When in CharlestonWhen in Charleston
Charleston City MarketCharleston City Market
A Charleston classic! Spend some time wandering through the historic market, where you’ll find local vendors, handmade goods, souvenirs, and Charleston’s famous sweetgrass baskets. It’s right in the heart of downtown, making it an easy stop while exploring the Historic District.
Charleston Ghost TourCharleston Ghost Tour
Charleston is beautiful during the day, but its haunted history comes out at night! A ghost tour is one of our favorite ways to experience the city and learn some of the darker stories behind its historic streets, graveyards, and buildings. Bulldog offers several different tours, so you can choose exactly how spooky you want your evening to be.
Waterfront ParkWaterfront Park
One of the prettiest spots to slow down and enjoy Charleston! Take a walk along the water, relax on one of the swings overlooking the harbor, and be sure to stop by the iconic Pineapple Fountain. It’s an easy walk from the City Market and makes for a perfect little downtown Charleston stroll.
The BatteryThe Battery
If you want the quintessential Charleston experience, take a walk along The Battery. You’ll get gorgeous views of Charleston Harbor on one side and some of the city’s most beautiful historic homes on the other. We recommend pairing it with a walk through nearby White Point Garden and the surrounding South of Broad neighborhood.
Magnolia Plantation and GardensMagnolia Plantation and Gardens
If you have a little extra time during your trip, Magnolia is absolutely worth venturing outside of downtown. The property is known for its beautiful gardens, massive live oaks, wildlife, and historic grounds along the Ashley River. Give yourself a few hours to explore—Magnolia recommends allowing around three to four hours if you want to see the gardens and take a couple of the guided tours.
Charleston Harbor Sunset TourCharleston Harbor Sunset Tour
One of our favorite ways to experience Charleston is from the water! There are several harbor cruise and sailing options to choose from, including a classic harbor cruise or a sail aboard the Schooner Pride, an 84-foot, three-masted sailboat. Pick whichever experience sounds best to you, but we especially recommend booking one of the sunset options! Grab a drink, enjoy the breeze, and watch the sun set over the Charleston skyline—it’s the perfect way to spend an evening during the wedding weekend.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime MuseumPatriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
History buffs, this one is for you! Head across the harbor to Patriots Point and climb aboard the USS Yorktown, a historic aircraft carrier that served from World War II through Vietnam. Explore the ship, see historic aircraft up close, and take in some incredible views of Charleston Harbor from the flight deck. There’s plenty to see, so we recommend giving yourself a few hours to explore!
South Carolina AquariumSouth Carolina Aquarium
A great option for families—or anyone looking to escape the Charleston heat for a few hours! The South Carolina Aquarium showcases wildlife from across the state, from the mountains all the way to the coast, and is home to more than 5,000 animals. Be sure to visit the Sea Turtle Care Center, where you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of injured sea turtles. Plus, its location right on Charleston Harbor comes with some pretty great views!
FIG - $$$FIG - $$$
For the foodies! FIG is one of Charleston’s most celebrated restaurants, with a menu built around seasonal ingredients and Lowcountry flavors. If you’re looking for a special dinner while you’re in town, this is one of our top picks. Reservations can be hard to get and open 28 days in advance, so plan ahead for this one!
Husk - $$$Husk - $$$
If you want a dinner that feels quintessentially Southern, Husk is a Michelin Guide–recommended Charleston favorite and well worth adding to your list. Located in a beautiful historic home, the menu puts an elevated, modern spin on Southern cooking and changes with the seasons based on ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. There’s also a separate Bar & Patio next door if you’d rather stop in for a cocktail. We recommend making reservations in advance!
High Cotton Charleston Restaurant - $$$High Cotton Charleston Restaurant - $$$
For a classic Charleston night out, High Cotton is a great choice. Expect an upscale Lowcountry menu with plenty of seafood and steaks, a beautiful historic atmosphere, and live music. This is a great option for a date night or a nicer dinner while you’re in town.
Hannibal's Kitchen - $$Hannibal's Kitchen - $$
For authentic Charleston soul food without the fine-dining price tag, head to Hannibal’s Kitchen. This longtime local favorite serves Gullah/Geechee-inspired Lowcountry cooking in a casual, no-frills setting. Come hungry and try the seafood, shrimp & grits, or their signature shrimp and crab rice!
Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. - $$Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. - $$
A Charleston hidden gem for something casual, charming, and a little different! Fast & French has been serving the city since 1984 and is a great spot for French café favorites, sandwiches, soups, cheese, wine, and rotating specials. It’s an especially good choice if you want a delicious meal downtown without committing to one of Charleston’s pricier dinners.
Early Bird Diner - $Early Bird Diner - $
Worth the short trip outside of downtown! Early Bird is a funky, laid-back local diner serving hearty Southern breakfast and comfort food. It’s perfect for the morning after a long night of celebrating when you want big portions, good food, and absolutely no fancy brunch behavior required.
Millers All Day - $$Millers All Day - $$
Because breakfast should never have a cutoff time! Millers serves Southern-inspired breakfast all day, with everything from biscuits and grits to hearty breakfast plates, plus coffee and brunch cocktails. It’s right on King Street, so it’s a perfect place to fuel up before a day of exploring downtown Charleston.
Poogan's Porch - $$Poogan's Porch - $$
For the full Charleston brunch experience! Poogan’s Porch has been serving Southern favorites from a charming Victorian home since 1976. Grab a seat on the porch if you can and enjoy biscuits, shrimp & grits, fried chicken, and a mimosa or Bloody Mary. And yes—the house has a few ghost stories of its own!
Triangle Char & Bar - $$Triangle Char & Bar - $$
If you want to brunch where the locals do, head over to Avondale for Triangle’s Sunday brunch! It’s casual, laid-back, and a great choice for groups looking for good food, drinks, and a break from the downtown brunch scene. Fair warning: Sunday brunch is VERY popular, so expect a wait—especially during peak hours! And Triangle isn’t just a brunch spot. They serve lunch and dinner throughout the week with burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads, cocktails, and plenty of other options, so it’s also a great casual meal if brunch isn’t in the cards. Stick around afterward and explore the shops and bars around Avondale!
Second State CoffeeSecond State Coffee
For guests who take their coffee seriously! Second State is a local Charleston roaster serving thoughtfully made espresso drinks, pour-overs, cold brew, and rotating specialty coffees. Their original Beaufain Street shop is tucked away from the busiest tourist areas and is the perfect quiet caffeine stop before exploring the city.
Bad Bunnies CoffeeBad Bunnies Coffee
A fun little specialty coffee shop with some seriously good coffee! Bad Bunnies is an independent, locally owned spot known for carefully made espresso drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. A great choice when you want something local rather than your usual coffee chain.
Harken CafeHarken Cafe
Come for the coffee, but definitely don’t skip the pastries! Harken is a cozy café tucked away on Queen Street with great coffee, creative lattes, freshly baked biscuits and pastries, and light breakfast and lunch options. It’s one of those places that feels like a little hidden escape in the middle of the Historic District.
The Cocktail Club - $$The Cocktail Club - $$
For a proper night out on King Street! The Cocktail Club is an upstairs lounge specializing in craft cocktails, house-made infusions, and creative drinks, with a moody interior and an outdoor rooftop terrace. It’s a great spot to start the night—or keep it going after dinner. They also frequently host live music and special events, and occasionally offer ticketed cocktail-making classes where you can learn a few tricks behind the bar yourself! Check out their website before your trip for the latest live music schedule, classes, and other happenings during the wedding weekend.
The Gin Joint - $$The Gin Joint - $$
For the cocktail lovers! The Gin Joint is a small, intimate bar in the French Quarter with a vintage feel and a serious approach to craft cocktails. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink, date night, or anyone who would rather have one really good cocktail than fight their way through a crowded nightclub. After 7 p.m., guests must be 21+.
Prohibition - $$Prohibition - $$
A little bit of everything in one spot! Prohibition is a 1920s-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar on Upper King Street with great food, creative cocktails, a large outdoor patio, and live music throughout the week. Stop by for brunch, dinner, happy hour, or drinks and enjoy the speakeasy-inspired atmosphere. If you’re looking for a night out, stick around! Later in the evening—especially on weekends—Prohibition turns up the energy with live music, DJs, and dancing. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back brunch, cocktails and live music, or somewhere to keep the party going, there’s a little something for everyone. Check their website for the live music and entertainment schedule during the wedding weekend!
Citrus Club - $$$Citrus Club - $$$
For cocktails with a VIEW! Located eight stories above Charleston at The Dewberry, Citrus Club is an upscale rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the city, creative cocktails, and light bites. We especially recommend going around sunset for a drink and one of the best views of Charleston. This one is a little dressier than our other bar recommendations, so save the beachwear for another day!
Bay Street Biergarten - $$Bay Street Biergarten - $$
If craft beer, big TVs, good bar food, and a lively patio sound like your kind of night, Bay Street Biergarten is a must. This German-inspired beer hall has more than 40 beers on tap, plenty of space for groups, games, live music, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio. It’s especially fun for catching a game or grabbing a casual drink without the dressier cocktail-bar vibe—and, rare Charleston miracle, they even have on-site parking.
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream - $Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream - $
A Charleston classic—and one of Tori’s absolute favorites! Ye Ole Fashioned has been a Lowcountry staple since 1972 and is known for its old-fashioned, hand-dipped ice cream, enormous sundaes, milkshakes, and banana splits. With tons of flavors and portions that are anything but small, this is the perfect stop when you’re craving something sweet. Tori’s order is the Strawberry Pound Cake Sundae—vanilla ice cream with pound cake and strawberries—and she insists you try it at least once while you’re in town! 🍓🍨