A Local’s Guide To Visiting Charleston

Charleston SC is the quintessential Southern city, known for its historic streets, creative food scene, and quirky beach towns. I visited Charleston on a whim, 9 years ago, and fell in love with the city, harbor, and - most of all - the people. Here are some of my favorite spots, if you are looking to spend a few days (or years!) in this little corner of the world I call home.

Get Oriented

3 destinations to explore

1. Downtown - Perfect option for setting a home base, downtown Charleston is within 30 minutes of all sorts of adventures. Within downtown, here are some of my favorite destinations to explore:

• The Battery and Rainbow Row - catch the morning light at Whitepoint Gardens, an oasis of live oaks covered in Spanish moss, and follow the curve of the harbor to a colorful series of historic row houses. Don’t miss the pineapple fountain!

• South of Broad - spend an afternoon wandering this historic residential neighborhood where horse-drawn carriages trundle down cobblestone streets. Quench your thirst at the Blind Tiger after you’ve had your fill of this photographer’s paradise.

• King Street - spend a few hours strolling down King Street from Spring to Market and you’ll find the trendiest boutiques, world-class restaurants, and lively nightlife in the heart of downtown. Grab a coffee and head to Marion Square on Saturdays to peruse the local wares and produce at the farmers market.

• East Bay Street - Choice restaurants and fine cocktails line this street in the French Quarter neighborhood, a stone’s throw from the Charleston City Market. Sample the meat sweats at Poogan’s Smokehouse if you’re in the mood for some good barbeque, or enjoy the tacos and margs at Minero. Go for a walking house and garden tour, or if you’re in the mood for some spooky chills, try a ghost tour.

• Upper Neck - The secret’s out about this barbeque and brewery hotspot! Here you’ll find the Bermuda Triangle of barbecue with Lewis, HomeTeam, and Rodney Scotts. If you’re looking for healthier fare, take a picnic basket and spread out in Hampton Park or have a light lunch at Huriyali or Park Cafe. There has also been an explosion of craft brewing lately, with a ton of local breweries calling this area home including long-time faves Revelry, Edmunds Oast, and Palmetto along with an assortment of newcomers to the scene.

2. Beaches - Charleston’s beaches all have their own unique characters, from quirky Folly to classic, refined Sullivans. 

• Folly Beach - Our laidback, funky beach town and surfer hangout with a lively main street. Grab brunch at Lost Dog Cafe and soak up some rays in view of Morris Island lighthouse, then when you’re feeling hungry again, try one of the eclectic curry bowls at Jack of Cups Saloon or a slice of pizza at Woody’s. To round out the perfect beach day, walk down the pier with an ice cream cone from the drugstore.

• Sullivan's Island - A refined and family friendly beach community with top notch eateries.  Try your luck at finding some sharks’ teeth on the beach. Burgers at Poe’s Tavern are a must, but get there early or be prepared for a long wait! The Obstinate Daughter is another great spot featuring Italian comfort food inspired by the sea. Stop at Shem Creek for a lively scene on the weekend.

• Other beaches in the area: Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Seabrook

3. Plantations - Learn about the history and culture of these decadent properties from a past era, and wander through their beautiful gardens with a camera.

• Magnolia Plantation - Spend a few hours wandering through the beauty, magic, and rich cultural heritage of these romantic-style gardens. Discover sunbathing alligators and nesting herons on the Audubon swamp walk. Gaze out on sweeping river views from the observation tower. The camellias bloom in winter months, and don’t miss the azaleas blooming in the spring! General admission to the gardens is $15-$20. Additional tours are priced separately. link

• Other plantations include Middleton Place, Charlestowne Landing, and Boone Hall

Places of Interest

I’ve grouped these activities and adventures into loose categories, incorporating places of interest from all major Charleston destinations mentioned above. My advice is to pick your top 5 and craft your trip itinerary from there.

Where to eat

Charleston is such a foodie’s paradise! There are countless options for great dining here, and new concepts are always popping up. Charleston City Paper does a great weekly newsletter that keeps us locals up-to-date on all the fabulous happenings in the food and beverage industry here in town. And even so, I find myself coming back again and again to a few places close to my heart which I’m sharing below, along with a map of all their locations. I also included my list of restaurants I’ve been meaning to try - so if you go to one let me know what you think!

Where to Stay

There are many options to choose from when deciding where to stay in Charleston. You’ll have the run of the gamut, from laid-back airbnbs and vacation rentals to boutique and luxury hotels. I recommend making downtown your home base. Downtown is very centrally located, and within 30 mins drive of the beaches and the plantations. You can get away without renting a car, but you will be limited to exploring downtown Charleston. If you really want a taste of the Lowcountry, rent a car and explore the surrounding barrier islands, and take a day trip up one of the river roads to visit the historic plantations and gardens. If you plan on staying for a week or more, I recommend breaking up your stay, staying a few nights downtown and a few nights off the peninsula, on the beach or one of the barrier islands nearby to get the best sense of all the different environments of Charleston.

• Best Deal: Hotels in Mount Pleasant or West Ashley will have the best deals, but are a 10 minute drive from downtown where all the action is

• Splurge: Zero George, The Dewberry, The Grand Bohemian, Andrew Pinkney Inn, The Restoration

Chelsea Chen of Chelchen did some great reviews of the places she stayed at while she was visiting Charleston, and I can attest to the fact that the breakfast buffet and the happy hour at Andrew Pinkney Inn were phenomenal and sported epic views of Charleston’s skyline.

**Tips for Parking & Driving in Charleston**

If you do have a car in Charleston… I know when I first moved here, I scoured the internet for the hidden meanings of our parking signs! Alas, none were found, but here are some tidbits I’ve picked up after almost a decade living here.

• Skip the meters - Park in the city garages downtown. If you are staying for more than 2 hours a lot of the city garages have a $5 flat rate in the evenings and on weekends, and you’ll come out ahead. 

• There is a city-wide ordinance that prohibits feeding the meters. You can get a $25-$40 parking ticket for staying in the same spot too long!

• If you are driving around downtown, heed the one way street signs and parking signs! Many of the residential parking spaces you’ll see have signs that say you can park there for 1-2 hrs. Don’t block the driveways.

• Free parking is available downtown on the outer rim of South Battery Drive by the water.

• Free parking is available on Folly Beach + Sullivans Island past the paid parking lots, on the side of the road; just follow all normal rules of the road + posted signs (like make sure all your tires are completely off the road, and don’t park on the wrong side of the road!). Make your beach day ticket free: https://www.follybeach.com/parking-on-folly-beach/

Incredible Weekend Trip Ideas from Charleston

Charleston is a great home base for some Southern-style weekend trips or longer road trip destinations. While I’ve listed out 16 awesome destinations below, I still haven’t made it to each one. As I go, I will update this space with photos, tips, and stories. So here is my list of top destinations and cities that will make for an unforgettable weekend or the next must-see stop on your Southeastern Road Trip!