Charleston, South Carolina 

This post may have affiliate links, which I may make a small referral fee at no cost to you.

When I first wrote this post in 2016, I had some idea the love I would develop for Charleston, but little did I know it would be on a short list of cities I would consider purchasing a beach house in. Let’s be honest here, the goal is to buy a beach house/beach condo/beach whatever. The older I get (because at this point even 27 is starting to feel old) the more I want to retreat to the beach and live out a fairytale out of one of the Nicholas Sparks books. Yes, I would let the hubby come to but the calmness of those books is something to be longed for. Life is so hectic and is always pulling me towards somebody else’s dreams. This blog is a large part of my dream but I always let it go for the sake of money and life ….. maybe that’s truly the dream to sit at the beach and write. Enough of my nonsense, here’s the Charleston info you came for. I hope you love it there as much as I do.

STORY —- On Tuesday we decided to take the little people to the beach. They have been asking to go since they started their new life with us and the time seemed to have arrived. I took to Pintrest looking for something close but not Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Finally, I found it.

We left Thursday morning for Charleston, South Carolina. I had found a small, gated  island, about 30 mins away from Charleston which could only be accessed if you were renting on the island called Seabrook.  The guards at the gate will make you circle around if you don’t have reservations making it a little kept secret.

Next door was a county park, aka the beach. Aren’t all county parks beaches in the south? (just kidding … but this one was) At $8 a car to get in you couldn’t beat it. There was a snack bar with hotdogs and nachos, & a “beach man” (like a pool man but at the beach…)  set up renting beach umbrellas.

Afterwards, we spent hours searching for the house that Noah restored for Allie. I assumed that when other blogs said the house was at Martain’s Point Plantation, that was the name of the land and house. No, it is the name of the area, and it is a good sized, dirt road, unmarked kinda area. I don’t necessarily recommend going to find this house, it’s a private residence and I’ve read in other blogs, the owner’s do not want to be bothered by Notebook Cult followers.

All those fellow Notebook Junkies will recognize the area right away. The curve where Allie wrecked her car trying to escape is right there in front of you. My hubby drove on up the drive way a little ways (thank Jesus it was a long one) so I could run out in the middle of this giant, open yard to snap this photo. The house that Noah built for Allie is almost hidden by the trees but it is every bit as beautiful as I thought it would be.

The Boone Hall Plantation, though, is a different story. They welcome visitors and for I believe, $24 a head (kids were cheaper) , you can tour the first floor of the home and the grounds. A small price to pay to view Allie’s summer home from the movie. Included in your ticket is a wagon type tour around the 700+ acres, the garden, butterfly area, and a ton of history. Some of the slave cottages are still standing and make for a great history tour. TV’s are set up in each cottage playing history, as well as, a lady does a “talk” which is very informational. You get a list of times when you buy your ticket. Make sure to check out the dock and are where Noah took Allie out for a boat ride. You know, the one where it started raining cats & dogs.

The Pineapple Fountain is also a free treat! If your brave you can get your feet wet wading, and playing in the fountain.

You also can’t visit the Charleston area without checking out the Market in historic downtown (also open at night on the weekends) with lots of hand made goods like baskets, soaps, & photography. It is a little southern charm at its finest.