Charleston, SC
September 4–8, 2025
After one day of rest at home in Phoenix following our two-week trip to Argentina and Brazil, I flew to Charleston, South Carolina to meet my son, Cody, for a birthday getaway. We met at the airport, rented a car, and drove to our hotel in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston. Shortly after settling in, we headed to nearby Shem Creek and enjoyed our first seafood meal at Saltwater Cowboys. As the sun set, the creek shimmered beautifully in the evening light.
On September 5, we drove into historic downtown Charleston and spent the morning strolling through the charming streets. The surrounding plantations were stunning. For lunch, we stopped at Fleet Landing by the water. Both the Fried Green Tomato Stack and the Charleston Shrimp & Grits were unique and delicious. Afterward, we walked along the Waterfront Park, enjoying the breeze and the views.
For Cody’s birthday dinner, we had our eyes on one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Charleston—Chubby Fish. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m., takes no reservations, but allows you to put your name down for later seatings. We arrived at 4 p.m. and joined the already-forming line. When the doors opened at 5, we were lucky enough to secure seats for the 6:45 p.m. second seating. With more than an hour to spare, we walked to The Darling Oyster Bar nearby and enjoyed 16 oysters—some costing only $1 each.
We returned to Chubby Fish for the main celebration. The food did not disappoint: the caviar sandwich, shrimp tempura served on top of bone marrow, and tuna toast were all excellent. The biggest surprise came at the end, when the waitress handed us a $0.01 bill and told us Cody’s sister had called ahead and taken care of the entire meal. It was such a thoughtful, loving gesture—a perfect end to what must have been one of Cody’s best birthday celebrations.
On September 6, we set out for Bulls Island. We boarded a scenic 30-minute ferry ride that wound through tidal creeks before reaching the island in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Once ashore, we walked through lush jungle trails and explored Boneyard Beach. Along the way, we searched for sand dollars and collected beautiful shells. The sun was scorching, but we had a wonderful time. On the ferry back, we were greeted by playful dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Back in the city, we enjoyed baked oysters before heading to a popular local spot for classic Southern BBQ.
On September 7, we visited Cypress Gardens and rowed a boat across the quiet pond, surrounded by hauntingly beautiful cypress trees—a peaceful and memorable experience. For lunch, we tried a local restaurant and enjoyed another round of shrimp and grits.
In the afternoon, we toured Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. We took a plantation tour to learn about the family’s history and wandered through the lush estate. Halfway through, a sudden downpour drenched us, but it added a bit of adventure to the day.
For our final dinner, we returned once more to Shem Creek and enjoyed a delicious seafood meal at Shem Creek Crab House.
On September 8, after breakfast, we returned the car and headed to the airport. Our father-and-son birthday trip came to an end—an unforgettable time filled with great food, nature, and cherished memories together.