A guide to the perfect weekend in charleston
We visited Charleston for a weekend during our daughter’s spring break and absolutely fell in love with this charming city. The city is packed with history, charm, and it’s a foodie paradise!
I had such a fun time researching our trip and found out some pretty interesting facts about Charleston… I am Kind of nerdy when it comes to history and love to learn interesting facts about places and here are a few about charleston:
The Charleston museum was founded in 1773 and is america’s oldest and first museum
the pineapple symbol in charleston is a sign of hospitality
charleston claims to be the birthplace of sweet tea
Charleston was a road trip adventure for us, as we traveled from Florida, which made for about a five-hour drive. It wasn’t too bad, especially since we left early to miss the traffic. Once we arrived, we quickly unpacked at our hotel and set out to explore our first of many amazing food experiences. Our southern food journey began at Magnolias, a restaurant that has been a staple in Charleston for over 30 years and is renowned for its upscale Southern cuisine. Led by the talented Chef Donald Drake, the menu features exquisite low country fine dining. I highly recommend trying the house-made pimento cheese and crackers—I became obsessed with the pimento cheese and ate it everywhere we went LOL. I also enjoyed their classic wedge salad and the blackened fish sandwich, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any room left for dessert! If you find yourself in Charleston, Magnolias is a must-visit dining spot.
Following our late lunch, we took some time to explore downtown Charleston and made our way to the Charleston City Market. This historic market, established in the 1970s, spans four city blocks and features a variety of vendors offering everything from gifts to delicious food. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, as we love collecting souvenirs and were impressed by the diverse selection of vendors. Be sure to check out the beautiful sweetgrass baskets while you're there!
My top 3 Vendors at charleston city market:
Heaven Scent-Established in 1999 at the Charleston City Market, they provide completely natural beauty products.
Ophelia’s Sweet Baskets- Handmade sweetgrass baskets in a variety of shapes and styles that are high quality and made to last for generations
Charleston Christmas Collectables- A year-round shop for Christmas gifts and collecables, they have been serving customers in the historic Charleston Market for over 40 years
On our first day in Charleston, we began our adventure at Battery Park. This historical landmark features a defensive seawall, originally constructed for coastal protection before the Civil War, and it runs along the shores of the Charleston peninsula. You'll find numerous military statues and an 11-inch cannon, which was fired at Fort Sumter in 1863, located along East Battery Street. Additionally, two large Confederate cannons can be found nearby, adding to the park's historical significance. As you stroll along the park, you can also admire several stunning Great Mansions lining Battery.
After visiting Battery Park, we made our way to Rainbow Row. Located in the center of Charleston's historic district, Rainbow Row features historic Georgian houses famous for their bright pastel hues. The address is 79-107 E. Bay Street. TIP: Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and capture great photos!
Rainbow Row
After exploring Rainbow Row, we were starving and decided to check off some snacks from my list of must-try food spots. Our first stop was Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. I should mention that biscuits and Southern cuisine are among my all-time favorites. This charming little shop on King Street has the friendliest staff and offers a wonderful selection of biscuits, ranging from their classic buttery Southern biscuits to chocolate espresso ones. They also serve breakfast biscuits filled with sausage and pimento cheese—YUM!! I ordered a butter biscuit and a cinnamon biscuit paired with blackberry jam. Be sure to stop by....You will not regret it!
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits-Butter & cinnamon with Blackberry jam
After that, we made our way to satisfy our sweet tooth at a charming spot I found called Sugar Bakeshop. This sweet little bakery is covered with beautiful vines climbing its exterior. They prepare small-batch, delicious desserts fresh every morning. Their offerings range from specialty cakes and cupcakes to cookies, pies, and daily specials. I enjoyed the cupcakes that were truly amazing, reminding me of an elevated Hostess cupcake from my childhood. I chose chocolate, lemon, and a whimsically decorated St. Patrick’s Day cupcake since we visited in March. Be sure to add this charming bake shop to your list of must-visit food stops!
Sugar Bakeshop-cupcakes!
Our final stop for the day was the Pineapple Fountain, which was constructed in 1990 as a representation of wealth and hospitality. Situated in Waterfront Park, it offers a lovely setting for a leisurely walk and is perfect for capturing memorable photos. As we walked alongside the water, we were so excited to spot a few dolphins jumping in and out of the water. This spot can be a brief visit, or you can take your time exploring the beautiful park. It's also an excellent place to grab a bite, with several fantastic restaurants nearby.
Waterfront park-pineapple fountain
The following day, we spent the day shopping along King Street. This beautiful downtown street in Charleston is named in honor of King Charles II of England. King Street is divided into three distinct sections: the Lower King Street Antique District, the Middle King Street Fashion District, and the Upper King Street Design and Dining District. We enjoyed strolling through unique shops with Southern charm and Southern touches. King Street is also famous for its speakeasies, including The Gin Joint, which offers a taste of the 1920s in a historic atmosphere. We truly loved exploring King Street and browsing its beautiful stores!
My top 3 stores on king street:
Candlefish- This distinctive fragrance store and workshop is dedicated to everything related to scent. They feature a library of 100 signature fragrances, along with a selection of unnamed candles, allowing customers to create their own personalized candle scent
Grit & Grace- Women-owned small business in Charleston that creates stunning oyster ring dishes, Lowcountry jewelry, ocean-inspired gifts, and meaningful keepsakes. They take pride in their commitment to giving back by recycling 10 oyster shells from local restaurants to support local oyster reef restoration efforts, addressing South Carolina's pressing shell shortage.
My Sister’s Cottage- A charming boutique that offers a delightful selection of clothing, home goods, and accessories.
After shopping, we returned to our hotel for a short rest before heading out for our horse and carriage ride. We reserved our tour with the Old South Carriage Company, a family-owned business established in 1983. They offer a genuine Old South experience as we traveled through the charming cobblestone streets of Charleston. Our guide was fantastic, providing us with great history and stories.
Old South horse and carriage ride
during our horse and carriage ride the guide took us past the charleston old city jail. just the outside of this jail absolutely creeped me out. the guide told us of stories of how the jail housed some of charleston’s most infamous criminals. there is a night tour that will guide you through the jail cells, hallways and places that are known to have ghosts!
Charleston Haunted Jail Tour Link
On our final day in Charleston, we kicked off the morning at Miller's All Day. I’m thrilled that I did my research and stumbled upon this amazing breakfast place. They offer a fantastic array of breakfast options, such as Southern-style grits, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, and specialty beverages. The restaurant has an adorable ambiance, beautifully decorated in a 1950s diner style. Their motto is, "Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we make it… All day!"
my top 3 restaurants in charleston:
Magnolias-A cherished establishment in Charleston for more than 30 years, it is celebrated for its upscale Southern cuisine. The menu showcases exquisite fine dining inspired by the low country.
Iron Rose- A hidden gem nestled within Charleston’s Pink Hotel, exuding a dramatic and elegant atmosphere. They offer innovative takes on Southern classics, crafted with locally sourced ingredients and accompanied by crafted cocktails.
Millers All Day- Traditional Southern Breakfast. This breakfast spot brings together dedicated southern chefs, a farmer, and a miller of exceptional grains, all set in the ideal location of Charleston. Their motto is, "Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we serve it... All Day."
Following breakfast, our final destination was the Charleston Museum, the oldest museum in the United States, established in 1791. This expansive museum features multiple floors and rooms brimming with an impressive collection of historic artifacts, natural history, and decorative arts. After exploring the museum, we also toured the Heyward-Washington House, which was included in our admission ticket.
the heyward- washington house was incredible to see as it housed thomas heyward who was one of the signers of the declaration of Independence, and george washington stayed in the house during his visit in 1791. i really appreciated that the guide also talks about the dark side of our history with the slave house that is in the back of the house.
for those curious about our charleston south carolina trip, including accommodation Recommendations, a list of boutique stores on king street, excursions, and must see spots check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
Happy Travels!
Mandy
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