Travel: Take a Trip to Charleston, South Carolina

Many claim that Nashville and Charleston share similarities. 

And, well, they would be right. But besides the obvious differences that Nashville is home to country music, honky-tonks, and hot chicken—and Charleston is a coastal town sitting on the Atlantic Ocean—the port city has its own unique charm that makes it stand apart from Music City. Dubbed the Holy City, Charleston is rich in history, candy-colored houses, horse-drawn carriages, and insanely delicious Lowcountry cuisine. 

Plus, it’s pedestrian-friendly. So bring a good pair of sneakers, check out our guide below, and hit the streets of Nashville’s sister city.   

How to Get There:

Southwest offers a quick, one-hour and thirty-minute flight—wheels up to wheels down—from Nashville to Charleston. (Check out our guide to BNA here while you wait to board your flight!). Or, if you prefer to drive in the comfort of your own car and skip the airport all together, the drive time is about nine-hours, sans bathroom and snack breaks.  

Where to Stay:

Emeline 

If you’re looking for a place to lay your head in the heart of historic Downtown Charleston, boutique hotel, Emeline, is a sure bet. The lobby is cozy and welcoming, yet luxurious (just like the rooms!), but best of all, step inside and be greeted with a cocktail upon checking in. Sister property to Nashville’s Noelle, Emeline’s rooms are well-appointed and comfortable, and no details go left unnoticed. The hotel provides guests with thoughtful amenities including an in-room mini fridge, an umbrella for rainy days, a steamer, makeup towel, and coolest of all, a package of bite-sized cookies and mini glass bottles of Coca-Cola in each room. Clerks (the on-site coffee shop), and Frannie & the Fox (the hotel’s wood-fired eatery), have food and beverage options covered from breakfast and dinner to a nightcap and everything else in between. Plus, the hotel has a lobby-level shop where guests can browse a curated selection of hand-crafted and unique local goods and a gym where you can get your sweat on.

Hank’s Loft

Adjacent to Emeline, Hank’s Loft is a stunning three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom accommodation that is perfect for larger groups. The bright and airy private apartment features an open floor plan and vaulted ceilings with lots of space for lounging. Amenities include luxe terry robes, access to fitness studios at some of Charleston’s workout facilities, pool access to the The Ryder Hotel, a chef-inspired kitchen, laundry room, a billiard room, and more. 

The Ryder Hotel  

Embrace your fun-loving, free-spirited side at this Downtown Charleston boutique hotel. The interior is modern and laid-back, and the bright and airy rooms offer up beachy bohemian vibes… a little bit of California mixed with Charleston, if you will. Bonus in-room amenities include all things wellness like a Peloton bike rental. If you prefer to soak in the sun or just cool off after an intense ride, lounge by or take a dip in the hotel’s pool at Little Palm. 

Places to Eat/Drink:

Charleston is a food mecca full of delicious seafood and Lowcountry cuisine around every corner. From oysters to shrimp and grits, to biscuits and hand pies and everything else in between, one thing is for certain—you won’t leave Charleston hungry.      

Bodega 

This fun and casual breakfast and lunch spot features a menu full of old school staples. Choose from a variety of sammies, bowls, and salads, and pair your meal with a Strawberry Matcha made with green tea matcha, vanilla syrup, strawberry cold foam, and milk. Menu standouts include the Bodega Classic, aka a breakfast sandwich on a warm kaiser roll, and the large format cocktails meant for groups. 

Fleet Landing 

Housed in a 1940’s retired naval building on the east side of the Charleston peninsula, Fleet Landing offers up seafood fare and unobstructed views of the Charleston Harbor. Have your pick of the sea with raw bar selections, a seafood tower, or the restaurant’s signature hush puppies.  

Citrus Club

Known for its steepled skyline and incredible views, The Citrus Club sits atop The Dewberry and is the highest rooftop in Charleston. The eighth floor terrace is a lush, green oasis that serves up citrus-inspired cocktails and fresh light bites. Order the Tropical Itch, made with Four Rose’s Bourbon, overproof rum, passion fruit, and dry Curacao. Plus, it comes with a wooden back scratcher! Seating is first come, first served. 

The Quinte

A spirited oyster bar and sister joint to Lowland, The Quinte is the spot to be for pre- or post-dinner oysters and cocktails. Daily oysters from up and down the Eastern Seaboard are available for $4 each. There’s broiled oysters, too, and other seafood fare, plus crushable beers and hard-to-find Champagnes. No matter where your palate takes you, end your session at The Quinte with vanilla soft-serve topped with either aged balsamic and extra virgin olive oil or brown butter and pecans. 

Lowland 

From James Beard Award winning chef, Jason Stanhope, Lowland is a southern tavern that serves timeless classics and upscale comfort food. Housed in the historic Lequeux-Williams home, the restaurant is moody and refined with a parlor room, a cozy tavern in the former carriage house, and an upstairs dining room which showcases a gorgeous hand-painted Spanish-moss inspired mural. The menu is approachable with playful takes on nostalgic dishes including chicken skewers, tartare, and more.  

Vern’s

This cozy spot is tucked away on a neighborhood corner and is open for dinner every Thursday though Monday. While the small but mighty menu changes often, you can expect delicious bites from start to finish. Begin with the charred sourdough and escargot followed by a hearty entree. Sip a glass of vino from the wine list, which highlights a mix of producers who follow a low-intervention approach to farming and winemaking.  

Uptown Social 

Get your groove on on upper King Street. Pull up a bar stool to catch your favorite team on the big screen or hit the town with your friends for an epic night out. Brews, cocktails, seltzers, and mocktails, there’s a variety of drink options for every tastebud. 

Husk 

Well-known and loved for good reason, this Charleston staple is at the forefront of the Holy City’s culinary scene. Similar to the restaurant’s Nashville location, Husk is located in an old home with a welcoming front porch. The menu consists of southern cuisine but with a modern approach. While the menu changes to showcase seasonal ingredients sourced from local purveyors, current favorites include the signature cheeseburger, Broadbent country ham plate, and the apple hand pie. 

The Darling Oyster Bar 

The Darling Oyster Bar is their name and oysters are their game. Housed in a restored 115-year-old storefront, The Darling’s decor is a nod to nautical couture with a fourteen-seat raw bar overlooking King Street. Seafood towers are a go-to, but the baked oysters are a must. 

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant 

Another longtime Charleston staple, Hank’s is an upscale seafood spot with a moody and dark wood interior. There’s a raw bar, fried seafood platters, and classics including Seared Rare Tuna, Bouillabaisse, and Grilled Swordfish. End your meal with a slice of southern pecan pie for dessert. 

Church & Union

Located on Market Street, Church & Union features modern-American fare in a historic atmosphere. The converted space was once a church and now features The Art of War on the ceiling (just like the Nashville location), plus gorgeous stained glass windows. Order a cocktail from the stately bar, paired with a bite to eat… and we would be remiss if we didn’t recommend ordering the F***** O**** Agnolotti.

Frannie & the Fox

Emeline’s dining concept, Frannie & the Fox, is a wood-fired eatery with Italian influence. The interior space located just off the hotel lobby is a comfortable spot to kick back with a glass of red and a wood-fired pizza. You can also hang out by the outdoor fireplace on the patio or grab a stool at the peek-through bar window. If breakfast or brunch is more your speed, there’s plenty of shareable dishes to go around.    

Millers All Day

Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Miller’s makes it all day. This breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot is centrally-located and serves up classic breakfast bites and also unique offerings like banana bread with chocolate-hazelnut cream cheese, a doughnut flight, mushroom toast, and more. 

Leon’s Oyster Shop

This fan favorite spot between locals and visitors alike does fried chicken, oysters, and soft serve ice cream all in an old garage… and they do it well. While anything on the menu would be delicious, the world famous Char-Grilled Oysters topped with parsley, butter, and parmesan paired with a signature frozen gin and tonic is the obvious choice. 

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ

Get your barbecue fix at this famous South Carolina barbecue hot spot. Try a little bit of everything when you order the three meat combo (we suggest the whole hog, ribs, and cheddarwurst sausage), with a variety of equally delicious sides. The pork skin nachos and burnt ends on a stick are also must-orders, but really, everything on the menu will leave you feeling full and satisfied.  

Bar 167 

A Mediterranean looking bistro and cocktail bar located just off King Street, Bar 167 serves up bites of seafood (get the Caviar Cone!) and killer cocktails in a Greek-inspired atmosphere. The interior space is bright and airy, plus there’s an upper level patio where you can sit back and relax while slurping briny bivalves.  

Harken Cafe & Bakery

A cozy little nook on Queen Street, Harken is a downtown hideaway with European flair. While the line might be out the door, it’s for good reason. Harken’s menu showcases breakfast and lunch bites including scrumptious salads, seasonal treats, and their signature spin on the southern biscuit, plus pastries and a variety of coffee and tea. 

The Griffon 

Step inside this English-inspired pub for fish and chips, burgers, and a plethora of craft beer. Before leaving the establishment, leave your mark and sign a dollar bill to add it to the walls along with the hundred of thousands of other bills.  

Sorelle 

Southern Italy meets southern hospitality at Sorelle. Inspired by Italy’s all-day cafes, markets, and culinary traditions, Sorelle features a mercato, central bar, wine room, and a grand dining room. Make a brunch or dinner reservation or just grab a bite to-go from the marketplace.  

Chubby Fish

A bucket list restaurant, Chubby Fish is one of Charleston’s most sought after spots. While the neighborhood corner jaunt doesn’t take reservations, it’s well worth it to grab a place in line. Known for their Lowcountry seafood options that are fresh from dock-to-table, Chubby Fish is a must-visit when in the city.      

Melfi’s

Melfi’s is a grown-up, classic Italian restaurant, that features a menu full of fresh pasta, salads, larger plates, and Roman-ish thin crust pizza. Pull up a stool to the intimate pizza counter and watch the action of the two wood burning ovens. Or, cozy on up to the leather booth for a night of good conversation and even better eats. 

Things to Do:

Besides shopping on King Street or learning about the city’s fascinating history, the best thing to do when visiting Charleston is to get lost in the streets of the French Quarter and South of Broad. Stroll down Queen Street or past the candy colored houses of the famed Rainbow Row, or make your way down to The Battery and soak in the charm of the stately homes and ancient oak tree lined streets.     

Shop on King Street 

Shop until you drop at a blend of local, national, and luxury shops. Start on lower King Street and browse the boutiques selling clothing, bags, home decor, and more. Then work your way North to upper King Street for some more shopping and refuel with a bite and bev. 

Walk Around Town/See The Pineapple Fountain 

Every corner you turn in the French Quarter and South of Broad you will be greeted with stunning architecture and pastel colored homes. Some of the best streets and alleys to stroll include Church Street, Tradd Street, Prices Alley, Lawson Street, Legare Street, and Philadelphia Alley, just to name a few. Of course, the iconic Rainbow Row houses line East Bay Street, which is just a short walk from Waterfront Park and the heavily photographed Pineapple Fountain. 

Take a Tour

From history tours to food tours and ghost tours, too, Bulldog Tours is the go-to company to learn about all things Charleston. Savor the flavors of the city on a guided food tour, where you will learn about the city’s culinary history while having food tastings at each stop. If you want to stroll the streets of Charleston’s most beautiful neighborhoods but are looking for some background information on what you’re looking at, a history tour is your best bet. And if you’re not scared of things that go bump in the night, then a ghost tour with Bulldog Tours is for you. Not for the faint of heart, join their team on the Haunted Jail Tour and get an inside view of the ground level of the Old City Jail which once housed some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals, nineteenth-century pirates, and Civil War prisoners.   

Sail Away 

See Charleston from the water with Charleston Sailing Adventures! Grab a seat on the Catamaran, learn about Charleston Harbor including sites like the historic landmark of Fort Sumter, and watch the sun dip below the horizon on the hour and forty-five minutes long public sail. The sunset sail is BYOB, too!   

Lounge at Little Palm 

Located at The Ryder Hotel, Little Palm is a breezy poolside hang that offers vibrant cocktails and seasonal dishes. Take a seat inside, at the island-inspired bar, or in the open-air courtyard and sit back and relax. Really though, the star of the show is Little Palm’s retro California-inspired pool, where you can take a dip and lounge in style right in Downtown Charleston.  

Serving Charleston since 1686, The Tavern is the oldest liquor store in the country. Located at 120 East Bay Street, stop in the store after visiting Rainbow Row to pick up a bottle of your favorite red or white to enjoy at a later time.  

Hop Aboard a Charleston Carriage Tour 

Explore Charleston and its history on an hour-long carriage ride with Old South Carriage Company. When not on a ride, the Belgian and Percheron horses live at Sugah Cain, an idyllic sixty-five-acre farm on John’s Island. The company also offers haunted carriage tours where you’ll pass by haunted alleys, graveyards, churches, and the famous Provost Dungeon and Old Exchange. 

Oyster Farm Tour

Join Lowcountry Oyster Company and see what it looks like to grow and ship oysters from their farm and factory right outside of Charleston. To offer fresh oysters year-round, Lowcountry Oyster Company uses sustainable cage farming techniques. The oysters grow up to be single selects known as Lowcountry Cups, an oyster unique to LowCo. By land and by boat, you will get to see, smell, touch, and taste the oysters.

Spend a Day on Sullivan’s Island/Shem Creek/Mount Pleasant:

—Do This—

Sullivan’s Island Beach 

Kick back and relax seaside at this laidback, local beach. Just a short drive from Downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island Beach is great for long walks or a dip in the sea. Before hitting the sand, stop by Sealand Adventure Sports to rent an umbrella and beach chair. 

Shem Creek Boardwalk

When you think of Lowcountry, Shem Creek Boardwalk is it. A total of 2,200-feet-long, the boardwalk offers panoramic views of the marsh and Charleston Harbor, all the way from Fort Sumter to Castle Pinckney. Stop by one of the restaurants next to the boardwalk for an après-seafood stroll along the marsh.

—Eat Here—

Sullivan’s Fish Camp

A mainstay on the island, Sullivan’s Fish Camp is decked out in nostalgic fish camp decor. The booths are cozy and the bar is stately with dark wood and Americana vibes.They serve up local seafood like shrimp from Shem Creek, plus other quality sea fare, like smoked fish dip, fish and chips, and more. For the land lovers, the homemade Parker Rolls followed by the hush puppies are the way to start your meal.  

Post House Inn

A coastal tavern and inn located in Mount Pleasant’s Old Village, Post House Inn is the perfect spot for a date night for both Charlestonians and travelers alike. The inn houses seven cozy hotel rooms and offers a charming respite after a long day of soaking in Charleston’s salty ocean air. The downstairs tavern is the star of the show though, and is a snug and dimly lit space that not only has really great vibes, but really delicious food, too. If nothing else, you must order the Backbar Cheeseburger off the menu. It’s just that good!      

Shem Creek Crab House

Located on Shem Creek, this restaurant is a great spot for dolphin watching, rum heavy cocktails, and seafood bites. When visiting a crab house it’s only right to order crab off the menu, so try the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms or the Alaskan Snow Crab Steampot. 

Republic Ice Cream 

Cool off with a cup or cone at Republic Ice Cream. Eat your ice cream on the front porch or take it to-go down to Sullivan’s Island Beach. Favorite flavors include Old Fashioned Strawberry, Southern Butter Pecan, and Homestyle Cookies and Cream. Salt water and ice cream? It really doesn’t get much sweeter than that!   

The Obstinate Daughter

A well-known Sullivan’s Island spot, The Obstinate Daughter is a southern restaurant that is influenced by French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine. Though the menu changes seasonally, you will find that a raw bar, pasta, and small plates are the focus of the menu here. The restaurant also has a wood fired oven, so a pizza menu is available daily from 3 to 4 p.m. as the kitchen transitions from day to night service.

Soak in the Sun at Folly Beach: 

—Do This—

Folly Beach and Pier 

There’s nothing like a great beach day, and Folly Beach is the perfect place to do just that. With a coastline that stretches for miles, Folly Beach is where you can soak up the sun, hit the waves, and frolic along the pier. Watch the surfers ride the waves or see fisherman reel in their catch.

—Eat Here—

Pier 101 

Do you like piña coladas? Because they have ’em! This indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar located on the pier serves up fruity island cocktails in a laidback and nautical-themed setting. Sip a Rum Runner or frozen delight paired with a basket of hush puppies and fried flounder. Tip: you can take you drink to-go for a walk down the pier.  

BLU Beach Bar and Grille

Located in Tides Folly Beach Hotel, BLU is Folly’s only beachfront hangout. Grab a seat on the patio to listen to live music, sip signature cocktails like a Mai Tai, Charleston Tea, or Sea Salt Margarita, and catch a glimpse of the pier and endless ocean views. Spending the day on the sand? Take a break and access the restaurant and bar directly from the beach. 

The Pineapple Hut 

Before hitting the beach, swing by The Pineapple Hut’s trailer for a Walt Disney World-inspired Dole Whip. The tropical, dairy-free soft-serve ice cream is equally refreshing as it is delicious. The Pineapple Whip is 100 percent vegan, fat- gluten- and cholesterol-free.   

Ritas Seaside Grille

Owned by the Hall Family (the same family as Hall’s Chophouse in Nashville!), Rita’s is a family-friendly eatery with approachable American cuisine, house-smoked BBQ, and a colorful, beach bar atmosphere. The restaurant even caters to furry friends with a puppy menu where bites are served on a Rita’s frisbee that guests and their pup can keep!