Charleston City Guide

I recently got back from a girls trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We had hoped for some beach weather but mother nature had something else in mind so we ate, drank and shopped our way through the historic city. If you're hoping to plan a trip in the future please read on my for my TAKE on a Charleston travel guide. Happy trails!

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Where to Stay

In planning the trip our goal was to spend time in the city and also relaxing on the beach but as we were traveling in mid May most hotels in the downtown area required a three night stay so we opted for the beach. The four of us stayed on the Isle of Palms in a condo we had rented via VRBO. We all had our own room, bathroom and a beachside location. The only downfall being that it rained on and off every day but we did have decent weather for one walk on the beach! The weather meant that we would spend more time in Charleston thus commuting via Uber/Lyft sometimes 2x a day each way. Next time I visit I plan to stay in the city but I'm so glad I have a better understanding of the surrounding area.

Where to Eat

Dining out is an experience, one that my friends and myself enjoy. The restaurant scene in Charleston has been booming for years so we were excited about eating some delicious food. We did a bit of research beforehand and had our dinner reservations booked well in advance but our lunch/brunch stops were based mostly on word-of-mouth from locals. Our eyes were often bigger than our stomachs so at some restaurants we shared plates or ordered just appetizers as we literally wanted to taste everything. 

  • The Obstinate Daughter - Dinner (Sullivan's Island)
    • Loved the decor
    • The Obstinate Flatbread with the Butterbean Puree was amazing
    • I'd eat just about anything with Comeback Sauce
  • Acme Lowcountry Kitchen - Breakfast (Isle of Palms)
    • Popular spot on the Isle of Palms
    • Southern classics
  • Leon's Oyster Shop - Lunch (Charleston)
    • Funky and trendy decor in a laid back setting
    • Delicious side salads, oysters and fried chicken sandwiches
    • The Rose Slushie is not to be missed!
  • FIG - Dinner (Charleston)
    • Our favorite dinner spot; reservations are allowed a month in advance
    • A bit dressier than the other locales we visited
    • The menu changes daily but all was delicious
    • If the Riccota Gnocchi alla Bolognese is on the menu - order it
  • Callie's Hot Little Biscuit - Breakfast (Charleston)
    • Popular spot for a quick, fast and filling breakfast
    • We went to the King Street Location
    • I opted for a biscuit sandwich with pimento cheese 
    • Delicious black iced tea with mint
  • Raw 167 - Lunch (Charleston)
    • Super popular, delicious but limited seating
    • Reservations aren't taken, put your name in and shop for an hour, come back and order a drink while waiting out the remainder of the line
    • Tuna Poke, Ceviche and the Lobster Roll were are the top of our lists
    • Bonus: the host looks like Jamie Dornan
  • Husk - Dinner (Charleston)
    • Charming exterior - the restaurant is set in an old home in the French Quarter
    • To be honest was expecting to love Husk but we were a bit disappointed
    • It's possible we ordered wrong as we focused heavily on appetizers - we were still full from our late lunch
    • Loved the Arugula and Little Gem Salads but wasn't a huge fan of the very popular Pig Ear Lettuce Wraps
  • Poogan's Porch - Brunch (Charleston)
    • Located right next to Husk in another charming restored Victorian
    • A longstanding establishment recommended by a number of people
    • Classic comfort food like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and waffles etc...
    • Oh by the way; Poogan was a dog

Where to Shop

We spent quite a few hours escaping the rain shopping on King Street and I'm afraid we didn't scratch the surface. There was a mix of local and national retailers and we enjoyed success in the shops below and I promise it wasn't all for our kids!

What to Do

One could walk endlessly exploring the history of Charleston and taking in the charming old homes. I was in heaven. The area South of Broad within the French Quarter was spectacular but literally every home had unique details and the gardening prowess of Charlestonian's was next level. As it was all of our first time in the city we spent most of our time getting the lay of the land, picking up whatever historic tidbits we could and made sure to find some time for relaxation. Next time I'd love to see the city from the water and find that pineapple fountain!

  • Historic Charleston Market - This market is in the heart of downtown and has been open since 1804. It has a variety of vendors and the market itself has a unique history and during hurricane season can be found flooded.
  • Palmetto Carriage Works - This horse drawn carriage tour was a great way for us to see much more of the city than we could have on foot and provided cover in the rain. There are a lot of tour companies in the city but we were quite pleased with this one and the guides are very knowledgeable. No need to book more than an hour in advance (unless you have a large group) and there are frequent tours throughout the day.
  • The Spa at the Dewberry Hotel - We all had the Signature Massage and it was heavenly. Added bonus they put your robe in a warmer for you so post massage you could fold yourself into a warm and cozy robe.