Charleston, South Carolina is a metropolis steeped in historical past, tradition, and appeal. With its cobblestone streets, colourful row homes, and historic landmarks, Charleston provides guests a glimpse into the wealthy historical past of the American South. In the event you’re planning a visit to Charleston, right here is the proper 3-day itinerary that can assist you profit from your go to.
Charleston looks like stepping again in an previous, but in some way acquainted, previous. Shielded from trendy structure, the streets are lined with brick and stucco mansions and enormous shuttered home windows. Dwell oaks drizzled with Spanish moss and palm timber compete for area as horse drawn carriages move by.
Did we simply step again in time? No, it’s simply Charleston! A beautiful metropolis stuffed with a storied previous, southern appeal, and scrumptious delicacies.
This 3-day itinerary will information you thru the perfect issues to do in Charleston.
After spending a couple of days right here, I can see why Charleston was repeatedly named the primary metropolis in the U.S. and the primary metropolis on the planet for 2016! With nearly 400 years of historical past, Charleston is one in every of America’s greatest preserved cities.
However, whereas some historic cities can really feel stale and outdated, Charleston is a university city (4 faculties are situated right here), so there’s a hip nightlife scene and an essential historic previous that offers us context for in the present day.
Charleston looks like a world of it’s personal. However with this magnificence, it’s essential to notice that Charleston was constructed on slave labor and the close by plantations and museums give testomony to oppression of African Individuals.
Charleston is a vibrant and buzzing city that stole my coronary heart immediately. Whether or not I used to be strolling the historic mansions, consuming wealthy “Lowcountry” delicacies, or admiring the large stay oaks swaying within the breeze with moss, there’s all the time one thing to see and do.
Charleston was began in 1669 when Captain West of England, set his websites on new land for financial acquire for the crown. However coming right here additionally meant spiritual freedom- you might be any faith and denomination. Now nicknamed the “Holy Metropolis” due to the 400+ church buildings right here, you may’t miss the steeples (not skyscrapers) that dot the skyline of this bustling port metropolis.
Life feels simpler once you stroll the streets of Charleston, meals tastes higher, and the considerable sunshine punctuates the frilly properties and awe-inspiring timber.
Right here’s every part that you must know with a view to plan the proper journey to Charleston.
3 Day Charleston Itinerary
This space of South Carolina is known as “lowcountry” as a result of it’s within the southern a part of South Carolina and close to the ocean marsh. Whereas there’s heaps to see and do, you are able to do all of it in about 3 days.
What I liked concerning the metropolis is the benefit of getting round. You’ll be able to merely stroll, get misplaced, and run into one thing lovely and historic. Three streets to recollect are King Avenue, Assembly Avenue, and East Bay – which run parallel to one another and the place a lot of the most historic buildings are situated.
This is a map of every part I will be protecting:
Getting Round Charleston
I extremely suggest renting a automobile to get round Charleston. We truly flew into the airport in Savannah, and it was just below 2 hours to go from right here to the Battery in Charleston. This additionally made it a lot simpler to get out to the plantations and Hilton Head. We additionally had the good thing about seeing alligators on, actually, “Alligator Alley” on our drive over.
Charleston Day 1: Self Guided Tour of the Historic District
Get to know the town with a self-guided strolling tour. Charleston is compact, so it’s straightforward to stroll across the metropolis in a couple of hours and cease for lunch or dinner after your stroll.
Or, if you happen to choose, take a look at this guided strolling tour.
Begin your tour on the Battery, a jaw-dropping neighborhood with massive mansions overlooking the port the place the rivers Ashley and Cooper meet. In Battery Park you’ll stroll by stately stay oak timber, however the timber remind of one thing a bit extra sinister. That is the place pirates had been hung and left with their our bodies dangling as a message to different pirates. The Battery is the wall that protects the town of Charleston and was 20 toes excessive to guard from invaders. There are some controversial accomplice monuments right here so that you may see folks protesting round this space.
Stroll round among the streets and absorb among the lovely mansions earlier than heading up East Bay Avenue.
You’ll be able to’t miss Rainbow Row. These lovely, pastel coloured buildings seem like a rainbow. Inbuilt 1680, Rainbow Row represents the longest cluster of intact Georgian row properties in the US. Through the years the buildings served as retailers and residences of metallic retailers and planters.
Sadly, the world went into decay after the Civil Warfare. Within the Nineteen Forties, the town of Charleston fastened up and painted the 13 homes in pastel colours to honor their sister metropolis Barbados. Higher but, Nationwide Geographic got here and took photos of the gorgeous buildings. When Rainbow Row was featured within the journal, this kicked off tourism to Charleston!
The nickname “Rainbow Row” caught, and now folks flock to see the colourful buildings. The homes seem like the older model of Charleston properties. They had been portrayed in “Porgy and Bess,” George and Ira Gerswhin’s opera based mostly on DuBose Heyward’s novel “Porgy.” Heyward was a Charleston businessman fascinated by the Gullah tradition. The novel and play take care of African American life within the early 1920’s.
After snapping some photos, preserve strolling up East Bay Avenue for the Provost Dungeon and Previous Change Constructing. Whereas an attractive metropolis, Charleston does have some horrible historical past, significantly with the slave commerce. Charleston was one of many largest slave buying and selling cities within the US within the 1800s.
The world across the Previous Change Constructing was one of the frequent websites of downtown slave auctions. 1000’s of slaves had been bought right here as early because the 1770s. Take a while to learn by the historic markers round this space, or head into the museum. This essential constructing has been the positioning of economic trade, publish workplace, customs, metropolis corridor, army headquarters, and now a museum. The Provost Dungeon was additionally used as a army jail. The constructing has been visited by George Washington, and the US Structure was ratified right here.
As you make your manner up the road, you’ll begin to see many bars and eating places.
Be certain that to show to your proper, in direction of the water, and stroll out to Ravenel Waterfront Park. Right here you’ll see folks weaving baskets and roses out of candy grass. Stroll round for the view of the harbor in addition to the well-known Pineapple Fountain.
Now, preserve strolling up and hook a left on Market Avenue to move to the Charleston Metropolis Market. It’s straightforward to get round when all of the names of streets are literal! Courting again to 1680, Charleston Metropolis Market is without doubt one of the oldest public amenities in steady use in Charleston. Right here you’ll discover each a daytime and a nighttime market. The day time is extra conventional crafts, souvenirs, and handmade jewellery and opens each day. The night time market has extra trendy choices and even has stay music however often solely opens on the weekend. When the Pinckney household ceded the land to the Metropolis of Charleston for a market, he had three guidelines: 1. Metropolis market 2. Closed on Christmas 3. No slaves could possibly be bought right here.
To circle again, we’ll stroll down King Avenue, aptly named for King Charles himself. Initially known as Charles City (as an alternative of Charleston) the road is taken into account to be the third greatest buying district within the USA! So if you happen to’re seeking to store that is the proper spot. You’ll additionally discover lovely iron work, an attractive theater, and excessive finish shops.
As you stroll round, discover that no constructing is taller than 70 toes excessive, which is the peak of the tallest steeple, St. Matthew’s Church.
After a day of strolling across the metropolis, have dinner at Chubby Fish or the ever common Husk.
Charleston Day 2: Day Journey to Plantations + Ghosts
Kick off with breakfast at Callie’s Scorching Little Biscuit for filling, scrumptious biscuits. There are a pair places in Charleston so that you’ll absolutely discover one close to you.
Within the morning we opted for a shuttle tour – this was an effective way to cowl a lot of floor and acquire an understanding of the town. There are additionally horse and carriage excursions in addition to strolling excursions. I’m an enormous fan of taking a tour with a view to get my bearings and an understanding of a metropolis.
I realized a lot about among the buildings, the tradition, and even the delicacies, I’d by no means know in any other case.
Whereas the English clearly had a big affect on Charleston, after settling right here within the late 1600s for spiritual freedom, one of many different bigger teams that got here right here had been Germans. In the event you discover the iron work, that is most definitely hand finished by the Germans. An instance of that is on the 1734 St. John’s Lutheran Church, with handmade wrought iron by Christopher Werner.
The French additionally had a big influence. A lot of the downtown space is known as the “French Quarter” the place the French settled. That is additionally the artwork district on the town and also you’ll discover a lot of artwork galleries and cocktail bars.
You’ll discover that there’s no trendy structure allowed in Charleston Metropolis Heart because it’s required to construct in conventional single home model. However the entire homes appear slim then go straight again. There’s a cause for that. Property taxes had been on the width, not the size, which is why they’re constructed so slim and deep.
After a tour, hit the highway to a plantation. It’s anyplace from 20 to 40 minutes outdoors of the town middle to go to those sprawling estates. Charleston was one of many richest cities within the USA and the rationale for that was slavery. Whereas slavery was not solely within the plantations, slavery performed an enormous position within the success and riches for the plantation house owners. Rising indigo, cotton, and “Carolina Gold” rice, was back-breaking labor. Visiting the plantations is, in fact, lovely, but it surely’s additionally essential to know the historical past right here.
Through the years, plantations have refocused a lot of their tourism to extra closely give attention to slavery and its influence.
Over our 3 days we went to three completely different plantations: Boone Corridor, Magnolia, and Middleton. If I needed to solely choose one, I’d recommend Boone Corridor as I believe they did an exceptional job on sharing the historical past, it’s an attractive property, and you may even tour the home.
As you make your manner down the Avenue of Oaks in direction of the home an arch of stay oaks reaches out with a lacy cover of Spanish moss, it’s a jaw dropping sight.
Boone Corridor provides loads of actions. You’ll be able to take a tour of the home and the brick slave cabins which every inform a narrative of what the slaves endured. Lastly, I extremely suggest going to some of the talks supplied. We heard a wonderful discuss from a lady who spoke, sang, and educated on the Gullah folks and dialect. Gullah is a phrase used to establish sea island descendants of enslaved Africans who developed their very own language and customs which can be handed down by the generations. Their affect is much reaching, from the scrumptious flavors of Lowcountry delicacies, artwork, music, and language.
What I liked about Boone is that they don’t attempt to sugarcoat their previous however current an actual image of what actually occurred right here.
Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation is extra targeted on their outside areas. There are lovely bridges and pathways you may take to discover the gardens. There are excursions right here as nicely that share extra about slavery that passed off on the plantation.
Magnolia Plantation leads you proper by the marsh and pathways are dappled with daylight and moss strewn timber waving within the wind as you move by. The timber look as if they may whisper secrets and techniques from the previous and jasmine perfumes the air. However do be careful for alligators! We noticed one proper close to a path within the swamp.
That is America’s oldest public backyard full with a Carriage Home, Veranda, and Conservatory together with a stunning pure panorama.
Middleton Plantation
Middleton’s historic working plantation has stay craftsman and animals exhibiting the way it used to within the 17 and 1800s. Once more you’ll discover massive, lushes oaks on the property however the Middleton Oak is without doubt one of the oldest and estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 years previous.
You’ll be able to watch craftsmen work, hear concerning the hardships of the slaves in addition to their escape ways, and study extra about plantation life.
For dinner, have barbecue at Rodney Scott’s. I had the perfect hush puppies of my life together with beans and a pulled pork sandwich.
Finish the day with a ghost tour within the Previous Metropolis Jail. Open for 137 years and shut down in 1939, the jail NEVER had operating water, AC, or electrical energy. The typical life expectancy right here was 3 weeks. 14,000 folks died right here! Now, that is thought-about to be one of the haunted buildings in America. The tales listed below are downright among the creepiest.
Do not forget to take Charleston in at night- it is lit up fantastically!
Charleston Day 3: Seashores & Angel Tree
One of many nice issues about being in Charleston is the entry to the coast. Folly Seaside is without doubt one of the hottest seashores (and closest to Charleston) with retailers and eating places. This lengthy and vast stretch of sand is straightforward to stroll and an ideal place to hunt for shells. Nicknamed the “Fringe of America” it is a laid again seaside that’s additionally nice for late nights.
We ate lunch on the seaside and watched because the early morning fog moved out.
Subsequent, head to one of the magnificent timber in your complete world: the gargantuan Angel Tree. Whereas it is a brief cease, it’s price it to make the journey. This nicely preserved 500 12 months previous tree has a gargantuan trunk and branches practically so long as a soccer discipline.
Charleston is nicknamed the “Holy Metropolis” for a cause, 400 church buildings are right here alone! Head over to St Michael’s Church, the place George Washington and Robert E Lee and Teddy Roosevelt got here to worship. The church is the oldest surviving spiritual construction.
There are many church buildings across the metropolis, so take a peek inside a couple of.
If you wish to see the costliest properties in Charleston, head to South of Broad, the place the properties are a mean of $2.5 million! You’ll be able to take a tour of the sprawling Williams Mansion, the biggest personal residence within the metropolis of Charleston. With gorgeous Italianate structure, 26,000 sq. toes, and 30 bedrooms you may spend a pair hours wandering right here.
End your time in Charleston with rooftop drinks at Vendue. This spot with provide the greatest vantage level of the town when you sip chilled cocktails.
The place to Eat in Charleston
Make reservations or be ready to attend about an hour+ for dinner. I don’t like ready, even whether it is for scrumptious meals. Charleston jogs my memory a little bit of New Orleans or Paris, in that you’d be exhausting pressed to discover a unhealthy meal so preserve your plans versatile or plan forward with reservations. Simply examine evaluations to verify!
Our first night time in Charleston we realized this the exhausting manner. After making an attempt 4 completely different eating places, and even driving 20 minutes outdoors of the town, we merely couldn’t discover anyplace to eat that didn’t have an extended wait. So… we headed to Walmart and had Ramen for dinner! Not ultimate. The remainder of our journey we made reservations and had completely scrumptious meals.
Listed below are my suggestions on the place to eat, in addition to suggestions I bought from locals:
Rappahannock Oyster Bar– You can also make a reservation on-line. Begin with oysters, we bought two of every sort on the menu. Then cut up two entrees. First up, fish Milanese which was pan fried fish in panko bread crumbs with salad. This was among the greatest fish I’ve had in fairly some time. Then we cut up a shrimp po’ boy, on tender bread with completely fried jumbo shrimp with tomatillo salsa verde and home made chips. Perfection.
Husk – It’s essential make reservations right here weeks (if not months!) prematurely. Utilizing solely components from Southern farmers, the menu modifications usually. Located in a restored Victorian period house you may’t go unsuitable with something on the menu.
Callie’s Scorching Little Biscuit – for a filling seize and go breakfast, however remember, you may need to attend in line!
Rodney Scott’s – profitable a James Beard award for BBQ, you’ll discover scrumptious, hardy parts and the perfect hush puppies round.
Chubby Fish – situated simply north of city in a neighborhood setting, this space jogs my memory of Uptown New Orleans. This small, intimate restaurant serves up nice seafood.
Jackrabbit Filly – an Asian-fusion restaurant began from a meals truck. This creative menu will likely be a pleasant break from seafood and BBQ fare.
Maison – echoing the French heritage of Charleston, this vivid restaurant provides a seasonal menu with a $5 champagne comfortable hour.
Hannibal’s Kitchen – Lowcountry delicacies are served on this basic restaurant. That is soul meals and seafood at its greatest in an off-the-cuff environment.
Coast – tucked away on a bit alleyway you may discover coast. Conventional seafood dishes. Skip the appetizers and follow the mains. I went with braised grouper over truffle bacon and mushroom grits – divine!
The place to Keep in Charleston
Lodge Bennett – This landmark lodge is within the coronary heart of Charleston on Higher King Avenue and undoubtedly among the finest locations to remain in Charleston. This can be a Most well-liked Lodges & Resorts property (which implies this is without doubt one of the greatest resorts you may keep in!) and is opulent and beautiful.
Staying round West Ashley you’ll discover cheaper resorts because you’re not within the coronary heart of downtown. Because it’s solely a 10-Quarter-hour drive to downtown, it makes it a simple alternative. Greatest Western right here is a good finances pleasant possibility.
Grand Bohemian Lodge is in Charleston’s historic district and is an upscale, trendy and artfully adorned lodge. There’s additionally an attractive rooftop terrace.
When to go to Charleston?
In the event you don’t need to soften, are available in late fall, winter, or spring. Spring is once you discover vivid inexperienced timber and flowers in bloom so this tends to be my favourite time. Summer season is sizzling and there are extra vacationers so I recommend avoiding Charleston then!
One of the best time to go to Charleston is in late fall, winter, or spring, significantly through the latter when the timber and flowers are in full bloom, and the climate is pleasantly gentle. Nonetheless, if you wish to keep away from the scorching warmth and crowds of vacationers, it is best to keep away from the town through the summer time months. Now that you’ve got sorted out your lodging and journey dates let’s discover some further issues to do throughout your keep in Charleston.
Charleston, South Carolina is a well-liked vacation spot year-round, however the perfect time to go to is determined by your pursuits and preferences. Right here is extra data on the perfect time of 12 months to go to Charleston, taking into consideration climate and seasonal occasions:
Spring: Spring is an attractive time to go to Charleston, with temperatures starting from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit. The town is in full bloom, with azaleas, wisteria, and dogwoods including pops of coloration to the panorama. In April, the town hosts the Charleston Wine + Meals Pageant, which attracts foodies from across the nation.
Summer season: Summer season in Charleston will be sizzling and humid, with temperatures within the mid-80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit. Nonetheless, the town comes alive with outside festivals, concert events, and occasions, such because the Spoleto Pageant USA, which showcases performing arts from around the globe. The summer time months are additionally the height vacationer season, so anticipate bigger crowds and better costs.
Fall: Fall is a well-liked time to go to Charleston, with milder temperatures starting from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit. The autumn foliage provides to the town’s appeal, and there are many outside actions to take pleasure in, corresponding to mountaineering and kayaking. In November, the town hosts the Charleston Meals and Wine Pageant, which celebrates the area’s culinary traditions.
Winter: Winter in Charleston is gentle, with temperatures starting from the mid-40s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. The town is much less crowded throughout this time, making it an ideal possibility for individuals who choose a quieter environment. In December, the town hosts the Charleston Christmas Parade and Pageant of Lights, which options holiday-themed occasions and actions.
Total, the perfect time to go to Charleston is determined by your pursuits and preferences. Spring and fall provide milder temperatures and seasonal occasions, whereas summer time is the height vacationer season with a vigorous environment. Winter is a good possibility for individuals who need to keep away from the crowds and revel in a quieter getaway.
Further Issues to Do in Charleston
The Frampton Home bought its title from the proprietor and builder John Frampton who alongside along with his brothers shared 1000’s of acres in what’s now Beaufort & Jasper counties. Initially a King’s grant to the proprietor within the early 1700s, Frampton Home was divided into working plantations. This cease could be very straightforward to get to if heading to or from Savannah.
Carolina Cherry Firm is situated simply off the aspect of the highway in an lovely espresso and bake store. You’ll be able to strive all types of house brewed ciders. We opted for peach- it was scrumptious! And we sipped on this for our total journey.
Fort Sumter is the place the American civil warfare started. On April 12, 1861, the accomplice troops gathered in gun ships and began to fireplace at Fort Sumter and these had been the primary pictures of the civil warfare. In the event you’re wanting to go to, the fort is barely accessible by boat.
Prince William Parish Church, or Previous Sheldon Ruins is a historic website about half-hour outdoors of Charleston. It had simply rained, so we bought to see the Resurrection fern in it’s full glory sprouting in bursts on the timber.
Among the finest methods to see a metropolis and study it’s historical past is by taking a meals tour. Find out about Charleston’s distinctive delicacies and pattern among the greatest meals with a stay information. This tour is about 2 and a half hours. I all the time love meals tour!
Price range breakdown for a 3-day journey to Charleston, South Carolina:
Lodging: The price of lodging in Charleston can fluctuate relying on the kind of lodge or rental you select. Price range choices corresponding to hostels and finances resorts can begin from round $50 per night time, whereas mid-range resorts and trip leases can value anyplace from $100 to $200 per night time. For a three-night keep, the full value of lodging can vary from $150 to $600.
Transportation: Charleston is a walkable metropolis, so lots of the foremost points of interest will be reached on foot. Nonetheless, guests should want to make use of public transportation, corresponding to buses or taxis, for longer distances. A one-way bus fare prices $2, whereas a taxi journey from the airport to the town middle can value round $30. For a three-day journey, the full value of transportation can vary from $6 to $100.
Meals: Charleston is legendary for its delicacies, however the price of eating out can fluctuate tremendously relying on the place you eat. Price range choices corresponding to meals vehicles and quick meals can value round $5 to $10 per meal, whereas mid-range eating places and cafes can value $15 to $30 per meal. For a three-day journey, the full value of meals can vary from $90 to $270.
Points of interest: Lots of the foremost points of interest in Charleston, such because the Battery and the Metropolis Market, are free to go to. Nonetheless, some museums and excursions could have admission charges. For instance, admission to the Charleston Museum prices $12 for adults, whereas a guided tour of the historic district can value round $25 per particular person. For a three-day journey, the full value of points of interest can vary from $0 to $100 or extra.
Complete: Relying in your lodging, transportation, meals, and attraction selections, a three-day journey to Charleston can value anyplace from $546 to $1,070 or extra. It is essential to finances accordingly and plan forward to profit from your journey with out overspending.
Charleston Historical past
Charleston, South Carolina has a wealthy historical past and tradition that has formed the town and influenced the US as a complete. Right here is extra data on the historical past and tradition of Charleston, together with its significance to the US and the South:
Historical past: Charleston was based in 1670 by English settlers and rapidly grew to become an essential port metropolis for commerce and commerce. The town performed a major position within the American Revolution, with a number of key battles fought in and across the metropolis. Within the 1800s, Charleston grew to become a serious middle of the slave commerce, with 1000’s of enslaved Africans passing by the town’s ports. The Civil Warfare started in Charleston with the Accomplice assault on Fort Sumter, which nonetheless stands as a monument to the town’s pivotal position in American historical past.
Tradition: Charleston’s tradition is formed by its historical past and geography, with influences from African, European, and Native American traditions. The town is understood for its distinctive structure, with colourful row homes and historic landmarks just like the Battery and Rainbow Row. Charleston can be well-known for its delicacies, which options conventional Lowcountry dishes like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and boiled peanuts. The town can be house to a vibrant arts scene, with galleries, theaters, and museums showcasing the perfect of southern tradition and creativity.
Significance: Charleston’s significance to the US and the South can’t be overstated. The town performed a key position within the American Revolution and the Civil Warfare, and its historic landmarks and monuments function reminders of the town’s pivotal position in shaping American historical past. Charleston’s cultural and culinary traditions have influenced the area and the nation as a complete, with Southern hospitality and appeal turning into a trademark of American tradition. Right this moment, Charleston continues to be a preferred vacation spot for guests looking for to expertise the perfect of Southern historical past, tradition, and appeal.
Stroll the dazzling streets, take heed to the lyrical accents, peek into historic properties and study concerning the essential historical past of Charleston. Whether or not you’re keen on magnificence, historical past, artwork, or delicacies Charleston is the proper place to discover. For greater than 300 years Charleston has impressed artists, writers, and folks from all walks of life. It’s straightforward to see why that is such a treasured city.
Even with it is far-reaching historical past, Charleston is a youthful metropolis you could go to many times.
