If gorgeous weather, spectacular beaches, huge mansions, and some of the best food is your thing- this is your place. There’s never a bad time to visit the Holy City! Here’s my guide to a weekend in Charleston, SC!
Shop local vendors at the Charleston City Market
Shop until you drop right in the center of the city! Vendors line the open-air buildings and are selling everything from one-of-a-kind pieces, arts, crafts, and food. The market is located (appropriately) on Market Street and spans for the equivalent of 4 city blocks. Open every day, it’s an easy activity to squeeze into your Charleston itinerary, no matter how limited your time is! Snag a unique find for the ultimate souvenir to take home with you (and you also get to support small businesses!)
Stroll along Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city. Stroll along the water on beautifully kept, wide paths, and take an Insta-worth shot at the iconic pineapple fountain! There are plenty of benches and large, mature trees that offer a shady escape from the heat. Out on the pier, there are large public swings so you can rock with the water on three sides of you.
Snap some colorful photos at Rainbow Row
“Rainbow Row” is the nickname given to a stretch of 13 colorful houses on East Bay Street. This is the ultimate photo spot for your Instagram- it’s iconic Charleston! All of these houses are hold incredible historical significance, some dating back to as early as the 1740’s! It’s a very short walk from the Battery, Waterfront Park, and Broad Street with plenty of options for restaurants or shopping.
Indulge in some House Porn
You could literally spend hours walking the streets of Charleston gawking at the mansions. These homes are incredible! The best ones in my opinion were South of Broad Street and along the Battery. Wind the streets and get lost in a fantasy where you’re a Southern Belle and you’re going home for a fancy dinner party. For an even better time, I loved plugging in the addresses into Zillow and seeing what they’re worth and pictures from inside. Crazy to think people actually live inside of them!
Walk the Ocean Walk at Pitt Street Bridge Park
My favorite place to catch the sunset was across the channel in Mount Pleasant at the Pitt Street Ocean Walk. A long walkway jets out into the water and is lined with Palmetto trees (a South Carolina staple). My GPS took me so far out of the way and I almost missed the sunset, so follow this link for an exact pin. Take in the salty breeze as you watch the sun slowly set over the water. A picture-perfect end to a perfect day!
Visit the Angel Oak Tree
While the Angel Oak Tree isn’t technically in Charleston, it’s definitely worth the trip! It’s located about 25 minutes outside of downtown Charleston on John’s Island. The tree is almost 500 years old and is thought to be one of the oldest living things in the country! There is a big, shady canopy that offers great relief from the sun. Parking and visiting the tree is completely free, and you really only need 30 minutes or so to visit, so no reason not to add to your itinerary!
Tip: Arrive early if you want photos without other people in them.
Catch some sun at Folly Beach
Alright, another one that isn’t technically in Charleston. Folly Beach is actually the name of a town on James Island, about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston. I got up and out the door early and really enjoyed watching the sun rise over the Atlantic at the Folly Beach Pier. Visiting in March like I did, the days got hot but it was still too cold to swim. Perfect temperature however, to sit on the pier and people watch! Afterward, I caught breakfast at the Lost Dog Cafe, which is just a few blocks away. Their french toast was to die for! I would love to come back in summer and set up on the beach alllll dayyy long.
Indulge in Southern cookin’ at Leon’s
If you’re looking for the perfect Southern meal- Leon’s is where it’s at! Their front patio is the perfect place to sit back with a glass of rose and a plate of fresh oysters. This was actually the first time I’ve tried oysters! I went for the oysters “casino style” (I don’t even know if I’m saying that right) and they were delicious! Of course, I then needed to get their order of fried chicken, which was fantastic. For dessert, you need to get an Insta-worthy picture of your vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles!
Stroll and shop along Broad Street
Broad Street is the iconic street that back in the day separated the upper class from everyone else. Nowadays, it’s home to countless small boutiques, restaurants, and you guessed it- more history. The best stretch is between King & Bay Streets (outside of that it gets residential). Stroll among the Palmetto trees and bop in and out of shops for a relaxing afternoon.
Fun fact, as gentrification started to occur above Broad Street, those who lived in that neighborhood liked to acknowledge the fact. They called the neighborhood Snob – which stands for Slightly North of Broad. That’s how we got the word snob!
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