In ADVICE + THOUGHTS, TRAVEL

(A #tbt pic from our trip to Scottsdale – and HBD to one of my bff’s, John!)

Brainstorming ideas for the best summer getaways! Tonight I wrote down a few of the destinations on my travel bucket list. Have you guys visited any of these cities? What was your favorite and what are your suggestions?? We’re planning our next trip and want to hear from you! Share your favorite spots in the comments below or on this Instagram post tonight!


7 Places On My Summer Travel Bucket List


Charleston, SC

I’m going with Conner for Memorial Day weekend! I’ve never been and I’m so excited to see it. Can’t wait for the southern charm, boutique hotels, shopping, & dining. For those of you who have been, what are your top 3 recommendations for a weekend in Charleston?

Napa County, CA

Napa would be the perfect romantic getaway trip or a fun weekend with the girls (or mom!). I’ve heard it’s the ultimate destination for wining, dining, and relaxing in California’s best vineyards and restaurants. A weekend in wine country + sunshine is definitely on my list.

The Hamptons

Determined to get here to see the white sand beaches, hydrangea-lined hamlets, and high end boutiques & restaurants with a side of glitz. I love the idea of this relaxed beachy location that’s just a short trip from NYC (where I’ll be a lot this summer!).

Hawaii

On the top of my bucket list! But which island(s)? Those of you who have been, leave suggestions on my IG pic tonight.

Santa Barbara, CA

My friend John raves about Santa Barbara, so I put it on the list. Beautiful weather, an incredible food scene, hiking, mountain biking, and so many fun festivals in the summer.

Denver, CO

The Mile High City. This would be such a fun outdoorsy summer vacation. Hiking, biking, gorgeous scenery, and a trip to Red Rock Amphitheater for an outdoor concert!

Nantucket, MA

I was on my way to Nantucket around this time last year but all of my flights were cancelled and the trip never happened 🙁  I’m still determined to get here and see this place in person. I’ve been admiring it through Pinterest pictures for too long now, ready to see this little island in real life!


What’s on your travel bucket list this summer? xo, liv

 

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Showing 20 comments
  • Annaliese
    Reply

    What amazing destinations!! I have only been to Charleston once and it was for a conference, so I didn’t get to explore too much. But from what I saw of it, it was a beautiful city!!
    I just moved for a new job so not too much traveling on my radar this summer, but I want to explore my new home state of Virginia some more. 🙂

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

    • Elizabeth Ashley
      Reply

      Charleston is a DREAM, definitely Waterfront Park where the pineapple fountain is located, Rainbow Row and if you’re a Notebook/Nicholas Sparks fan then you have to visit Cypress Gardens or Boone Hall Plantation !

  • Grace
    Reply

    Go to Husk in Charleston, and if you like oysters, go to 167 Raw! It is amazing. Also, Rainbow Row is a must-see. The Straw Market is incredible too!! Charleston is amazing, have so much fun!

  • Kristyn
    Reply

    You have to go to Nantucket! It is amazing. Be sure to get out to Madaket Beach and go to the restaurant there, Millies. Their fish tacos (eel point) are unreal and my boyfriend and I look forward to them all year. You also have to get a mudslide at the gazebo, the salad with lobster on it at straight wharf, and buck a shuck oysters at the lobster trap. Eat as much lobster as possible…I miss it. I wish I had spent the summer working there when we had a place to stay – definitely messed up!

    I recently moved out to CO, and would recommend you head up to Boulder at some point if you go to Denver. There’s an awesome lookout point near town called Lost Gulch Lookout and you can go hiking right at the flatirons in Chautauqua Park. Boulder also got named “foodiest” town in the US…tons of good restaurants right on the Pearl Street Mall with great happy hours. There’s also hundreds of family-owned boutique shops (Peppercorn is a must). I feel like you’d enjoy staying at the St Julien hotel and spa, which also has an awesome happy hour on the patio with views of the mountains.

    Have fun! Love your insta and blog 🙂

  • Sam
    Reply

    My extended family goes to Charleston every summer and I absolutely love it! This year I’m wanting to go to Naiomie’s restaurant from southern charm lol! I think it’s called nico but honestly I just watch that show and make note of where they’re eating so I can try those! One year my husband took me kayaking in Shem creek and it’s so fun! I’m not an outdoorsy person by any means but still had a blast!There are usually dolphins right by the kayak! Magnolia plantation is fun too; we did the tours and they’re really interesting if you’re looking for something away from the city for a few hours!

  • Lisa
    Reply

    Charleston- LOVE! We stayed at the Dewberry and it was incredible! You have to go to Callie’s Hot Little biscuit one morning for breakfast!

  • Kelley
    Reply

    I visited Charleston several summers ago, staying on Isle of Palms. We did all the typical tourist-y things: Boated out to Fort Sumter, toured Boone Plantation, explored the amazing outdoor Market in the downtown, and took the horse-drawn, trolley tour of the historic houses. Loved this city! I would move there in second!! And especially loved the low country cuisine! You will have a blast!

  • Emily Ochs
    Reply

    Charleston is truly the most beautiful place in the world! So much color, elegance and southern charm. During my most recent visit, I stopped into bitty and beaus coffee shop. It’s new to the city, but the most heart warming experience. I will forever be making that a must on my trips. I would also highly recommend visiting the Pavilion Bar above the Market Pavilion Hotel. It’s a rooftop bar/pool with stunning views! And it goes without saying that you cannot leave without a visit to Rainbow Row and a walk though the Market! Enjoy Charleston there is so much to do and see. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have!

  • Emily Ochs
    Reply

    Also, The Skinny Dip is a must. It’s an adorable boutique with the cutest upstairs where you can get a froze and sit on the back patio!

  • Kelly Mutch
    Reply

    My husband and I loved Charleston. We highly recommend staying at the Vendue Inn. Great rooms, walking distance to everything, rooftop, free happy hour AND cookies with milk every night! They also gave us a $25 credit toward their rooftop for every night we stayed. What more could you need?! It’s very charming! Enjoy ❤️

  • Colleen
    Reply

    Hi Olivia! I just spent a few days in Charleston and it was so beautiful. You NEED to eat at Poogan’s Porch, Macintosh (super fresh delicious food), and Magnolia’s. Be sure to make dinner reservations. Have a wonderful time! Can’t wait to see pics.

    • Courtney
      Reply

      YES! I agree with Colleen – Poogan’s is really good.

  • Taylor
    Reply

    I went to Napa Valley last summer and it was a dream! We made a week out of it and explored San Francisco, Yosemite, then wine country. It was the perfect trifecta! Napa gets all the buzz (and I definitely now know why) but the entire area is amazing and I could have spent the entire week just exploring wine country! So if you have time when you go, also consider checking out Sonoma, and if you have more time head east toward Madera! Have fun!

  • Sara
    Reply

    Walk around Rainbow Row at sunset, so pretty!! Also check out Market street for local goods. I also enjoyed Boone Hall plantation, it’s featured in the Notebook.

  • Courtney
    Reply

    OMG!! You are going to so many places that I want to visit! Dying to visit Napa and The Hamptons.

    Denver is incredible and hiking around Red Rock Amp is a nice little hike, if you end up going during the day. Sadly, we didn’t see a concert.

    My one recommendation for Charleston (per your IG story, hehe) is to have a bowl of the She Crab soup. It’s DELICIOUS. I had the best pasta of my life at Pawpaw & Black Tap Coffee is a cute little place for coffee. Let me know if you want the link to my blog post – I highlighted three restaurants with photos of the food! (I didn’t want to add it here and for you to think it was spammy)!

    One tip for Charleston: the humidity and hotness is very, very REAL… so if you can take that into consideration, that is my #1 tip.

  • Keri Elaine
    Reply

    For Charleston you must visit the Market Pavilion hotel’s rooftop bar! The view is ridiculous, the food and drinks are delicious and surprisingly affordable. I think you will like the design of the pool and checker pattern slate.

    https://kerielaine.com

  • Elle
    Reply

    Great choices. Charleston is beautiful and full of history. If you have time, I’d recommend driving down to Savannah, GA for the day

    https://macaroonsonmain.blogspot.com/

  • Phil Wright
    Reply

    For Charleston you can never go wrong with Boone Hall Plantation, the market and Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe.

  • Wendy Hesketh
    Reply

    On Nantucket you should go to the Summer House for lunch, Go to Madaket to watch the sun set (many people bring wine and a blanket) and eat at Millie’s and have a cocktail called “Madaket Mystery”, Cisco Brewery for after the beach happy hour (limited hours), The Boarding House, The Galley. Take a water to taxi to The Wauwinet and have lunch or dinner, Quequegs for a drink and dinner has a nice fun happy hour. Shop, Shop, and Shop! Of course you can do many more activities! Make reservations! My favorite place in the world! I live in Louisville and we have a mutual connection, Justin Lee.

  • Gayle
    Reply

    I just got back from Charleston! Stayed at the Belmond Charleston Place….beautiful hotel…great location between King and Market Streets. Also 167 Raw had the best lobster roll! We also had a great dinner at Circa 1886. It’s in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion…gorgeous setting! You’ll love Charleston!

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