I’m in love… with a city.
Although we always visit family for Christmas, over Thanksgiving we’ve started a 
tradition of going on a mini vacation. Usually these vacations revolve around the beach and/or historical cities. This Thanksgiving we went to Charleston, South Carolina.
I’d never been, but always wanted to go. If you have a chance to visit the city, take it! I’d absolutely move there, if even the smalle
st of homes in the historical district didn’t cost a million dollars. Perhaps someday… after I hit the N.Y. Times Best Seller list, make a few movie deals, sell my kidney and win the lottery. But for now, I’ll have to do with visits.
Why do I love it so? It has a wonderful historical district with amazing row homes from the 1600s, another section sports huge Victorian homes. There are quaint cobbled streets, plenty of shops, lots of restaurants. There are also lots of beautiful churches with creepy, old cool cemete
ries. Pretty much everything I love 
Sunday mornings are a perfect time to walk the city and take pictures. Not only are there few tourists out and about, but hearing the church bells ringing is purely magical.
Charleston has a free trolley system, perfect for getting around the town. If you go, I suggest hopping on the Green Trolley line. This will take you around some historical areas and most of the shopping district so you can get a feel for the area. It also has a drop off at the docks where where you may see dolphins and cruise ships in the bay.
If you have a car, there are also plenty of islands within 10-20 mins of downtown Charleston. And did I mention cool, old plantation homes not far from town? So much to see and do! I can’t wait to return. For now I’ll have to do with sharing a few pictures with you.
As a late holiday treat, I’m giving away two Ecopies of my soon to be released contemporary paranormal, The Demon Hunter, which will be out in a couple weeks. Just leave your name and email addy!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
Lori, you’ve convinced me to see it. Now I really want to go there. I think my husband would love it, too.
And congrats on your upcoming demon hunter book! I’m eager to read it.
Edie, I loved it so much! I can’t see how anyone wouldn’t like it. I have heard, though, that its pretty humid/hot in summer.
I used to travel to Charleston alot for business and fell in love with it. I would walk around the city every night. Awesome walking city. So I took my mom there for the historical home tour. It’s not just stately homes and mansions, but people open up their older homes for people to tour. We got to tour the garden and see the writing studio of a famous author, whose name escapes me right now. I thought she was pretty famous but when I just tried to google her I couldn’t find her. Last name was Sidds(?). Anyway, the garden had stepping stones all over with the titles of her books on them. Every time she pubbed a new book her editor gave her a stepping stone with the book’s title. It was a gorgeous garden and I dreamed of one day having my book titles on stepping stones.
Charleston and Savannah are two of my favorite cities!
Anne Rivers Siddon! That’s the author’s garden I toured. It just hit me.
That is so cool about the stepping stones, Beth. I may have to do something similar in my garden for fun.
Such a great city to go with girlfriends, or sisters or moms. I’d love to take my mom!
Lori, I love when someone tells me about the magic of a new city. I go on about NYC all the time, but never stop looking at other cities in the US that are great places to visit. Great news about the book. This means you’ll have to use Charleston as the setting for another book
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I know! It would be a great city to write about.
You know, I’ve never been to NYC. How sad is that? But I want to go. My cousin works there, he actually works for Entertainment Weekly Mag. I have to brag about it because I think its so cool. And by the way, if you’re a fan… awhile back he saw Michael Fassbender (loved him in Jane Eyre!) at the office! Said he was super nice and yes, just as gorgeous in person.
Hi Lori,
I love the sound of this city! I’ve always been a big fan of cobblestone streets and street cars. There are so many places I’d love visit, I’d have to follow you plan (minus selling my kidney!) to make it. Maybe one day!
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Honestly, I love any historical city. lol. But the cobbled streets def. help!
I recall driving through once when I was younger
Soon we’ll be back on the east coast so I hope to get to visit everywhere again…if only to see if anything has change. I spent a bunch of my younger years in Jacksonville, NC.
I love all the old buildings…I’m trying to get my hubby to buy an old bank from 1857, but he keeps laughing at me….Guess he doesn’t want me to lock him in the vault…LOL
Thanks for the chance to win the e-book
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How funny about the bank! I’d love, love, love a historical home. That would be my ideal home. Anytime I bring it up my husband and son freak out. They think it would b haunted. lol. They’ve seen too many episodes of TAPS.
OMG, I *love* Charleston!! The first time I went, I stayed at a gorgeous hotel that was less than a minute’s walk from the City Market. I *heart* the City Market. Oh, and there’s this candy store on the other side that has treats to die for. I took the trolley to see the gorgeous homes and a haunted tour that same night. NEVER again will I do that. I had a hard time sleeping that night because it was that good.
The second time I went, I stayed at Palm Isle (?), one of those islands you were talking about. Again, absolutely gorgeous. My goal is to get my mom there this spring because she’s never been to Charleston. Considering it’s about a 5 hour drive for me, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Oh, and I second that to Savannah. That’s another beautiful city that ranks up there with Charleston for me. If you haven’t already, and if you ever get a chance, definitely check out that one, too.
Isn’t it amazing?! I’m jealous though, we stayed outside the city. It was a lot cheaper. lol. But I would love to stay downtown next time. Last year we actually went to Savannah and I loved it too (althought I think I like Charleston a tiny bit more). I’d move to either place in a heartbeat. And I’d love to take my mom. Its such a great “girls” city.
Lori, I’ve always wanted to see Charleston. Now you’ve put the bug in my ear again. I’m going to start dropping hints to hubs! Between you and Marcia, I have to go see it now.
You have to! It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen so many historical homes and even as far back as the 1600s.
Lori, my dad lives in Charleston, but I’ve never been there. He’s been trying to get me to come visit – maybe I will.
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He’s so lucky! How does he like living there? Is he downtown? yes, you def. need to visit him.
Oh, he loves it!
Kate Sterling`s last blog was …The Man in the Red Jacket
Now you totally have me wanting to visit Charleston…
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I think you’d def. like it Cynthia! And might get some good story ideas
My husband keeps telling me I’d love Charleston. I don’t think he’s caught on to where he proves it me by taking me there. You have to spell everything out to men sometimes… sheesh!
Thanks for sharing your pictures! I love your tradition of taking the long Thanksgiving weekend to go on a mini-vacation. Great idea!
So true! I gave up giving my husband hints long ago. I just spell it out for him now. I want this for xmas… we are going there for vacation… Makes it so much easier.
The only bad thing about going on our mini vaca is that my son (who is 7) has no idea what a “real” thanksgiving is like. All the relatives, the laughter… the fighting. lol. He’s a big people person so he would probably much rather go see family for thanksgiving. But oh well, he gets that at xmas.
I have heard from so many people how nice South and North Carolina are, but I’ve never been there. I’ve been to many of the states nearby. I need to plan a visit!
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Okay, I’m sold. I’m puttin’ Charleston on my list of must-see cities. Everything you descrbed? I’m in there. Love the photos, Lori. I totally adore anything with a rich history, plenty of restaurants and anywhere remotely near a beach.
I would love to visit Charleston. My husband and I have put it on our to visit list. We’ve bought a travel trailer and plan to hit a lot of places, starting this spring. I just downloaded To Seduce an Earl and will be reading it this weekend. Thanks!
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