Spending a Weekend in Charleston
As much as I love international travel, I equally enjoy exploring American cities. I have to admit, Charleston wasn’t high on my travel “to-do” list, but on a friend’s suggestion, my husband and I booked a weekend trip to explore what the city had to offer. We were pleasantly surprised.
Where We Stayed
When it comes to hotels, I’m a 4-star/5-star-when-I-want-to-splurge girlie and there is no shortage of beautiful hotels in Charleston – especially in the historic district where I initially wanted to stay. However, if I’m going to spend the kind of money some of those hotels are asking, I’m not going to spend it in South Carolina. (Sorry. 😬). So we opted to stay in Mount Pleasant at the Cambria Hotel. At about $130/night, it was a steal. It’s a 3-star hotel, but well-appointed and just a quick 15-minute drive from the historic area. Comfort, style, and proximity to Charleston without breaking the bank? Yes, please.
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Sights to See
This was my first time visiting the city, so I wanted to see the things you’re “supposed” to see. We only had a weekend in Charleston, and a lot of ground to cover, but we managed to hit quite a few of the city’s most popular spots:
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
This beautiful cable-stayed bridge connects downtown Charleston with Mount Pleasant and offers stunning views of the Cooper River. Whether you walk or drive (I highly recommend walking), it’s a must-see for the best skyline views of Charleston.
Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain
A favorite for both tourists and locals, Waterfront Park is a lovely place to take a stroll – especially if the weather is nice. And go ahead and get the obligatory photo op at the Pineapple Fountain. All the cool kids do.
Rainbow Row
The row of pastel-colored homes along East Bay Street is super cute and worth a stroll or drive-by. Have your camera ready.
Charleston City Market
You can’t visit Charleston without stopping by the Charleston City Market. It’s been around since the early 1800s and is still busy with local vendors selling handmade crafts, sweetgrass baskets, gourmet food and sweets. This is a nice spot for picking up souvenirs.
The Battery & White Point Garden
The Battery is a beautiful promenade along the waterfront, lined with historic mansions and offering views of Fort Sumter. At the end of the Battery is White Point Garden, a park with cannons and statues honoring the city’s military history. It’s a peaceful spot to unwind and take in the beauty of the area. We took some gorgeous photos here.
Adventure & Fun
Outside of sightseeing and learning about the history of a city, we like to add a little adventure to each trip. Activities we especially enjoyed:
Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park
I’m not a big fan of heights, but my husband was excited about this activity. This is a really cool outdoor park with over 72 suspended obstacles elevated up to 35 feet in the air. There are 3 levels of difficulty, and they do an awesome job of giving detailed instructions on navigating the course. It was so much fun! Get your tickets here.
Folly Beach
We took a short drive over to Folly Beach and enjoyed its lazy beach town vibes. You can walk the beach and bar hop, or opt for more adventurous activities like biking, kayaking, or fishing. This was one of our more chill getaways, so we just roamed around the beach and enjoyed the nice weather.
Sunset Cruise on the Schooner Pride
To know me is to know I live for a sunset cruise. On a beautiful afternoon, we hopped aboard the Schooner Pride and sailed across the Charleston Harbor. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Book your ticket here.
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Where We Ate
Charleston has a lot to offer when it comes to restaurants. Here are a few we enjoyed:
Kiki & Rye
- Cuisine: American
- Meal: Dinner
This is a cozy spot in Mount Pleasant near our hotel. We dined on their patio and enjoyed good food and service.
Toast All Day
- Cuisine: Southern Breakfast & Brunch
- Meal: Brunch
This local favorite is known for its hearty Southern breakfasts and friendly service. You’ll leave full and happy!
Bodega
- Cuisine: Deli
- Meal: Lunch
I LOVE the aesthetic of this restaurant. One of the cutest concepts I’ve ever seen. They serve creative sandwiches and the space gives an old-school deli vibe. The sandwich that I had was OK – nothing to brag about – especially if you’re from the Northeast and are used to delicious sandwiches from real bodegas around the way, BUT this place is worthy of a visit for the vibe alone.
Hyman’s Seafood
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Meal: Dinner
We enjoyed a tasty seafood meal at this Charleston institution. This place stays packed – and they don’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait a bit for a table.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
- Cuisine: BBQ
- Meal: Dinner
Though there’s an Atlanta location, my first time trying Rodney Scott’s BBQ was in Charleston. The food was as good as I expected and we walked away full and sleepy.
A Lovely Southern Getaway
The verdict: Charleston is quite charming! I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as we did. But whether we were strolling through the historic streets, enjoying a delicious meal, or watching the sunset over the harbor, it was a good time. For my Atlantans especially, if you’re looking for a quick escape from the city within driving distance, add Charleston to your travel list. Happy travels!
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