Last month, I visited the holy city with a couple of girlfriends. If you find yourself going on a trip there soon, here’s what we did in this easy-to-follow Charleston travel guide for a girl’s weekend!
I fell in love with Charleston during my first trip there last month and I’m already looking forward to going back! Here’s a recap of what we did and what you can do if you are planning a trip there. Consider it an easy-to-follow Charleston Travel Guide!
Charleston Travel Guide
Where to Stay
There are plenty of boutique hotels in Charleston like 86 Cannon, Zero George, Two Meeting Street Inn, the Dewberry and more. I’ve heard great things about all of them. If you want to be walking distance from everything, those are wonderful options.
We stayed at the Charleston Waterfront Marriott, which was just a mile outside of the historic district. We opted for a place by the water that was more laid-back than downtown (which was quite laid-back and quiet to our surprise). The hotel was clean, charming and boasted the prettiest waterfront views. It was just a quick drive to downtown and I would highly recommend it if you don’t mind the drive.
What to Do
If I had to sum it up in one word it would be to sightsee! Charleston is full of history and charm, and every corner is not only beautiful but most likely has a story behind it waiting to be discovered. A few things that you could do to make the most of of the city’s history:
Visit Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a beautiful, scenic plantation located in North Charleston. It’s quiet and peaceful and it is definitely a good thing to do first thing in the morning to beat the heat and crowds. We saw so many gorgeous plants and flowers, but it seems that spring is the best time to visit when everything is in full bloom!
Go on a Historic Walking Tour
The Palmetto Carriage Works guided walking tour was a great experience. It was two hours long and we were so glad we did it. (Pro tip: during the hot summer months do the 10 am walking tour to beat the heat!) There is so much information and history behind every street, building, statue, etc. that it is almost a no-brainer to do it. We even learned about a particular mansion that we hadn’t heard about before, and based on this tour we decided to tour that mansion afterwards — called the Calhoun Mansion if you’re interested. If you love history or simply want to learn more about the city, then you will love this guided walking tour.
Stroll Areas Like Rainbow Row, the Battery and King Street
As I’ve mentioned, there’s no shortage of pretty sights in Charleston. Bring a camera along and be prepared to snap photos of just about everything — seriously!
Where to Eat
The food in Charleston is amazing! From hearty southern food to fresh Mexican food and everything in between, there’s something for everyone. Also — a popular spot not shown below is Shim Creek in Mount Pleasant, recommended by a local!
Miller’s All Day
The most delicious breakfast spot ever. The biscuit was out of this world!
Goat Sheep Cow
Great spot for great wine, fresh food and AMAZING charcuterie boards.
Lewis Barbecue
A go-to spot if you want to have a true southern barbecue meal!
Minero
Fresh Mexican food at its finest! Simple, flavorful and delicious.
Byrd’s Famous Cookies
The most adorable cookie spot! You get to taste and sample cookies at the cookie bar — I may or may not have sampled one too many, ha!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
The ice cream was very fresh, although it was a little TOO flavorful/ sweet. But if you go with a standard flavor, I’m sure it’s great!
What to Wear
If you’re visiting in the summer, it’s best to pack light and breezy pieces like flowy dresses and skirts in cotton, linen and chambray. These pieces will keep you cool in the heat! Also, hats and sunglasses are a must.
Seriously LOVE this guide! So many great recommendations – I’ve never been but Charleston is definitely up there on my list now! I can’t wait to refer back to this guide when planning my trip! Thanks for sharing, Emily! 🙂