We recently made a week long trip to Charleston in South Carolina and Oklahoma City in Oklahoma. Both were full of surprises and great destinations we visited for the first time.

From Midwestern+West_Coast perspective, these locations were different and in all the best ways!!

Charleston

One of the oldest cities in the country, lots of brick, very green and so so walk-able. We visited Museum of Charleston, two rice plantations and learned of the area’s history. Alligators and swamps were the biggest surprise, as was 100+100 summer weather (100F and 100% humidity).

Atlantic ocean and the beach on Sullivan’s Island were amazing with gentle slopes and clean warm water.

Charleston cuisine was solid, heavy but unsurprising. They sure know how to make good Biscuits!

I heard of southern hospitality, but never experienced it (Florida doesn’t count). People in Charleston were the friendliest, most relaxed and patient folks in recent memory. “Thank You”, “Please” and friendly calm demeanor was everywhere.

The city is growing, is very clean, is very safe and green. Major employers in the area include Boeing, Bosch and Mercedes along with a shipping port.

Oklahoma City

We didn’t know what to expect, but found a very modern, spacious, extremely clean and safe city. We stayed downtown, where a large selection of cafes and restaurants were located.

Stitch Cafe had amazing local roasted coffee, Tayta Latin Restaurant had the best Ropa Vieja I ever had. The Jones Assembly offered a large indoor space serving as restaurant during normal hours and live music venue at night. FlashBack RetroPub offered drinks and old arcade games!! Perets Dessert & Coffee Bar was a 1930s style lounge specializing in affogatos packed with people of all ages, talking, doing homework, playing board games all to 1930s music in the background 😄.

We also visited Oklahoma City Zoo, National Cowboy museum and toured Oklahoma University in town of Sherman. Sherman, OK. itself is know for very good restaurants - Benvenuti’s Ristorante and The Winston were very good!

The weather gave us fireworks - spectacular dark weather fronts moving-in each evening with overnight “go big or go home” thunderstorms. Despite that, the summer weather temperatures are said to be in 80s with low humidity!!

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