Charleston’s #1 Maternity Photographer shares Top Ideas for Planning your Babymoon in Charleston, South Carolina including where to Stay, Stroll, Pamper yo self, Eat, Shop + tons of Awesome things to See and Do during your visit to the Holy City!

Planning your much anticipated Babymoon means that you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy and you’re looking forward to getting away for one last adventure together, to spend a little time focusing on your connection with each other before your baby arrives! Obviously, you’ll wanna reward yourselves with a little rest and relaxation, maybe a little pampering and definitely some fun!! Mama, you’re in luck because I’m here to share my personal Top Ideas for Planning your Babymoon in Charleston and you definitely don’t want to skip this because I’m pretty much the authority treating yo self and fun! 😉

Hot Pro Tip: If you’re traveling between April – October for your Babymoon in Charleston, I would strongly recommend booking everything well in advance! And, I do mean everything: (lodging and rental cars become more expensive during peak travel months. And, during this time, it becomes more difficult to get reservations for meals at the hot spots and for excursions, etc! And, the best photographers are booked out by at least 2-3 months in advance!😉

Lodging in Charleston

I’m kinda bougie so I really like staying in cool locations with aesthetically pleasing spaces and ultra comfy beds! Charleston has so many historic and / or unique properties that have been converted into boutique hotels or airbnb’s sooooo, I definitely recommend splurging for a special place to stay while you’re in town! I have personally stayed at (and adore) Hotel Emeline because the design / aesthetic is absolutely gorgeous, the beds are insanely comfortable, the restaurant is delicious and it’s right in the middle of everything (next door to the city market)! If you’re in more of a beach vibes kinda mood for this babymoon, I cannot recommend The Rathershacks properties on Folly Beach enough! Just a short 20 minute drive from downtown, I have stayed in several of Katherine’s properties, many times (before moving to Charleston) and I simply adore everything about the experience of staying in the Rathershacks down on Folly!

Honorable Mention: 86 Cannon , Zero George The Ryder, The Dewberry, The Restoration

Book a Maternity Portrait Session with Charleston’s #1 Maternity Photographer –

Booking with Holy City Babies means that you’ll enjoy professional Hair & Makeup at your hotel, vacation rental or at our studio before your portrait session (which is awesome, if you’re planning to go out date night later!!) It also means that you can choose a custom, couture maternity gown from our client closet, linked HERE. We can shoot a Fine Art, Editorial Session with Gorgeous Gowns, Body Suits or even your Birthday Suit in my Charleston Portrait Studio OR we can shoot in a Maternity Gown in Downtown Charleston, at Hampton Park, Magnolia Gardens or Charlestowne Landing. We can shoot by the Angel Oak on John’s Island or on any of our Beautiful Beaches in the Charleston area! You can check out my Client Prep Guide for a list of locations that I commonly shoot at! Find that here: Client Prep Guide just click “jump to locations”

Treat Yo Self!

Planning your Babymoon in Charleston should definitely mean treating yourself to some pampering on this trip because what your body has done during these last several months, is nothing short of miraculous and mama, you deserve to be pampered! Book a Prenatal Massage, a Mani / Pedi and / or Spa Treatment while you’re in town! Here are a few local recommendation for those services:

Prenatal Massage + Spa Services in Charleston – The following businesses can provide prenatal massage, spa treatments, waxing and even salon services during your Babymoon in Charleston!

Urban Nirvana , Earthling Day Spa, Elyon Massage & Spa

Top Ideas for Planning your Babymoon in Charleston

Where to Stroll:

Make some time to take in the sites and sounds of the lowcountry while you’re here! Historic Architecture, Beautifully Manicured Gardens, Take in the sites and sounds of this amazing city or get connect with nature

Take a walk down / around Bay Street & Rainbow Row to admire the beautiful homes, gardens & architecture found in downtown Charleston! Take in the sights and sounds of our Beautiful Charleston Beaches! The sand between your toes, the wind in your hair and the sunshine on your face! There are some other really beautiful strolls in Charleston as well! Visit Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Hampton Park, Colonial Lake or Charlestontowne Landing for beautiful old oaks, spanish moss, manicured gardens and stunning historic architecture! If you’re up for a little drive, Cypress Gardens should definitely be an honorable mention here (think: The Notebook vibes)

Where to Eat

Food is probably my favorite thing to explore in any city that I visit but Charleston South Carolina’s food scene is truly exceptional in my opinion! In an effort to keep this list organized, I’m gonna break it down by meal (breakfast / brunch, lunch and dinner + coffee & snacks!) I’ll give you a few of my personal faves to explore while you’re visiting Charleston for your Babymoon!

Breakfast / Brunch – Fast & French, The Daily, 82 Queen , Miller’s All Day, LeChambertin, Blue Grass Brunch at High Cotton, (on the way to the beach) Three Little Birds, Baguette Magic (at the beach) The Lost Dog Cafe on Folly

Lunch – Magnolia’s, Pink Cactus, The Griffon , Fleet Landing, Ted’s Butcher Block, (on the way to the beach) Cuda Co, Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen, Bohemian Bull, (at the beach) Chico Feo

Snacks (Coffee / Wine / Beer / Snacks) – Babas on Cannon, Mercantile & Mash, Queen Street Grocery, Afternoon Tea at Hotel Bennett

Supper – Burwell’s, Melfi’s, The Watch, Hall’s Chophouse, Circa 1886, Peninsula Grill, The Establishment,Zero, Harlow (my local date night spot on James Island!) and, if you’re up for a little drive: The Lost Isle on John’s Island is a truly local hidden gem and has exceptional food.

Where to Shop

This section is gonna be focused entirely on baby / kids boutiques in downtown Charleston because duh!

Lowcountry Baby Boutique, Under the Almond Trees, Pink Chicken New York, Kids on King

If you’re up for a little drive into the burbs outstide of downtown Charleston, there are some excellent options located just a short 15-20min drive outside of downtown, in our communities as well!

Baby Bloomers, The Raggamuffin Shop, Southern Belles

What to See & Do:

This section will be evenly divided between quintessential touristy things + local faves! *I am not going to include any of the horse drawn carriage tours (out of principle bc I love horses and it makes me sad) or the bus tours because: pregnant bladders need quick access to toilets and being stuck on a bus tour without quick bathroom access isn’t all that pregnant lady friendly!

Touristy Things: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Tour, Middleton Place, Boon Hall Plantation & Gardens, (if you’re feeling good) Two Sister’s Charleston Walking Tour could be a good option (bc you can dip out to a bathroom if needed & catch up with the group!) OR a private Charleston in a Nutshell Tour , visit the Angel Oak on John’s Island, Adventure Harbor Tours (sunset / dolphins / harbor cruise) or Shark Tooth & Fossil Hunting Tour on Bowen’s Island, wander through the famous Charleston City Market , visit the Gibbs Museum of Art , explore Fort Sumpter or visit the Charleston Museum, take a Charleston Bike Taxi and last but not least, take a walk down / shop the local boutiques and shops on King Street!

Finally, my very tip Top Ideas for Planning your Babymoon in Charleston…. take part in the local events, art and music scenes!

Local Things: Check out what’s going on in the city during the time you will be visiting — Charleston Events Calendar, Looking for some Live Music? Check out the Charleston City Paper events calendar for live music events every day of the week!