Charleston!
Known as the Holy City to those that live there, and to vacationers like myself, it's the city of endless southern charm and color. Charleston is known for its iconic landmarks like Battery Park and the Pineapple Fountain in Riley Waterfront Park, but what it is really known for is the homes and shops along Rainbow Row.
Charleston has a unique culture, and its food in my opinion should be described as elevated southern Creole. It does not get more French or Southern than the beautiful Holy City - unless you visit New Orleans.
Enjoy, relax, have a cocktail or two, slurp some fresh oysters from the Low Country, and walk on the cobblestone streets for a time to remember.
"Charleston is both charm and beauty with a lot of grace and good southern eats."
Growing up my family and I would travel all over the Carolinas. From Columbia to Charleston South Carolina, to Highlands + Cashiers, Maggie Valley, and Ashville North Carolina. My two favorites were and have always been Charleston, SC, and Highlands, NC. I made this guide as something for me to truly reference on my own mini-moon with my fianceé next year.
I have always loved Charleston to my core, and I hope this guide shows it. I've taken bits and pieces of what I remember and what friends have told me about their travels to create the most epic guide for you if you ever decide to travel here. Being originally from New Orleans there are so many parallels and differences between the two. Some say that if you've been to the French Quarter you've been to Charleston or vice versa, but that's simply not true. The culture is the same, and the food has the same Creole southern rues, but in my opinion, Charleston is just so much more wholesome and charming. There's so much to do, see, explore, and experience when you're here from boat rides, to fresh oysters, luxury shopping, and site seeing, it truly is the Holy City.
Stay
Zero George Street
0 GEORGE STREET | (843) 817-7900
As lodging goes, Zero George is the belle of the Holy City’s hotel ball. A wide-planked porch enfolds you in welcome, and inside, room after stately room is a page out of your Elle Décor dreams. Add to that a jewel box of a bar and Hemingway-esque brasserie and there’s nothing about this slice-of-heaven boutique inn that you won’t love.
Planters Inn
112 N. MARKET STREET | (843) 722-2345
A short walk through the curlicue iron gates of Planters Inn feels worlds away from the bustle of Meeting Street. Charleston’s only Relais & Chateaux property more than lived up to its grande dame status during our visit. And those three little words make the prospect of room service wickedly tempting: Ultimate. Coconut. Cake.
Wentworth mansion
149 WENTWORTH STREET | (888) 466-1886
If don’t-you-lift-a-finger southern hospitality with a serious side of Holy City history is what you’re looking for in your Charleston quarters, get thyself to the Wentworth Mansion pronto.
Emeline
181 Church Street | (866) 246-7407
Nestled amongst the cobblestone streets and brightly colored row houses, Emeline is perfectly located in Charleston’s historic district, next to the Historic Charleston City Market. When you stay at Emeline, you’ll be within easy walking distance from the great shops and restaurants on Market Street. It’s the perfect place to explore downtown Charleston from. There’s valet parking available to guests at the hotel.
bolt farm Luxury Treehouse
The owners and designers, Seth and Tori Bolt, have two private locations. The original, Majestic Treehouse is located in upstate South Carolina and their four new, charming treehouses are located in Charleston. Each treehouse is fully furnished, equipped with a bathroom, electricity, and heater/AC unit. People make reservations at the treehouses six months in advance. So if you’re craving a luxurious, rejuvenating getaway for the soul then you better book fast!
The Mills House
the perfect culmination of all things Charleston charm, and the best part is that it’s pink! Located in a historic building in downtown Charleston, the hotel is in a central location near King and Broad streets, with a pick up spot for the local bike share program, Holy Spokes, nearby.
Eat
Brunch
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Prohibition (Upper King)
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Felix (Upper King)
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Poogan’s Porch (French Quarter)
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Fleet Landing (French Quarter Bay)
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SNOB (Bay St)
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82 Queen (French Quarter)
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Henriettas (French Quarter)
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Low Country Bistro (Market St)
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5Church (Bay St)
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Uptown Social (Upper King)
Lunch | Dinner
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Husk (French Quarter)
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Poogan’s Porch (French Quarter)
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5Church (Bay St)
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LeFarfalle (Harleston)
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Herd Provisions (Citadel)
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Indaco (Upper King)
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Lewis BBQ (East Central)
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Juan Luis (East Central)
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39 Rue de Jean (King St)
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Xao Bao Biscuit (Cannonborough)
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Chez Nous (Cannonborough)
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Felix (Upper King)
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Magnolias (Bay St)
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Blossom (Bay St)
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Fig (Upper King)
happy hour
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HoM (Upper King)
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Indaco (Upper King St)
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Amen Street (Bay St)
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Canon Green (Cannonborough)
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Warehouse (Cannonborough)
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Felix (Upper King)
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Darling Oyster Bar (King St)
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Uptown Social (Upper King)
Coffee Shops
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Tricer
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Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
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The Rise Coffee Bar
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Second State
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Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer
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Bitty and Beau's Coffee
Dessert Spots
WIne Bars
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Uncork
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Magnolias
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Felix
Play
Free things to do
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Walking Rainbow Row and seeing home 79-107
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King Stree
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Folly Beach
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Visit Angel Oak
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Magnolia Plantation
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Boone Hall Plantation
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Waterfront Park
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Charleston's Farmers Market
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The Battery
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Historic Charleston City Market
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Sullivan’s Island
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Washington Square Park
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South Carolina Historical Society
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The Cistern
Things to do
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A Private Carriage Tour
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Cocktail Club
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Candle Fish
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Gibbes Museum of Art
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Grand Bohemian Gallery
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Terrance Theater
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Palmetto Picnic
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Charleston Sailing Adventures
Shopping
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Hampden Clothing
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King Street
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Lilly Pulitzer​
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Luis Vuitton
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Love Shake Fancy
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Savanah Bee Company
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Charleston City Makret
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Grit and Grace Studio
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Styled Well Boutique
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Darlington Isle
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Mill Street
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James Archer
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Black Hurst
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Étu Home
​Spas
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Woodhouse Spa
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The Dewberry Spa
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Face Founderié
Fitness Studios
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Longevity Club
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Jane DO
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Yoloha Yoga Studio
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Salt Spa Yoga
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Diva Dance Parties