Charleston, South Carolina was once the richest city in colonial America. It was also home to the first college, first museum, first golf club, and first playhouse in the US.
Today, Charleston has been named the “Best City in the World” by both Conde Nast and Travel + Leisure magazines, and it is the perfect destination for a girl’s trip!
The city is bursting with history, beauty, charm, and plenty of good food! Keep reading to discover the best places to stay, best restaurants, and best things to do in Charleston SC!
*Updated January 2023
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book a stay or tour through the link provided, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We really appreciate your support!
A Girlfriend’s Guide to the Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
Table of Contents
- Best places to stay in Charleston SC
- Best places to eat in Charleston SC
- Best things to do in Charleston SC
- Paddle a rowboat through the swamp at Cypress Gardens
- Take photos on Rainbow Row
- Stroll along Waterfront Park
- Shop for souvenirs at the Charleston City Market
- Tour the Old Slave Mart Museum
- See The Pink House
- Go shopping on King Street
- See some of the Outer Banks filming locations
- Tour Boone Hall Plantation
- A Few More of the Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
Best places to stay in Charleston SC
Barksdale House Inn
During a girl’s trip to Dallas, we booked a haunted hotel and it added such a fun element of excitement to our trip.
We decided that we wanted to book another haunted hotel during our girl’s trip to Charleston as well.
We booked a stay at the historic Barksdale House Inn. This darling Regency Style inn is located in the heart of Charleston just off King Street and is one of the more affordable options given the location.
They also offer on-site parking for only $7.50 per night which is convenient for exploring downtown without the hassle of finding parking.
This historic home was built in 1778 for George Barksdale, a wealthy planter and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Although it has undergone extensive renovations, it still maintains its original charm.
Today, the Barksdale House is a cozy three-story bed & breakfast.
The home boasts 18th-century fabrics, handsome marble mantels, decorative period wallpaper, antique furnishings, ornate plaster moldings, and the original hardwood flooring.
The bedrooms are each uniquely decorated with comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms.
Breakfast is included with your stay and the menu is outstanding. Be sure to order the cheesy grits! You can enjoy your meal in the light-filled sunroom, or the outdoor courtyard by the fountain.
They also offer afternoon tea time with cookies and nibbles where you can relax in the parlor and cozy up by the fire while you enjoy an afternoon snack.
The house is supposedly haunted by an older man whom guests have reported seeing walking into their rooms and disappearing through the walls.
We didn’t see any ghosts, but we were all woken up on several occasions throughout the night by a loud noise that sounded like something being dropped on the wooden floor.
It was a little unnerving, but it’s definitely an experience that we’ll always remember!
The majority of guests don’t experience any unusual paranormal behavior, so don’t let our experience deter you from booking a stay!
Other places to stay in Charleston SC
- Meeting Street Inn: The perfect combination of Southern charm and modern comfort. The establishment was built in 1837 as the Charleston Theater. Each room is tastefully decorated with vintage furnishings. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast in the garden courtyard, or soak in the outdoor jacuzzi.
- Zero George Street: An elegantly restored 1800s plantation-style hotel. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary bikes, private courtyards, and award-winning cuisine.
- Hotel Bennett: This luxury hotel was once an old library. Named the #1 Best Luxury Hotel 2021 by USA Today. Enjoy exclusive amenities such as the rooftop bar and swimming pool.
- French Quarter Inn: The French Quarter Inn is an elegant boutique hotel set in the heart of Charleston’s charming cobblestoned Historic District.
- Renaissance Charleston: This hotel is located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, but offers all of the modern amenities and conveniences that Marriott is known for.
Best places to eat in Charleston SC
Church and Union Charleston (formerly 5Church Charleston)
Charleston has been nicknamed the “Holy City” and its skyline is defined by over 400 church steeples. One such church has now been converted into a trendy restaurant perfect for a girl’s brunch.
Church and Union Charleston Restaurant is housed in the former Church of the Redeemer.
As you step inside, you’ll be warmly welcomed by stunning original stained glass windows and hardwood floors, sophisticated black leather banquettes, ornate chandeliers, and a modern concrete bar spanning the length of the wall with a floor-to-ceiling wine rack.
Perhaps the most impressive decor is the hand-painted text of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” that is scrawled all across the soaring vaulted ceiling.
Church and Union Charleston is part of Patrick Whalen’s exclusive 5th Street Group that includes other locations in Atlanta and North Carolina.
They serve New-American cuisine featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Brunch is only served on Saturday and Sunday, and they are open for lunch the rest of the week. A dinner menu is served daily and the bar is open until the early morning hours.
I ordered the Praline French Toast for Sunday brunch and it was divine. However, if you’re feeling a bit rebellious, order the “Holy Sh!t Breakfast”. It would seem only appropriate when eating in an old church.
The holy breakfast plate includes fried chicken, farm-fresh eggs, bacon, house-made donuts, warm biscuits, and seasonal jam. I’ve also heard the truffle burger is divine!
The restaurant seats 170 guests with both indoor seating and an outdoor patio.
Despite the generous seating, this is one of Charleston’s most popular restaurants so I would recommend making reservations in advance.
Other places to eat in Charleston:
- Toast: Harolded by the New York Times Magazine as a “must eat” in Charleston. You’ll find hearty southern dishes and reasonable prices. Try the Fried Green Tomato BLT and the Coconut Cake!
- Husk: This award-winning restaurant is located in a beautifully restored Victorian-era home. It features an ever-changing seasonal menu of locally sourced Southern dishes. They even have a list posted of where each ingredient is sourced from! This restaurant is popular so make reservations in advance. If you can’t get a dinner reservation at this popular restaurant, step across the street to the Bar at Husk. The bar features a similar food menu as well as an extensive drink menu.
- Poogan’s Porch: For an authentic southern dining experience, enjoy down-home low country cuisine on the cutest southern porch. Indulge in fried chicken, biscuits, homemade mac & cheese, sweet tea glazed salmon, fried pimento cheese, and even local specialties such as fried alligator salad.
- Boxcar Betty’s: This casual restaurant made it onto Yelp’s top 100 list with their build-your-own chicken sandwiches. Top your juicy chicken breast with unique and tasty add-ons like bacon jam, Kentucky beer cheese, peach coleslaw, pickled green tomatoes, and more!
- Harold’s Cabin: This establishment originally served as a corner store and lunch counter. Today it stands as a cozy laid-back restaurant with the same name. The plaid couches, rustic wood plank and exposed brick walls, string lights, and mounted antlers give off a warm welcome. The ingredients are harvested from the rooftop garden for a true farm-to-table experience.
- Millers All Day: The place to go for brunch, get the Cinnamon Roll Biscuit and a slice of homemade pie.
- Leon’s Oyster Shop: The place to go for crispy fried chicken and ocean fresh oysters. The dining area gives off a sense of rustic sophistication with indoor seating as well as an intimate outdoor patio.
- Chez Nous: For a romantic dining experience, make reservations at this cozy house-turned-restaurant. The handwritten menu consists of just six rotating dishes each night. Each mouthwatering dish is prepared with fresh ingredients and is bursting with flavor.
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (HLB): A Charleston institution and the place to go for affordable and delicious flakey buttermilk biscuit sandwiches.
- Lenoir: A trendy chic restaurant located at the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel. It exudes southern hospitality while serving dishes with a twist on the classic southern fare. Try the Blueberry BBQ Chicken Wings or Cornmeal Dusted Catfish.
Best things to do in Charleston SC
Paddle a rowboat through the swamp at Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre preserve located about 40 minutes from downtown Charleston and is worth the drive!
Here you’ll find 3.5 miles of shaded walking paths, blossoming botanic gardens, a reptile center, a butterfly house, a gift shop, a bird exhibit, play structures, and picnic areas.
But the highlight of Cypress Gardens is the 80-acre blackwater swamp that is inhabited by over 200 alligators.
There is a sort of haunting beauty about the swamp with its tall forest of bald cypress and tupelo trees growing through the murky water.
It is so beautiful in fact, that this was chosen as the filming location for that romantic boat scene in Nicholas Sparks’ blockbuster romance, The Notebook.
Several other movies and TV shows were filmed here including the 1982 classic Swamp Thing and The Patriot.
While you can choose to stay on dry ground and walk the trails around the swamp, for added adventure I would recommend exploring the swamp by rowboat.
Admission to the gardens is $10 per person and includes the boat rental.
Boats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and can not be reserved in advance. However, they have plenty of boats so you shouldn’t have any problems getting one.
Once you are on the water, there is a designated course marked by arrows on the trees.
It is easy to follow and leads through the ominous swamp forest and under picturesque wooden bridges.
If you are nervous about the alligators, rest assured that the boats are sturdy and the alligators tend to stay clear of people. Just follow the rules and you’ll be safe!
You can also opt for a guided boat tour for an additional $5. Reservations are required.
On your way back to Charleston, stop at the corner Strawberry Stop gas station for some boiled peanuts and snow cones!
Take photos on Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is located in one of the most charming and historic areas in Charleston known as ‘South of Broad’.
Broad Street was originally named Cooper Street, but Charleston’s residents were so proud of their 72-foot wide “broad” street that they changed the name.
It is the charming district south of this street where you’ll find Rainbow Row.
This stretch of road running from 83 to 107 East Bay Street is considered the most photographed street in Charleston.
You’ll find it lined with the famed pastel-colored row houses, private courtyards, and hidden alleys.
It is considered the longest cluster of intact Georgian row houses in the United States, with the first construction on this site dating back to 1680.
Many of the original homes were destroyed or damaged during a fire, so the majority of present-day structures were built from 1720-1790.
Throughout the years, the buildings served as shops and residences of well-respected merchants, planters, and citizens of Charleston.
However, the homes were damaged during the Civil War’s Union artillery bombardment which led to years of neglect. Subsequently, the area deteriorated into slums.
In the 1920s, an extensive preservation project breathed new life into the dilapidated homes.
During the restoration, the 14 homes were painted with pops of bright colors and the name, ‘Rainbow Row’ was coined.
This is also one of the most Instagramable spots in Charleston. On any given day, you’ll find clusters of girls taking photos wearing dresses that match the buildings!
Stroll along Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is a short walk from Rainbow Row. The 8-acre park was once the bustling center of local maritime traffic with several wharves and shipping terminals.
After the war, the area fell into disrepair until the 1980s when the mayor commissioned the decade-long construction of this beautiful waterfront urban park.
Today, the park is a pleasant place for both locals and tourists to walk along the river, watch the ships sailing by from the gazebo, relax on the porch swings, and picnic under the palmetto and oak trees.
Waterfront Park is punctuated by the distinctive central fountain known as the Pineapple Fountain.
Pineapples represent hospitality and you can find pineapple motifs all around Charleston. The most prominent one is the Pineapple Fountain, a unique landmark designed by the Sasaki firm.
While most public fountains restrict swimming, the Pineapple Fountain is actually open for kids and adults alike to splash and wade in the water.
You can also take a tour of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon located near the Waterfront.
This building has served many purposes over the years, including a customs house, post office, and military prison during the Revolutionary War.
It was also the site of the South Carolina Convention to ratify the Constitution.
Shop for souvenirs at the Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market first opened its doors in 1807 and is one of the oldest markets in the United States.
You’ll find over 300 merchants and artisans selling hand-crafted and locally sourced goods.
Pick up a candle from the Southern Charm Candle Co that features unique scents from the south. My favorite is Fresh Peach which smells like a peach cobbler hot out of the oven!
Or pick up a package of Charleston’s Own Shrimp & Grits with an accompanying “101 Things to do with Grits” cookbook.
Sweetgrass Baskets are also a highly sought-after souvenir. These hand-woven works of art originated from local plantations and were used to winnow rice (separate the chaff from the grain).
The Five and Dime across the street is also a great place to pick up inexpensive t-shirts and trinkets.
I purchased an oyster with a pearl inside that was packaged in a pirate box for my boys. It was around $10 and a huge hit!
The market is open 365 days a year with both day markets and weekend night markets housed in the Great Hall and open-air sheds.
Tour the Old Slave Mart Museum
While Charleston is seen as the poster child of refinement and class, you can’t visit the city without acknowledging its dark past.
in the 1800s, Charleston was considered the capital of the slave trade. It was the largest slave port in the United States with over forty percent of all enslaved Africans arriving through Charleston’s Harbor.
While not all of the African slaves remained in South Carolina, approximately 100,000 of them passed through this port before being auctioned off and shipped to other regions along the southeastern coast.
It was even considered the “Ellis Island of African Americans”.
The slave auctions often took place in open public spaces until a city ordinance prohibited public sales.
As a result, enclosed slave marts began popping up around the town, including Ryan’s Auction Mart which was built in 1859.
This auction site was established by Charleston City Councilman Thomas Ryan. The complex consisted of a sales yard, slave jail, kitchen, and a morgue that was referred to as the “dead house”.
In addition to slaves, the market also sold real estate and stock.
Slave auctions were held at this site until 1863. In 1865 it was closed permanently and all imprisoned slaves were set free after the Union Army occupied Charleston.
Ryan’s Auction Mart was one of 80 slave markets in Charleston and is the last slave market auction facility still in existence in South Carolina.
After the slave market closed, the facility was used as a tenement for African Americans. It later served as an auto repair shop and car dealership.
In 1938, the Old Slave Mart was converted into a museum of sorts that operated sporadically.
It wasn’t until 2007 that the city of Charleston renovated the space and re-opened the doors as the historic site and Old Slave Mart Museum that we see today.
It is considered Charleston’s oldest museum of African American history and the first museum on the history of slavery in the US.
While it is difficult to tour the museum and read about the treatment of the slaves and see photos of their suffering, the underlying theme of the museum is “lest we forget”.
So take some time to stop by the museum to remember the injustices of slavery and the lives that were lost.
However, don’t expect the space to look as it did during its days as a slave market.
Instead, the few remaining small rooms consist of compelling exhibits with informative posters, photos, and a few artifacts. The museum is open daily from 9 am -5 pm and is closed Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults.
The city has a rule that anything over 100 years old cannot be removed. As you walk around town, you’ll notice old spiked rods above some of the gates. These were meant to prevent slaves from escaping. It serves as another sad reminder of Charleston’s dark history.
See The Pink House
Charleston’s famed Pink House is located just down the street from the Old Slave Mart Museum at 17 Chalmers Street in the French Quarter district.
The impeccably maintained Old Pink House is one of Charleston’s historic treasures and also one of the city’s oldest structures.
John Brenton built the small one-bedroom house and Colonial-era tavern sometime between the late 1600s-1712.
The tavern and the upstairs brothel were a favorite stop for sailors and pirates coming through Charleston’s port.
It is considered the oldest residence in Charleston, the second oldest masonry residence in America, and the oldest standing tavern in Charleston.
However, the title of oldest residence is up for debate as there are several other residences in Charleston that are believed to have been built around the same time.
Whether it is the oldest or not, it is still incredulous to think that this resilient home has survived multiple devastating fires, two earthquakes, over 30 hurricanes, and two wars over the past 300 years.
If only these walls could talk!
Over the years, the structure also served as a law office, private residence, art studio, and art gallery. And as is the case with most historic homes, the house is rumored to be haunted!
The quaint home was originally built using West Indian coral stone which gave it a natural pink hue.
Today, the home has been stuccoed and painted pink to preserve the exterior and the name.
However, the curved terracotta tiles on the gambrel roof are said to be the originals that were each hand-formed over the workmen’s thighs.
The 1,017. sq ft Pink House is three stories high with each story only made up of one room.
Inside, you’ll be greeted by a small parlor with a fireplace on the first floor.
Take the wooden staircase to the cozy second-floor bedroom with wood paneling and a second brick fireplace.
The narrow staircase from the bedroom leads up to the third-floor bathroom that has a clawfoot tub tucked into the dormer.
The rear addition has a half-bath and makeshift kitchen. Outside you’ll find a manicured garden and a courtyard walled with vine-covered bricks.
You can find photos of the interior on The Today Show website.
In 2017, a New York resident purchased The Pink House for $620,000 and has spent the last several years renovating the home where he plans to retire.
While you can’t tour the home, be sure to at least stop by and snap a photo. The quirky angles and bright pink stucco set against the cobblestone street truly capture the essence of Charleston.
If you’re interested, the Historic Charleston Foundation offers a free app that has a walking tour to discover the history of different sites around Charleston, including the Pink House.
Go shopping on King Street
King Street is a bustling historic district that once served as the main route in and out of old Charles Town (named after King Charles II of England) in the 1700s.
In the 1800s, the newly constructed railroad led the way for shops and businesses to thrive on King Street. However, the Civil War devastated the economy and many of the shops boarded up their doors and windows.
King Street saw a revitalization during the 1950s and underwent a major facelift in the early 2000s.
Today, King Street is a vibrant shopping district boasting everything from high-end retailers, trendy boutiques, swanky restaurants, kitschy souvenir shops, local specialty stores, five-star hotels, vintage antique shops, cheerful cafes, eccentric art galleries, and sophisticated cocktail bars.
In fact, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes Traveler both named King Street one of the “Top 10 Shopping Streets in the USA”.
King Street runs the length of Charleston and is divided into three districts.
Lower King Street from Broad to Market Street is considered the Antiques District.
It is home to George C. Birlant & Co, one of the largest and oldest antique stores in the south. This district was even voted the “Best Antique Shopping in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure.
Middle King Street runs from Market to Calhoun and is labeled the Fashion District. Here you’ll find luxury clothing stores, local specialty shops, and national chains.
You may even recognize the Ben Silver store that was featured on season 1 of Netflix’s Outer Banks. It is the store where John B and Sarah went shopping before heading to UNC Chapel Hill to search for the map.
Upper King Street is found between Marion Square and Spring Street.
This is Charleston’s Design and Dining District. Here you’ll find stores specializing in home furnishings and decor.
This district is also a foodie destination and boasts some of the best restaurants in the city with an energetic nightlife.
While you’re in the Upper King Street district, be sure to pop into Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams for a scoop of brown butter almond brittle, brambleberry crisp, or wildberry lavender ice cream!
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is also located just across the way if you’re craving something savory.
See some of the Outer Banks filming locations
North Carolina’s Outer Banks has become a popular travel destination thanks to the hit Netflix series, Outer Banks.
However, many people arrive at the Outer Banks only to realize that it looks nothing like the show. That is because the majority of the scenes are actually filmed in South Carolina, particularly in Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant is an idyllic waterfront community about 10 minutes from Charleston.
Cross over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Cable Bridge and you’ll find sprawling colonial-style riverfront mansions and a delightful main street reminiscent of years gone by.
You’ll also find the winding banks of Shem Creek where most of the Outer Banks’ boating scenes were filmed.
You’ll even find ‘The Wreck of Richard and Charlene’ overlooking the water.
This is the same restaurant as ‘The Wreck’ that is owned by Kiara’s parents on the show.
This casual dining establishment will make you feel as if you’re eating on your grandma’s screened-in back porch.
You’ll find fresh low-country cuisine served up on paper plates with sweet tea and soda poured into plastic cups.
We sampled southern classics like clam chowder, she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, and fried grits. Our favorite was the banana cream pudding and key lime pie for dessert!
The Wreck has been a favorite among locals for years, even before the popularity of the show hit. You can expect an hour-long wait most nights of the week.
If you head out back to the water, you may recognize some of the same boats that are used in the B-roll film on the show, such as ‘The Playboy’.
The Post House is also a highly recommended place to eat in Mount Pleasant’s Old Village. Not only is the food delicious, but this coastal inn and restaurant are absolutely darling!
After you eat, drive a few miles to the Shem Creek Boardwalk.
The boardwalk crosses over marshy grasslands as it contours along the creek.
As the sun sets, the lights glisten on the water as boats glide by in the balmy summer night air.
You may even spot some dolphins playing in the wake of the boats.
If you visit during the day, consider taking a Bar Tour where you can sample Shem Creek’s best bars and bites.
The Culture Tour will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the shrimping industry. You can also book a guided kayaking tour on Shem Creek, or rent a kayak and explore the creek on your own.
For more Outer Banks filming locations, venture into Mount Pleasant’s quaint Old Village. Here you’ll find a condo building at 281 Venning Street that is used as the front for the Kildare County Sheriff’s Station.
The shops and restaurants along Venning Street are also seen in the backdrop throughout the show. Stop in at the small-town Pitt Street Pharmacy for an old-fashioned rootbeer float at the nostalgic soda fountain.
Click the link for a complete list of Outer Banks filming locations in South Carolina.
Tour Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and is one of America’s oldest working plantations. It has been continually growing crops for over 320 years.
The plantation began as a 470-acre wedding dowery and was actually considered a small plantation back in the day.
This plantation with its dreamy Avenue of the Oaks was the filming location for scenes from The Notebook and is also the site of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ wedding.
In contrast to the massive mansion, you’ll see a row of humble slave quarters just outside the stately front gates.
The slave quarters are open to tour and offer informational presentations.
While it is difficult to imagine life for the slaves who lived here, I appreciate that they are transparent about the plantation’s history.
Over 300 slaves worked on this plantation over the years, with 2-3 families and up to 12 people living in these tiny brick slave quarters.
Sadly, these structures were actually considered an upgrade to some of the unsavory living conditions that many slaves at other plantations had to endure.
Visitors can also tour the plantation home. Another house was originally built on the property until the current plantation home was built in 1936.
During the tour, visitors are only allowed to tour the main floor as the family still resides on the upstairs floor. Photos and videos are not allowed inside.
Admission is $26 and also includes a tractor wagon ride around the property. For more details, see our full guide to Visiting Boone Hall Plantation.
The narrated tour is highly informative and you’ll learn many interesting historical facts while exploring the farm.
Guided tours of the barn and stables are also included.
Boone Hall is also known for its thoroughbred horses. In fact, the grandfather of Secretariat, the champion racehorse that Disney based a movie on, lived here. He went on to sire four other Triple Crown horses.
The plantation lies on the banks of Boone Hall Creek where you can sometimes spot dolphins that have ventured upstream.
For 250 years, the river was the only way to reach the plantation and it took 6 hours from Charleston. Today it’s a 20-minute car ride.
The remote location is actually what saved the plantation during the Civil War when many other plantations were burned down.
The Avenue of the Oaks was my favorite part. The oldest tree is 600 years old and each tree requires 50 gallons of water each day!
It reminded me of Wormsloe Plantation which is a must-see if you’re planning a girl’s trip to Savannah.
And if you’re planning to visit Savannah, be sure to check out these other guides:
- 8 of the Best Places to Eat in Savannah
- 5 Things to do in Tybee Island
- 12 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know About Bonaventure Cemetery
A Few More of the Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
- Carriage tour: Take a tour of historic downtown Charleston on a horse-drawn carriage.
- Charleston Farmer’s Market: The farmer’s market is located at Marion Square and is open on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm. Be sure to pick up a maple pecan ice cream sandwich from the little ice cream cart!
- Magnolia Plantation: Tour the plantation house, restored slave quarters, African American cemetery, petting zoo, extensive gardens, and a butterfly house. One of the highlights is the eerily beautiful Audubon Swamp Garden.
- McLeod Plantation: This lesser-known plantation sees fewer crowds but is still packed with history.
- Barrier Islands: Visit the Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, or Folly Beach just off the coast of Charleston.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in Charleston SC on a girl’s trip!
And if you’re looking for more travel inspiration, see our guide for 11 Best Girls’ Trip Destinations in the US!
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