Exploring King Street and Flying Home from Charleston

Carriage Tours In CharlestonAre one of the cities most iconic attractions, offering guided ride through the historic districts with stories, architecture and Southern charm

Shopping on King Street

The plan for the day was to explore King Street in Charleston, the city’s main shopping district. We hadn’t really walked that street before, and it’s lined with both high-end stores and boutique shops. King Street is one of the most popular places to visit in Charleston for shopping, dining, and people-watching, so starting the day there made sense.

Morning Activities

After breakfast, we went to King Street to check out the shops, do some window shopping, and take in the local vibe. From there, we walked over to the carriage tour area to join a tour of the Charleston historic district. I hadn’t been on a carriage ride in years, but it felt nostalgic, and in Old Town Charleston these tours are everywhere. That’s what drew us to take one, since carriage rides are such a big part of the Charleston visitor experience, more common here than in other cities I’ve visited. After the tour, we stopped for lunch, then returned to King Street to keep walking the strip. This plan gave us just enough activity to enjoy the city without feeling rushed before heading to the airport.

Heading to the Airport

In early afternoon, we went back to the hotel, picked up our luggage, and took an Uber to the airport. Looking back, I should have bought real food at the airport instead of relying on snacks. My thought was that we’d be home by dinner, and I could get by with just snacks instead of spending more money. That decision was a mistake—during the second leg of the flight I was starving, and cookies and crackers weren’t enough.

Flight Experience

The flights themselves were smooth, with no delays. It felt like a normal travel day, which was a relief given the government shutdown. But on that same day, reports came out that the shutdown was ending and voting were in plans for reopening.

Final Thoughts on Charleston

Despite the shutdown drama, Charleston turned out to be a cozy city with plenty to enjoy. I expected history and architecture, and both were impressive, but the food stood out most. The Charleston culinary scene is excellent, which explains why Food & Wine hosts one of its annual events here. I’d like to plan a trip during the Charleston Food & Wine Classic to experience it firsthand.