Charleston SC Travel Guide
A guide for where to eat, stay and play when visiting Charleston, SC
updated 2/25/2024
Shown in photo is the famous Pineapple Fountain located at Joe C. Riley Waterfront Park in Charleston, SC during Spring.
Charleston is my ABSOLUTE favorite vacation destination. Read more to find out why I am completely in love with this city rich in history and old-world charm and why you NEED to add this to your vacation “bucket list” to visit.
Reasons to visit Charleston, SC:
CHARLESTON IS A BEAUTIFUL CITY.
I cannot stress how GORGEOUS this city is. There are beautiful details everywhere you look, from the bronze street plaques on the corner of sidewalks, to the architecture in the buildings and even the paint color on the “piazza” ceiling. What’s a piazza you may ask? It’s a fancy name for a porch of a house. Most of the one’s in historic Charleston have a separate door leading to them with a nice big sitting area looking out over a garden. (You will find that there is a unique set of vocabulary words the locals use to refer to things.) See below some of the photos showing a few of the magnificent beauty this city beholds.
CHARLESTON IS A WALKABLE CITY.
Another great reason to visit historic Charleston is because it is very walkable. Everything is compacted into this Peninsula city. Almost any hotel you book downtown is within walking distance to restaurants, the waterfront park, pier, museums, art galleries and the marketplace and the King Street shops. However, if walking is not your thing, rest assured you can find bike taxi’s, rental bikes, take an Uber or there are several parking areas around (just make sure you are prepared to pay by credit card, cash or change if using a street meter.)
When is the best time to visit Charleston, SC?
Really, anytime of year is great, but I would say Spring has been my favorite. I have been during all four seasons, so let me give you a few tips about each:
Spring is a wonderful time to admire all the plants and trees in full bloom and the temperature is quite perfect.
Summer can be brutal for outdoor walking and activities in downtown. Charleston can get rather hot and humid, so be warned to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and put on a little bug spray to protect yourself during this time of year. One big advantage is there are lots of surrounding beaches such as Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach to enjoy the summer in a refreshing way and there are still lovely flowers in bloom throughout the city.
Fall is the busiest time for weddings and that also means more visitors and higher rates. However, the weather is perfect for enjoying outdoor walks and activities, and the trees are starting to change colors along with houses being decorated for the season.
Winter months have the fewest visitors, especially January and February. Last year my husband and I decided to take a trip during the second week of December, and we were a little disappointed in the lack of Christmas decorations. So don’t expect too much razzle and dazzle in winter, but it was still a great trip full of delicious foods and sight-seeing without as many tourists, so wait times were very low.
Where to eat in Charleston
THE FOOD.
Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE food and that is another fantastic reason to visit Charleston, SC. You can find an array of seafood restaurants, pizza places, Mexican food, southern comfort meals and lots of upscale restaurants serving local delicacies. Here are a few of my favorite restaurants to visit while in Charleston:
Places to stay in Charleston
Where to stay in Charleston, SC
My first trip to Charleston I did it all wrong. Always a penny pincher, trying to save money I booked a slightly cheaper hotel about 10 minutes outside of town. Although it was a very nice hotel, the money I saved in the beginning was put towards parking in the city, not to mention the time lost (and experiences) getting there and back. If I give you one piece of solid advice, it’s to spend a little extra on a hotel located in historic downtown Charleston.
When you stay downtown, you are transported back in time and fully immersed in the glory and beauty of this city. Especially when everything is so walkable, you can wake up and take a stroll down the cobblestone streets that the sunrise lights up like gold in the morning hours. Find yourself at the waterpark enjoying the fountains or sit and relax on a swing on the pier watching sailboats go by while sipping on your morning coffee.
During the day, head over to the bustling marketplace for unique crafts, clothing and food, take a horse carriage tour or check out an art gallery or museum. When the night falls, they are still excitement all around with lots of music venues, local food, and nightlife. Trust me, stay in town…historic downtown Charleston, it’s worth it!
Check out my two top choices for Charleston hotels:
PLAY. What activities can you do in Charleston?
Things to do in Charleston, SC
So much to see…so little time! You definitely don’t want to cut yourself short and miss out on what all Charleston has to offer. I recommend at least three full days to soak it all in and fill your soul with all this city has to offer. Check out several of my favorite things to see and do while I’m visiting:
Shopping
Sites
If you aren’t able to make the trip, I’ve re-created a few vintage Charleston recipes from a Charleston Receipts cookbook I got from the City Marketplace on my last visit. You can have a little taste of low country right in your home. Try them out:
Vintage Charleston Recipes (or as they once were called, “receipts”)
Enjoy!
💜Julie
You never know what you’ll see on the streets in Charleston. There are lots of beautiful vintage cars like this one roaming around, so have your camera ready!