I recently traveled to Charleston, South Carolina  and was just in awe of all its beauty! To be honest, I didn’t know much about the place, I do however, just hearing about the public apology the city played during slavery. As well as the church massacre that happened by a white supremasist. Also, college students having to dael with issues with racist posters on campus. As much as I wanted to enjoy Charleston, SC for what it was, I couldn’t shake the fact that this place has some deeply rooted racial issues, so I decided to do a little research! I wish I would have done research before I went so that I could visit more places.

Lessons I Learned:

1. “The city was built on slave labor and, for nearly 200 years, thrived under a slave economy.” (Post and Courior.) 40% of the slaves were brought throught the port in Charleston, SC. They had a huge number of slaves because SC’s number one crop was rice and they needed a lot of people for labor.
2. “The Gullah are a distinctive group of African Americans whose origins lie along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, as well as the adjacent sea islands. They live in small farming and fishing units, having formed a tightly knit community that has survived slavery, the Civil War, and the emergence of modern American culture.” (African American History SC.)
3. The Civil War started in the ports of Charleston, SC. “The bloodiest four years in American history begin when Confederate shore batteries under General P.G.T. Beauregard open fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Bay. ” (History)

There is so much more… however I want to get to the good stuff. Although there is such a deep dark history, Charelston has remained gorgeous and I want to give you a little tour!

First stop, FOOD

My family and I ventured around to some pretty great places and another thing I learned is that Charleston is a foodie city! So make sure you check out yelp and stay away from commercialized spots!

Water’s Edge
Out of 5 stars, I give this place a 2
The restaurant didn’t seem busy at all yet, it was a 25 minute wait for 4 and a baby. When we sat, our server didn’t seem interested in us i.e. he was super quiet and quick when we had questions, refilling our water and just seemed like he didn’t want to bother with us. Our food came 45 minutes after we ordered and was room temp as if it had been sitting for some time. I ordered the shrimp and grits which was meh, my aunt and cousin ordered po’boys and their fries were cold and they only ate the inside of the sammich and my other cousin ate the fried seafood platter, despite it being cold, she said she enjoyed it. The restaurant was beautiful and I loved the scene, felt like I was on a boat. Plenty of windows facing the water.

Basil Thai
Out of 5 stars I give this a 4
The wait was fairly quick and the restaurant super cute! We sat in the booth, which was entirely too dark, I couldn’t really read the menu! We ordered appetizers the chicken wings and wontons, I loved the chicken wings! It came out super HOT AND FAST! Our entrees included, Green Curry, Basil Thai Fried Rice and Pad Thai. I liked my Pad thai but I wasn’t blown away! What I did love about the Pad thai is that it came with shrimp and chicken! The others enjoyed their food! The service was amazing! They were on top of their water refill game and just kind all around.

My ultimate FAVORITE was

HOM Charleston
Out of 5 Stars, I give it 5 Stars
This was an amazing burger joint! I was craving a burger with a GLUTEN-Free bun! They had so many options beef burgers aswell as alternatives. They had an amazing amount of choices when it came to fries which is ALA CART by the way! You may end up leaving there paying at least $15 for a burger and fries. I ordered the classic double burger… OH EM GEE IT WAS AMAZING! I had to order some BBQ sauce because it was a bit too salty. My cousins ordered the backyard burger and the cowboy killer and we inhaled them! We loved the sweet potato fries that had blue cheese on them as well as the seasoned fries!

Second Stop, BEACHES!

I feel horrible for not taking more photos! We were just so relaxed enjoying the water and the peace and calm the water brings! I did not like that I could not see in the water… I was slightly nervous 🙂

Folly Beach
Out of 5 Stars I give it a 4
The little city surrounding the beach was so gorgeous! Lots of restaurants and shops that I did not get to explore! We drove straight to the beach, paid for parking and set up shop! WE stayed out there for hours! Be sure to have food, tent, chairs, towels and towels!!! Extra clothes and shoes even lol! They have a rinse station that gets crowed and a change station. They had a porta bathroom which wasn’t horrible!

Kiawah Island
Out of 5 Stars, I give it a 4
This beach was a bit further than Folly Beach! I really loved that they had a display of the history of the island. They talked about the slaves and how it was built. They had a little market you could buy snack, boogie boards and more. Their facilities were great, real bathrooms and a great rinsing area with benches! Same water, so I couldn’t see through it!

Third Stop, Historic Downtown, French Quarters…

I absolutely fell in love with the gorgeous massive homes, the architecture, the gardens, the gas lamps, cobble stone ground and the way they made sad looking places beautiful! I didn’t get a chance to delve into the history behind the photos… but here, take a look!

I wish I had…. 

1. Taken tours of historic sites
2. Visited musuems/historical sites
3. Eaten more food
4. Take way more pictures
5. Bought a grassbasket
6. Talk to business owners

I had an amazing time traveling with my aunt and cousins! It was truly a blessing! We all live all over the country and this vacation was just what I needed!

Well… that is the end of the Photo Diary! I hope you enjoyed and hope you put Charleston, SC on your travel bucket list!!!

Let me know what you think! Have you been before? What did you love? What did you feel?