Charleston, South Carolina

During the first half of our East Coast road trip, we decided to stop in Charleston, South Carolina for four nights. We arrived in Charleston on October 28th, after spending two nights in Raleigh, North Carolina; and stayed through Halloween, before leaving on November 1st for Orlando, Florida.

Day 1 – Wandering the Battery

We spent our first morning in South Carolina exploring Charleston’s Battery. The Battery was built to be a defensive seawall, however today it is home to a promenade and the White Point Gardens. The waterfront is lined with many Antebellum homes of different shapes and sizes.

Palmer home located at 5 East Battery Street Charleston South Carolina

White house located at 29 East Battery Street Charleston South Carolina

Gate to a home at the Battery in Charleston South Carolina

Green house located on East Bay Street Charleston South Carolina

Green building located at 83 East Bay Street Charleston South Carolina

Once we got to the end of the Battery we noticed a black and white Springer Spaniel swimming in the water. Yes, we did stop to watch him swim for five minutes.

A black and white Springer Spaniel swimming at the Battery in Charleston South Carolina

After wandering the waterfront for an hour or so we grabbed a bite to eat at the Brown Dog Deli. Just a few blocks away on Broad Street, the Brown Dog Deli is conveniently located near the Battery. We recommend the Apple “Butter” Jeans panini, which has melted brie, sliced granny smith apples, apple butter, arugula, mesquite smoked turkey, honey ham, and applewood-smoked bacon all on a french baguette.

The patio outback of the Brown Dog Deli in Charleston South Carolina

Outdoor seating at the Brown Dog Deli in Charleston South Carolina

Sandwiches, soup, and beer, at the Brown Dog Deli in Charleston South Carolina

Day 2 – The Center for Birds of Prey

On our second day we visited The Avian Conservation Center in Awendaw, South Carolina; which is a 40 minute drive from downtown Charleston. Covering 152-acres, the Center for Birds of Prey rehabilitates around 500 birds each year. After exploring the grounds on our own, we took a guided tour of the bird exhibits and watched a flight demonstration that included a red-tailed hawk, turkey vulture, wood owl and a yellow-billed kite.

Lady holding a Yellow-billed Kite at the Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston South Carolina

Owl perched on a branch at the Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston South Carolina

Dark brown owl at the Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston South Carolina

An owl at the Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, South Carolina

A handler holding a brown hawk at the Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, South Carolina

A handler holding a Barn Owl at the Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, South Carolina

An owl perched on a branch during a flight demonstration at the Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, South Carolina

Day 3 – Magnolia Plantation

On Halloween, our final day in Charleston, we spent the afternoon exploring the grounds of Magnolia Plantation. Founded in 1676, Magnolia Plantation is 100 years older than the United States itself! We chose to spend the afternoon walking the gardens and hanging out in the petting zoo.

The grounds of Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

Spanish moss hanging from a tree at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

View from the observation deck at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

A red bridge in Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

Brad climbing a tree at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

The Plantation House at Magnolia Plantations near Charleston, South Carolina

The petting zoo was by far our favorite part of the plantation. Don’t get us wrong, the grounds were beautiful and the gardens lovely, but we just have a thing for cute animals. Besides the usual farm animals (goats, pigs, chickens, etc.), the petting zoo at Magnolia Plantations has several white-tailed deer!