Charleston South Carolina doesn’t typically come to mind for a luxury vacation. Florida usually wins for warm weather and waterfront hotels in abundance. We took a chance on a Charleston vacation, and we were absolutely charmed …
Charleston claims many historical “firsts,” founded in 1670, “first” in key battles of the Revolutionary and Civil wars, inventions like the cotton gin, even exports of peanuts to pecans and tea originated here. Whether you are captivated by pirate antics and haunted houses, fascinated by armed forts and aircraft carriers, awed by gracious mansions and Barbados architecture, or just lured by local seafood – Charleston plays to all times and tastes. Plus you can hit the sandy beach on Sullivans or Isle of Palms, or go boating along the southern coast. Where to stay in Charleston – best Hotels, Inns, and Bnbs
Top 10 Things to Do In Charleston:
Stroll the Streets of Charleston
With sneakers and a smile, Charleston is a fantastic walking city – over a mile north to south on the peninsula. Cobblestone streets are lined with antebellum homes, shaded by magnolia and live oak trees draped with moss, as jasmine wafts through the humid air. Step back in time with a horse-drawn carriage ride along the picturesque painted homes of Rainbow Row and Charleston’s 176 historic churches, hence the nickname Holy City. Besides the scenery, the folks here ooze hospitality with their “sweet as pecan pie” southern accents. Consider a Charleston historic walking tour to better appreciate the Barbados colors and architecture, the rice plantation wealth and mansions, and American British history here. Get your selfie by the Pineapple Fountain along the Battery in pretty Waterfront Park. City kids swim in this fountain on steamy Carolina days as if it’s a municipal pool.
In Town Plantation Sophistication
For authentic urban plantations in town Charleston, the Aiken Rhett House and Nathaniel Russell Mansion glean what city life was like for the wealthy in the 18th century, and conversely – what African slaves from Angola – called Gullah – endured. The Slave Museum and City Market – once the Slave Market are worthwhile, yet humbling. Charleston’s past is one of pride and prosperity, with the dark paul of human bondage. Charleston was nicknamed “Ellis Island of Africans” as the port of entry of almost four million African slaves.
Go To Jail
Charleston’s Old Exchange Building and the Provost Dungeon were built by the British in 1768 to collect the King’s taxes. The grand Georgian Palladian building near Battery Park later became the social center and meeting place of the Continental Congress. Below is the eerie Dungeon where pirates and patriots were imprisoned.
The Notebook
Visit “the most photographed” Boone Hall Plantation. The grand half-mile entry is a splendid canopy of live oaks draped with Spanish moss transporting you back to a bygone era. Boone Hall is famed for movies like “The Notebook”, “North and South” and Alex Haley’s “Queen” with Halley Berry. But the true story of this elegant estate house is of the crowded slave houses, depicting the brutal work conditions at a 17th century plantation. Charleston’s booming 18th century industry included exporting everything from indigo, rice and cotton, brick and tile from the clay river beds, to pecans, grapes, berries and peaches, only possible with slave work force.
Hospitality or Humanity
Middleton Place, along the famed Ashley River, offers more insight to life on a 1741 plantation of the wealthiest family that owned over 800 slaves. The beautiful grounds and reflecting pools (which hosts a family of alligators) speak to the incongruities of our American history. Middleton endured the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the earthquake of 1886, and hosts America’s oldest landscaped gardens.
Shop like a Queen on King
King Street is Charleston’s boulevard for shopping and people-parade watching. You’ll find fabulous dress shops, boutiques, and bars with happy hours and live music lining this lively street. Charleston is the 2nd most popular wedding destination in the nation, with Vegas for the win. Charleston is the “Bach” capital too. You may be overwhelmed by the throngs of boozy Bachelorette parties capturing silly Insta selfies in their raunchy ridiculous matchy-matchy outfits.
Forrest Gump
All this walking, shopping, and southern stories build an appetite for local cornbread, shrimp & grits, inspired by the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”. Enjoy “low country” southern style fixins of crab, oysters and shrimp. Y’all just have to try gravy-laden shrimp and grits – which Washington devoured on his 1791 southern Victory tour.
For Charleston’s classic dining, Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street is a typical southern-style restaurant in the heart of the city. Try the She Crab Soup with delicious homemade biscuits, fried green tomatoes, or fried chicken. Don’t miss Poogan – the namesake stray dog’s tombstone in the front yard. Visit neighboring Husk for elevated southern, and a great brunch menu! Stop in to Sorelle market for a coffee, and reserve for fancy dinner later. More award-winning restaurants, Magnolia, and The Ordinary are anything but… If you crave southern Barbeque, Poogan’s Smokehouse, sister to Poogan’s Porch, is amazing, filling! Charleston charms diners…with innovative cuisine, local ingredients, served with down-south hospitality.
Gospel Brunch
Sunday Brunch is even better with a gospel choir singing over Bacon Bloody Mary’s or Bellini’s and Crab Benedict at Hall’s Chophouse on the shoppers’ favorite King Street. Host Billy Hall will greet you with genuine warmth, while local Gullah women will sing the most beautiful gospel during your Sunday repast. Perfection!
Haunted Charleston
Charleston is a most haunted city – eclipsed only by nearby Savannah. An evening ghost and graveyard tour dishes more chills and shrills than any scary amusement park ride. Just strolling Charleston’s many ancient graveyards is creepy, steeped in legend and lore.
Drinks with a View
After exploring Charleston’s streets and City Market by day, head to a rooftop bar in the evening for a lofty perspective. The luxury Market Pavilion Hotel is scenic, and the place to be seen on a sultry evening at sunset. Hotel Bennett ditto – though not a great western perspective for sunset. Vendue is vibey, fun, with a more casual rooftop setting for sunset, or happy hour, with a panorama of Church spires, the Ravvenel bridge, and harbor! The food at Vendue is surprisingly good and reasonable.
Patriots Point
Battle buffs can tour the Yorktown aircraft carrier, battleships and Clamagore submarine. Then board the harbor tour to 1861 Civil War Fort Sumter– its a “muster.”
Head to the Islands
A 20-minute rdrive from Charleston, over the Ravenel – the longest cable stay, 8-lane, bridge in the U.S. ($700-million in 2002), brings you to the barrier Isle of Palm and sandy beaches and palm trees. Take an Uber to the beach from the City, as beach parking is limited. Stroll the long and wide beach on the Atlantic seaside, 6-miles of surf and sand, make a reservation for a creative lunch at Obstinate Daughter in Sullivans Beach. Or savor sunset over the inter-coastal shore at Shem Creek or Morgan Creek’s rooftop bar. You can even rent a boat from a local marina.
When to go? Friendly South Carolinians say April and May for the blossoms and jasmine scented strolls, along with October and November, are the best times to “beat it down” to Charleston, while summer can be peak heat and humidity, sticky as sweet tea. Book your Charleston Hotel
Charleston is charming if you crave substance in your southern sojourn. It’s an education vacation, the history is rich and deep – like the southern drawl. You can have your beach-time too. Did I mention the friendliest people on the planet? Also visit sister city Savannah Georgia and Hilton Head Island during your trip South.
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“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck