Exploring Charleston South Carolina Fun Things To Do, A Weekend Itinerary
This past weekend we joined friends in Charleston, South Carolina. It was a journey to the heart of the Lowcountry, where history, culture, and charm converge to create an unforgettable experience.
Our friends, Dendy and Rallis have a home there and did most of the planning for us so we had a locals take of Charleston. With its cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and vibrant culinary scene, it’s no wonder why Charleston consistently ranks among the top destinations in America.
So, if you’re planning a weekend getaway to historic Charleston, here are some highlights. It will just leave you wanting to come back for more of the attractions…as we do!
Charleston Wine + Food Festival
We bought the three day weekend pass to this event celebrating wine (and drinks like bourbon) and amazing food.
“The annual festival takes place the first full weekend in March, and the 2024 dates are March 6-10. Consisting of in-restaurant brunches, lunches, and dinners, cooking classes, beverage workshops, large walkabout thematic events, educational excursions, and a large sampling experience at Riverfront Park, there is an experience for everyone! “
It rained so much while we were there that we actually only attended one of the full daytime samplings and two of the dinners. We were saying that next year, we would probably just buy one day of the samplings and two events (but you have to order these events early as they sell out quickly).
Where To Stay
We enjoyed the Restoration hotel, a friendly historic property in downtown Charleston. It’s very close to all the shops and restaurants. We had a large room with a kitchen and a light breakfast was delivered every morning in a lidded basket to our door.
Stroll Through Historic Downtown
Step back in time as you wander through the picturesque streets of Charleston’s Historic District. I definitely want to go back and spend more time wandering past historic homes.
And with all the great eating…it’s a bonus that you can “get your steps in” in such pretty surroundings. We had our friends show us around, but Charleston has many walking or carriage ride tours available. We saw these homes on our walk to the Battery and Charleston Harbor. Currently, there is construction repair work for the Low Battery Seawall, so some of the views are blocked.
Indulge in Southern Cuisine
No trip to Charleston would be complete without savoring the mouthwatering flavors of Lowcountry cuisine. From traditional dishes like shrimp and grits to innovative culinary creations, Charleston’s dining scene is sure to delight even the most discerning foodie.
We did quite a bit of eating at the Wine + Food Festival but here are a few of the restaurants that we also enjoyed.
The Harkin Cafe and Bakery
There will probably be a line out the door (our friend, Dendy recommends getting there when they open at 8 am on weekends) but go anyway. The bakery items are amazing and I took the salesperson’s advice and got the Crumble Cake With Avocado Cream–wow.
Costa
The menu is Italian costal themed. We celebrated our friend, Mark’s birthday the first night we were there. Everyone ordered something different and shared.
Lowland
“From James Beard Award winning chef, Jason Stanhope, Lowland is a Southern tavern serving timeless classics and luxurious comfort food.” It’s in an old townhouse.
167 Raw Oyster Bar
We went here for a lunch of oysters and lobster rolls. They don’t take reservations so we had someone put our name in and wait while the rest of us shopped close by.
Explore the Arts Scene
Immerse yourself in Charleston’s vibrant arts scene with a visit to one of the city’s many galleries and museums. In fact, I bought a small painting at LePrince Fine Art. They are shipping it to Florida and we saved on sales tax. Nice for tourists here to know.
Next time, I’d like to go to the Charleston Museum, America’s first museum and view exhibits on the American Revolution and the Civil War. They also have exhibits on historic textiles and Charleston silver.
Shopping On King Street
Just take a stroll or two on King Street and enjoy the housewares, gifts and clothing shops. You could spend several hours here and not see everything.
We happened to be there on the Second Sunday. “Every month on the second Sunday the City of Charleston helps us to shut down King Street (our Main Street) from Queen to Calhoun, roughly 1/2 mile, to through traffic and without parked cars, for 5 blissful hours. That gives us the whole street for people to walk around with a big smile, greet friends and neighbors, and enjoy Charleston as it would be on any old day without the traffic.”
We enjoyed stores like Etu Home, Faherty and Juliska’s Flagship store.
Wynsum Antiques
Our friends took us this to this interesting shop after driving out to Folly Beach for the ocean views down to Kiawah Island. I bought four Champagne flutes exactly like the ones I had at home that I bought in Paris at the Porte du Vanve Flea Market. So now I have eight matching glasses with memories of two beautiful cities!
Plenty of cool things here.
Did you know?
“Protestants settled Charleston, but immigrants of other religions came to settle in the city, too. Because of its tolerance for religious freedom, which wasn’t the norm back then, Charleston is called The Holy City. The city was named after King Charles II and was founded as Charles Town.” ~ Southern Living Magazine
You may also like to read: “The Six Dazzling Fountains of Charleston.“
To Sum It Up:
With its captivating blend of history, culture, food and natural beauty, Charleston, SC is a destination that truly has it all for visitors and residents. Please leave a comment about any must-see places in Charleston, South Carolina that you know of for us all to discover next time we go on vacation!
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