Charleston, South Carolina has been making 'best of' travel headlines for years now with no signs of losing steam. This charming historic city packs an unbelievable punch for its small size. From the meticulously preserved antebellum architecture to world-class culinary offerings, a thriving arts scene, historical significance, and its array of beautiful beaches, there is no shortage of amazing things to do in Charleston.
Charleston is a thriving year-round destination, but with its oppressive heat during the summer, now is an excellent time to think about a Charleston getaway. The off-season enjoys much lighter crowds while temperatures remain fairly mild, and prices and availability are more favorable to visitors as well. Whether a seasoned vet or a Charleston first-timer, here are some great activities to enjoy in the Holy City.
10 Attend An Oyster Roast
Oyster season in Charleston opens annually on October 1st (when shellfish harvesting is permitted) and runs until the spring. The steadfast rule has always been that oysters are best enjoyed during the 'r' months, so winter is the best time to sample the local oysters that Charleston is famous for.
While there is certainly no shortage of options for oyster consumption in Charleston, head to an oyster roast for an authentically-Charleston experience. Fresh oysters are steamed over hot coals and served family-style at large, communal tables where guests then shuck their own oysters and eat them with saltines, lemon, and hot sauce.
Charleston's Boone Hall Plantation holds the largest oyster festival in the world every January, but small-scale roasts pop up constantly and almost everywhere, from breweries to parks to bars and backyards.
9 Catch A Wave At Folly Beach
Charleston is surrounded by a series of barrier islands and each of these nearby beach communities has its own unique vibe. Folly Beach has the most eclectic personality of all the Charleston beaches thanks to its vibrant local community and unpretentious atmosphere.
Located only a few miles from downtown Charleston, it is easy to incorporate into the daily itinerary, although one could easily choose to base themselves in Folly Beach instead.
With some of the best waves in the southeast, surfers have long flocked to Folly Beach. Advanced surfers will find the most optimal conditions at the area known as the Washout, but novices can take a surfing lesson with one of the island's reputable schools.
Wetsuits are provided with the cost of lessons during the cooler months conditions are often better than in the summer, too.
8 Shop 'Til You Drop
Historic downtown Charleston has a longstanding reputation as a retail shopping hub. The peninsula's most iconic shopping area is the picturesque and palmetto-lined King Street. Here shoppers will find popular international brands, unique local boutiques, furniture and home decor stores, a slew of art galleries, and many antiques and collectibles shops too.
Also found on King Street is The Shops at Charleston Place, home to high-end retailers like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
The historic Charleston City Market is another must-visit downtown shopping attraction (open daily from 9:30 am - 6 pm). On Friday and Saturday nights, it comes to life as a night market too. All the night market artists are selected via an application process for their local and handmade works.
7 Watch The Sunset From A Sailboat
With so much water surrounding Charleston, a sailboat is a great way to explore the city from a different perspective.
Hourly and daily yacht charters are available at any of the area marinas, and sailing courses are also available through Charleston Sailing School for anyone wishing to acquire their own set of skills on the water.
The colorful homes along the Charleston Battery make for excellent sightseeing from within the Charleston Harbor. Check out some of the uninhabited barrier islands, such as Capers Island, that are only accessible by boat.
Another fun sailing option is to 'dock and dine'; sail over to Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island and drop anchor at one of the lively waterfront establishments.
6 Take A Horse-Drawn Carriage History Tour
Head over to Anson Street (next to the historic City Market) to be greeted by a slew of friendly faces of the equine variety. Learn the history of Charleston while perched atop a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the sights of the city.
The tour guides are certified by the city and are extremely knowledgeable. Visitors will learn new facts with every tour they go on, and explore different areas of downtown as well. The barns are open to the public and patrons and welcome to visit with the gentle giants.
An important note for animal lovers: the carriage companies have large farms outside the city and rotate different horses in and out of pasture each week (they do not live downtown, or work every day). The industry is closely regulated (number of daily tours, cooling times, body temps, etc.), and draft horses and bred and built for this sort of work.
The carriage horses are all former Amish plow horses. Not only is their new job far more humane, but it also saves them from an otherwise unspeakable fate.
5 Wine And Dine
It's no secret that Charleston's food and beverage scene is world-class. The city has long been a food haven, with drinking and dining a staple of any Charleston vacation.
There is an incredible array of options to suit all tastes and budgets, boasting everything from Michelin-star and James Beard award chefs and restaurants to humble soul food and gritty dive bars. Be sure to come hungry (and thirsty)!
While this entire article could be devoted to the culinary offerings in Charleston, here are a few tried-and-true favorites broken down into four categories.
- Upscale Staples: Hall's Chophouse, FIG, Husk, The Ordinary, Muse, Charleston Grill, Circa 1886
- Hip and Trendy: Warehouse, Leon's, 167 Raw, Barsa, Xiao Bau Biscuit
- Quintessential Dives: Moe's Crosstown Tavern, Recovery Room, ACs, Salty Mike's, The Griffon
- Rooftop Bars: The Dewberry, The Vendue, The Watch, STARS, Cocktail Club, Pavilion Bar
4 See Live Music
Charleston has a wonderful music scene, with numerous venues that consistently welcome both emerging artists and famous headliners. Many of the downtown venues are small, allowing for intimate shows where attendees can get up close and personal with the musicians and sometimes even share a drink with them at the bar.
Check out the Music Farm and Charleston Pour House for laid-back vibes and music spanning a variety of genres. The Galliard Center and Charleston Music Hall are elegant venues with incredible acoustics.
For large-scale concerts, there is also the North Charleston Coliseum and Credit One Stadium, which can each host over 10,000 patrons.
Additionally, Charleston is home to some excellent outdoor venues including the Windjammer, Charleston Harbor Resort at Patriot's Point, The Refinery, and Riverfront Park that host many fun shows and festivals in the warmer months.
3 Go To A Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Game
Anyone visiting Charleston during baseball season (April - October) should be sure to catch a Charleston RiverDogs game. Recently named the Minor League Baseball Team of the Year, the team is co-owned by local celebrity Bill Murray who often pops up at home games.
The stadium is conveniently located downtown and the games offer cheap beer and tons of fun in a family-friendly atmosphere. The games are loved by locals and tourists alike, and everyone is sure to have a great time.
The Charleston RiverDogs also host frequent special events to contribute to the community, from litter clean-ups to animal fundraisers, as well as cultural heritage celebrations, golf events, food festivals, and more.
2 Brewery Hop
Charleston is home to over 30 breweries, where locals and tourists mingle side by side. The beer scene has grown rapidly over the last decade, with only three breweries in Charleston 10 years ago.
Beer enthusiasts will find a diverse range of offerings, encompassing lagers to stouts to IPAs and everything in between. Some of the Charleston breweries offer full-service dining, while others just have food trucks on-site during certain hours.
With so many breweries to choose from, below are a handful of the favorites to visit, according to locals. Remember not to drink and drive; if no designated driver is available opt for a guided tour with transportation instead.
- Revelry Brewing:36 Romney St, Charleston.
- Frothy Beard Brewing Company: 1401 Sam Rittenburg Blvd, Charleston
- Holy City Brewing: 1021 Aragon Ave, N. Charleston
- Munkle Brewing Co:1513 Meeting St, Charleston
- Palmetto Brewing Co.: 289 Hugar St, Charleston
- Low Tide Brewing: 2683 Maybank Hwy, John's Island
- Edmond's Oast Brewing Co: 1505 King St #115, Charleston
1 Walk, Run, Or Bike The Ravenel Bridge
Photo by David Martin on Unsplash
The Ravenel Bridge is becoming to Charleston what the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco. Besides connecting the Charleston peninsula with neighboring Mount Pleasant, crossing the Ravenel Bridge is also a popular recreational activity for locals and tourists alike.
Don't forget to take a few snaps because the views of Charleston Harbor are out of this world!
The Ravenel Bridge features a designated pedestrian lane with a safety barrier from traffic, and it is wide enough to comfortably accommodate both walkers and bikers. The bridge spans 2.5 miles from one end to the other, so keep in mind it is a 5-mile roundtrip journey.
Rather than going back and forth, another great option is to head over to the waterfront bars on Shem Creek and then use Uber or Lyft to return to the peninsula.