Charleston is one of our favorite places to visit in the U.S. Great food, great people, and Southern Charm. What is not to love? Ideal for a trip on a long weekend
Charleston is a charming southern city located in South Carolina, USA. As a tourist visiting for a weekend, you can experience the rich history and culture of Charleston while enjoying the city’s beautiful architecture, food, and hospitality. Begin your exploration of Charleston by taking a stroll through the historic district, which is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and buildings. You can visit the picturesque Battery Park, where you can see antebellum mansions and enjoy views of the harbor, or explore the colorful Rainbow Row, a series of historic homes painted in pastel colors.
Another must-see attraction in Charleston is the Charleston City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States. The market is a bustling hub of activity with vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewelry and pottery to sweetgrass baskets and traditional southern food. Be sure to try some of the local specialties like shrimp and grits or she-crab soup.
Finally, no visit to Charleston would be complete without taking a trip to one of the nearby plantations, such as Magnolia Plantation and Gardens or Middleton Place. These historic properties offer a glimpse into the city’s past and showcase the grandeur of southern plantation life. You can explore the beautiful gardens, take a guided tour of the plantation house, or even go on a horse-drawn carriage ride. These plantations are not only beautiful but also educational, as they provide insights into the history of the region, including the impact of slavery and the Civil War. Personally, I’m not a plantation person, but I understand some people like to visit them.
Recommended stay: 3 nights
Lodging Recommendation: Mills House (~350 /night) Mills House is my preference to stay at in Charleston. I really prefer this location as it allows your to walk to a majority of the city center attractions.
Indigo Inn is a cheap alternative and an even better location, but lacks any hotel amenity other than clean room.
Airbnb/Vrbo/Etc are always options too.
Recommended mode of transportation: Car Rental if stay if over 2 days. Otherwise Ride-share
Drop stuff off at hotel
Dinner: Xiao Xiao Biscuit (https://www.yelp.com/biz/xiao-bao-biscuit-charleston?osq=xiao+xiao). Flavors galore. Thank you chefs at 167 Raw who told us this is one of the best place to eat in Charleston and they weren’t wrong.
Breakfast: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (opens at 8am) https://www.yelp.com/map/callies-hot-little-biscuit-charleston
Do: Walk through Charleston City Market
Lunch: 167 Raw (11-9 closed Sunday) http://www.yelp.com/biz/167-raw-charleston-2?page_src=related_bizes
Do: Enjoy walking Kings Street and then CandleFish class https://www.yelp.com/biz/candlefish-charleston / https://www.candlefish.com/ (good couples activity)
Dinner: Bowen’s Island (5-10pm closed sunday) http://www.yelp.com/biz/bowens-island-charleston Put your feet up and enjoy some food and drinks on the water. Expect an extremely long wait. I think we waited an hour to get in and order.
Dessert: Charleston has great options for Southern Sweets. Kilwin’s for an covered apple (open to 10pm) http://www.yelp.com/biz/kilwins-charleston-2 or Market Street Sweets https://www.yelp.com/biz/market-street-sweets-charleston or SCK https://www.yelp.com/biz/savannahs-candy-kitchen-savannah?osq=Savannah+candy
Breakfast: Poogan’s Porch (Chicken & Waffles & Shrimp and Grits – opens at 9am) http://www.yelp.com/biz/poogans-porch-charleston
Do: Historical walk, walk around the Waterfront and see Rainbow Row.
Late Lunch: Leon’s Fine Poultry and Oysters http://www.yelp.com/biz/leons-fine-poultry-and-oysters-charleston-2
Do: Visit Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island
Dinner: Sorghum & Salt (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sorghum-and-salt-charleston?osq=Restaurants) One of the best restaurants in Charleston Hands down. One of the best restaurants I ate in 2021.
Dessert: Belgian Gelato (open to 11pm) http://www.yelp.com/biz/belgian-gelato-charleston
Breakfast: Wildflour Pastry (630 – 4:30 m-f & 8 – 1 s&s) http://www.yelp.com/biz/wildflour-pastry-charleston (must have sticky bun) or Cafe Framboise (8am – 4pm closed Sun) http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-framboise-charleston
Drive to Middleton Place Plantation and walk around https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g54171-d144683-Reviews-Middleton_Place-Charleston_South_Carolina.html
Lunch: Rodney Scott’s BBQ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/rodney-scotts-bbq-charleston-charleston)
Head home
If you are staying an extra day, consider driving to Savannah for a day trip. 2 hours away.
The authors of Elevated Viewpoint sport adventurous souls with deep passions for exploring new cultures and cuisines. With a love for finding the best a city has to offer, we seek out both traditional gems and local hotspots in every destination. From savoring exotic flavors to experiencing unique traditions, we are always on the lookout for the next adventure.
Make this choice and from now on, you will forever be a part of every adventure!