Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most charming towns in America. From the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, museums, magnolia trees, beautiful beaches, and carriage rides throughout downtown, what isn’t there to fall in love with? I might be a little biased because I was born here, but this truly is such a unique town!
Charleston is the perfect place to go for a weekend trip if you don’t live too far. I went last year for a weekend trip and I couldn’t have asked for better weather while I was down there. The key to having a successful weekend trip is to make an itinerary of the things you will be doing. This will help with your time management as well as not leaving anything out.
Places to Eat:
When you think of Charleston, you think of their signature dishes such as shrimp n’ grits, collard greens (which happens to be South Carolina’s state food) and she-crab soup. However, you will run into the occasional few tourists who visit Charleston for the first time and want pizza, but some people aren’t up to trying soul southern rich food and that’s okay. If you are looking for food recommendations…I got you covered!
The Boathouse is one of my favorite restaurants that I go to every time I visit Charleston. It would be unheard of if I went to Charleston without eating at The Boathouse. They are known for their fresh seafood, so if you’re not a big seafood fan this restaurant might not be for you. It is very pricey, so I have to make sure I save up my money before I go. However, my favorite part of this is the stunning view. I mean look at this…
When I travel to new places, I try to eat at local restaurants instead of franchise/chain ones. However, I couldn’t help myself I had to eat at California Dreaming. It is another one of my favorites and it has an incredible view as well.
Lastly, if you’re looking to eat soul food, look no further! The famous Martha Lou’s kitchen is the best in the south! Martha Lou’s kitchen has been praised by the New York Times and The Travel Channel. From fried chicken to cornbread and collard greens they have the best home cookin’ in Charleston.
Things to do:
In Charleston, the atmosphere is so relaxing and fun. It is perfect for families who want to relax on the beach, a bachelorette trip for the nightlife, or tourists who want to stay active. There is plenty to see or do everywhere you go in Charleston!
I am sure you are familiar with the “Rainbow Row” houses. These houses add the perfect southern charm to Charleston. One of the things I love about Charleston, is that no building can be taller than the church steeples, that is why Charleston is also known as “The holy city.”
I like to recommend tours to people who have never visited Charleston before. There are so many tours to choose from. There are walking tours, food tours, horse and carriage tours, and even speedboat tours! Not to mention if you are feeling extra spooky, you can even go on a ghost tour at night (I am always to big of a chicken to do this.) I highly recommend the speed boat tour. I did this last time I was in Charleston and it was one of the best experiences of my life. For a list of all of the fun tours, click here.
If you’re a history lover like myself, there are so many old plantations, houses, battleships, and museums to go to. My favorite was the USS Yorktown battleship. It was so big that I could have stayed there all day. It really gave me an insight on what it would’ve been like years ago on the ship. Fort Sumpter was also very neat to visit, which signified the start of the American Civil War. If you’re a history junkie, Charleston is your place!
I can’t forget about the salty air, palm trees, and ocean breeze in Charleston. The beaches are to die for. They are so relaxing and a nice getaway from some of the tourist attractions. I’ve always favored the beaches in Charleston the most in South Carolina because they’re not overpopulated like Myrtle beach is–but it’s not too quiet either.
As you know, Charleston is home to many old buildings. One of them being the oldest continuous liquor store in the United States. It is called “The Tavern,” established in 1686, and still is running to this day!
This beautiful city is jam-packed with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and fun activities. I could honestly write about Charleston all day. Whether you are sun-bathing on the beach, shopping on King St., or walking along the cobblestone streets, Charleston has a fit for everyone who visits. When you visit, hopefully you can see why this city really is sweeter than sweet tea!
Travelogy 