If you are looking for a spot to step back in time into southern roots, a Charleston weekend is the perfect place to getaway. This guide will give you all my best recommendations for the perfect 3-day itinerary!
This post is all about the perfect 3-day Charleston weekend getaway!
Day 1
Where to Stay
When it comes to deciding where to stay in Charleston, there are so many amazing boutique and chain options, as well as tons of Airbnb rental properties. For me, the most important part of the stay is location, location, location. And when it comes to location in Charleston, there are a few places that I find are the best to stay.
The French Quarter is a neighborhood in the heart of Historic Downton Charleston. Close to just about everything, it is the perfect place to begin your adventure surrounded by history. Hotels like Hotel Emeline, The French Quarter Inn or Mill House Charleston are some gorgeous options in the area.
The other location I highly recommend for your Charleston weekend is staying along King Street. King Street is the high street in Charleston and is home to tons of shops, restaurants and history. Staying in walking distance of the lower half of Kings will keep you near just about everything you’d like to explore.
Once you pick your lodgings and get settled in, it’s time to start your Charleston weekend getaway!
get the lay of the land
Anytime I arrive in a new city, the first thing I usually recommend is having a wander. Depending on what time you arrive in Charleston and how much time you have to explore, I would suggest beginning your walk around King Street.
As you make your way around the beautiful, colorful, historical street you will see countless shops, restaurants, and historical sights, like the American Theater. You may recognize it as the theatre from The Notebook.
Do some shopping
As you wander around the city, you’ll see tons of local and chain stores. There are tons of places to find the perfect souvenir, or just do some shopping. Pop into local shops like Record Stop or Blue Bicycle Books to add to your collections. Or check out some of your favorite chain stores like Urban Outfitters and Free People.
Time to eat
Once you’re done strolling around working up an appetite, it’s time to grab some food. For me, the best part of a Charleston weekend is the food. Charleston is known for it’s southern cuisine that features local produce and is often seafood focused. There are so many amazing options, but if you are near King Street, these are a few of my favorites:
The Ordinary: Southern Seafood restaurant
Darling Oyster Bar: Seafood restaurant
The Grocery: Mediterranean meets Southern Cuisine
Pink Bellies: Vietnamese American Cuisine
Day 2
Hit the Farmers Market
On Saturdays between 8am and 2pm in Marion Square there is the beautiful Charleston Farmer’s Market. Depending on the day you can find anything from fresh produce, honey, prepared foods and even handmade goods. It’s a great way to spend a morning wandering around for some goodies.
get some southern BBQ
Depending on who you ask, you might get several answers for the best BBQ in Charleston. But the truth is you probably can’t go too wrong if you hit up one of these delicious spots:
Hit the historic sites
Once you’ve gotten your fill of BBQ, it’s time to walk some of it off exploring more historic sites in Charleston. The French Quarter and Downtown area are teeming with historic sites. Just about everywhere you look, there is a building or monument or museum. But here are a few you don’t want to miss!
Rainbow Row is a series of colorful homes along the waterfront. Not only is this a gorgeous sight to see and a great place to take photos. It is also steeped in Charleston history. Check out the link to learn more about how this street became the iconic landmark that it is. Just down the way from Rainbow row is the Pineapple Fountain, another great spot to see the view and grab a picture.
One of the most historic spots in the city is the still functioning Charleston City Market. The city market has been operational since 1807 and is currently the most visited historical site in Charleston. And for good reason! The market is filled with local vendors selling their goods. This is the perfect place to grab a souvenir for yourself, your family, or just do some shopping.
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is another historical building close by that is now home to a museum. Learn about the rich history of the building and the town in this museum.
Watch the sunset at the battery
As the day draws to a close, head down to the tip of the Charleston peninsula. Here at The Battery and High Battery Park you will have a panoramic view of the coast. You will also be poised to watch the sun set over the water. It’s the perfect place to take some photos and selfies!
Grab some dinner
Once the sun goes down, it’s time to grab some dinner. Near the historic French Quarter there are countless dining institutions for you to try on your Charleston weekend.
Husk: Elevated Southern Cuisine
Magnolia’s: Upscale Southern Cuisine
Church & Union: Modern American Cuisine
High Cotton: Southern Cuisine
Day 3
Head out to the Beach
After a couple days of exploring around Charleston proper, I like to treat myself to a little relaxation. And there is no better place to unwind than on the beach. Just a few miles out of town is Sulivan’s Island. In this cute little oceanside village you can set up for a day on the beach. Grab your beach towels, umbrella and chairs and stay a while!
Get some Brunch or Lunch
If you want to take a break from your beach lounging for some food, head over to one of the local restaurants for a bite. My favorite spot for a good brunch or lunch on Sullivan’s Island is The Obstinate Daughter. Here you can get a delicious, eclectic meal with fresh ingredients. There is also a Home Team BBQ out there as well!
Time to say goodbye
Once you’ve soaked up all the rays, and all the history, and all of the delicious food, it’s time to say goodbye to Charleston. I hope this post gives you a great jumping off point for planning the best Charleston weekend!
Enjoy Charleston!!
This post was all about the best 3-day Charleston weekend!
If you’re looking for more travel tips and recommendations, check out the Travel section of the blog!
