Baptized In The Holy City
Charleston, South Carolina, also known as “The Holy City”, is one of those places on the US map that evokes charm, wonder, history – and is a culinary wonderland.
The Mills House (a Hilton property), with it’s pretty bubblegum pink exterior, lighted courtyard fountain, and rich history (fun fact: in 1893 it began welcoming guests when grain merchant Otis Mills opened nearby) is the perfect place to call home while visiting Charleston. On a college tour encompassing Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina in 2023, this was a great home base to explore College of Charleston, Rainbow Row, the Pineapple Fountain, and taking a quick trip over the bridge to Sullivan’s Island.
I highly recommend staying at The Mills House, enjoying evening cocktails in the courtyard and taking a morning stroll down King Street to grab pastries, coffee and breakfast at Millers All Day.
Once you grab your homemade pastries from Millers All Day and stroll down King Street (be sure to stop in the cute boutiques and shops along the way), head over to the famous “Rainbow Row” and take a few photos in front of the fun, colorful homes that line the street. The houses were built in the late 18th century and were originally used by merchants that would have their shops on the bottom floor and their residence above.
From there, you can head towards the water to splash in the Pineapple Fountain and explore Waterfront Park. The pineapple was once a symbol of prosperity and unreachable wealth however, now it is the sign of Southern hospitality & celebration. The fountain itself symbolizes hope and love as it was opened to the public following the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo.
Less than a 20-minute drive from Charleston you will find the laid back, Cape-Cod-like vibes of Sullivan’s Island. It is a 3 1/2 mile long island near the entrance of the Charleston Harbor with 2 1/2 miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront. A relaxing stroll down the boardwalk or a historical visit to Fort Moultrie (built during the American Revolution to repel British forces) is a perfect way to spend the day soaking up the sun and the ocean air.
This also happens to be home to one of my favorite restaurants – The Obstinate Daughter. Pizza, pasta, small plates, salads and raw bar are the focus of the menu and you literally cannot go wrong no matter what you order. The Obstinate Daughter has achieved Green Restaurant Certification promoting sustainable practices and supporting local agriculture, fishery and forming invaluable relationships with the local food industry purveyors.
The Rutledge pizza (ricotta, Italian sausage, red onion, mozzarella, provolone, local greens) and the classic Shrimp Roll are not to be missed. Among the favorites, you should also try the Strozzapreti, the daily oyster selection and the Local Lettuce Salad (just a gorgeous “ode to greens” with a delicious homemade buttermilk vinaigrette.
After being closed for renovations following a kitchen fire in early 2025, the entire community is elated to have the doors to the Obstinate Daughter open once again. If you are planning to travel to the Charleston area, be sure to plan a lunch or dinner stop here and see why this beloved restaurant has the attention of the James Beard Foundation.
Charleston, and the surrounding area, is most definitely a place to fall in love with (and potentially leave your heart). The rich history, incredible Southern charm, noteworthy food scene (be sure to book Halls Chophouse for “Gospel Brunch” on a Sunday!), shopping, and colorful, cheery beauty is alive on every corner. I just literally scratched the surface on a whirlwind trip and cannot wait to go back to craft “part 2” of this love letter to The Holy City.