There is no place like the South! I seriously think in a past life I was a Southerner. Mind you I have an extremely strong New York accent so this theory is probably just wishful thinking because I enjoy a great southern drawl!
Charleston is the poster child for the South and we explored every nook and cranny of this quaint town. Our getaway consisted of four days, amazing restaurants, unique shopping, and great tours. Now if you are a fan of the show Southern Charm you can add in some great spots that are relevant to the series. In fact, I have a friend who actually went to Patricia’s house and met Michael and her Pug!
In order to make your southern getaway in Charleston a sure thing I recommend you follow the steps below.
- Pick a hotel right in town, therefore you do not need a rental car. We loved the Hilton Double Tree located in the historic district.
- Book a tour with a local– I highly recommend native Charlestonian sisters Mary Helen Dantzler and Therese Smythe, whose family dates from 1793. We spent two hours strolling Charleston’s most beautiful streets and scenic alleyways. They spilled the beans on all the interesting information that this historic city was built on and some current gossip.
- Research via Instagram-I gets most of my unique tours and local happenings from Instagram. I search for multiple hashtags and see what’s trending. I will reach out to Instagramers and ask a question. I’m always pleasantly surprised how fellow Instagram friends are so helpful and kind!
- Have dinner on a rooftop– I love a good rooftop and I am always surprised how swanky they are and there is no shortage here.
- There are the cutest rooftop restaurants for a meal or just for a cocktail. I highly recommend the Pavillion Bar located on top of the Market Pavilion Hotel.
- Make a reservation at all iconic restaurants– We did not have a meal that we did not like! However, I do recommend the following restaurants.
- Peninsula Grill. It was very swanky and you will need to ditch the flip flops and shorts for this dinner. They had amazing reviews and received the Forbes Four-Star Award and AAA Four Diamond Award for Food Excellence. In Charleston, S.C., the crown jewel of the dining scene is Peninsula Grill and is hidden amidst a lush moonlit garden in the very heart of the Historic District. I recommend that you leave room for their signature dessert, Coconut Cake.
- Poogan’s Porch lured me in over the fact that they were dog lovers however the traditional southern food had us return for more. The restaurant is set in what looks like someone’s restored Victorian home. Poogan was the owner’s beloved dog who spent many days on the front porch. This dogs was left behind by the previous owner and was a neighborhood fixture, always waiting for scraps from the tables. He found his new home and served as the guardian for the restaurant. Sadly, Poogan crossed over to the rainbow bridge in 1979 and this restaurant serves as his monument.
- Research local dishes – There are many iconic foods however I fell in love with She-Crab Soup and Shrimp and Grits. BBQ was a big hit however I do not eat meat.
- Take a Harbour Tour– Climb aboard the Carolina Belle for Charleston’s top-rated harbor tour. Enjoy the beauty Charleston Harbor and learn the rich history of the Holy City. You will see over 75 landmarks and points of interest and it covers over 300 years of history! Fully stocked bar and snacks on board with items for purchase too!
- Historic Charleston City Market– Great place to take a stroll, purchase some unique items and grab a snack.
- Tour the Aiken-Rhett House– according to many, there’s no better example of antebellum life than the Aiken-Rhett House Museum. Originally built in the early 1800s and then expanded by Gov. William Aiken and his wife in the 1850s, much of the house’s original style has been preserved.
- Battery– Many visitors say you can’t leave Charleston without seeing this stretch along the city’s southern tip. This row of Southern-style mansions overlooking Charleston Harbor was formerly the heart and soul of the city’s maritime activity. Today, the area attracts camera-toting tourists from all over the country.
- Rainbow Row- Your list of things to do in Charleston may be getting long, but it’s essential that you make room for Rainbow Row. This series of 13 brightly-colored houses along the waterfront is one of Charleston’s most photographed spots and is a spectacular site to see.
If you have more than a couple of days I recommend you take a drive out to Sullivan Island and Isle of the Palm.
I would love to hear about your recommendations for Charleston, South Carolina. Please share your favorite Charleston spots in comments. Charleston is definitely a city that you will want to revisit several times.
