Visiting Charleston, South Carolina, is like stepping right into a dwelling museum the place historical past, attraction, and Southern hospitality mix seamlessly.
Identified for its cobblestone streets, antebellum structure, and vibrant tradition, Charleston presents wealthy experiences that cater to each traveler.
Whether or not strolling by way of historic districts, indulging in savory seafood, or exploring the scenic waterfront, Charleston captivates with its timeless magnificence and heat, welcoming environment.
Our household visited Charleston for the primary time throughout the summer season. The environment was charming, the historical past intriguing, and the meals mouthwatering! If you happen to plan a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, be happy to steal my itinerary beneath!
We loved many alternative experiences, from guided carriage rides and plantations to ghost and harbor excursions. Our group of 4 completely cherished this metropolis and all that it needed to supply.
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The place to Keep in Charleston, SC
There are lots of totally different lodging choices in and round Charleston, from chain motels and Airbnb to historic inns and waterfront resorts.
You gained’t discover any high-rise motels within the historic district as the town doesn’t permit buildings taller than a sure peak. As an alternative, you’ll principally discover historic inns and mattress and breakfast stays, which I favor anyway.
Nonetheless, we cherished our keep at The Cottages on Charleston Harbor! It was the proper lodging for a household trip. Our cottage, “Candy Blessings,” had two massive bedrooms with three beds, three full bogs, a full kitchen, a big dwelling space, an outsized screened-in porch, a neighborhood pool, free bike leases, and lovely views of the Charleston Harbor!
The placement at Patriot’s Level was excellent for exploring the world. One morning, we even noticed dolphins swimming within the harbor. Skip the separate resort rooms and trip collectively as a substitute! I extremely suggest it.
Issues to Do in Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC, is a good trip vacation spot as a result of it appears to have all of it. Seashores, distinctive experiences, museums, historic parks, nature trails, and quantity of free issues to do. Listed below are some issues our household did throughout our August trip in Charleston.
Go to One in all Charleston’s Seashores
Charleston has 5 totally different seashore communities to select from. Folly Seaside, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms are excellent for sunny seashore days, shelling, and water sports activities. Whereas Kiawah and Seabrook Islands are identified for his or her championship golf resorts and outside adventures like kayaking and birdwatching.
We spent most of our time between Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms Seaside. Crowds had been minimal, shelling was plentiful, and the sundown at Isle of Palms was beautiful.
Take a Guided Carriage Tour
A novel approach to get to know The Holy Metropolis is by taking a guided carriage tour. Our tour was by way of Palmetto Carriage Works, and we cherished it.
The tour information was extraordinarily well-versed in all issues Charleston previous and current. Not solely was it a singular expertise, but it surely was additionally very academic. I’d suggest taking a guided carriage tour originally of your journey– it’ll assist you determine the whole lot you might wish to see and do later.
Choose a haunted carriage tour? They provide these, too!
Go to Charleston’s Colourful Rainbow Row
One of many high free issues to do in Charleston is to go to Rainbow Row. These colourful row-style houses are an amazing instance of Charleston’s structure between the 1700s and 1800s.
These houses had been as soon as waterfront properties; due to this fact, they primarily housed outlets on the underside ground as a result of retrieving items by way of the harbor was simple. The retailers themselves would dwell on the highest flooring.
Throughout the road, there you can find a small piece of the unique seawall with extra info on the world’s historical past.
Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park
The pineapple, a cherished image of Charleston, represents hospitality. You possibly can see pineapples everywhere in the metropolis, significantly inside the ironwork of many historic houses.
When sailors returned from sea, households would put a pineapple by way of one of many spears on their iron fence. This signified the neighborhood of their return and that you just had been welcome for a meal and to take heed to tales of their travels.
Go to Plantations and Gardens
Charleston, South Carolina, is wealthy in historical past and pure magnificence, and its historic plantations and gardens supply a glimpse into the area’s previous.
We visited the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens throughout our go to. Established in 1676 by the Drayton household, it is among the oldest plantations within the South. The final admission ticket consists of the grounds and the tram experience however doesn’t embrace touring the within of the house.
You may get misplaced for hours wandering the attractive romantic-style gardens and dwell oaks with Spanish Moss. If you wish to dive deeper into the plantation’s historical past, tickets can be found for added guided excursions just like the “From Slavery to Freedom Tour.” Listed below are different plantations and gardens you possibly can go to in and round Charleston.
Different Plantations and Gardens
Middleton Place: Middleton Place is dwelling to America’s oldest landscaped gardens, courting again to 1741. This plantation presents a mixture of formal gardens, a historic home museum, and an interactive secure yard.
Boone Corridor Plantation and Gardens: Boone Corridor, one in every of America’s oldest working plantations, is thought for its iconic Avenue of Oaks, a panoramic method lined with moss-draped oak timber planted in 1743.
Drayton Corridor: Established in 1738, Drayton Corridor is the oldest unrestored plantation home in America, and it’s nonetheless open to the general public. Not like different plantations, Drayton Corridor has been preserved moderately than restored, providing a singular and genuine historic expertise.
Cypress Gardens: Positioned simply outdoors Charleston in Moncks Nook, Cypress Gardens presents a singular mix of pure magnificence and historic significance. The gardens are set round a big blackwater swamp, the place guests can discover by way of flat-bottom boat excursions.
Charleston Tea Backyard: The backyard’s historical past dates again to the Nineteen Sixties, and immediately, it produces American Basic Tea, which is bought nationwide. You possibly can take a free manufacturing facility tour to find out about tea-making, stroll by way of the picturesque grounds, and luxuriate in a narrated trolley tour by way of the fields. The reward store presents quite a lot of teas and souvenirs, making it an ideal cease for tea fans.
Ghost Excursions of Charleston
Charleston ghost excursions supply a spooky and intriguing approach to discover the town’s wealthy historical past and legends. You might be taken by way of its haunted streets, historic cemeteries, and eerie previous buildings. These excursions typically recount tales of pirates, Civil Battle troopers, and stressed spirits, with guides sharing tales of supernatural occurrences linked to Charleston’s previous.
In style stops on these excursions embrace the Outdated Trade and Provost Dungeon, the Unitarian Church graveyard, and the historic houses believed to be haunted by former residents.
We selected the Charleston Outdated Metropolis Jail tour with Bull Canine Excursions. The information informed us that the power within the jail could be very lively and that one vacationer even got here out with scratches on their again! We extremely loved the tour, and I’ll have even come dwelling with a photograph of an orb!
Purchasing on the Charleston Metropolis Market
The Charleston Metropolis Market, established within the early Nineteenth century, is among the oldest public markets in the US and a serious cultural landmark in Charleston, South Carolina.
It spans 4 metropolis blocks and options distributors promoting native crafts, meals, and souvenirs, together with the well-known sweetgrass baskets handcrafted by Gullah artisans.
There may be additionally a Night time Market on the weekends with a completely totally different set of distributors. It’s an amazing place to search out distinctive souvenirs to take dwelling.
Fort Sumter Nationwide Historic Park
Historical past lovers shouldn’t miss visiting Fort Sumter whereas vacationing in Charleston.
Fort Sumter, situated in Charleston Harbor, is known as the location the place the primary photographs of the American Civil Battle had been fired on April 12, 1861. The fort remained below Accomplice management for many of the warfare till it was reclaimed by Union forces in 1865.
We used Fort Sumter Excursions, a 30-minute guided ferry experience to/from Fort Sumter with stunning views of Charleston Harbor. As soon as we arrived, we had been greeted by Nationwide Park Rangers with a little bit of historical past concerning the fort. Then, we had about an hour to wander the fort and go to the museum and reward store.
We visited in August when it was scorching and humid. I extremely suggest sunscreen and a water bottle if you happen to go to throughout the summer season. The one air-conditioned areas are the reward store and the museum. Concessions are additionally bought on the ferry.
Historic Properties You Can Go to in Charleston
Charleston is thought for its well-preserved historic houses, which provide an enchanting glimpse into the town’s previous, showcasing its architectural magnificence and the existence of its former residents. Listed below are among the most notable historic houses you possibly can go to in Charleston:
- Nathaniel Russell Home: In-built 1808, this grand mansion is one in every of Charleston’s most vital examples of neoclassical structure. Positioned in downtown Charleston, it’s identified for its elegant free-flying spiral staircase, intricate plasterwork, and superbly restored interval furnishings.
- Aiken-Rhett Home: Relationship again to 1820, this home presents a singular preservation expertise, because it has been maintained in a “preserved-as-found” state moderately than totally restored.
- Edmondston-Alston Home: Perched on the Battery with sweeping views of Charleston Harbor, the Edmondston-Alston Home is a traditional instance of early Nineteenth-century Greek Revival structure.
- Heyward-Washington Home: In-built 1772, the Heyward-Washington Home is the house of Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This Georgian-style home additionally famously hosted President George Washington throughout his Southern tour in 1791.
- Joseph Manigault Home: In-built 1803, is a placing instance of Federal-style structure designed by Gabriel Manigault, one in every of Charleston’s most outstanding architects.
- Calhoun Mansion: In-built 1876, it’s one in every of Charleston’s most spectacular Gilded Age houses. Identified for its opulent design, the mansion options 35 rooms stuffed with intricate woodwork, Tiffany-style stained glass, and an enormous assortment of antiques.
The place to Eat in Charleston, SC
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for recent seafood, Southern Carolina-style barbecue, a hearty steak, or southern comforts, Charleston has loads of choices to fulfill your style buds. From distinctive regionally owned eating places to waterfront eating, the culinary scene in Charleston is unbelievable! Listed below are just a few eating places we completely loved throughout our go to.
Church and Union Charleston
Church and Union Charleston is a singular spot open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. It’s co-owned by Prime Chef competitor Jamie Lynch. The ceilings are inscribed with the textual content from The Artwork of Battle by Solar Tzu.
The environment was very relaxed, and the chef-inspired plates had been scrumptious. We had the whole lot from avocado toast to sausage biscuits smothered in gravy. In order for you a brunch spot in Charleston, I extremely suggest Church and Union!
Tavern & Desk
Tavern & Desk is a well-liked waterfront restaurant in Mount Nice, simply throughout the Cooper River from downtown Charleston, SC.
Identified for its relaxed environment and scenic views of Shem Creek, the restaurant presents Southern-inspired dishes made with regionally sourced substances. It additionally serves quite a lot of craft cocktails, seafood, and wood-fired specialties.
We loved our Sunday brunch at Tavern & Desk very a lot. The Home-Baked Bread Board was the proper appetizer for 4, served with quite a lot of gadgets. We had shrimp and grits, a breakfast burrito, and scorching smoked salmon toast—it was all mouthwatering!
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
We had an enormous Meals Community and Rodney Scott fan with us on the journey, so we most actually needed to cease for some South Carolina-style entire hod barbecue!
The pitmaster strives to maintain the “dwell coal direct warmth” barbecue technique alive, a household custom. The barbecue was to die for, and the parts had been very beneficiant!
After your meal, ask about their Rodney Scott’s BBQ merch (we purchased a signed cookbook) and a pit tour! The tour is free, and you may see the place all of the magic occurs. Additionally, be looking out for Rodney himself. We missed his presence by about 20 minutes, dang!
Shem Creek Crab Home
Eating at Shem Creek Crab Home is a quintessential Lowcountry expertise with beautiful views of the Shem Creek waterfront.
The restaurant focuses on recent, regionally caught seafood, together with blue crabs, shrimp, and oysters, served in a laid-back, family-friendly environment.
We visited Shem Creek Crab Home for dinner, simply in time for unbelievable sundown views! Most of our group had the Lowcountry boils stuffed with several types of crab, shrimp, mussels, sausage, and all of the fixin’s!
Stars Rooftop & Grillroom
Stars Rooftop & Grillroom is a classy eating spot identified for its rooftop bar that provides panoramic views of the town’s historic skyline.
The Grill Room downstairs options an open kitchen and serves a menu targeted on wood-fired delicacies, together with steaks, seafood, and Southern-inspired dishes. We loved the apple-glazed pork stomach, scallops, and filet, amongst different issues.
The rooftop bar is fashionable for having fun with craft cocktails and small plates whereas watching the attractive Charleston sundown.
Islander 71 Fish Home and Uncooked Bar
Islander 71 Fish Home and Uncooked Bar is a well-liked eating spot situated in Isle of Palms, simply outdoors Charleston, SC. The restaurant presents a relaxed coastal environment with picturesque views and focuses on recent seafood, together with quite a lot of uncooked bar choices, together with Southern-inspired dishes and inventive cocktails.
The restaurant is kind of massive, with a number of tales of indoor and outside seating. It additionally has a stage for dwell music and hosts trivia nights. We loved two several types of oysters, the crab dip and ceviche. We had been additionally there for dinner and caught a stunning sundown!
Saltwater Cowboys
Saltwater Cowboys is a vigorous waterfront restaurant on Shem Creek, identified for its laid-back vibe and water views. The menu options quite a lot of Southern coastal delicacies, together with recent seafood, smoked BBQ, and inventive cocktails.
The restaurant is massive, has a number of tales, and has loads of outside seating. On a Saturday evening when it was fairly busy, we loved quite a lot of seafood plates for dinner.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions (FAQs)
What’s the greatest time to go to Charleston? The perfect time to go to Charleston is throughout spring (March by way of Could) and fall (September by way of November) when the climate is sweet, and the town hosts festivals and occasions. These seasons additionally supply extra snug temperatures (much less humidity) for outside actions.
What number of days do it’s worthwhile to discover Charleston? A 3 to 4-day journey is right for exploring Charleston. This provides you sufficient time to take pleasure in the principle points of interest, go to seashores, and dine with out feeling rushed.
Are there any free issues to do in Charleston? Sure! Some free actions embrace seashore days, strolling Waterfront Park, taking selfies on Rainbow Row, and visiting the Charleston Tea Backyard.
Plan Your Charleston, SC Trip
Vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina, was an absolute delight! The town has the whole lot you want for the proper trip, together with seashores, purchasing, historic websites and landmarks, museums, distinctive experiences, and fashionable facilities.
Take pleasure in your journey! We actually did!
Journey Journalist, Digital Writer, Creator
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Journey Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Accomplice, Society of American Journey Writers and North American Journey Journalists Affiliation member, and the founding father of Wander Worthy. She covers trip locations, journey information, and tourism traits.