not only surrounded by art galleries, but their tagline is ‘Charleston’s Art Hotel’ and they showcase over 300 pieces of art on their property. They employ full-time docents on staff, offer daily art tours, and have an artist-in-residence program with openings receptions open to the public. They also have a rooftop bar with views of the city.
THE PAVILLION BAR AT MARKET PAVILLION HOTEL
Do you see a pattern here?
This rooftop is fancy. There’s even a pool on it, which is very old-school elegant, and I love it. But you can still show up casually dressed and enjoy magnificent views of the city. The drinks aren’t cheap but you’re paying for the atmosphere and a view of the Charleston steeples, the Ravenel bridge, and the rest of the city.
THE SOUTHEASTERN WILDLIFE EXPOSITION
SEWE began in the 1980s and now the annual exhibit features over 500 artists, exhibitors, and wildlife experts from around the world each February. My dad’s company business took him there every year, and I have significant memories of enjoying the art exhibits, along with a few nice dinners with mom and dad.
The nice dinner with mom and dad always included the crispy flounder at Anson, and a stay and at the boutique historic Ansonborough Inn, which includes ‘an afternoon wine and cheese social.’ My mom and I went back to Anson for dinner last month, and the crispy flounder with apricot shallot sauce was as delicious as I remember.
Seafood, always seafood.
I love eating outdoors and especially near water. Don’t miss Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar. Try to get a table on their outdoor deck. I always like oysters and a glass of prosecco, but everything is good.
A few more of my favorite restaurants … FIG for local ingredients and seasonal menus, Poogan’s Porch for southern food, and a damn good Bloody Mary.
Stop at Husk for regional ingredients posted with sources posted on the chalkboard by the door.
Try 82 Queen for iconic Lowcountry food, a New Orleans’ style courtyard, and my favorite she-crab soup.
The Darling Oyster Bar
The Darling Oyster Bar is the perfect stop for raw oysters, a cocktail, and people watching.
Ok, I’m not there just for the food, but the restaurant scene IS phenomenal in Charleston.
ART GALLERIES
Charleston has tons of art galleries, and I haven’t been to them all, so let me know if I missed one you love! Here are a few of my favorites:
Miller Gallery. It’s bright, it’s cheerful, it’s welcoming. They also carry beautiful handmade art gift items. I bought a cool pair of earrings there the last time I visited.
Meyer Vogl Gallery is a contemporary gallery owned by three women who are committed to serving the community. Laurie Meyer and Melissa Vogl also show their work there, alongside other talented artists.
Don’t miss my all-time favorite artist, Betty Anglin Smith, and Anglin Smith Fine Art Gallery, which she owns with her triplets, who are also artists. Two are painters and one is a photographer. I stop there EVERY time in Charleston. Which is often.
Redux Contemporary Art Center offers art exhibits, lecture series, and also houses studios for 38 contemporary artists. They also have a community printmaking and darkroom facility. They offer quarterly open studios and regular exhibitions.
Don’t miss a stop at Artist and Craftsman Supply for art supplies. It’s the coolest, local feeling art supply store in town. At least I think so.
Other highlights…I’m not much of a shopper, but I do LOVE shopping on King Street, and stopping at King Street Cookies. Warm cookies and really cold, all you can drink milk. Need I say more?
It sounds like I eat and drink A LOT, but I really love to walk this city, there is so much to see!
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