From the amazing sweet tea to the old southern colonial homes, Charleston is the charm of the south!
Long story short, we planned on going to Iceland and found out 10 days before our trip that WowAir went bankrupt, so we had to cancel our entire trip…
Luckily my boyfriend and I both have friends in Charleston so we took a last minute road trip from D.C. down to South Carolina! We stayed for 4 nights but it’s the perfect place to visit for a weekend or a full week!
One of the things I love most is the top-notch southern dining and taking in all the history & beauty of the city. Charleston has so much to offer for everyone, so let’s talk about what to do when you get there.
What to Do
Charleston is jam-packed with activities… whether you’re there on a bachelor or bachelorette party, a girl’s getaway, a romantic couples’ weekend, or a family vacation.
For starters, Charleston is a walkable city, but renting a bike is a great way to get around. Some of my favorite streets to explore are King Street, Meeting Street and Canon Street. If you want a beautiful view of the water, ride over to The Battery!
Walk along Rainbow Row and the Waterfront Park, which are probably the two most photographed “instagramable” spots in Charleston. I recommend going early or during the week to avoid the crowds! The stretch of charming pastel colored houses run from 83 to 107 East Bay Street!
Stick around in that area and shop for your dream home around Battery Park and White Point Gardens. Wander around the French Quarter and downtown areas. It is the best way you will find the city’s adorable hidden alleys, colorful houses, and courtyards.
If you love history, take a historic walking tour or carriage tour of downtown Charleston. The Tavern at Rainbow Row is known as the oldest liquor store. Stop by for some tastings if you are in the area, they were super friendly and knowledgeable!
For shopping, King Street has it all. You can walk up and down the street discovering local boutiques and more familiar brands. You can’t go wrong spending a day shopping, or just strolling down, King Street. A hidden gem is Skinny Dip – on 345 King St. – where you can shop on the first floor, and then head to the second floor to their rooftop patio and coffee/wine bar after – including frosé!
For something more unique, head to this famous flea market is in central Charleston. It’s open 365 days a year and is a good place to stock up on souviners including handmade pottery, Charleston’s famous sweetgrass baskets, gorgeous paintings, jewelry, and more.
If you’re not a shopper, that’s okay! To be honest, if I’m near the ocean that’s where I want to be! Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island in Mount Pleasant are great close by options. If you looking to drive a little further out, another close by beach is Folly Beach. All three are comparable, but we decided to check out Isle of Palms. The beach is wide and flat – great for walking and eyeing the beach front homes. Lucky for us, one of our friends invited us to a beach house, I’ll let the photos do the talkin!
Where To Stay
If you love unique boutique hotels or charming inns and are willing to pay more than your average hotel, here are some great options!
Where to Eat
The best thing about the restaurant scene here is that you can really find just about any cuisine you’re looking for at every price range. Plus, everything you eat is guaranteed to be full with flavor (I am talkin melted cinnamon butter with your hishpuppies). To help you narrow down your choices, here’s a list of some of my favorite spots you should check out when visiting Charleston!
Another spot right outside of Charleston is Shem Creek, filled with lively waterfront restaurants and bars. Sitting out on the dock watching the boats go in and out of the canal was so peaceful. My personal favorite was Table and Tavern, do yourself a favor and get an Aperol Spritz, yumm!
First let’s start with the coffee and dessert:
Moving on to lunch and dinner:
To say the least Charleston has it all. I could go on and on! If you have any specific questions don’t hesitate to reach out
Have you ever been to Charleston?
Let me know your favorite spots in the comments below!
