10 Things You Must/Need/Have To Do In Charleston

When exploring this Southern gem, don't forget to bring your manners.

Get a Table at Sean Brock's Place, Husk

Husk Restaurant / Via huskrestaurant.com

An ode to Southern cuisine, Sean Brock's flagship restaurant is a must on your tour of Charleston. Brock is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, "Heritage", star of the acclaimed series, "Mind of a Chef," and won a James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Southeast in 2010.

But book in advance, this place runs out of tables quickly. If you are lucky enough to grab a seat, get the pig ears or chicken skins. The menu changes daily according to the bounty of the seasons but if you're going to brag about eating at one place from your trip, this is it.

Brock also runs Minero and McCrady's in Charleston.

Take a Walk Along the Battery

TripAdvisor / Via tripadvisor.com

Originally established as a defensive structure during Civil War times, the Battery has since become a major tourist destination because of its arrangement of well-preserved antebellum homes.

Grab a cup of coffee (or a cleverly disguised adult beverage) and stroll along this historical, waterfront area as you fantasize about owning your own grandiose palace while starring in a reality TV show, sipping mint juleps. Start at White Point Garden and make your way north on Battery Street.

Score Some "Shrimp n' Grits"

Charleston Culinary Tours / Via charlestonculinarytours.com

It's not "Shrimp and Grits," it's "Shrimp n' Grits". Charleston has forever and always been a port city known for its seafood but also for sporting some of the best "Low Country" dishes like Shrimp n' Grits.

If you're looking for something to soak up last night's debauchery, head over to Hominy Grill (a Charleston classic) on Rutledge Avenue, for their gust-busting interpretation of the Low Country favorite accompanied by a Cheerwine Negroni for good measure.

Explore the French Quarter

Churches of the World / Via photos.thechurchesoftheworld.com

Similar to its equivalent in New Orleans, Charleston's French Quarter contains funky art galleries and shops to explore sans the drunk tourists and vomit-covered streets. It covers a few blocks between South Market and Calhoun Street.

Definitely make your way to St. Philip's Church for a bell-ringing and experience even more ridiculously pretty European-style architecture that isn't flecked with reminders of Girls Gone Wild (no offense NOLA, we love you ever still).

Duck into a Fancy Hotel

The Belmond Charleston Place / Via charlestonplacemeetings.com

As we all know, being in the South means bearing the humidity that comes with it. Since Charleston is a very walking-friendly city, don't be afraid to duck into a nice hotel to escape from the heat a bit.

Score a slice of the excellent Coconut Cake from The Peninsula Grill. inside The Planter's Inn which is across the street from CP. Recently named one of the best boutique hotels in the USA.

The Belmond Charleston Place is a FANTASTIC option and it's right around the corner from the famed Charleston City Market. Also features a double winding staircase for posing as Viven Leigh circa "Gone with the Wind". I DO DECLARE!

EAT SOME MEATS

Artisan Meat Share / Via Instragram

Get your mind out of the gutter...I mean get your ass to the Artisan Meat Share on Spring Street. Pull up a chair, drink a bottle of wine and order one of their seriously, seriously kick ass meat plates, (HH Special Wine+Meat = $30) all made with like, local and like organic products, for all you budding hipsters. You can experience major food porn via their Instagram on the daily. Vegetarians not welcome.

Bonus: you can now order ONLINE.

Catch a Soccer Game

The Charleston Battery / Via charlestonbattery.com

If you're like me and you like burly men running around a field kicking a tiny ball, go to a Charleston Battery soccer game at Blackbaud Stadium. Their season runs February to September, so there is no shortage of opportunities.

Be sure to get all Green-Street-Hooligans beforehand at the English-style pub, The Three Lions, right by the stadium. "Ohhhh, we are, we are the Battery!".

Go Back to School

College of Charleston / Via en.wikipedia.org

College of Charleston is smack dab in the middle of the historic downtown area. Founded in 1770, it's the oldest college/university in South Carolina and 15th oldest in the greater United States.

Walk through, look, gaze and fondly remember all your years of higher learning sans the taste of Natty Light in your mouth.

Indulge Your Inner Hipster

Yachtcrewsing / Via wordpress.com

Take a walk through Charleston's Farmers Market in Marion Square. The regular season is from April to November and sports some of the areas best small producers. You can find fresh fruit & veggies, canned goods & jams, hand-crafted jewelry, that sort of thing. Republic Ice Cream is close by, where you can grab a cone of homemade ice cream for a quick cool down as you shop.

The earlier you go, the better - you can avoid the crowds and midday heat wave.

Slip into Old Southern Style

Love These Pics / Via lovethesepics.com

Take a 25-minute drive outside of the city center and you'll find Boone Hall, another example of well-preserved artifacts of the antebellum-era. The property features a functioning farm and restaurant as well as an incredible garden. For those who are romantically-challenged, you can fantasize about Ryan Gosling sweeping you off your feet in the rain, as this was the backdrop for most of the scenes shot for The Notebook.

If you happen to be visiting in April or June, experience the Low Country Strawberry Festival where you can harvest your souvenirs by the pound.

If you ever find yourself this side of the Mason-Dixon line, swing into Charleston to experience some of the best the South has to offer. So put on your Sunday best, arm yourself with a mint julep and strut down the cobblestone streets. See you in Chucktown!