Charleston

We took a quick trip to Charleston with the family over Christmas break.

The boys enjoyed touring the USS Yorktown while the girls shopped.

We made a stop at Charles Towne Landing, the birth place of South Carolina.  Although it was freezing cold the day we visited, we all enjoyed walking along the trails and learning about the first settlers.

700 year old live oak.

The park has a small zoo that houses animals native to the area.  This buffalo was huge!

One day we had lunch at Poe's Taveran on Sullivan Island.  The tavern is named after Edgar Allen Poe who  lived on Sullivan's island for 13 months while in the army. 

Best burger!  They grind fresh beef every morning for their burgers.

I would definitely recommend stopping by Sullivan's Island ( about 10 min from downtown Charleston) to eat at Poe's Tavern.  The atmosphere is unique, the food is great, and there is plenty of outdoor seating which is always a plus.

We spent alot of time downtown shopping and wondering the steets looking at all the wonderful old homes.

Loved the Savannah Bee Company.

Of course we had to stop in Anthropologie since the closets one we have is in ATL.  Their props and displays are always so cute.  I love these cakes and cupcakes made of carboard.  This would be a great for little girls who like playing "tea party."

We started off our last day in Charleston with a carriage ride.  This is not a cheap activity but so worth it.

The carriage tour is about a hour long and takes you through the historic district.

On our last day we continued to explore downtown.

Christopher taking it easy

We also toured the Calhoun house.  This tour was terrible.  The house is filled (every table is full of 50 vases, the walls are fill of animal heads and paintings, and there is furniture in every nook and cranny) with goddy  ornate antiques.  Our tour guide spoke more about the antiques that are not even original to the house more then he did about the actual history of the home.  Save your money and enjoy the gardens outside.  They are the only thing worth seeing.  Here are a couple pictures of the homes gardens.

Our last meal was at Magnolias on East Bay Street.  It was delish!

If you have not been to Charleston you should go!