I’ve been wanting to visit Charleston South Carolina for years now and was finally able to check it off my bucket list. I’ve actually spent very little time in many southern cities, so the Carolinas have always piqued my interest, especially this charming and growing little city in South Carolina. Charleston is a southeastern city located on the Atlantic Coast, residing right on the gorgeous Charleston Harbor.
I believe it’s an excellent city to visit on a weekend as it’s big enough to not be bored but small enough to conquer in 2 days. Between the proximity to the beach, beautiful architecture, rich history, incredible food scene and weather (most of the time), it will make for one of the best weekend getaway destinations in the country. Moreover, you’ll have exciting places to visit including the Nathaniel Russell House, Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, Charleston City Market and more.
Unfortunately, we experienced mostly cloudy skies and rainy weather during our trip as we visited in the middle of March where warm weather isn’t always guaranteed. But that didn’t stop our experience from being a fulfilling one, however. There’s plenty of museums, cafes, restaurants and bars to indulge in the Charleston culture and have a fabulous time for a weekend in Charleston.
Weekend Guide To Charleston SC
Tips For Visiting Charleston SC On A Weekend
Planning your trip to Charleston
If you’re looking to visit Charleston on the weekend, then it’s likely the city will be busier during your stay. So I recommend planning out your activities and restaurants ahead of time (yes, I am that friend who has the spreadsheets). That way you can stay as organized as possible and also plan every little detail to maximize your time. In fact, I personally use Google Docs, Google Sheets and Trello to stay organized.
Charleston is a huge hub for bachelorette parties. So it’s best to stay organized especially when traveling with others. I also find staying super connected and realistic on travels with friends, really helps put everything into perspective and will define the type of experience you have. Traveling with others, even with the best of friends, isn’t always easy. So setting expectations ahead of time and aligning on similarities and differences will make the trip a more fulfilling one. If you want specific tips and tricks while traveling with friends, be sure to check out my Turks & Caicos Girls Trip Travel Guide.
How to Get Around Charleston
Getting around Charleston is easy enough because you can Uber, ride bikes, take a carriage ride through town, and just walk on foot, especially if you’re staying in downtown Charleston. Everything is fairly close together and the city is definitely commuter-friendly compared to some of the larger cities. I highly recommend walking on foot or riding bikes as much as possible because you’ll be able to see some stunning buildings, flowers, and shops while exploring.
Packing for Charleston
You’ll definitely want to pack a few key essentials for Charleston including face sunscreen (use code 15JESS for 15% off), regular sunscreen, dresses, skirts, tank tops, a cardigan, sandals, sneakers, a floppy hat, and going out outfits. The style in Charleston is casual and comfortable, yet elegant and upscale for a beach town. The evenings are also the perfect opportunity to dress up and have a nice dinner. Check out my packing list for Charleston here.
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Making Reservations for Charleston
Since Charleston has become such a popular destination to visit, you’ll want to make sure you get reservations ahead of time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Of course there are always places you can walk-in and add your name but since there are so many great foodie spots here, you’ll want to reserve ahead of time to be on the safe side.
Best Time To Visit Charleston SC
The best time to visit this charming city is March to May and September to November when temperatures aren’t the hottest. Although the weather will be best during these months, the prices will be higher (especially in April) as the crowds will be larger, as well as the demand. So if you’re interested in going during the off-season, you can still have an authentic experience since there’s so much to do both outdoors and indoors, year-round.
While visiting during summer and winter is least popular, you’ll get great beach and swimming time in the summer and then cozy winter vibes with some rain and snow flurries in the winter.
Things To Do In Charleston SC
Visit the Museums
Charleston, as you may already know, is extremely historic. There’s tons of museums to visit but the two we visited during our stay include The Old Slave Market and Provost Dungeon, built in 1771. I’m personally not a huge fan of museums, but these were super interesting and interactive. The topics of discussion and exposure to the harsh conditions of slavery back then, were very hard for me to see. I felt very uncomfortable with so much of the information I learned but feel that everyone should be aware of this reality in our history. It shows how far we have come as a society and how much further we still need to go in terms of equality.
I suggest getting a discounted combo pass to see both museums. This website lays out the ticket options for you.
Visit Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
A visit to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is a must when visiting Charleston. It was named one of “America’s most beautiful gardens” in Travel + Leisure Magazine and that definitely holds true. It’s an expansive, romantic, and charming garden with trees, magnolias, rivers, animals, bridges, and plenty of historic landmarks.
Take a Charleston Food Tour
It’s no secret that Charleston is a foodie city. Between the southern comfort dishes like shrimp and grits, biscuits, cornbread, hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes, okra soup and more, you’ll want to get a taste of their cuisine. Moreover, it’s a great idea to take a walking Charleston food tour where you can hit the best spots, get a sample, indulge in these classic Charleston dishes, and decide which you like best.
Take a Walking Tour
While I’m a fan of doing self-guided walking tours, there are plenty of group-guided tours to get full insight and understanding of the story of this town, especially considering how historic Charleston is. When the weather is nice, it’s also the perfect place to take a stroll, learn more about the area and admire the stunning architecture, homes, and greenery you’ll see throughout.
Go to Waterfront Park
We stumbled upon Waterfront Park by accident when walking around and are so glad we did. It resides right on Cooper River in Charleston and makes for a relaxing, quiet, and picturesque location, especially when the sun is going down. The famous Pineapple Fountain stands tall and and adds to the overall charm of the area.
Visit Folly Beach
If you come during bikini season, you’ll want to spend the day at Folly Beach. It’s an iconic beach destination with sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, live entertainment, restaurants, bars and overall an awesome atmosphere.
Stroll Down Rainbow Row
As one of the most visited and Instagrammed spots in Charleston, it’s obvious that you must make your way to see what it’s about. Located from 83-107 E Bay Street, you’ll find a series of thirteen colorful historic homes that truly represent the Charleston aesthetic perfectly. The entire street is beautiful and makes for a lovely walk through the neighborhood.
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Ride a Carriage around Town
Carriage ride tours are some of the most iconic and well-known things to do in Charleston. You can’t walk down a street without seeing one at some point! The horses are beautiful, the carriages are big and spacious and it’s definitely one of the most unique ways to explore Charleston.
Experience the Nightlife
As a major hub for bachelor and bachelorette parties, it’s a great place to experience the nightlife. The restaurants stay open late and are usually packed, the bars are lively with great drinks and music, and there are many different clubs to experience. We visited Republic Nightclub and it had access both indoors and outdoors, music, entertainment, dancing, and drinks.
Best Places To Eat In Charleston SC
Bitty & Beau’s
The cutest little coffee shop that we stumbled upon without knowing the history behind it. Bitty & Beau’sis an advocate for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to help make the world a better place and give work opportunities to those with disabilities. We came here on a rainy Saturday afternoon and had a great time relaxing with some coffee, tea, and smiling faces to greet us.
Miller’s All Day
THE place to go to for breakfast and brunch. Miller’s All Day is a fabulous, beautifully decorated, well-lit and lively place to get your foodie fix, especially if you’re a breakfast person. They offer classic dishes like frittata, quiche, waffles, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, steak & eggs, home fries, sandwiches, cinnamon buns, hot honey chicken donuts, and a ton of sides to choose from.
We loved everything from the excellent service, lively atmosphere, quality of food, and overall aesthetic. It’s an awesome spot to get a taste of a classic Charleston breakfast.
Toast All Day
Another great breakfast and lunch spot. Toast All Day is a more intimate and simple experience with dishes that are anything but. You can order a plethora of items including egg platters, eggs benedict, sweet southern comforts like stuffed french toast & flat iron pancakes, biscuits & sandwiches, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and classic shrimp and grits, soups and salads, and more. They also have fabulous breakfast cocktails pleasantly crafted like mimosas and bloody marys.
This is definitely a must-visit spot in Charleston as it’s won several awards including the Top 25 Best Brunches in the US by Tripadvisor.
Eli’s Table
While a simple restaurant from first appearance, the fine dining experience definitely impresses. Eli’s table is an intimate, high-end bar and restaurant with artful decor & locally sourced Southern fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner. We absolutely loved the dishes here including the smoked gouda fondue, pickled shrimp dip, salmon leaf, day boat scallops and the incredible table-side creme brulee. We also came during jazz night which added to the overall ambiance and positive experience during our dinner.
While the food experience and entertainment were on par, it was really the staff and their kindness and humor that made for such a great experience. Highly recommend this spot for dinner one night!
Hank’s Seafood
Hank’s Seafood is a must-visit when dining in Charleston. The entire restaurant from the inside out is gorgeous, spacious and high-end, offering an elegant and classic dining experience. Known for its seafood and raw-bar items, you have access to dishes like oysters, seafood towers, southern seafood platters, sea scallops, salmon, tuna, flounder, crab soup and so much more. You’ll want to order a bottle of rosé or white wine to pair with the delicious seafood you’ll have here.
Camellias at Hotel Bennet
A splurge, but totally worth it. The famous Camellias located at Hotel Bennett is a sophisticated, high-end, pink-decorated, and intimate champagne bar where you can order upscale noshes, champagne flights, glasses or bottles. It’s definitely another photo-opp as the interiors are simply stunning and luxurious. I highly recommend visiting this spot before dinner and wearing something nice.
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Best Places To Stay In Charleston SC
Courtyard Marriott Waterfront
The Courtyard Marriott Waterfront is perfect for those looking for a more affordable option since accommodations in Charleston are quite expensive. It’s also great for those who like to book hotel stays on credit card points! The Courtyard Marriott Waterfront is located right on the water with stunning views, outdoor seating, an indoor cafe, a lounge and comfortable rooms. It’s also a quick trip to downtown Charleston and Uber are plentiful here.
We were able to stay here at The Courtyard Marriott Waterfront completely for free on points using my Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card. I talk about hotel loyalty programs all the time on Instagram, but the Marriott Bonvoy program is one of my top favorites as the rewards add up quickly, give you VIP access as a guest and allow you to book stays for free using points. There is seriously nothing better! Sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card to get the VIP rewards and benefits you deserve.
Luxury Hotel Options
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If you plan to stay at any of these hotels in Charleston and are interested in receiving the best room and rates possible, book your hotel through my VIP hotel booking tool! This gives you access to the best rates, upgrades, and my trusted travel advisor, should you need extra assistance in booking your trip.
