Charleston, South Carolina Travel Guide || Spring 2023 Where To Eat, Stay, and Play In Charleston This Spring
Our spring road trip is underway and stop #2 was to one of my all-time favorite cities: Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is one of those cities that has something for everyone. Its impeccable shopping, cute beach towns, amazing food, and historical roots make it hard not to love! It’s becoming a huge hot spot for twenty-somethings and after my fourth visit here, I’m considering joining them!
As promised, today I’m breaking down our full itinerary leaving you with tons of restaurant recommendations, things to do, hotel details, and a detailed packing list. Charleston’s high season is June-October so we just missed the crowds. We visited in Mid-May and while there was a handful of rowdy bachelorette parties out and about, it was much calmer than my previous visits!
Plus, it wasn’t sweltering hot yet—definitely suggest hitting this city in the spring! We had an amazing time. Alright, enough chit-chat let’s get to the good stuff.
WHERE TO STAY
As most of you know, Best Western is a huge hotel chain with over 4,000 properties around the globe. With properties in almost all major cities and budget-friendly pricing, it was a no-brainer to choose them for my spring travels. I had the incredible opportunity to work with them throughout this road trip and truly cannot say enough good things.
For this trip, we booked four nights at the Best Western Charleston Inn. This hotel was just three miles (about a 10-15 minute drive) from the heart of downtown. Hotels downtown go for upwards of $800 a night so even with the added cost of driving into the city each day we saved hundreds of dollars staying here.
An added plus was that it was super quiet here and we were a closer drive to all three beach towns—Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach. We also didn’t have to sit in the horrible traffic of Ravanel Bridge which was another perk of this location!
This hotel is adorable and freshly painted with a bright cheerful coral that screams Charleston. It’s surrounded entirely by palm trees so you get that taste of paradise every time you step outside.
We stayed in one of their King Suites which was huge. We had tons of space to spread out which made our trip that much more enjoyable. Upon walking in the door we had a living area with a mini fridge, microwave, dining table, couch, and TV. We were able to hang out here and unload our luggage without cramming up the bedroom.
Speaking of, we had a large King bed that was so comfortable. We slept like babies here with the cozy comforter and plush pillows. Nothing better for a bestie slumber party!
We also had a large bathroom that was handicap accessible. One of the perks of this was so much extra space. We had a whole separate counter space and mirror so we each had our own area to get ready each morning. If you’re planning on staying in town for several days, I highly suggest upgrading to this type of room—it was so nice not feeling like we were on top of each other during our stay.
This Best Western also had on-site self-parking, a daily complimentary breakfast buffet, and a gorgeous pool area with tons of sunbeds! This was the perfect spot to lay out and relax for a few hours. If you’re interested in booking the Best Western Charleston Inn click here for current availability and best rates.
TRANSPORTATION
Charleston has a little bit of everything both downtown and surrounding it. You could totally spend an entire week downtown and still not even dent the number of restaurants and boutiques there are to see here! It’s extremely walkable here, just a few miles distance from one end to the other. You won’t need much more than comfy walking shoes and good weather!
However, a lot of the Charleston magic happens outside of the tourist-filled downtown area. I suggest having a car or getting an Uber to one (or all) of the surrounding beach towns, Shem Creek, and some of the other neighborhoods!
As I mentioned, we’re road-tripping this spring so we had my car and drove into the city from our hotel each day. Standard parking is $1 every half hour and there are huge parking garages on every corner. It adds up but it’s so nice not having to worry about finding tight street parking! Plus, you’re able to see all of those hidden gems much easier.
If you’re flying in, the closest airport to downtown is Charleston International Airport (CHS). It’s roughly a twenty-five ride from the airport to downtown.
WHERE TO EAT
Charleston was named one of the food capitals of the United States so as you can imagine a huge part of our trip was spent eating. If you’re wanting to experience the true “culture” of Charleston you’ll definitely need to check out a handful of their restaurants. There are hundreds so even with eating out twice a day we didn’t even dent what this city has to offer.
I think I left five pounds heavier but wow did we eat some awesome meals! Sharing all of my favorite restaurants down below including direct links to the menus and directions to make your life a little easier.
Church and Union
Menu // Directions
You might know this restaurant as 5 Church—they recently went through a rebranding and are now under the name Church & Union. This has to be one of my favorite spots in the city. This restaurant was once a church, now converted into a glorious restaurant with walls all handpainted by Jon Norris. It has so much character—I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
We came in for lunch dn I got their fried chicken sandwich. This comes with the classic southern pimento cheese and a creamy mayo that’s so flavorful. The portion is huge and oh-so yummy. They also have the best fries! I wasn’t a huge fan of the cocktail I got but I only tried one of a menu that had a dozen, so don’t hold them to it. Super rad spot, highly suggest booking a reservation while you’re in town.
The Watch Rooftop
Menu // Directions
The Watch Rooftop has one of the best views of the city. No matter what time of day you hit this spot it’s always hopping with young people and good vibes. We came here for lunch on a Friday and it did not disappoint. They have $10 frozen cocktails all Friday day long so trying one of their mules was a must!
We got their honey buffalo shrimp to start and they were to die for. Such a unique flavor combo and a huge serving; you could easily get this as a meal! I ended up trying their burrata toast which was topped with sweet and spicy tomato jam, arugula, and pistou. I added a side of cajun chicken for protein. Definitely a unique offering on the menu but it kept me full for hours.
Chic level ten spot. Even if you don’t come for a full meal, I highly suggest stopping in for a round of drinks!
Halls Chophouse
Menu // Directions
WOW! What a restaurant Halls Chophouse is! I was blown away by the incredible service and even better food at this restaurant. It was easily my favorite spot of our entire spring road trip. Southern hospitality is just hard to beat! It’s cloth napkin and much fancier than I expected—the perfect place for a special occasion dinner.
However, we went for lunch and it was still amazing. They are a steakhouse serving the top 1% of beef in the US. I wasn’t hungry for a full meal so I got their lunch special that’s served in a martini glass! Such a fun presentation of steak, potatoes, and onion straw + the flavor was to die for. I also ordered a half side of their shrimp and grits which were the best I had on this trip.
Their sides are served family style so even a “half” has 2-3 servings. Definteiyl recommendthe pazookie and ice cream. An out of this world sweet treat that you’ll be thinking about even weeks later. Oh, and did I mention they have tons of mocktails?! I wasn’t in the mood for an alcoholic beverage at that hour so they made me a mocktail expresso martini. 11/10 experience here.
BLU
Menu // Directions
OMG, this spot deserves all the stars. BLU is right on the water of Folly Beach. It’s a chic yet coastal vibe is hard not to love. We started with their fried avocado and I’m still thinking about it. I’ve never had anything quite like it but I promise you it’s worth all the hype!
For my meal, I got their steak tacos which had an incredible crema, perfectly sauteed veggies, and the most amazing cheese EVER. The fries were also to die for. This was easily in my top 3 meals of our entire spring road trip. Highly, highly suggest it if you’re hitting the beach one day. They are also known for their walkup bar if you’re craving something rum-my while soaking up the sun.
Amen Street
Menu // Directions
Amen Street was one of those spots that has that slow southern charm. They are known for their huge seafood selection and top-of-the-line oysters. I myself am not an oyster girly so I enjoyed their shrimp corndogs and bang bang shrimp to start (personal fav!). Jules and I split their shrimp scampi as our main course and it was the perfect blend of carbs and veggies, haha.
They do amazing cocktails here as well. They have a new special each week that usually features fresh fruit—their blackberry spritz was my fav!
Gingerline
Menu // Directions
The chicest new brunch spot + cocktail bar in town is Gingerline! I discovered this spot on Tik Tok and it did not disappoint. It’s a little more traditional with your typical breakfast options got their scrambled hangover burrito and chocolate french toast to cure both the sweet and salty cravings I was having.
Their crusher cocktails are to die for. The perfect mix of sweet and strong. Come here for flavored bottomless mimosas to kickstart your day, or happy hour to get the night going. Defintiely an Instagrammable location!
Share House
Menu // Directions
To be honest, I didn’t know places like Share House even existed in downtown Charleston. This adorable spot had live country music, beach town energy, and a full menu of fried appetizer favorites making it the perfect pre-game spot for a Friday night out. Their hush puppies are incredible! You can’t pass these up.
They also have super yummy drinks, although I suggest ordering them as doubles as they are a bit sweet otherwise. This turns into a big cluby0-type vibe after 10 pm so definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun night out.
Bodega
Menu // Directions
This spot is owned by the same people as Share House so it has a super fun, hip vibe inside. It’s very casual here, just a walk-up counter where you can order a breakfast sandwich to go. Jules said this was her best coffee of the trip although I’m not a caffeine drinker so I cannot vouch. I did however try one of their bacon egg and cheeses and it did just the trick
Tinto Y Crema
Menu // Directions
I almost don’t want to tell you this secret but the best gelato you’ll ever have in the United States is from this hidden gem right here. (And that’s coming from a girl who lived above a gelato store in Italy for five months😜).
WHAT TO WEAR + PACKING LIST
Not sure what to wear in Charleston, South Carolina?! Don’t worry I’ve got you covered—sharing all ten outfits I wore during my trip in this blog post. Per usual I’m sharing links to everything so you can shop as well as directions to each photo location so that you can spice up your Instagram feed!
My style is so Charleston. There’s truly no other city I’d rather dress for—the bright colors, fun prints, and frilly details are some of my favorite things to dress for!
A few must-have packing items for Charleston in the spring:
- All The Dresses: Charleston is one of those cities that’s polished and a bit preppy. People put their best foot forward, even if it’s just for a casual breakfast ad shopping hour. For that reason, this is one of those places I like to pull out all of my best dresses, By no means do you have to wear one, but you’ll fit right in if you do!
- Lightweight Linens: If you’re not a fan of dresses, I suggest sticking to lightweight linens. Leave the polyester tops at home. Instead reach for breathable cotton, flowy pants, and button-ups. Think European summer energy. It gets super hot here, especially as summer approaches!
- Comfy Shoes: This is a very walkable city, meaning you will be on your feet all day. I highly suggest packing a pair of slip-on sneakers and some comfy sandals. It’s also a very old city meaning there are uneven surfaces and cobblestones on every corner you turn down. You’re probably better off leaving your heels at home!
- Beach Day Essentials: There are three beach towns in Charleston so the chances you’ll be needing a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a beach bag are pretty high. I suggest putting everything into a tote and keeping it in the car just in case. It’s pretty casual everywhere you go so just a cute cover-up or a button-up/shorts combo will do!
- Hat: If your hair is anything like mine, it won’t stand a chance against the southern humidity. The easiest way for me to combat the frizz is with a hat! I brought like ten with me and rotated through them all. A trucker, felt, or straw hat will do—I swear everyone here is wearing one too!
WHAT TO DO
There is so much to do in Charleston. Unfortunately, we got stuck with some crummy weather so we didn’t get the chance to do everything I had hoped. Luckily I’ve been three times before so I’ve still got a long list of recs for ya!
Even after four trips here, I still feel like there’s more to do. Stuff is constantly happening here including local pop-ups, concerts, and college town events.
Shopping Along King Street
King Street has the best shopping of anywhere I’ve ever visited. In another life, I’ll be a housewife who spends her weekends shopping in high-end boutiques with a closet exclusively reserved for $300 dresses. Until then, it’s certainly fun to window shop and daydream, haha. So many of the stores you follow and drool over on Instagram have storefronts here.
You can also find all of your mainstream favorites like Aerie, Luluelmon, H&M (the one here is so good), Free People, and more. King Street is the main drag of shopping but even as you turn down the gazillion side streets you’ll be met with some of the best shopping you’ve ever experienced.
A few stores I highly suggest checking out/that I made purchases from this trip.
- Madison Mathews: This adorable store is a popular favorite of Tik Tok stars Lundedn & Olivia., They are a small-batch, slow fashion brand with incredible dress designs. I’ve ordered online from them in the past and was pumped to check out their storefront in Charleston. I came home with the cutest dress too! Love love love.
- Esselle: This boutique had the cutest straw bag from Shiralleah eyeing me down. I did a poll on Instagram on whether or not I “needed” it and ended up going back for it. They had adorable clothes and tons of accessories!
- Beau & Ro: Wow, what a store! If coastal granddaughter was a brand, this would be it. I’ve never seen cuter stuff than in this little boutique. I was able to come in and pick out a dress to bring on my next trip and was so excited to get this beautiful hydrangea maxi dress. They also have a location in the Cape that I cannot wait to check out later this summer.
Take Pics Along Rainbow Row
You can’t take a visit to Charleston without hitting all the tourist “must-sees”. First up is Rainbow Row, a street full of Charleston’s most expensive homes. They are all painted a different happy hue—perfect for a photo op. I recommend coming later in the afternoon as that’s when it’s the least busy!
Visit The Pineapple Fountain
As you may know, the city of Charleston uses the pineapple symbol nearly everywhere. The iconic Pineapple Fountain was built in 1990 and is the focal point of the Waterfront Park. It’s a very popular spot for tourists to stop and take a photo and you can oftentimes find little kids running around dipping their feet in to cool off!
Explore The Battery
The Battery is a beautiful spot packed full of history. If you hop on a horse-drawn carriage tour, they’ll take you over here as it’s where a lot of the Charleston roots are based. There are beautiful million-dollar homes and a waterfront path that’s perfect for a hot girl walk.
It’s the perfect spot if you’re wanting a slow afternoon of exploring. Very peaceful and reminds me so much of Savannah.
Visit College of Charleston
My college days are over but every time I visit Charleston I have to pay a visit to the College of Charleston. This is South Carolina’s oldest, and (in my opinion) prettiest college. They were in the midst of setting up for graduation during this visit so we weren’t free to wander around as usual but it was still a sight to see!
I just adore this campus—if I were to do college over again, I would definitely consider C of C!
Have a Beach Day
One of the reasons I love Charleston so much is that there are three beach towns here. In twenty minutes you can get to Folly Beach (a cute, coastal town that’s usually very busy), Sullivans Island (adorable boutiques, lots of dining options, more “to do”), and Isle of Palms (high-end, boujee beach town with a few resorts).
I always make it a point to hit one of them while I’m in town. Unfortunately, it was a little too cloudy to hit them all this trip!
Visit The City Market
The Charleston Market is another place with a lot of historical significance. What was once used as a place to trade slaves is now renovated and full of vendors selling unique, handmade goods. There were so many neat things here—hats, handmade palm bowls, hand-painted glassware, and more. It’s a beautiful building too if you’re looking for a photo op.
Go Bar Hopping Downtown
This was my first time visiting Charleston as a 21 year old so of course we had to have a night out. We went out Friday night, hopping to a few different places. Everyone recommended Uptown Social on King Street and it was bachelor party central. I’m not much of a club girl so this wasn’t really my scene but if you’re looking to dance your heart out, then this is the place.
If you’re headed to the Mount Pleasant area, I hear Saltwater Cowboys is always a good time!
See Where OBX Was Filmed (Shem Creek)
If you’ve watched the Netflix Original Outer Banks then Shem Creek should be on your must-see list. Many of the scenes from this show were filmed here and it’s so fun to see.
There’s a long boardwalk that leads to a small strip of waterfront bars and restaurants. People can dock their boats here and take out kayaks. It’s super mellow during the daytime but at night it gets packed full of young people. We didn’t have the chance to visit this trip, but I’ve been several times before.
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Charleston, you charm the heck out of me! Each time I leave here, I like it a little more than the last. Whether you’re headed here for a huge girls trip or are just exploring solo you’re sure to have a blast. I’m positive this won’t be the last time you find me in the Holy City….
However, we’re onto the next destination of our spring road trip. Catch you next in the sleepy town of Wilmington, North Carolina for a few days of fun. Talk soon!
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