Things To Do
Angel Oak Tree (See)
The Angel Oak tree is the only tree we know of with a bedtime (the park that the tree inhabits closes at 5pm sharp), and although you definitely have to drive down a dirt road to see it, the journey is totally worth it. Angel Oak is roughly 500 years old, and it’s probably the largest dang oak tree you ever did see.
Bertha's Kitchen (Eat)
This place is home to soul food and Lowcountry cooking royalty; a counter-service icon you don't want to miss. Owned and operated by the daughters of founder Albertha Grant, those cooking your food are the ones working the line and the register. It's $8 for a meat and two sides, so consider taking the leap and going for two entrees. There's too much to love for one styrofoam container: fried chicken, crisp and hot; fried pork chops that are tender and well-seasoned; red rice, white rice, mac and cheese; okra stew that's probably been made the same way since their grandmothers were making it; oxtails falling off the bone if they have it; fried fish if they have it; any dessert they suggest, and sweet potatoes. Wash it all down with the sweetest sweet tea and lemonade.
Charleston Tea Plantation (Do)
The Charleston Tea Plantation is home to American Classic Tea, owned by Bigelow Tea. It is located on 127 acres of Wadmalaw Island in South Carolina. This is the only tea farm where tea is grown commercially in North America. Tea is harvested from May through October. Visitors can walk through the production facility, see the equipment, and watch the monitors to see how tea is processed from green leaves to the finished product.
Chubby Fish (Eat)
Tucked into a neighborhood that Charleston doesn't really want to get overrun by tourists, Chubby Fish has some of the best seafood in a seafood-centric town. At 5 p.m. every night, the blue velour curtains at the no-reservations spot are pulled back, and people quickly file into the standing room-only bar as they wait to get a seat. Chef James London brings a bit of all the styles he's cooked in to Chubby Fish, leading to a range of different fish preparations from crudos with chili ponzu, to amberjack spread with pickled peppers to braised grouper cheeks with field peas. Whatever ends up on the menu, you can expect it to be absolutely delicious.
The Commodore (See)
The Commodore is the phoenix rising from the ashes of A Touch of Class, a jazz club that was popular back in the day. This new iteration maintains the vintage jazz club feel with live jazz & funk bands, making it basically the closest thing Charleston has to a speakeasy. The $5 cover is totally worth it to enjoy the house band or touring groups, and dance all night to music you’re not likely to hear on the radio anytime soon.
The Darling Oyster Bar (Eat)
The Darling Oyster Bar, one of King Street’s favorite seafood bars, turns heads thanks to its airy and elegant open design, complete with station where you can sit and watch local shuckers prepare thousands of East Coast oysters every day. Start with a big platter of Carolina oysters, then dive deep into creamy shrimp and grits, which come a little spicier than other places in town. The star of the menu, though, is the monster Bloody Mary—it's topped with a hush puppy, lobster claw, king crab leg, Old Bay spiced shrimp, and a pickle.
FIG (Eat)
Old enough to be considered an institution, but still creative enough to wow the locals who have favored it for years, FIG is one of Charleston’s biggest success stories. Owned by Mike Lata, the kitchen is run by James Beard winner Jason Stanhope, who brings his South American background and French technique to Southern cuisine, creating dishes like fish stew provencal, made with locally caught white shrimp, squid, mussels, and Carolina gold rice.
Folly Beach (See)
The closest beach to downtown Charleston, Folly is a mecca for surfers, fishermen and all lovers of the laid-back beach lifestyle. Surf the Washout. Drink in the Morris Island Lighthouse's history. Explore a maritime forest. Build the biggest sand castle your kids have ever seen. Ride bikes. Eat outside. Catch sunset. Fish off the pier. Parasail. Do it all - that's what Folly Beach is for.
Fort Moultrie (Do)
The original Palmetto log fort was begun in 1776 and only partially completed when attacked by a squadron of British warships. Col. William Moultrie and his men staved off the assault in the Battle of Sullivan's Island. The current structure was completed in 1809. Union soldiers abandoned the fort in December 1860 for the stronger Fort Sumter. Following the surrender of Fort Sumter, Confederate forces fortified Moultrie as one of a string of batteries and forts protecting Charleston's harbor. In February 1865, Confederates evacuated the city leaving the fort behind, hidden under a band of sand that protected its walls from federal shells. The interior of the fort has been restored to reflect the story of American seacoast defense through World War II, and a visitor center is located near the fort. An "African Passages" exhibit deals with the role of Sullivan's Island and the international slave trade. The National Park Service administers the fort. School groups admitted free.
Fort Sumter Tours (Do)
Fort Sumter is operated by the National Park Service and tells the story of the first shots of the Civil War, when Confederate forces fired on U.S. troops in the fort at the mouth of the harbor. Tours leave from downtown and Mount Pleasant several times a day depending on the season. The trip takes nearly three hours, but is well worth it
Historic Charleston City Market (See)
The famed Charleston City Market, home to sweetgrass vendors, purveyors of all things Southern and antiquities, opens at night (6:30-10:30 p.m.) on Fridays and Saturdays from March through December. There is live music or other performances as well as dozens of City Market vendors and food sellers. The area shops and restaurants surrounding the market also are open late with their own live music and food. It feels like one big street party every weekend.
Husk (Eat)
Centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk transforms the essence of Southern food. Voted #1 New Restaurant in America 2011 by Bon Appetit and Southern Living Magazine. Husk reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in the South. The adjacent bar at Husk is considered one of the most credible Bourbon bars in the south.
Isle of Palms (See)
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway just 12 miles from historic Charleston, the Isle of Palms features a beautiful beach, championship golf & tennis, a marina, and endless recreational opportunities both on and off the water.
King Street (See)
This is the street with all the action! Lots of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and people.
Lewis Barbecue (Eat)
A little off the beaten path of the downtown corridor, Lewis Barbecue is worth the added travel time. Renowned Austin pit master John Lewis steers the food program, and the menu is simple, but abundant—large slabs of melt-in-your-mouth brisket, smoked sausages, and an array of sides, like corn pudding and tangy coleslaw. Here, it's all about the tray, and once you go through the line, chances are you will have one stacked with hedonistic glory. One of the best parts of the experience are the staff, who slice and portion your meats on the plate. They're quick to offer a sample, suggestion, or lay "just one more slice" on your tray before you leave their station. It feels fun, like a friendly picnic for a meat-loving club.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Do)
This world-famous plantation has been associated with the Drayton family since its founding in 1676. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it includes the country's oldest garden (c.1680), and a Reconstruction-era plantation manor with a famous collection of antiques. The garden features the Conservatory, filled with plants native to Barbados, a nature train tour, a petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, nature trails, an 18th-century herb garden, a Biblical garden, horticultural maze and antebellum cabin and an African-American history tour, "From Slavery to Freedom." The Audubon Swamp Garden offers 60 acres of the primeval beauty of blackwater cypress and tupelo swamp, traversed by bridges, boardwalks and dikes. A nature boat tour takes visitors through ancient rice fields.
Old Slave Mart Museum (Do)
The Old Slave Mart Museum is probably the only building remaining in South Carolina that was known to have been used as a slave auction site. The complex here included a slave jail, morgue and kitchen. The last slave auction was held in November 1863. The museum tells about Charleston's role in the slave trade.
Pineapple Fountain (See)
The pineapple fountain is iconic of Charleston for a reason: it’s a gorgeous symbol of southern hospitality, and a must-see for those who’ve never been. Waterfront Park in general is a fun place to visit (as long as the weather is nice), and with the green marsh grass and brilliant blue of the harbor as that fountain’s backdrop, it’s a scene that’s practically begging to be used for a photoshoot.
Rainbow Row (See)
Most folks have seen pictures of this stretch of 14 privately-owned homes along East Bay Street. Built in the early 18th century, these pastel colored homes are the epitome of historic Charleston. A great place to stroll with your camera.
Shepard Fairey & Other Murals (See)
Between the Shepard Fairey murals, David Boatwright’s restorations, and Patch Whiskey’s many colorful acid monsters, there are a ton of street artists who’ve left their mark in Charleston. You can find colorful street art everywhere from downtown to West Ashley to Mount Pleasant (and even on the trains that run through the port), and the unique artistry makes for a great backdrop for an Instagram post.
Stars Restaurant (See)
One of the latest trends in cocktailing in Charleston is the rooftop bar. Because of the lower height of most of Charleston's downtown buildings, you can glimpse many of these bars from the street and you can certainly hear them. Guests can enjoy excellent views of the city and Charleston Harbor from these locations, as well as wonderful outdoor dining, drinking and dancing well above the street crowds. The Stars Restaurant boasts the only 360 degree view in the city