Heading to Charleston on Friday. Trying to figure out must do's as far as sightseeing and restaurants. Don't want a jam packed itinerary, but have 3.5 days. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
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Charleston, SC
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Last: 8 days ago by turfaggie24
Lots of shopping and restaurants on King Street from Spring Street and points south
Fort Sumter
Charleston City Market
Walk down to The Battery
There are numerous walking tours available during the day and at night
The Citadel
Bars & restaurants - too many to list, an online search will give a ton of options
The Darling Oyster Bar
Poogan's Porch
The Griffon pub
Poogan's Smokehouse
Prohibition bar/restaurant
Marbled & Fin steakhouse
Page's Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant
Big Bad Breakfast
The Pass for sandwiches
Fort Sumter
Charleston City Market
Walk down to The Battery
There are numerous walking tours available during the day and at night
The Citadel
Bars & restaurants - too many to list, an online search will give a ton of options
The Darling Oyster Bar
Poogan's Porch
The Griffon pub
Poogan's Smokehouse
Prohibition bar/restaurant
Marbled & Fin steakhouse
Page's Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant
Big Bad Breakfast
The Pass for sandwiches
Halls Chophouse - great food and amazing service!
Loved "By the Way" - the best espresso martinis
We also did a 2.5 hour sail around the Harbor with Blue Life Charter.
Loved "By the Way" - the best espresso martinis
We also did a 2.5 hour sail around the Harbor with Blue Life Charter.
I did a food tour with Bulldog Tours that was great. Also did a walking tour of the city with them.
Riding the ferry around the harbor at sunset was also very enjoyable. The fort was just ok, but I didn't regret going.
Shopping is great, both on King Street, and at the City Market.
You've got to go to Callie's Hot Little Biscuit for breakfast. I also really enjoyed Harken Cafe for breakfast. Favorite non-breakfast meal was at 82 Queen. I went for lunch because the lunch and dinner menus are pretty much the same, but lunch is a little cheaper and easier to get in.
I just enjoyed walking around and checking out/photographing the scenery. It's a charming and very walkable city.
Riding the ferry around the harbor at sunset was also very enjoyable. The fort was just ok, but I didn't regret going.
Shopping is great, both on King Street, and at the City Market.
You've got to go to Callie's Hot Little Biscuit for breakfast. I also really enjoyed Harken Cafe for breakfast. Favorite non-breakfast meal was at 82 Queen. I went for lunch because the lunch and dinner menus are pretty much the same, but lunch is a little cheaper and easier to get in.
I just enjoyed walking around and checking out/photographing the scenery. It's a charming and very walkable city.
Much appreciated gents.
Gotta second the recommendations for Prohibition, Griffon Pub, Callie's Little Hot Biscuits and 82 Queen. All worth a visit.
We also had a fantastic meal at SNOB (Slightly North of Broad). Highly recommend.
We did a ghost tour through Bulldog Tours that was great except our tour guide was a super fast walker and we had a hard time keeping up. LOL
We also ventured off on our own one day, just walking the neighborhoods behind King Street (toward the waterfront) and that was awesome. Beautiful old homes.
If you're looking for somewhere casual to rest while walking around, Charleston Beer Works (on King) and Big John's Tavern (on East Bay) are both pretty cool.
Can't go wrong in Charleston. Great food and sights everywhere.
We also had a fantastic meal at SNOB (Slightly North of Broad). Highly recommend.
We did a ghost tour through Bulldog Tours that was great except our tour guide was a super fast walker and we had a hard time keeping up. LOL
We also ventured off on our own one day, just walking the neighborhoods behind King Street (toward the waterfront) and that was awesome. Beautiful old homes.
If you're looking for somewhere casual to rest while walking around, Charleston Beer Works (on King) and Big John's Tavern (on East Bay) are both pretty cool.
Can't go wrong in Charleston. Great food and sights everywhere.
Also ... if you are leaving Friday, I would try and make reservations for dinner ASAP.
SNOB for dinner, call yesterday for reservations.
I like Billy Hall but think there are other dinner spots I would hit if I were only in town for a few days. However, if he can get a reservation for Gospel brunch on Sunday then I would do that.Travelag08 said:
Halls Chophouse - great food and amazing service!
Loved "By the Way" - the best espresso martinis
We also did a 2.5 hour sail around the Harbor with Blue Life Charter.
Otherwise hit up The Grill for dinner and The Thoroughbred Club for lunch in The Charleston Place. I just went to R Kitchen for the second time in two months and that place is great if you can get in. I also recommend Wild Common, The Ordinary and The Restaurant at Zero George.
edit: If you end up on JI then try The James. We went last night after we tried to go to Edison for happy hour and it was randomly closed. Edison is good too if it is open. I didn't walk up to read the sign so not sure when they open back up.
If you can't get reservations at the top tier places don't fret, the food is great everywhere. The best part of Charleston imo is literally waking up and going to get breakfast, walk the streets and see the gorgeous houses, go get lunch/drink/bar hop and then walk some more to see more houses and history. Go chill at the pool at the hotel if it has one then go have a nice dinner and walk some more.
Charleston is all about relaxing and moving at a slow pace imo.
Great town
Charleston is all about relaxing and moving at a slow pace imo.
Great town
For cocktails, Doar Bros, Annex @ Last Saint, The Gin Joint and The Bar at The Spectator are all solid.
For food, Chubby Fish (doesnt take reservations, have to stand in line when it opens to put your name down) and 167 Sushi Bar are both really good.
For food, Chubby Fish (doesnt take reservations, have to stand in line when it opens to put your name down) and 167 Sushi Bar are both really good.
nkc1981 said:
For cocktails, Doar Bros, Annex @ Last Saint, The Gin Joint and The Bar at The Spectator are all solid.
For food, Chubby Fish (doesnt take reservations, have to stand in line when it opens to put your name down) and 167 Sushi Bar are both really good.
I think Chubby Fish is extremely overrated for having to stand in line for 45+ minutes before it opens only to end up being seated at a table with a bunch of other people. Just take reservations and stop wasting people's time.
This is not a sushi town. Don't pass up amazing food for overpriced mediocre sushi.
Food:
Magnolia's
SNOB
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Poogan's Porch
Poogan's Smokehouse we hit every time but mostly because it's cold, drinks are good, and it's in the middle of a lot but you'll find better bbq elsewhere.
Drinks at the Citrus Club
Aquarium was solid, King Street is great shopping, The Battery, Rainbow Row, all good to see.
Market street is a big bag of meh especially in the summer when it feels like it's 120 out.
Magnolia's
SNOB
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Poogan's Porch
Poogan's Smokehouse we hit every time but mostly because it's cold, drinks are good, and it's in the middle of a lot but you'll find better bbq elsewhere.
Drinks at the Citrus Club
Aquarium was solid, King Street is great shopping, The Battery, Rainbow Row, all good to see.
Market street is a big bag of meh especially in the summer when it feels like it's 120 out.
Whatever you budget for food. Double it and be grateful
So many good places to eat. 82 Queen at night in courtyard was favorite.
If you get out of the city center historical district hit up Angel Oak Tree and maybe eat at Obstinate Daughter
Another good rec. when you first get there take a walking tour of the historic district. They have various ones that are architectural based or history based but you will be able to find most of the places to eat you have heard about and you can look at menus outside the place.
So many good places to eat. 82 Queen at night in courtyard was favorite.
If you get out of the city center historical district hit up Angel Oak Tree and maybe eat at Obstinate Daughter
Another good rec. when you first get there take a walking tour of the historic district. They have various ones that are architectural based or history based but you will be able to find most of the places to eat you have heard about and you can look at menus outside the place.
Wild Common, if you're looking for a fancy dinner
Look at the tour at Boone Hall Plantation. A nice look back into history.
Sorrelle
Marbled & Fin
High Cotton - brunch
Rudy Royale - casual by Charleston standards
Husk
And many more…make reservations asap
Marbled & Fin
High Cotton - brunch
Rudy Royale - casual by Charleston standards
Husk
And many more…make reservations asap
Horse carriage tour, gives a lot of extra info on the town and specific locations.
Highly recommend to walk through the park at the Battery. Very cool if you have any interest in the civil war.
Also the streets and houses along it are very cool to walk through.
Also the streets and houses along it are very cool to walk through.
+1000 for the Griffon
There is a dollar bill with block ATM above the bar on the left when you walk in. We left it there last year.
Leon's Poultry & Oyster Shop. https://leonsoystershop.com/
Charleston was once THE hub for US slave trade and personally I feel that if you don't spend some time learning about that you are doing yourself a disservice. The Old Slave Mart Museum is really powerful and I highly recommend. There are also a number of great tours that help explain that part of our dark history.
Charleston is one of our country's best cities, IMO and learning about the evils of our past really enrich the whole experience, even if it is pretty depressing. Hit that stuff early in the day then cleanse your palate so-to-speak with some oysters and champagne at lunch and you'll be right as rain.
Charleston is one of our country's best cities, IMO and learning about the evils of our past really enrich the whole experience, even if it is pretty depressing. Hit that stuff early in the day then cleanse your palate so-to-speak with some oysters and champagne at lunch and you'll be right as rain.
You can get a good historical overview with one of the horse-drawn carriage tours. I liked Fort Sumter more than I thought I would - if you're the last tour of the day, you can help take down and fold the huge American flag (takes 20 volunteers). We liked happy hour at High Cotton, and 82 Queen was the best restaurant. Plenty of good sites and places to eat - and you'll get a lot of exercise walking around (no need for taxis or Ubers). Great town for a short-medium visit.
Definitely agree but we were there during a bitter cold snap so at night we used Ubers, and every driver we had was a real professional. A few even had a driver's uniform on.I bleed maroon said:
you'll get a lot of exercise walking around (no need for taxis or Ubers). Great town for a short-medium visit.
They are everywhere around King Street so the wait is non-existent and the service is great.
That was three years ago but hopefully it hasn't changed.
I stand corrected. 167 Sushi is legit.
We just got back from Charleston and stayed over on Isle of Palms. If you are wanting to do the beach while in Charleston, I would recommend that or Sulivan's Island. Both are lazy beach towns. Isle of Palms was more like a resort town, and Sulivans was more like a family/hometown feel.
If you are wanting crazy, they say Folly Beach is where the nightlife is. We didn't go there so I cannot confirm.
Places we ate that were great:
Lewis BBQ - EXCELLENT BBQ, both texas and carolina flavors - Charleston
MOMO Riverfront - Fine southern dining - North Charleston/Riverfront Park
The Obstinate Daughter - Italianish - Sulivans
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina - Cali-mex - Sulivans (EXCELLENT)
Poes Tavern - American Mix - Sulivans
Annies Hot Donuts - Duh - Mt Pleasant
We had a good time relaxing at the beach, shopping on King Street, fishing in the bay, and golfing. A little sightseeing in downtown Charleston, but not much.
I wish we had made time to go to Fort Sumter (I am a history nerd) but we couldn't make the time. The USS Yorktown museum is also there as well.
If you are wanting crazy, they say Folly Beach is where the nightlife is. We didn't go there so I cannot confirm.
Places we ate that were great:
Lewis BBQ - EXCELLENT BBQ, both texas and carolina flavors - Charleston
MOMO Riverfront - Fine southern dining - North Charleston/Riverfront Park
The Obstinate Daughter - Italianish - Sulivans
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina - Cali-mex - Sulivans (EXCELLENT)
Poes Tavern - American Mix - Sulivans
Annies Hot Donuts - Duh - Mt Pleasant
We had a good time relaxing at the beach, shopping on King Street, fishing in the bay, and golfing. A little sightseeing in downtown Charleston, but not much.
I wish we had made time to go to Fort Sumter (I am a history nerd) but we couldn't make the time. The USS Yorktown museum is also there as well.
I frequent Folly as it is 10 minutes down the road on weekdays. I just bring a chair and my laptop and work under the pier. However, we go to The Sanctuary on Kiawah every once and a while for a staycation.
uujm said:
I stand corrected. 167 Sushi is legit.
Ha, was surprised by the 'mediocre' label because me and my wife have tried our fair share of sushi/nigiri/sashimi in various places and we both thought it was excellent. Glad you tried it and agree.
Yeah I was told a place called Shiki was the best sushi spot in town. We went in February and the bill came out to ~$400 for some very lousy food. While cheaper, the other sushi places we tried were lacking and I am extremely spoiled from Omakase Table in Atlanta. I would say 167's Nigiri is on their level at a fraction of the cost (still wasn't cheap). They had this trout on the menu we ordered 6 pieces of.nkc1981 said:uujm said:
I stand corrected. 167 Sushi is legit.
Ha, was surprised by the 'mediocre' label because me and my wife have tried our fair share of sushi/nigiri/sashimi in various places and we both thought it was excellent. Glad you tried it and agree.
Just got back and had one of our best overall trips.
Stayed - Hotel Bennett (great coffee shop downstairs)
Ate at:
Halls Chophouse - exceptional service, food was very good but the corn was the best
82 Queen - she crab soup was outstanding
The Darling - great relaxing vibe, outstanding food (recommend: creole shrimp)
Magnolias - great food (best dish of the trip - low country bouillabaisse) and cocktails, slow service
Church and Union - unique and very cool
Poogans Porch - shrimp and grits was good not great, fried chicken was great and unique
Millers All Day - maybe a little over hyped but still good
Citrus Club - went twice, great rooftop bar and drinks
Carmella's - great dessert (peach almond torte)
Kaminskys - great dessert (tollhouse pie with ice cream)
Recommend visiting The Battery and looking at all of the houses downtown. Great tour with Pineapple Bus Tour. Willing to bet our guide knew more than any other in town. Plan on walking quite a bit. I believe we covered 7-10 miles most days.
Next trip we would like to see the Angel Oak Tree, Boone Hall Plantation and Fort Sumter.
Stayed - Hotel Bennett (great coffee shop downstairs)
Ate at:
Halls Chophouse - exceptional service, food was very good but the corn was the best
82 Queen - she crab soup was outstanding
The Darling - great relaxing vibe, outstanding food (recommend: creole shrimp)
Magnolias - great food (best dish of the trip - low country bouillabaisse) and cocktails, slow service
Church and Union - unique and very cool
Poogans Porch - shrimp and grits was good not great, fried chicken was great and unique
Millers All Day - maybe a little over hyped but still good
Citrus Club - went twice, great rooftop bar and drinks
Carmella's - great dessert (peach almond torte)
Kaminskys - great dessert (tollhouse pie with ice cream)
Recommend visiting The Battery and looking at all of the houses downtown. Great tour with Pineapple Bus Tour. Willing to bet our guide knew more than any other in town. Plan on walking quite a bit. I believe we covered 7-10 miles most days.
Next trip we would like to see the Angel Oak Tree, Boone Hall Plantation and Fort Sumter.
"Anymore questions you wanna ask?"-John Wayne
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