Do you ever travel somewhere and just instantly fall in love? That’s what happened the first time I visited Charleston. Other than Dallas, Charleston is my absolute dream city. It’s absolutely beautiful with such charming architecture, packed full of history, and the food/ entertainment scene is unmatched. It’s no wonder the city has been named Top City in the World by Travel & Leisure 9 years in a row! Now that’s impressive!
My husband and I recently visited the city (Zach’s first time visiting the city!) and I documented the whole trip. We visited mid February and the timing was wonderful. I thought that I would break down where we stayed, ate, and played for a fun weekend trip to Charleston.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at Emeline and it was superb. The hotel is centrally located, blocks away from a variety of bars and restaurants and iconic spots like Rainbow Row making it extremely easy to pop in and out as you explore downtown. The hotel itself is stunning and packed full of charm- the rooms are spacious, designed beautifully, and extremely clean and well-kept. We also really enjoyed their spacious courtyard complete with outdoor fireplaces, comfortable couches, and easy access to their Frannie and Fox full service bar and restaurant.
MORE HOTEL OPTIONS
WHERE WE ATE
Let’s be honest, food is arguably the most important thing when traveling to a new city. It’s important to do your research and book reservations in advance to insure that you get to eat at all your top restaurants! Charleston is no exception for this rule as reservations do go quickly for some of the more popular restaurants in the city.
BRUNCH/ LUNCH
167 Raw – I think the line of people wrapped around the front of the building speaks volumes for this little spot. 167 offers fresh seafood & sushi and it is wonderful. They do not take reservations but if you visit in the middle of the week, odds are you won’t have to worry about lines. We went on Friday at lunchtime and it was super busy- I would recommend putting your name on the list early to get in when you’re ready to eat. We waited about 1.5hrs… worth it though for the lobster rolls!
Poogan’s Porch – an essential Charleston eatery. This spot serves brunch & dinner in the cutest Victorian house and it’s delish! We went for brunch and both really enjoyed our meals. Fun fact: the restaurant is actually said to be haunted by a dog, Poogan, that lived in the house until 1979. Some visitors claim to have seen the ghost dog while dining at the restaurant! This spot takes reservations. Pro tip: order the Mac and cheese appetizer! They won best Mac and cheese at a couple competitions in Charleston and it was delish!
DINNER
Felix – this is one of those places I want to visit every time I’m in town! The restaurant is a Parisian-themed cocktail and small plates restaurant located on King St. The staff is always super friendly and the food and drinks are delicious. My favorite thing on the menu is the steak & frites… delish! Book a reservation for this one.
The Watch Rooftop– if you’re looking for an incredible view of the city, this is it. We arrived early to grab a drink and watch the sun set over the city. It was nice but we expected more of a rooftop bar whereas this place was only a restaurant with a bar… somewhat misleading! Overall the food was really good in the end.
MORE RESTAURANT OPTIONS
Hyman’s Seafood – great seafood and deli spot located in the heart of Charleston. Love that the tables feature names of celebrities that have dined at the restaurant including Oprah, Dolly Parton, Neil Armstrong, and many many more. Definitely a must-visit for first timers in the city but the food is just ok and it is a major tourist trap so just FYI!
Benny Ravello’s – perfect midnight snack after a night out. Pop in and grab a whole pizza or an enormous slice- you won’t regret it.
THINGS TO DO
Visit Rainbow Row – an iconic row of pastel-colored historic homes located on East Bay St. Rainbow Row is full of history and a definite must-see when visiting the city. Don’t forget to snap a few photos in front of the beautiful homes! It’s also pretty close to The Battery- a landmark defensive seawall and promenade!
Go shopping on King St.- 300+ year old King Street is packed with the hottest restaurants, shops, and bars in Charleston. It is truly the perfect mix of past and present and offers a little something for everyone. Do some shopping/ walking along King Street and see what you find!
Grab drinks on a rooftop downtown- Charleston has some awesome rooftop bars that are perfect for catching a breathtaking view of the city and maybe even a nice sunset too. My favorite rooftop in Charleston is Star’s Rooftop & Grill Room– order the lavender lemonade… so refreshing!
Head to the beach- grab your beach essentials and head down to one of the beaches Charleston offers: Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Sullivan’s Island, and more! Fishing, tours, surfing, you name it. They even have picnic companies that will come out and set up the cutest picnics for you on the beach. So fun!
Check out some of the local coffee shops! Charleston has some of the cutest little spots to grab a coffee & maybe a little snack. We visited Harken Cafe and it was quite the popular stop with a line out the door! The coffee was great (great selection) and it was very quaint inside.
Historic Tours – there are a wide variety of tour options in and around the city. Take a carriage tour around town, tour Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, a distillery tour, tour Fort Sumter National Monument… the options are truly endless.
TIPS
- Book reservations for all restaurants (as early as possible)
- Visit during the early Spring/ late Fall to avoid the hot, humid weather
- Walk as much as you can- it’s a great way to see the city and avoid Uber costs. Don’t forget to pack comfy shoes for this!
- The movie The Notebook was filmed throughout the city so I recommend checking out some of those spots! Here’s Southern Living’s post on all the spots.
- Charleston has some great happy hour deals during the week between 4-7 so look into that if you plan on grabbing a few drinks