Charleston, South Carolina, is where southern charm is on display at its finest! It is the perfect destination for a romantic weekend, a beach getaway, or if you just want to visit a beautiful city with great food. Welcome to the ultimate Charleston SC travel guide for first-time visitors! In this post you will find amazing restaurant recommendations, can’t-miss sites to see, and shops you will definitely want to make a stop at. Plus, tips and tricks I learned the hard way so that you don’t have to!
Best Charleston Restaurants & Food
First and foremost, Charleston has some INCREDIBLE food with a surprising variety. I can honestly say that 95% of what we ate was absolutely incredible! Something so cute that I noticed is many of the restaurants that we dined at give you a sticker or a postcard with your check – such a cute and memorable gesture and perfect for a travel keepsake. The top three that you must visit by far though are Le Farfalle, Lewis BBQ, and Xiao Bao Biscuit.
Le Farfalle is everything you could want in a modern Italian restaurant. The ambiance is unmatched and feels cozy yet sophisticated and more contemporary. Make sure that you get reservations ahead of time, even on a weeknight! I recommend ordering the rosemary focaccia as a starter – it was the best focaccia I have ever had!
Lewis BBQ is an absolute Charleston staple. It is a no-fuss, chill and cool BBQ joint with unbeatable BBQ. Everything on the menu is fantastic, but the mac and cheese was particularly delicious! Tip: parking in front of the restaurant is very limited, but there is an extra parking lot about 50 yards down the street from the restaurant.
Xiao Bao Biscuit is unlike anywhere I’ve ever eaten before and whips up amazing multicultural Asian food! It is perfect for a more casual lunch or low key dinner. Make sure you try the grapefruit soda and the Japanese pancake! Warning: some of the food is VERY spicy (so good it hurts lol), and the lunch menu is different from the dinner menu.
Top 3:
- Le Farfalle
- Lewis BBQ
- Xiao Bao Biscuit
Can’t miss these either:
- Sugar Bakeshop
- Harken Cafe
- Indaco
- Poogan’s Porch
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
- Leon’s Oyster Shop
- Miller’s All Day
- Pages Fried Okra Grill
- The Obstinate Daughter
- Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar
Lewis BBQ
Le Farfalle
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Best Charleston Site Seeing and Museums
For the most part, Charleston SC is very walkable and a fantastic place to explore if you don’t mind getting your steps in! It seems like there is charm and something beautiful around every single corner! There are a few destinations that are not technically in Charleston that you will have to drive or Uber to, but they are too good not to miss! The top three places I highly recommend visiting in or near Charleston are Sullivan’s Island, the Cypress Gardens, and King Street.
Sullivan’s Island is straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie. Everyone drives golf carts, there are ice cream and treat shops, stunning vacation homes dot the beach, and tall grass lines the boardwalks down to the water. It is STUNNING. It is about a 20 minute drive from Charleston, but it is completely worth it and perfect for an afternoon at the beach, dinner and dessert, and watching the sunset.
The Cypress Gardens are incredible and literally straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie – in fact they were one of the filming locations for The Notebook. There is a small entry fee, but then you are free to explore the area as much as you would like, including a self-guided or guided canoe tour through the cypress groves. When I say this will be an unforgettable experience, I mean it! On our self-guided canoe tour through the swamp that takes about 45 minutes, we even saw an alligator! The gardens are about a 45 minute drive from Charleston.
King Street and the surrounding area is the main destination in Charleston if you want to see the historic part of the city! Lined with incredible shops, delicious restaurants, museums, and beautiful homes you cannot miss King Street! I would recommend setting aside a whole day to explore, shop, and eat your way along King Street! May of the restaurants and museums listed below are on or near King Street as well.
Top 3:
- Sullivan’s Island
- Cypress Gardens
- King Street
Can’t miss these either:
- Angel oak
- Folley Beach
- The Battery
- Rainbow Row
- City Market
- The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
- Edmonton Alston House
- Charleston Museum
- Old Slave Mart Museum
- Pineapple fountain
- French Huguenot Church
Pineapple Fountain
French Huguenot Church
Best Charleston Shops
Charleston has some pretty great shopping, especially if you love traditional decor and have a more timeless style. I will say that you should be prepared to see some pretty hefty price tags though as many stores are designer or have luxury clothing and decor. Nonetheless, it can even be super fun and inspiring just to look and window shop! Here’s the top three to stop at:
Beau and Ro carries the most stunning selection of high-end women’s clothing, accessories, and dresses. When I tell you I gasped when I walked in, I’m not exaggerating. It is the preppy girl’s dream store. It is on the pricey side, but be sure to spend a few minutes flipping through the racks admiring the unique and colorful styles that they have.
Golden Goose is a well-known Italian sneaker brand and they have a store in Charleston right along King Street. It was so fun to go in and see all of the different styles in person, and in this store you could even customize your own pair! This would make the perfect luxury keepsake to remember your time in Charleston!
Lake Pajamas not only has the SOFTEST pajamas that you will ever feel in your life, but their store is stunning. I’ve never seen a retail store laid out and decorated with more intention! Even the hallway to the bathroom was straight out of a home decor coffee table book!
Top 3:
- Beau and Ro – women’s clothing
- Golden Goose – luxury shoes
- Lake Pajamas – luxury pajamas
Can’t miss these either:
- Candlefish – candles and cute knick knacks
- Mac & Murphy – cards, paper goods, and stationary
- Vineyard Vines – preppy clothing
- LoveShackFancy – women’s clothing
- Impeccable Pig – women’s clothing
- Veronica Beard – women’s clothing
- The Lampshade Library – fun and funky lampshades
Vineyard Vines
Beau and Ro
Lake Pajamas
Where to Stay in Charleston
Charleston has lots of places to stay, but if you want to stay near King Street and the more historic part of town, be willing to pay a pretty penny. All of the hotels within our budget were about a ten minute drive away which was not horrible because we had our own car. That is limiting though if you prefer to take several rest breaks during the day. AirBnb is of course always an option as well. I will link where we stayed in Mount Pleasant, a few hotels I’ve heard are great (but pricey) near the historic part of town, as well as a gorgeous AirBnb that we almost booked!
- Candlewood Suites Charleston – Mt. Pleasant (where we stayed, I’d rate it 6/10, so not sure if I would recommend but it is an inexpensive option)
- Mills House
- Zero George
- The Charleston Place
- Charleston AirBnb
I hope you enjoyed this Charleston SC travel guide!
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