Things to do in Charleston, SC

Where to Stay

Charleston's hotels are no doubt a huge draw for visitors to the city. Luckily, there are many options to choose from when deciding where to stay in the Holy City. Hotels on the peninsula are considered downtown, meaning walkable distance to shopping, restaurants and bars, but a short drive is needed to reach Patriot's Point, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms or Folly Beach. Charleston hotels come in all shapes and sizes, from impressive city-central buildings like the grand Francis Marion and luxurious Charleston Place Hotel to dozens of quaint bed and breakfasts like Zero George near the Battery.

Avoid: Peak holiday weekends by booking your visit to Charleston before April and after August.

What to Eat

It's no secret that Charleston has become a leading food destination in the Southeast, competing with the likes of Savannah, Atlanta and Miami. The Charleston restaurant community's dedication to locally sourced produce, meat, beer and spirits incorporated into both traditional lowcountry and modern American dishes makes for a unique mix found only in the Holy City. Meander down King, East Bay and Broad Streets for the most plentiful selection of restaurants and cafes such as Husk or Fleet Landing, or instead take a walk off the beaten path for neighborhood joints like Five Loaves, Hominy Grill and Fuel.

Be Sure to Sample: Many of Charleston's newest restaurants popping up in the Upper King Street neighborhood. Try a new restaurant each night of your visit!

Hot Tips: Hop on one of the Charleston Culinary Tours for a sneak peak at some of Charleston's best restaurants.

Places to Party

Sunset in Charleston means it's time to explore the night side of the city, getting to know our hometown through the friends you'll meet at the bar! Head in the direction of Market Street for a rowdy night out, or over to Easy Bay for an impressive wine selection at Social Wine Bar and handcrafted cocktails at The Gin Joint. For a younger, more locally-based crowd, venture up to Upper King Street for a visit to craft beer heaven at Closed For Business, tacos and beer at Juanita Greenberg's or ping pong madness at Hom.

Hot Tips: Closing time in Charleston is 2am, though several restaurants-turned-bars choose to close an hour earlier.

Avoid: Upper King or Market Streets after 9-10pm, if you're looking for a quiet dinner out.

Where to Shop

Charleston's shopping districts are centered in on King, Meeting and Broad Streets, all of which offer a wide variety of men's, women's and children's clothing stores, antique shops and souvenir stores. While in Charleston, why not keep it local when shopping the area? Chain and national brand stores are easy to avoid, as the city is stocked with one-of-a-kind local boutiques and artisan shops. Hit the Charleston Farmers Market or Charleston City Market on a weekend morning to explore uniquely Charleston gifts and goods. Try The Vault/Haute Hanger or Berlin's for boutique men's and women's items.

Best Local Souvenir: Anything handmade from the Charleston Farmers Market! Try before you buy at many food gift vendors.

Avoid: Bringing strollers or pets into the Charleston City Market at peak hours, as aisles are often quite crowded.

Caution: Parking is often tricky, with pricey garages and limited street metered spots. Leave the car behind when shopping in Charleston - everything's walkable!