For several years, my mom has lived near the lovely South Carolina city of Charleston. With a slow Southern pace, access to beaches and historic sites, and a world-class food scene, visiting Charleston is a pleasure. If you’ll be spending a day or two or three, read my tips on the top things to do in Charleston.
We recently took a break from the boat and Australia and flew back to North America to visit family and friends. Here’s one of the places we loved visiting!
About Charleston, SC
Charleston is notable for many reasons, including as one of the oldest cities in the USA, founded in the 1600s. This port city played a role in many of the country’s wars, and battleground sites and forts still surround the city, providing history lessons to many visitors. The most populous city in South Carolina, with just over 155,000 residents, it is filled with notable colonial buildings and pretty parks and gardens.
Getting To Charleston
South Carolina’s biggest city is conveniently accessed via its international airport, less than 20km from the city center. As a college town with lots of festivals and tourism, you have plenty of choice in accommodations, from high end hotels to cute bed and breakfasts and budget hostels. Plan ahead, though, as Charleston is a destination for history buffs, food lovers, and partying bachelorettes, all enjoying Charleston’s charms.
For me, it’s easy to visit at less than a two hour drive from Pawley’s Island. Every time I go, I learn more about Charleston’s charms, from the walkable streets to the friendly locals. It’s a place to spend a few days slowing down and having fun. Try these top things to do in Charleston yourself.
Eat Out
Charleston is known for its great restaurant scene. In fact, many top chefs call this city their home. From fresh seafood to trad Southern to mouth watering bbq, you can’t leave Charleston with an empty stomach. And you won’t. Charleston is a foodie city, attracting hungry tourists from far and wide, so book in advance. Below is just a sampling of the many restaurants, wine bars, and fish markets you can enjoy in Charleston.
Hyman’s Seafood
A tried and true restaurant in the heart of downtown Charleston, Hyman’s has been around a long time because it’s so good. Go for the iconic shrimp and grits if you want a local favorite, or indulge in the raw bar delicacies. Hyman’s is a Charleston institution.
Hyman’s Seafood, 215 Meeting Street, Charleston
lewis barbecue
If you’re in Charleston and you eat meat, you can’t miss the barbecue. An excellent source of ribs, brisket and more, Lewis Barbecue makes it Texas style. The venue is huge, but still gets crowded at prime lunch and dinner hours. But you’re in the south, so take your time and enjoy the food.
Lewis Barbecue, 446 N Nassau Street, Charleston
magnolia’s
Magnolia’s is my mom’s favorite, serving upscale traditional Southern food. Expect: Elevated seafood, creamy sauces, and southern specialties like fried chicken and grits. Must order: fried green tomatoes.
Magnolia’s, 185 E Bay Street, Charleston
sorghum & salt
The veggie forward, farm to table menu at neighborhood favorite Sorghum & Salt is healthy and delicious. We supped on shared plates there for my birthday, savoring every dish, including a spectacular side of carrots.
Sorghum & Salt, 186 Coming Street, Charleston
Take a Tour
As a small city rich in history, the choice of tours is bountiful. I am a fan of walking tours, and have learned a lot from the experts in Charleston. There’s nothing like strolling the cobblestone streets, imagining what life was like hundreds of years ago.
If it’s too hot (in the summer, it will be), you can tour some of the historic houses and gardens in and around the city or take one of the popular carriage tours. Historic Charleston bundles two of the city’s museums for one ticket price, making it easy to explore the beautifully preserved architecture.
Visit Charleston’s Historic City Market
Charleston’s Historic City Market is a must do. A National landmark, the market was established in the 1790s, making it over 300 years old. Now, it hosts a variety of stalls selling a mixture of artisan crafts and cheap tourist trinkets. The market hosts events and night markets, and comprises several buildings, including the city’s Confederate Museum.
Charleston City Market, 188 Meeting Street, Charleston
Attend a Festival
Charleston may not be a big city, but it hosts some excellent festivals. Many are held in spring, arguably the best time of year to visit thanks to cooler temperatures and less humidity. If you’re a gourmet, check out Charleston Wine + Food, held the first full weekend in March at locations all across the city.
I loved attending the world class Spoleto Festival a few years ago. It runs for 17 days and features music ranging from pop to classical and jazz, operas, plays, and more, including some world premieres.
In autumn, the Preservation Society hosts the annual Fall Tour of Homes, the only chance to go inside some remarkable homes and gardens. With a focus on the city’s architectural heritage, these tours provide a look inside historic homes and the recent past.
Get on the Water
Charleston is a port city, surrounded by bays and rivers flowing into the Atlantic. As a result, boats are everywhere, offering day and night tours on the water and to different sites. It depends on your level of fitness and interest what kind of tour you want to take. Relax on a catamaran touring the harbour, looking for dolphins and seabirds.
Or, take a tour boat to one of the historic military sites like Fort Sumter, where you can spend an hour walking the grounds and exploring the museum. Even on the ferry to Fort Sumter, we witnessed pods of dolphins alongside the boat and the island.
Other boat tours are more adventurous and eco-friendly, taking you to isolated islands for kayaking and beachcombing. Get out on the water and see for yourself.
Check out Charleston’s Music Scene
While not as acclaimed as a music city as New Orleans or Nashville, there’s still great gigs in Charleston. With a range of music venues from bars to outdoor arenas all the way up to stadiums, musicians from all genres play here. We loved the live outdoor shows at College of Charleson for Spoleto. Jazz is at home here, with jazz bars, an orchestra, and an annual festival, meaning most nights offer a jazz show in the city.
It’s also a hotbed for modern rock and folk music. Look at the schedules at Music Farm, Charleston Music Hall, and Pour House for ideas of whose in town this week. I doubt you’ll be disappointed. For example, when we visited in September, we had to choose between a few good shows and opted for Pokey LaFarge at Pour House. He was excellent.
Conclusion
Charleston is a small city with a lot to offer. If you like history, nature, food, the outdoors and festivals, check out Charleston. I’m sure I’ve missed some fun and interesting things to do in Charleston, so let me know in the comments.
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Thinking about Charleston for a girls weekend – great post!
Charleston would be great for a girls weekend, Carmen! I didn’t even mention the cute rooftop cocktail bars.