Why is Charleston called “The Holy City”? Because you feel a bit closer to heaven (our reasoning). The right answer – because of the abundance of historical churches and landmarks…

S T A Y : do more than sleep

The Restoration : Where Ralph Lauren meets Low Country. Beginning with a classic gingham-lined picnic basket delivered right to your door, you choose your breakfast items and designate a delivery time for your delicious morning wake up call. Sun and sip crisp BudLattes during the day at the infinity pool or head out for a cruise on the complimentary Martone bicycles and explore the city – the concierge will even curate a route to your liking. The library houses a complete Assouline collection and hosts guests for daily happy hour of wines and cheeses and nightly port and cookies (fo’ free). If you’re really lucky, there may be a guest bartender leading a class on mixing up the perfect Old Fashioned. The Watch rooftop, the city’s highest bar and restaurant – a perfect place to watch the sunset.  The entire property is stunning, no detail overlooked. The Restoration takes southern hospitality to a whole new level. Postpone your trip if it means saving up enough for this splurge – worth every penny.

P L A Y : you should (shopping playing, tomatoe tomato)

Candlefish : Become a chandler (noun : a person who makes or sells candles and sometimes other items of tallow or wax, such as soap). Candlefish isn’t just a charming boutique, it’s also a studio that hosts candle making classes and other community workshops.  The signature candle making class is a hands-on experience; choose your fragrance from their scent library, learn how to mix and measure your oils and wax, and pour two 9oz. candles to take home and enjoy post vaca! All this while drinking rosé – the class is BYOB…Candlefish, are you hiring?!

Explore : Bike all over town on your cute Martone – pick out your dream home and soak up all the history while winding up and down the cobblestone streets. We were lucky enough to discover Patricia Altschul’s sprawling home; martini not included. Our route: peeping around the College of Charleston and surrounding neighborhoods -> circling Colonial Lake -> cruising down Murray Blvd. to White Point Garden Park -> spin up E Battery to Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park -> ending at Marion Square. Be on the lookout for an iconic Charleston porch that serves spritzers when you need a break. We recommend Poogan’s Porch Iced Pink cocktail.

Shop : Explore King St and any of the side streets. Our picks: Sapphire Boutique. mac & murphy.  Worth While. Blue Bicycle Books. Atelier Gallery

F U E L : a positive spin on eating buckets o fried oysters, fried chicken n’ biscuits

Hominy Grill : This is the food we wish our Mom could cook. James Beard Award-winning chef Robert Stehling is all about serving down home low-country dishes. Hominy Grill was our first stop for breakfast. Order: High-Rise Biscuit with sausage gravy and Shrimp & Grits! Take a peak at the drink menu – $6.50 mimosas and bloodies – my my well we’ll take 2.

Leon’s Oyster Shop : This recommendation sent us far up King Street to an open air hangout in an old auto garage. We arrived in style, on a golf cart that is. The Restoration will zip you around just about anywhere in Charleston (just add it to the list of reasons why you must stay at The Restoration). Grab a cocktail at the bar and post up out back while you wait for your table. The menu isn’t fancy – there’s a section of “Cheap Beer” where BudLatte is listed – we felt at home and ordered a 6-pack of tiny Buds. Actually, Brook Rietz (one of the partners) said in an interview (with Garden&Gun), “This is a place where you can down a dozen oysters and a Budweiser at the bar and be on your way.” The market oysters, the grilled oysters and the hush puppies were finger-lickin’ good. End with a soft serve ice cream covered in sprinkles.

167 RAW : Prerequisites to work at 167 RAW – male, 6’2, 174lbs, chiseled jaw, tan, charming, high school diploma….every employee (even the oyster shucker) was a Ryan Gosling look-a-like. And the food tastes as good as the staff looks. If that doesn’t make you call in a reservation I don’t know what will. Order: dozen on the half shell, lobster roll, crispy oyster basket, and key lime pie.

Husk : “If it ain’t Southern, it ain’t coming in the door,” is chef Sean Brock’s mantra. Brock spent over a year tweaking his fried chicken recipe and let’s say it was worth it; it was named Best Fried Chicken in the U.S. by Food & Wine magazine. And the other accolades abound: James Beard Award-winning chef, best burger in America, 2011 Bon Appétit best new restaurant in America  – the list goes on. Order: Cheddar Pimento Cheese toast, HUSK Puppies, HUSK Cheeseburger, HUSK Fried Chicken, and deviled eggs. Make a reservation WAY in advance.

P A R T Y : ain’t never hurt nobody

The Commodore : That website makes The Commodore look way more classy than it really is. The floor is a lake of beer by the end of the night, turning the dance floor into a slip n’ slide. We danced to a country folk band rounded out by a local hottie rapping towards the end of the night. And my gawd, it was fun.

The Royal American : A spacious dive bar with the best front patio decorated with strands of Christmas lights. The bar doubles as a concert venue, bringing in local and regional bands. Get buzzed on the 32 oz Royal American Signature Punch.

The Belmont : Only allows 40 patrons in at a time and plays black and white favorites on mute. This is one of the first cocktail clubs in Charleston and it’s a place where you can actually hold a conversation with your friends while sipping on creative libations.

Enjoy more pictures of Charleston below! MUAH!