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Where to Stay
We stayed at The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina! This is located just across the water from Charleston in Mount Pleasant and is PERFECT for kids! Only 10 minutes away from Downtown Charleston, you are just outside the hustle and bustle/nightlife of the busy streets but still close enough you can easily get there by their complimentary water taxi or shuttle! We stayed on The Beach Club side and the rooms were huge! We could easily fit a pack n play in the bathroom and the hallway without interfering with our use of the space. In the summer months they even offer kids camps with blow up inflatables on their lawn!
Day 1
Coffee and Breakfast at Vintage Cafe
Start your day off with coffee and breakfast at Vintage Cafe. This adorable coffee shop is perfect for families. They have a vintage truck out back that they converted to a playground! It’s super close to resort, located on the Mount Pleasant side!
Take the Ferry to the Charleston Aquarium
You can take the water taxi from The Beach Club and it will drop you off right at the Aquarium, or you can drive. Driving will be faster, the Ferry will take you about 30 minutes one way, but it is beautiful to get out on the water and you may even see some dolphins! The aquarium is perfect for kids and toddlers, our boys had the best time!
Shop in Charleston
You can walk from the aquarium to experience some excellent shopping in Charleston on King Street! I recommend bringing a stroller for small children as it is a lot of walking and great exercise. Some of my favorite shops are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and also Spartina 449, Gordon’s Hat Shop, and Reformation!
Head Back to the Beach Club for Lunch and Naps
The Beach Club has an amazing pool and great places to eat, including a Tiki bar with excellent frozen beverages for Mom and Dad while the kiddos nap. We enjoyed a refreshing drink on our balcony that overlooked the pool and Marina, will the kiddos napped inside. After naps we hopped in the pool with the boys! The front desk even has complimentary popsicles and stuffed animals for your littles!
Dinner at Sorelle
We have a friend who lives in Charleston that was able to babysit for us at the resort. We took an Uber into town for Dinner at Sorelle, which was unreal! I ordered the handmade pasta dish with caviar and it was the best thing I have ever eaten! Everything we ordered was a hit! We will definitely be back, I highly recommend this restaurant!
Day 2
Coffee and Breakfast at The Daily and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Kick off day 2 with a delicious coffee from The Daily, their modern interiors and mouth watering coffee will not disappoint! Next, swing by Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (CHLB) on your way to the Children’s Museum (you order at the counter). Be sure to try their original breakfast sandwich and their hot honey chicken if you like some spice!
Head to The Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum is conveniently located right in downtown Charleston! They have endless fun activities and zones for kids to play and explore. You can pop in and out for lunch or shopping without having to repurchase a ticket. It is an excellent way to burn some energy with your littles in some air conditioning.
Lunch a Leon’s Oyster Shop
Next we hopped in the car and headed to Leon’s Oyster Shop, one of our all time favorite lunch spots in Charleston! Their grilled oysters are an absolute must and my husband still dreams about the fried chicken! It is a fun, casual environment, great for families.
Head Back to the Beach Club for Lunch and Naps and Swimming
The Beach Club in itself could fill your entire weekend so we wanted to fit in some time for swimming in their excellent pools and enjoying some beverages poolside!
Dinner at Husk
Our sitter was able to come both nights so we headed into town to Husk for dinner. They serve upscale southern fair in an old historic mansion, in true Charleston fashion! You must try the deviled eggs!
Drinks at Iron Rose and Felix
Iron Rose is directly across the street from Husk and is the perfect spot for before or after dinner drinks! They have a beautiful courtyard centered around a historic fountain with magical lighting. They often have live acoustic music as well and their drinks are fantastic! If you want to experience King Street and walk off some of your dinner, we recommend having a night cap at Felix on King Street. They have excellent egg white drinks that taste like a delicious nightcap dessert!
Day 3
BKeDSHoP Gourmet Donut
Start your day off with coffee and breakfast at BKeDSHoP Cafe. This adorable bakery and coffee shop is so delicious and has a fun modern style. They sell adorable plants, pots, and gifts as well! You have to try their gourmet pretzels!! I still think about them today!!
Sullivan Beach and Hit the Road
If you have more time before heading out of town, you could take the kids to Sullivan Beach to run around and burn some energy. There are tons of fun restaurants (list below) and the beach is beautiful! They will be nice and tired for the trip home! 🙂
Family Friendly Charleston Recommendations
KID FRIENDLY SPOTS
Rancho Lewis
Edmunds Oast Brewing Co
Home Team BBQ
The LongBoard
BREAKFAST SPOTS
Vintage Cafe
The Daily
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Poogan’s Porch
The Harken
LUNCH SPOTS
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Rancho Lewis
DINNER SPOTS
FIG
Lowland
Husk
Sorelle
Halls Chop House
BBQ SPOTS
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Lewis BBQ
Home Team BBQ
SULLIVANS ISLAND SPOTS
Home Team BBQ (casual)
The Obstinate Daughter
The Longboard
Mex1 Coastal Cantina
