Charleston's historic peninsula is a maze of cobblestone streets, pastel mansions and church steeples, with a food scene that regularly tops US lists. Beaches at Folly and Sullivan's Island are a short drive away.
Good to know
- Book dinner reservations at the top restaurants a few weeks ahead, especially on weekends.
- Summer is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms; spring and fall are ideal.
- Parking downtown is tight; use garages and walk.
Eat this
Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Pastel Georgian row houses on East Bay Street, then a stroll along the seawall to White Point Garden.
Four-block covered market with sweetgrass baskets, pralines and local crafts.
Antiques, boutiques and renowned restaurants in the city's main commercial street.
Evening tour of haunted houses and churchyards.
Southern art from the 18th century onward in a Beaux-Arts building.
Ferry ride to the island fort where the Civil War began.
Oak alley, restored Gullah Cottages and an honest look at the plantation's history.
America's oldest public gardens, with a nature train and a boat tour.
Laid-back surf town 25 minutes away with a pier and beachfront bars.
Guided tour on the culture, language and cuisine of descendants of enslaved West Africans.
Local oysters and craft cocktails; a Charleston ritual.