Charleston, South Carolina is the perfect destination for a girls weekend escape. The quaint Southern city has everything from its charming colorful streets, to its deep routed history, and delicious cuisine. Not to mention the warm and friendly locals to help make your trip even more memorable. If you are planning a girls weekend in Charleston, South Carolina keep reading for my tips on what to see and do.
WHAT TO DO:
Pineapple Fountain
Located on the Waterfront Park, the Pineapple Fountain is one of the main attractions in Charleston. Tourists line up to get photographs with the unique shaped fountain, and children splash away to try to cool off from the scorching heat. The Pineapple Fountain is definitely unlike anything I’ve seen before, and makes for some fun photo opportunities!
Charleston Museum
For a bit of history, head to the Charleston Museum. Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is one of the oldest museums in the United States. Explore the many exhibits and historic houses in the city. Ticket prices for the museum vary depending on the number of sites you wish to visit.
Shop on King Street
A girls weekend in Charleston isn’t complete without some shopping! If you’re looking to expand your wardrobe, buy some unique souvenirs, or simply window shop, then King Street is the perfect place to start. King Street is famous for its endless shopping options, with numerous boutiques, designer stores, and cafes. Although many of the boutiques are not necessarily ‘budget friendly,” there are, nonetheless, other mass market clothing stores and souvenir shops to explore.
Stroll Along the Battery
Downtown Charleston has some of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. Head down to the Battery to see a handful of the city’s most impressive and historic mansions. Look out for the Calhoun Mansion, or the pink mansion along the way! With the ocean on one side and the charming architecture on the other, the waterfront path definitely has some of the best views of the city!
Pose for Pics on Rainbow Row
Thousands of tourists crowd the Charleston streets every year to take those much wanted instagram pictures with the candy colored buildings. You can wander down any road in Charleston and find a quaint courtyard or colorful mansion to pose with. However, the city’s main attraction is Rainbow Row. Rainbow Row, located on East Bay Street, just off the Battery, is a collection of thirteen historic houses in a row. Each house boasts a unique pastel hue giving the famous street its name. Apart from the incredible curb appeal, these houses also have quite a lot of history, and are worth a visit!
WHERE TO EAT:
One of the highlights of my girls weekend in Charleston was the food. No matter where we ate, whether it was a renowned restaurant, or a smaller local bar, the food was always delicious. I was looking forward to trying the Southern cuisine, and it certainly did not disappoint!
Fleet Landing
Fleet Landing was definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston, and a must for Seafood lovers! The restaurant is quite famous for its flavorful seafood, and perfect waterfront location. They have an extensive menu, that includes typical Southern dishes, to seafood platters, and a large array of starters and salads. Despite choosing to go for lunch, we still had to wait about 45 minutes for a table. I highly suggest going early, especially if traveling with a large group. However, I must admit, the food was well worth the wait!
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
If you’ve dreamed of devouring a warm, soft biscuit while in Charleston then Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is the perfect stop! The small shop is incredibly popular among tourists and locals alike. There is typically a line that extends out the door and onto the sidewalk. Don’t worry though, the line moves rather quickly! The shop itself is quite small, and there isn’t much space to eat inside, therefore, I highly recommend ordering the biscuits to go. The popular shop has a variety of flavors, and sandwich options. To my surprise, the biscuits were smaller than expected, so if you’re hungry then I suggest ordering more than one!
Minero
For some delicious Mexican food, head to Minero. The casual Mexican eatery is located in a hip space, and has a delicious food and drink menu. The best part was the Happy Hour! Everyday from 4 – 6 pm (except on weekends), the restaurant offers discounts on various food and drink items. Stop by for some afternoon cocktails (the margaritas, were delicious) and homemade guacamole, or stay for dinner and try some of the tasty tacos!
The Daily On King Street
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and my preferred meal if I’m being honest. Start your day with a delicious farm grown, healthy breakfast at The Daily. The small eatery is the sister of Butcher and Bee (another famous restaurant in the city). It offers a few of the same products, and menu items, but in a more casual setting. Try one of the breakfast sandwiches, or the famous avocado toast, and pair it with a hot cup of coffee, or a fresh smoothie.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
After a long, hot day of walking and exploring, what better treat than a delicious ice cream! If you were unaware, ice cream is one of my go to snacks (especially during the summer), and I definitely found a delicious shop in Charleston. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream on King Street had a variety of flavors, from my childhood favorites, to some unique creations. Two of my favorites were the Brambleberry crisp, (I’m still not clear on what a Brambleberry is) and the lemon and blueberry parfait.
WHERE TO DRINK:
Local Breweries
To my surprise, Charleston had quite a few local breweries. For a fun and low key activity check out one or two of the breweries in town. My friend and I went to Palmetto Brewing Company and Revelry. At Palmetto, we took a quick tour of the facility, then ended in the taproom for a tasting. They have great flight options that allow you to try smaller portions of multiple beers. Afterwards we headed to Reverly. This brewery was more difficult to find, as it is a bit further north away from the center of the city. The bar has three levels, including a tasting room, and a rooftop. If you arrive early enough you may even find some food trucks parked outside.
Try Frosé at Skinny Dip
I have to admit that one of the top items on my list was to try frosé (frozen Rosé). After a hot morning of walking, an icy glass of frosé was the perfect afternoon treat! For this we went to Skinny Dip, a clothing boutique on King Street with a bar on the top floor. The store itself was very inviting, with its white washed walls, and colorful pastel artwork. Upstairs at the bar, there is a famous floral backdrop for some photo opportunities, and a private deck with additional seating and swings. If frosé doesn’t call your attention, then you can certainly opt a regular glass of wine or even a coffee.
Henry's on the Market
For a fun night out with the girls head to Henry’s on the Market. The multi-level bar has delicious drinks, friendly service, and a rooftop garden. Start the night on the main floor, where you can enjoy a drink while listening to live jazz. Afterwards make your way upstairs to the rooftop garden for more mainstream music and a lively dance party. The bar definitely gets quite busy on the weekends, therefore, I recommend you go early!
Élevé Rooftop Bar
If you and the girls are looking for a classy outing then there is no better place than the Elevé Rooftop Bar. The chic rooftop garden is located on the top floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Enjoy one of the many unique and refreshing cocktails, and some starters to share. There is even live music on the weekends! As with most rooftop bars, the prices tend to be a bit more expensive. However, if you don’t mind splurging a bit on a night out then Elevé is a must!
EXCURSIONS:
Head to the Beach
If your busy sightseeing schedule allows for some time away from the city, then head to one of the local beaches. The most popular choices are Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. There are a few public transport options, but I would nonethless recommend renting a car or splitting a taxi or an Uber to get to the beaches.
Discover a Plantation
For a glimpse into Charleston’s past, head out to one of the many nearby Plantations. Two of the more famous ones are Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall. If you’re a fan of The Notebook, then you may want to head to Boone Hall Plantation, as many outdoor scenes from the iconic movie were filmed here!
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
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Great recommendations, I love the food shops.
Now I’ll definitely carve out a trip to South Carolina!
Thanks! I highly recommend it 🙂