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Oh gorgeous Charleston! It is undeniable that it is one of the loveliest southern towns! When I was in college, I visited Charleston a few times to see friends and to go to a Miranda Lambert concert with my mom (Miranda Lambert shout out! Hi, I love you & your music)! However, I never got the chance to truly explore the historic city until my recent trip. Matt & I went to Charleston for a Valentines weekend getaway. We sent our sweet puppy Reggie to the dog sitters for the weekend (WOOO dog parents weekend away!), but wait I actually had separation anxiety & missed him so much! Regardless of missing my pup, it was the perfect destination for a romantic weekend! We spent most of the weekend wandering & of course, eating lots of yummy food. Enjoy my Charleston travel guide & hopefully your trip to dazzling Charleston soon!
Things To Do in Charleston
Pineapple Fountain
Address: 1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
The pineapple fountain is fun & quirky with specular views of the waterfront! It is located on the river walk & is the perfect place to start your Charleston adventure.
Rainbow Row
Address: 83-107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Rainbow row may perhaps be the most iconic spot in Charleston & there is a good reason why! These colorful homes are something right out of a southern fairy tale. On rainbow row, there are 13 Georgian houses. In fact, it is the longest row of Georgian homes in the United States. I highly recommend looking into the specific history of each home on the row before you go.
South of Broad St.
In my opinion, this is the best thing to do in Charleston! On all the streets south of Broad St., there are rows & rows of spectacular historic homes. You can wander for hours getting lost looking at the magnificent houses. I suggest blocking out a few hours to do a combination of walking & driving the neighborhood (you can see more this way).
The Pink House
Address: 14 Atlantic St, Charleston, SC 29401
One of the prettiest homes South of Broad St.! & you guessed it… It is one of my favorites because it is pink! This home is a must see on your trip to Charleston!
Marion Square
This square is in the heart of Charleston. It consists of green space surrounded by historic buildings on all sides. And it is only a few steps away from iconic King Street (the shopping street). Make sure you take a gorgeous stroll through this square!
Places To Eat in Charleston
Magnolias
Address: 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
We went here for a delicious Valentine’s Day brunch! The sophisticated southern cuisine did not disappoint! They serve brunch, lunch, & dinner. You cannot go wrong with any meal, but I highly suggest heading here for brunch. Make sure you order a cinnamon roll for an appetizer!
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Address: 698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Can you even go to Charleston without getting seafood!? Charleston sure doesn’t have a shortage of seafood restaurants, but in my opinion, Leon’s is one of the best! It is a snappy casual restaurant with wonderful indoor & outdoor seating on the north side of downtown.
What to Order: Smoked Mahi Dip & the Leon’s Fish Fry
The Cocktail Club
Address: 479 King St #200, Charleston, SC 29403
The perfect spot for a pre-dinner cocktail! However, it is usually super crowded, so if you want a seat make sure you get there on the earlier side. The Cocktail Club has a wonderful rooftop terrace with super interesting cocktails that are created by their staff in house. The perfect location to get a pre-dinner cocktail before heading to Leon’s Oyster Shop for dinner!
What to order: The Mile High Club or The Double Standard
More Delicious Restaurants to Try
Halls Chophouse
Address: 434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Matt & I went here for our first anniversary when we were freshman in college (aww memories)! A very upscale & delicious eatery with a classic atmosphere. Halls Chophouse is considered by many to be the most popular & iconic restaurant in all of Charleston!
Darling Oyster Bar
Address:513 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
An alternative to going to Leon’s Oyster Bar, but this restaurant is closer to central downtown. A very popular destination, so make sure you make a reservation!
D’Allesandro’s Pizza
Address: 229 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403
D’Allesandro’s Pizza’s Website
A casual eatery with great prices. A friend of mine took me here in college. Their pizza is one of the best pizza’s I have ever had in the United States!
Places To Shop in Charleston
King St.
The street for all things shopping! Definitely spend a few hours wandering up and down this lovely street. Upper king is the design district, middle king is the fashion district, & lower king is the antique district.
Hampden
Address: 314 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hampden is located in a historic building on King St. The store features high-end designer clothing & accessories from a wide range of designers. Each designer in the shop is specifically chosen & curated. This high-end fabulous store is a must visit no matter your budget for shopping. It is amazing just to walk through! Hampden has been featured in Vogue & many other publications. It is said to be one of the best stores in the country in its niche!
SMALL
Address: 324 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
A concept store by Hampden (the store listed above). SMALL has great designers & brands at a much more affordable price than it’s main store.
Beckett Boutique
Address: 409 King St #101, Charleston, SC 29403
Beckett is a luxury women’s boutique carrying clothing & accessories in a wide range of styles and prices. It is a super friendly atmosphere & there is lots of seating for your man to sit while you shop (this store is Matt approved haha)!
If someone asked me my top 3 favorite cities in the United States, Charleston would definitely be at the top of the list! It a must go for a family trip, a friend’s trip, or a romantic weekend getaway! It is the perfect city for any occasion. I suggest visiting in the spring, sometime between March- May. During this time, you have the beauty of spring, but not the stifling hot heat of summer. However, you truly cannot go wrong visiting any time of year!
Xo Haley Jean
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