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With its colourful buildings, vibrant foodie scene and sandy seashores, Charleston is likely one of the dose locations that has a little bit of every little thing and is ideal for an extended weekend. The metropolis additionally occurs to be only a two-hour flight from New York, so should you reside within the Big Apple like me, it’s a simple journey should you can’t get a lot day off work. 3 days in Charleston are sufficient to cowl one of the best issues to do there and eat at among the metropolis’s greatest eating places. Plus, the climate is way milder down within the south, with loads of heat sunny days!
If you’re planning to spend a weekend in Charleston, right here’s my steered Charleston itinerary:
Day 1: Historic Downtown, Waterfront & Rooftops
On day one I’d recommend getting acclimatized by strolling across the downtown space. Charleston is small and straightforward to discover on foot.
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
Start by strolling by way of Joe Riley Waterfront Park, which has two fountains and waterfront views. The park runs for about half a mile alongside the Cooper River and received the 2007 Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Rainbow Row
Once you’ve walked by way of the park, head to Rainbow Row, which is an iconic row of colourful Georgian-style homes that date from 1748 to 1845. This is the cutest spot in Charleston for Instagram photographs so don’t be stunned if you need to wait your flip to seize a photograph.
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
From there, take a stroll to Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, which was inbuilt 1771 as a industrial trade and customized home. This historic constructing has functioned as many issues during the last two and a half centuries, together with a industrial trade, customized home, submit workplace, metropolis corridor, army headquarters, and museum. Admission to the constructing features a guided exhibition of the highest two flooring of the constructing and a 25 minute guided tour of the cellar, often known as the Provost Dungeon.
Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids age 6-12. Children below 6 enter at no cost.
Old Slave Market Museum
If you curious about studying about Charleston’s darkish historical past of slavery, you possibly can go to the Old Slave Mart Museum close by, which is a constructing within the French Quarter the place slaves have been auctioned earlier than the Civil War. The self-guided tour is a sobering expertise and takes lower than an hour, the place you’ll learn informative posters about South Carolina’s slave historical past.
Charleston City Market
Afterwards make your option to Historic Charleston City Market – a big indoor market that spans 4 metropolis blocks and dates again to the 1790s. Here you’ll discover plenty of completely different distributors and stalls promoting artisanal merchandise.
The Dewberry
By this level you’ll most likely be feeling prefer it’s time to relaxation for some time, so I’d advocate visiting the rooftop at The Dewberry Charleston resort, known as Citrus Club. The gorgeous rooftop terrace is the very best in Charleston and provides unbelievable views over the town. Make certain to put on good informal apparel although, and word that collared shirts are required for males.
Dinner at Husk
For dinner, seize some Southern delicacies at one in all Charleston’s acclaimed eating places. There are so many nice choices, however Pearlz, Magnolias and Husk have been all beneficial to us by locals. We ate at Husk, which is housed in a Victorian-era house and serves regionally sourced Southern dishes with a contemporary twist. The meals was wonderful and so have been the cocktails!
Day 2: Beach and Sunset at Shem Creek
Folly Beach close to Charleston may be very common, though our Uber driver warned us in opposition to it simply because the visitors can get actually unhealthy on weekends. If there’s no visitors the journey ought to take 20 minutes however at peak occasions he informed us it may take over an hour to get there and again. Instead, I’d recommend going to Sullivan’s Island, which is a bit nearer to the town.
Sullivan’s Island
It’s nonetheless an awesome seashore and there are a number of nice eating places only a 5 minute stroll away. I’d undoubtedly advocate getting meals and drinks at Poe’s Tavern, which is known as in honor of the poet Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s is relaxed however enjoyable, serving burgers and American fare on its busy out of doors patio. The Bloody Mary cocktails listed here are nice and are principally a meal in a glass!
If you do determine to exit to Folly Beach, there are quite a few nice eating choices there, together with The Crab Shack, Lost Dog Cafe, Rita’s Seaside Grille and Jack of Cups Saloon.
Shem Creek
After absorbing some solar on the seashore, drive to Shem Creek and watch the solar go down at Tavern & Table. This waterfront restaurant has each indoor and out of doors bars with scenic views of historic Shem Creek. The menu options plenty of small plates which are perfect for sharing – my favourite of which was the Burnt End Mac & Cheese! From their mains I additionally actually liked their Ahi Tuna Bowl.
Day 3: Plantation Tour or Ghost Tour
On day 3 in Charleston you possibly can go to a plantation or do a ghost tour. There are a number of plantations within the space, together with Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, and Middleton Place. Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place are relatively shut to one another, so it will take advantage of sense to drive out and go to these two on the similar time.
Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall Plantation is the plantation the place Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds had their marriage ceremony. There was enormous controversy over them holding a marriage on a web site that saved slaves, which resulted in them apologizing to the press and public.
Middleton Place
Located about 15 miles northwest of Charleston, Middleton Place is house to the oldest landscaped gardens within the United States. Occupied by the Middleton household for a number of generations, the plantation spans 110 acres and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Through self-guided or guided excursions, you’ll be taught all concerning the Middleton Family in addition to the generations of slaves who lived, labored and died at Middleton Place. A tour known as “Beyond the Fields: Enslavement at Middleton Place” facilitates a dialog about slavery in American historical past. Admission to the plantation prices $26 for adults should you purchase your tickets on-line, or you should buy them on the gate for $29.
Magnolia Plantation
Founded by the Drayton Family in 1676, close by Magnolia Plantation additionally has very lovely gardens and was chosen by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one in all “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens”. In addition to the home and gardens, the plantation web site now incorporates a nature tram, zoo, cafe and present store. Boat excursions depart all through the day, taking guests on Magnolia’s previous flooded rice discipline alongside the Ashley River. Admission to the plantation prices $20 for adults, $10 for teenagers and kids below 5 are admitted at no cost.
Dinner Downtown
Once you’ve pushed again to the town it’s time to check out one other restaurant. With so many nice ones within the downtown space, you’re spoilt for alternative. We ate at an Italian restaurant known as Le Farfalle, the place we ordered the Octopus Carpaccio and the Whipped Ricotta.
However, I additionally had my eye on Chubby Fish, FIG, 167 Raw Oyster Bar and Fleet Landing. If I am going again to Charleston I’ll undoubtedly be making an attempt these out! Many eating places within the metropolis have been featured in well-known meals magazines and a number of other eating places in Charleston are winners of the James Beard Award, together with FIG, Husk and Rodney Scott’s BBQ.
Where to Stay on Your 3 Days in Charleston
Charleston has loads of good boutique lodges within the historic downtown space, though they are usually costlier and don’t have swimming pools. I’d advocate staying simply throughout the water in Mount Pleasant so you could have the choice of enjoyable by a pool if it will get too scorching.
Hotel Indigo – I stayed at Hotel Indigo in Mount Pleasant – a boutique resort with a palm tree lined pool. It’s solely a bridge away from Charleston, so it’s straightforward to get out and in of the town. Book your keep at Hotel Indigo right here.
Shem Creek Inn – Located in Shem Creek, this resort is correct subsequent to common eateries reminiscent of Tavern and Table and Red’s Ice House. The pool is correct on the water and lots of the rooms have views of the creek. I like that Shem Creek Inn provides particular packages to entice prospects together with issues like free koozies and a six pack of craft beer! Book your keep at Shem Creek Inn right here.
The Dewberry – If you’re searching for model and luxurious, The Dewberry is likely one of the greatest lodges in Charleston. The ethereal visitor rooms function hardwood flooring, leather-based wingback chairs, Irish linens and bogs wrapped in Danby Vermont marble. Plus you’re solely a brief elevator trip away from Charleston’s greatest rooftop bar, Citrus Club. Book your keep at The Dewberry right here.
Emeline – Located in Charleston’s historic district, Emeline is an elegant boutique resort that includes a wood-fired eatery, café and occasional store, courtyard and health heart. Rooms are tasteful, with considerate touches reminiscent of Amber Wood Red Flower tub facilities, customized embroidered linens, plush towels from Matouk and customized ceramic tub equipment designed by native artist Susan Gregory. Book your keep at Emeline right here.
Getting Around on Your 3 Days in Charleston
The greatest option to get round in your weekend Charleston is by renting a automotive however since we have been solely there for 3 days we opted to get round by Uber and Lyft.
Maybe we’re simply spoiled dwelling in New York however we discovered that there weren’t many automobiles in Charleston and we have been typically ready a very long time for a trip. We quickly learnt it’s greatest to trip with Lyft and pre-book a trip prematurely to make sure that a automotive comes while you want it.
If you intend to lease a automotive from the airport, Discover Cars or Rentals.com are good websites for locating low cost leases.
When to Visit Charleston
Charleston experiences gentle winters and scorching summers. Spring runs from March to June and is one of the best time to go to, when the flowers are in bloom and the climate is heat and sunny.
Summer is extra tropical, with thunderstorms occurring within the afternoon. Autumn can also be a pleasant time to go to, when Charleston experiences clear blue skies, sunshine and crisp, cooler evenings.
Winters are usually gentle however there’s nonetheless the possibility of the odd snow bathe in December and January.
A Final Word…
I hope you want this Charleston itinerary! 3 days in Charleston is the right period of time to see this lovely metropolis and in addition make it out to the seashore. It’s among the finest southern cities to go to and has some actually nice eating places, so should you’re a foodie you’ll undoubtedly take pleasure in a weekend right here. Charleston can also be a scholar metropolis with very low cost drinks and many bars, so should you’re visiting on a weekend you’ll discover loads of nightlife.