Travel Guide To Charleston, SC
The Spend it Like Stanford 3 day travel guide to Charleston, SC has it all. Great food. Tons of history…and walking. Lot’s of good drinks on King Street and plenty of beach time at Folly Beach. I absolutely fell in love with the charming city and can see why it’s become a popular destination for young and old. 3 days in Charleston is plenty of time to see the city, but whatever amount of time you are there, you’re sure to enjoy.
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WHERE TO STAY in charleston, sc
There are plenty of different neighborhoods to stay in Charleston. We chose to stay in the historic district right on the edge of the French Quarter at the Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel. The hotel has been open since 1853 and it was the perfect location since it was close to King Street, South of Broad and many other locations you’ll want to visit on your trip.
Most downtown Charleston hotels are a great option as the city is very walkable and the pedicabs make it super easy to get around the city. Other hotel options are the Belmond for an upscale stay, the Vendue for a boutique experience with an updated look and feel or the Grand Bohemian for ultimate luxury. You may also choose the old school charm and history that Charleston is known for like John Rutledge House Inn or the Andrew Pickney Inn. Use the booking finder below to find the perfect hotel stay in Charleston.
WHAT TO DO in charleston, sc
You won’t be bored in Charleston with just three days to spend. Charleston, SC makes it easy to create a travel guide full of different activities for every type of traveler.
+ PINEAPPLE FOUNTAIN
The infamous Pineapple Fountain in Charleston is located right in the heart of the Waterfront Park. The pineapple is actually a symbol for southern hospitality in the South so it’s no wonder it’s made an appearance in Charleston.
+ RAINBOW ROW
Ahh Rainbow Row. If you’ve seen pictures of Charleston then you’ve most likely seen a picture or two of Rainbow Row. This 13 row of pastel-colored houses dates back to 1680 and were restored in the 1920’s. It’s one of Charleston’s most photographed spots and it’s easy to see why. It’s an instagrammers paradise!
+ BATTERY
After visiting the Pineapple Fountain, you can walk straight into the Battery which is famous for its historic homes but really is just a seawall that was built to protect the city. It’s gorgeous to walk along the sidewalk looking out into the water while seeing all the homes lining the peninsula.
+ SOUTH OF BROAD
The South of Broad area is the heart of Charleston’s historic district and the area gets its name for being well, south of Broad street. It’s a residential area that is actually known for housing the city’s elite. You’ll find gorgeous mansions here and if you’re into history then this area is a must visit on your Charleston, SC travel guide.
+ SHOPPING ON KING STREET
King Street in Charleston, SC is iconic so it should obviously be on your travel guide. It’s not only known for its blocks and blocks of shopping, but also restaurants and nightlife. You can easily spend an afternoon here just popping in and out of the shops lining the streets or bar hopping for a night. Some of my favorite boutiques on the street were Skinny dip, Two Cumberland, House of Sage, Candlefish and Mulberry and King. And, for all of my Southern Charm fans, a stop at Sewing Down South is a must.
+ Churches
Charleston is nicknamed the Holy City because of the vast amount of Churches located there. The reasoning behind the city’s many churches dates back to when it was founded. Charleston once was one of the only cities that offered religious freedom to all who came. You can walk all around Charleston and find a beautiful church on nearly every block.
+ Walking Tour
We chose to do our own walking history tour of Charleston, which included Pineapple Fountain, Rainbow Row, South of Broad and and the Battery but there are so many other tour options in Charleston. You’ll notice their well-known tours are done on horse-drawn carriages and you’ll spot them all over the city. They run about $40 per person and while we didn’t do one, from what we heard just in passing those carriages, the tour guides are very knowledgeable. You can find plenty of tour options here.
+ PHILADELPHIA ALLEY
Philadelphia Alley is one of the oldest short-cut streets in Charleston and it’s hidden between State St. and Church St. It’s also known as the dueling alley as it’s history is marked with a series of famous duels from the 1700s.
+ FOLLY BEACH
If you’re looking to get out of the city for a day or a few hours then head to one of Charleston’s many beaches. We decided on Folly Beach. It’s about 12 miles south of Charleston, but on busy summer days it can take nearly an hour to get there because of the traffic. This area also has it’s own mix of great restaurants and bars to enjoy your time there. We went on Independence Day weekend so it was super busy and I was so glad we booked our rental chairs in advance. You can do so here.
Other popular beach options near Charleston include Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.
+ Charleston City Market
The Charleston city market is another great place to do some shopping. All types of vendors gather here to sell hand-crafted jewelry, paintings clothing and even food. This is where I found some of new favorite pieces of jewelry!
WHERE TO EAT in charleston, sc
There are so many great food options in Charleston that it’s impossible for me to list them all. Below, I talk all about where we ate and the places that are on my list to try next time I’m in Charleston!
+ Leon’s
If you only have one night in Charleston then Leon’s is a can’t miss restaurant! My husband has not stopped raving about the fried chicken here so don’t miss out on it or the oysters! Right next to Leon’s is a cute wine shop known as Graft’s. You can put in your name in at Leon’s if there is a long wait and head over to Graft’s for some wine before dinner.
+ 5Church
Charleston does brunch right and one of these best places for it is 5Church. Not only does it have great food, but a really cool building. The restaurant is inside an old church that has the original stained glass walls windows and text from the Art of War painted on the wall and ceiling. It’s a pretty cool place to catch a mimosa flight.
+ Felix
Felix on King Street is a French restaurant with some great drinks. Grab one of their espresso martini’s before dinner and you won’t be disappointed.
+ Poogan’s porch
I heard so much about Poogan’s porch and we were so excited to try it out for brunch. As it turns out, the hype lived up to its name. If possible, sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere of the French Quarter. Plus, this restaurant is right across the street from the Mills House, which made it an easy brunch spot for us.
+ Peace Pie
Ohhhh my goshhh, peace pie!! A friend told me about this ice cream sandwich shop and I am still dreaming about it. Peace Pie has one of the best desserts I’ve had in awhile. There are so many options to choose from and their sandwiches are worth the peace pie minute (you’ll find out what that is when you go!).
+ Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Callie’s was another spot that kept coming up on my Charleston, SC research. It’s an order at the counter type of place so you won’t sit down. They are known for their homemade biscuits and sandwiches which were so good, but be warned you’ll have a long wait here.
+ Benny Ravello’s
Okay, if you are looking for a place after a long night of bar hopping or just a late night eat on King Street then Benny’s has got your back. They have HUGE slices of pizza and it’s actually pretty good!
+ Kaminsky’s
Kaminsky’s is a cute little dessert shop known for having the best milkshakes. I opted for their brownie sundae and would definitely recommend.
Places I wish I had time for: FIG, The Ordinary, Halls, HomeTeam, Lewis BBQ, Obstinate, Magnolia, Fast & French, Xiao Bao Biscuit,
WHERE TO drink in charleston, sc
+ the Rise
Okay, I quickly grew obsessed with the Rise coffee. B and I went here on our first day and then every day after that. Their honey lavender latte is one of the best I’ve had.
+ Vendue Rooftop
Vendue rooftop is located at the Revelry hotel in downtown Charleston and offers some great views of the city with a fun vibe.
+ Stars Rooftop
Stars rooftops was one of my favorite rooftops in Charleston. It has more of a laidback vibe and a great place to come with a group of friends. Plus, they have some really good drinks.
+ Uptown Social
If you are looking for a party, a good time or out for a bachelorette/bachelor party then head to Uptown Social. It had great music and was just a fun experience all around. There is a downstairs bar that is a bit more laid back and then upstairs is where the party happens. You can even order food here, too.
+ cocktail Club
Cocktail club gives off more of a local feel and more low-key vibe than any of the other bars. They have some amazing drink options and a smaller outdoor patio.
+ Republic
If you’re looking for a straight up club scene then head to Republic. They have an outdoor and indoor section.
Places I wish I had time for: Bubbles & Bourbon, Citrus Club, Royal American.
As you can see, there is no shortage of good times with 3 days in Charleston. If you think I’m missing any must-eat at restaurants or things to do in this travel guide to Charleston, SC then let me know in the comments! If you want some other Southern travel inspiration, check out my guide to Asheville, North Carolina.
happy travels, liz stanford
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Natalie
Kaminsky’s is, hands-down, one of the yummiest places in Charleston! There also used to be one in Mt. Pleasant (where I live) and we’ve eaten our weight in their Oreo cookie cakes! I’m glad you enjoyed exploring here. 🙂