Great breakfast option in Charleston. Shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, mimosa flights, and a 175-year-old corn mill in the front window. No reservations. Get there before 10 am or after noon to skip the wait.
A Charleston institution since 1976, tucked inside a Victorian house on Queen Street. Famous biscuits, she-crab soup, and good fried chicken in the South. Make a reservation.
A charming little gem. It's a restored Old Village inn from the 1800s, now known for brunch with great cocktails. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
A Lowcountry landmark on East Bay Street since 1990. Fried green tomatoes, shrimp & grits, etc. Great for families and larger groups. Make a reservation.
130+ years of fresh Lowcountry seafood on Meeting Street. No reservations. Enormous portions. Perfect for big groups.
Basically out the hotel's back door. Paddle the Lowcountry marsh with a local guide, spot dolphins, and see the creekside shrimp boats up close.
Great for a beach walk with sand + ocean views. For the brave, the water’s always there for a cold plunge. Sullivan’s Island Beach is another great option.
Free, gorgeous, and zero planning required. Walk the seawall at White Point Garden, stroll past the pastel antebellum homes of Rainbow Row, and feel the full weight of old Charleston. Combine it with breakfast downtown for an easy morning.
Walk the flight deck of a WWII aircraft carrier with views of the Charleston skyline across the harbor. Plan at least 2–3 hours. Right down the road from the hotel.
Boat out to an uninhabited barrier island, hunt for shark's teeth on the beach, and cruise past the historic lighthouse.
Quiet, scenic, and perfect for a stroll. It’s actually an old trolley bridge turned into a walking pier.
Some of the most beautiful grounds in the Lowcountry. Ancient oaks, cypress swamps, alligators, and miles of walking paths. It's a former plantation site and that history is acknowledged on the grounds.
Charleston's premier art museum in a stunning 1905 Beaux Arts building on Meeting Street. Over 10,000 works spanning four centuries, focused on American and Southern art with a strong Charleston connection. The ground floor is free. No ticket required to browse the lower galleries and gift shop. Good for an hour or two before lunch downtown.
Pickleball courts, a full bar, food, ping pong, arcade games, and shuffleboard under one roof in Mt. Pleasant. Reserve ahead.
Craft beer, solid food, and a rooftop with a firepit in downtown Charleston.
Voted one of the top 10 shopping districts in the US. Walk the whole thing — it goes from antique dealers at the south end, through boutiques and clothing in the middle, up to home goods and bookstores at the top. Easily a half-day if people let it be. A few worth calling out: Croghan's Jewel Box for local fine jewelry, Berlin's for menswear (open since 1883), Candlefish for candles and gifts, and Blue Bicycle Books if anyone wants to grab something to read on the trip home.
One of the oldest public markets in the country, running four blocks through the heart of downtown since 1807. Local vendors selling sweetgrass baskets, jewelry, artwork, food, and Charleston-made goods. Pair it with breakfast nearby and knock out both in one trip downtown.