Things To Do

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Middleton Place

Middleton Place exists because of slavery—a stark reality that’s acknowledged in exhibits throughout the sprawling plantation. Today, however, the site is a beautiful place to spend a day or weekend. Just stroll through the 65 acres of landscaped gardens (the oldest in the nation) and you’ll quickly understand why this is one of the South’s most sought-after wedding venues. During your visit, tour the house museum and learn from costumed actors, who teach the skilled crafts (pottery, blacksmithing, weaving) once practiced here by slaves. Then, head to the onsite restaurant, which serves upscale Southern cuisine, or the adjacent inn, where you can escape the modern world in view of the Ashley River.

Rainbow Row

One of Charleston's most charming features, and there are many, is its beautiful architecture. Nowhere is that more on display than on the famous Rainbow Row, a series of colorfully painted historic homes on East Bay Street. Every square inch of Charleston oozes Southern charm, and in any walk through Charleston's historic streets a trip to see Rainbow Row's beautiful houses is a must.

Waterfront Park

Charleston's Waterfront Park has a great path along the river, ample benches both stationary and swinging, and fountains that are open for kids to splash around.

Charleston City Market

Once the center of commerce in Charleston, the City Market is now the heart of tourism. Although its location near the cruise terminal can make it feel like a kitschy, open-air market in the Caribbean, its tackiness is also part of its charm. Yes, you’ll find Christmas ornaments painted with Rainbow Row and enough cutely packaged pralines to give you a stomachache, but you’ll also see Gullah artisans weaving the finest examples of sweet-grass basket artistry available. Peak season brings 140 different merchants, while weekends include live music and food vendors. A requisite stop for any visitor, it’s also a one-stop gift shop for loved ones back home.

Marion Square

For many Charlestonians and tourists, every Saturday is spent in Marion Square at the Farmer's Market. Students nursing hangovers wait in line for a crepe at Charleston Crepe Company while farmers from John's and Edisto islands sell their fresh vegetables. Artists sell their work while children play on inflatable slides and a guitar player keeps the crowd entertained. Between the French, Greek, Cajun, Spanish, Italian, Southern, German, and Indian foods on offer, you really can't go wrong. Grab an assortment of foods to try and find a nice spot in the shade to eat and people watch.

Hampton Park

Located in the northern part of the city, Hampton Park is by far the biggest green space on the peninsula. It contains beautiful oak trees, a fitness trail, and lush flowers (including one of the city's best collection of roses).

Angel Oak Park

Johns Island is home to the Angel Oak, a live oak tree that may date back as far as 1,500 years. Its enormous limbs branch out nearly 200 feet in all directions, creating a canopy that is absolutely awe-inspiring. The free park includes restrooms and a small gift shop. It's a perfect place for a picnic or quiet contemplation.

Fort Sumter National Monument

Visitors start their journey to this national monument at the education center on Liberty Square, where exhibits bring to life the first battle of the Civil War. They then take a ferry to the actual fort, located on an island at the mouth of the harbor. After a 10-minute introduction by a ranger, they’re free to enjoy self-guided tours of the historic site. In addition to being a fascinating experience for armchair historians, the excursion offers water views of Rainbow Row, the homes along the Battery, and the Holy City’s many steeples.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

Carolina was a colony that welcomed religious diversity, and so there are all kinds of religious denominations with historic buildings in Charleston. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim's congregation was formed in 1749 and has occupied this Greek Revival building since 1840. The building offers tours on a walk-in basis and also houses a museum.

George C Birlant & Co

This family business has been in operation since 1922. They sell 18th- and 19th-century antiques ranging from silver tea sets to intricate grandfather clocks, and also offer reproduction furniture made by UK-based cabinetmakers.

Aiken-Rhett House

City’s most intact antebellum urban complex (c. 1820). Historic interiors, surviving virtually unaltered since 1858, have been conserved & stabilized. Many original objects.

Folly Beach

A short drive from Charleston, islands hug the coastline and offer a lovely selection of beaches, each with its own personality. Folly Beach has a laid-back atmosphere and outdoor activities ranging from bird-watching to kite boarding and fishing on the town pier. If you'd like to get a behind-the-scenes look at the local flora and fauna, Charleston Kayak has backwater tours of the wetlands that are teeming with wildlife.

Drayton Hall

America’s oldest preserved plantation house still open to the public. Admission includes house tour, Connections program, African-American cemetery, nature walks, and more.

Spiritline Cruises

The SpiritLine Cruises excursion includes sights from Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861, to the soaring Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which opened in 2005 and connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant, on the opposite side of the Cooper River.

Peninsula Grill

Peninsula Grill is located right on often-boisterous Market Street, but the restaurant couldn't be more peaceful. Try their coconut cake, so beloved that it's shipped across the country. And when the weather's nice, make a reservation to eat in the courtyard.

The Ordinary

A two-story dining room with an always-packed raw bar, The Ordinary serves some of the South’s best seafood. Here, chef Mike Lata dishes up must-try options like a seafood tower, crab toast, fish chowder, and triggerfish with fingerling potatoes. While the lobster roll is only on the menu as a Tuesday special, you can ask for it any day of the week and the chef will happily make you an order. Also worth requesting is the barbecue shrimp, which Lata poaches in a creamy sauce infused with Worcestershire and sets atop charred sourdough. Just be sure to book a table early. Groups should request the downstairs booths, while solo diners without reservations should order a cocktail and wait for a seat at the raw bar.

Callie's Charleston Biscuits

Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, a mail-order business selling from-scratch biscuits, opened up this counter-service restaurant in 2014. Naturally, biscuits make up a big portion of the menu, with sweet and savory options available for pairing with homemade jam, pimento cheese, and more.

Queen Street Grocery

Queen Street Grocery is a quintessentially Charleston spot, set in a residential neighborhood and open since 1922. It has served as the surrounding neighborhood's corner grocery store for decades, but in recent years it's acted as a café as well, serving up crepes and pressed sandwiches. The friendly staff and quick service make it a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch, and you can peruse their beer and wine selection to take on the go.

Jestine's Kitchen

If you head to Charleston looking for fried chicken, collard greens, and banana pudding, Jestine's Kitchen is a good place to get it. This isn't nouveau fancy southern food--no gourmet touches, just the classics done right.

Chez Nous

Everyone seems to be talking about Chez Nous and, frankly, it’s easy to see why. A meal here feels like dining at your most fashionable friend’s place. The restaurant is tucked away from the main drag in a beautiful Charleston single house, with a single-page, handwritten menu that changes daily. If the weather’s nice, request a table on the porch or in the courtyard.

Halls Chophouse

A bit expensive, but the best classic steakhouse in Charleston. They also do a 'Gospel Brunch' on Sunday that is amazing with live music. Call ahead and see if you can get a space in the upper back room. Reservations necessary.

Stars Rooftop Bar & Grill Room

Three-story spot with excellent atmosphere. Drinks or dinner here is a good idea. Rooftop bar has views of the entire downtown area.

Xiao Bao Biscuit

small daily menu, but has items from various Asian cuisines. If you are craving ethnic food, go here1 If you like spicy food, go here! Order the cabbage pancake; sounds bizarre but is absolutely amazing.

The Grocery

local farm-to-table dishes; excellent service, and has parking in the back!

Home Team BBQ

Get the wings and nachos!! Delicious pulled pork and pulled chicken. Great atmosphere.

Indaco

modern Italian food; great central location. The pizzas are great

Leon's

if you like oysters and fried chicken, go here. Awesome atmosphere inside and outside. Great music, delicious drinks. Be sure to order the charbroiled oysters, scalloped potatoes, and the ice cream with jimmies for dessert.

The Ordinary

The menu is mostly seafood. Even though it is not local, the food here is amazing. The service is outstanding. Get the fried oyster sliders – they are unreal. The building is gorgeous, and newly renovated from an old bank.

Butcher & Bee

– Delicious for all meals. Mediterranean-style dinner, and classic sandwiches for lunch. GET THE CHEESEBURGER. It is one of the best in the city (for dinner, they will still make it for you as it will not be on the menu).

Wild Olive Drive

this is our favorite restaurant out of them all! Affordable for what you are getting. Delicious modernized, local Italian fare. Great service, and during the week has great wine discounts.

The Obstinate Daughter

– the same chef as Wild Olive opened a Sullian’s Island location. Delicious food anytime of the day. Not one single thing bad on the menu. One of the best restaurants here.

Bowens Island

- If you want oysters/seafood then this is the best spot. It is all caught and cooked fresh. Its on the way to Folly Beach and not opened on Sunday. Basically, its on the this creek and worth the journey. It is only open from 4 until 8 on Saturday evenings, but the atmosphere is very laid back. The food is amazing. If it’s a sunny night, make you way out here, park on the oyster shells, and get a table right outside looking out onto the water. Very affordable.

Affordabike Bicycle Shop

one of the best ways to see the city. You can bike everywhere town!

Colonial Lake

great walking/biking paths downtown Charleston in a very traditional location in town. The houses surrounding the lake are amazing. Recently renovated space that is beautiful.

King Street

Walk down King Street for some shopping. Start at Marion Square right at the corner of Calhoun and King Street. If you are lucky, and are there on a Saturday morning, visit the Farmer’s Market (I am not sure when this begins each year, but you can look it up online). Get a homemade Crepe (they are delicious), and walk around to see some local products. Then, walk south on the peninsula on King Street for some shopping. If you walk all the way down, past Broad Street, you will see some amazing houses and some really great streets.

Market Street

if you are there during the day, the market is open! It’s right on Market Street. See how the real sweet grass baskets are made, and be sure to stop at the River Street Sweets shop for a free Praline sample (they are delicious – you will end up buying some to take home). If you are up for an adventure, go on a carriage ride. They are interesting because they take you around the area south of Broad Street that you don’t always get to see. The people are great, and share information about important historical events as you areexploring. Be sure to find Charleston Leather Goods, and say hello to Cheyne. Their products are fantastic.

Tanger Outlets

If you are in the mood for some outlet shopping, visit Tanger Outlets in North Charleston. It is only a 10-minute drive away from downtown Charleston, and has a lot of great deals and stores. You could also visit Town Center in Mount Pleasant. But, there are tons of shopping options downtown Charleston on King Street.

Old Village Drive

this little area is amazing in Mount Pleasant. You can get an amazing lunch at Village Bakery, shop at the Out of Hand store, and then walk around the cute charming neighborhoods that are right on the water.

Shem Creek

located in Mount Pleasant on your way to Sullivan’s Island, Shem Creek is a small little area with tons of restaurants right on the water. The food is not outstanding, but it’s a perfect place to hang out, on the water, on a beautiful day or night. It is usually always busy when it’s a nice day, but the atmosphere is fun, and it’s right on the water!! Seeing dolphins on a regular basis in Shem Creek is normal.