2024 Wellness Guide

The Obstinate Daughter

Travel

One Place, Two Ways

Charleston urban charm and seaside style.

KELSEY OGLETREE

SEASIDE STYLE
Slip into a swimsuit, sandals, and an easy-does-it way of life on the Mount Pleasant side of South Carolina’s port city.

The Obstinate Daughter During peak season, there’s often a line out the door at this buzzy restaurant, a short drive away on Sullivan’s Island. It’s easy to overdo it on small plates like the Obstinate flatbread, local lettuce salad, and Charleston Artisan Cheesehouse Brie with strawberry-rhubarb jam, but save room for handmade pasta, pizzas, and gelato. theobstinatedaughter.com

Pitt Street Pharmacy Opened 83 years ago when Pitt Street was Mount Pleasant’s main shopping district, this pharmacy was the center of the village—selling everything from aspirin to books to grilled cheese. It’s remained largely unchanged, and its soda fountain remains a popular hub for malted milkshakes and banana pudding ice cream. pittstreetpharmacy.com

Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant Shop men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, cosmetics, home furnishings, and gifts at this independent department store established in 1967. Lightweight statement dresses from brands like Camilla are mixed in with casual collections from Vince and Theory. Ask for personalized wardrobe advice from seasoned in-house stylists. gwynns.com

Osprey Boat Charters If you’ve never shot skeet off the back of a private charter and afterward popped a bottle of Champagne, you should. Osprey is known throughout the region for its exceptional service and fun crew. The boat itself, built in 1960, has a spectacular Honduran mahogany hull and space for up to 49 passengers. ospreyboatcharters.com

Coastal Expeditions You’d be remiss not to explore the meandering coastal waterways and ecosystems within a 10-minute drive of downtown. This outfitter offers tours of the Kiawah River, where you can spot dolphins; private birding expeditions with the company’s owner; and a monthly sunrise expedition to Boneyard Beach aboard a custom boat. coastalexpeditions.com

STAY: The Beach Club Wrap up in a seersucker robe (request that it’s monogrammed upon your arrival) and watch the sunset from your balcony at this 92-room waterfront property, the high-end half of Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Lounge away the day in a private poolside cabana, but don’t miss the on-site Estuary Spa, pool workouts, surround-sound theater, and beach games. From $200; charlestonharborresort.com

Tempest

URBAN CHARM
Celebrate the city’s 350th birthday among the cobblestone streets and colorful row homes of its Historic District.

Tempest The menu at this new restaurant from the same owners as 5Church Charleston will spotlight local, sustainably caught seafood cooked over charcoal by Top Chef alum and chef-partner Jamie Lynch. Think elaborate seafood towers and local clam risotto with green garlic butter and vegetables sourced from Lynch’s new six-acre farm in Belmont, North Carolina. tempestcharleston.com

Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits Learn the art of throwing the quintessential Southern dinner party from Social Strategist Suzanne Pollak, co-founder of the academy. She hosts private cooking and entertaining classes in historic homes around Charleston chosen especially for your group. Come away having mastered crowd-pleasers like margaritas, shrimp and grits, and peach pie. charlestonacademy.com

The Gibbes Museum of Art Home to the largest collection of American art focused on the history of Charleston, this visual arts museum has been a fixture in the city’s culture scene for 150 years. Take tours of the current exhibitions, such as Central to Their Lives, with works from 42 Southern women artists, as well as jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke’s private collection of micromosaic jewels. gibbesmuseum.org

Hampden Clothing A King Street staple for flowy floral dresses, neon-hued skirts, and tiny crystal-accented handbags. The store employs a team of personal shoppers to navigate its curated range of designer women’s fashions. hampdenclothing.com

Doar Bros. In a town with no shortage of haunts to imbibe a Negroni, no place is so charming as this 35-seat cocktail bar owned by siblings Adam and Jonathan Doar. With mid-century modern interiors, deep blue walls and green booths, and a rich walnut bar flanked by brass lighting, this is where to escape from tourists and chat up locals while enjoying craft cocktails, caviar, and other indulgent snacks. doarbros.com

STAY: Hotel Emeline Opening in July in Charleston’s Historic District, this 212-room boutique property (with 128 luxury suites) utilizes Matouk linens, locally made ceramic accessories, and Crosley turntables to hyggify guest rooms and suites. The charming social garden beckons for cocktail hour. From $340; hotelemeline.com