Things to do in Charleston, SC?

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

My wife and I are thinking about taking a long weekend trip to Charleston, SC in the fall (late October, without the kids). We have friends in the area that have given us great feedback, but I wanted to check here for other opinions.

So far, we have that we need to stay downtown (preferably at the Vendue Inn), we need to go to Folly Beach (assuming the weather is nice) and Upper King Street for nightlife.

What else?

Thanks in advance!

sooperkool · Jul 12, 2018

Go to Boone Hall plantation

Bronx-Man · Jul 12, 2018

Historic District is awesome to visit at night. Lots of little shops and farmers markets and artists all around. Great bars there too, Pearlz has nice seafood.

Dr. Zoidberg · Jul 12, 2018

Are you interested in history and historical landmarks? The area has a lot of them if you are.

David Incorporated Esq. · Jul 12, 2018

The slave tour at Magnolia Plantation is pretty good, they still have original slave homes there and get into the history of the owners and slaves. It's really interesting.

Other than what you said, maybe Edmund's Oast Brewing on a nice afternoon, it's pretty there and they have music a lot. Their wings are killer, too.

dpanim · Jul 12, 2018

Go on a cruise.

phaeta · Jul 12, 2018

Multiple friends recommend the restaurant Husk.

VonGreckler · Jul 12, 2018

Came in to say Folly Beach, saw it was already in the OP.

Check out the Historic City Market
Eat a meal at Magnolia's

My wife and I leave for our trip to Charleston on Saturday. I'm so excited

NealMcCauley · Jul 12, 2018

I'd recommend Kiawah's Beachwalker Park, but since you're going to Folly I guess you don't want to visit two beaches. Also it's a bit of a drive from downtown.

Advance_Alarm · Jul 12, 2018

Go on the destroyer and aircraft carrier just across the bridge (patriots point). Eat at bojangles.

BrucCLea13k87 · Jul 12, 2018

Try out Sullivan's Island if you can.

OldSocksAndShoes · Jul 12, 2018

Go to Husk restaurant for lunch and get the cheeseburger. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten and it was just named the #4 burger in the US.

The Charleston Aquarium is fantastic.

Go on a walking tour or carriage tour. All of our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and the tours covered a lot of history you wouldn't hear about otherwise.

EDIT: One last thing: grab a few beers at The Griffon pub. It's one of the oldest pubs in America and the owner is hilarious.

Travo · Jul 12, 2018

The aquarium, Hunley exhibit, horse and carriage tour.

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

Thank you all for the responses so far!!

Bronx-Man said:
Historic District is awesome to visit at night. Lots of little shops and farmers markets and artists all around. Great bars there too, Pearlz has nice seafood.

Historic district over upper King St.?

Dr. Zoidberg said:
Are you interested in history and historical landmarks? The area has a lot of them if you are.

We are, but since we'd be going for 3-4 days, I'd say we'd limit it to one or two really cool landmarks. What would you recommend?

VonGreckler said:
Came in to say Folly Beach, saw it was already in the OP.

Check out the Historic City Market
Eat a meal at Magnolia's

My wife and I leave for our trip to Charleston on Saturday. I'm so excited

Sweet! Have fun! Would you mind posting thoughts / recommendations after you return?

OldSocksAndShoes said:
Go to Husk restaurant for lunch and get the cheeseburger. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten and it was just named the #4 burger in the US.

The Charleston Aquarium is fantastic.

Go on a walking tour or carriage tour. All of our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and the tours covered a lot of history you wouldn't hear about otherwise.

I love burgers so Husk sounds like a no brainer!

Deleted member 2145 · Jul 12, 2018

eat and drink

there's a nice farmer's market in marion square saturday morning with art, prepared food vendors, and actual produce
there are some cool scenic places to kayak if that's your thing
I'd go with sullivan's over folly tbh
you definitely don't need to stay downtown though the vendue inn is nice as hell so if that's an affordable option for you then by all means
lots of live jazz around town, pretty sure there's always something at the Charleston Grill. lot of great local players.
if you want to get off the peninsula for a meal Early Bird Diner has the best chicken and waffles you'll ever eat and also the Glass Onion is fantastic for seasonal farm to table type stuff and seafood
hipsters drink above crosstown, college kids drink on upper king, and tourists drink on market st. though there are some good drinking spots down east bay off market
there's usually free music at the Pour House on the deck in the afternoon
and hit up dellz deli, they're awesome

I miss charleston

OldSocksAndShoes · Jul 12, 2018

Bumrush said:
I love burgers so Husk sounds like a no brainer!

Make sure to grab a reservation, it's usually packed.

Enjoy your trip, it's easily one of the best cities in the southern US. I love that place.

Bronx-Man · Jul 12, 2018

Bumrush said:
Historic district over upper King St.?

That's the one

bossmonkey · Jul 12, 2018

Don't go to folly unless you're staying there. Parking is a pain and the beaches are packed. You're better off at Sullivan's or isle of palms. If you're looking for local bbq go to Rodney Scott's. Lewis is good but expensive and not local, Hometeam is good but not as good. You can't really go wrong with any of the restaurants downtown but if you want excellent seafood go to either roadside seafood on fully road or most anywhere on shem creek in mount pleasant

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

phanphare said:
eat and drink

there's a nice farmer's market in marion square saturday morning with art, prepared food vendors, and actual produce
there are some cool scenic places to kayak if that's your thing
I'd go with sullivan's over folly tbh
you definitely don't need to stay downtown though the vendue inn is nice as hell so if that's an affordable option for you then by all means
lots of live jazz around town, pretty sure there's always something at the Charleston Grill. lot of great local players.
if you want to get off the peninsula for a meal Early Bird Diner has the best chicken and waffles you'll ever eat and also the Glass Onion is fantastic for seasonal farm to table type stuff and seafood
hipsters drink above crosstown, college kids drink on upper king, and tourists drink on market st. though there are some good drinking spots down east bay off market
there's usually free music at the Pour House on the deck in the afternoon
and hit up dellz deli, they're awesome

I miss charleston

Fantastic post and very helpful...thank you! We don't get a chance to travel without the kids much so when we do I'd rather stay at a nice memorable place. Vendue looks incredible and it's right up my wife's alley.

OldSocksAndShoes said:
Make sure to grab a reservation, it's usually packed.

Enjoy your trip, it's easily one of the best cities in the southern US. I love that place.

Ok, will do re: Tusk (thanks...I wouldn't have thought to do that for lunch)

Bronx-Man said:
That's the one

oh, ok. cool!

bossmonkey said:
Don't go to folly unless you're staying there. Parking is a pain and the beaches are packed. You're better off at Sullivan's or isle of palms. If you're looking for local bbq go to Rodney Scott's. Lewis is good but expensive and not local, Hometeam is good but not as good. You can't really go wrong with any of the restaurants downtown but if you want excellent seafood go to either roadside seafood on fully road or most anywhere on shem creek in mount pleasant

Is Sullivan's closer to where I'd be staying than Folly?

VonGreckler · Jul 12, 2018

Bumrush said:
Sweet! Have fun! Would you mind posting thoughts / recommendations after you return?

For sure! If I remember that is haha.
We're staying on Folly so most of my time will be beach time, but definitely will post some downtown impressions for you as well. PM me after July 23rd if I forget.

bossmonkey · Jul 12, 2018

Bumrush said:
Fantastic post and very helpful...thank you! We don't get a chance to travel without the kids much so when we do I'd rather stay at a nice memorable place. Vendue looks incredible and it's right up my wife's alley.

Ok, will do re: Tusk (thanks...I wouldn't have thought to do that for lunch)

oh, ok. cool!

Is Sullivan's closer to where I'd be staying than Folly?

They're about equidistant I think but folly is more touristy so parking is always a pain in the busy season. Maybe not as much in October. I used to live closer too folly than to Sullivan's but I still went to Sullivan's.

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

VonGreckler said:
For sure! If I remember that is haha.
We're staying on Folly so most of my time will be beach time, but definitely will post some downtown impressions for you as well. PM me after July 23rd if I forget.

lol, will do. Have fun!

bossmonkey said:
They're about equidistant I think but folly is more touristy so parking is always a pain in the busy season. Maybe not as much in October. I used to live closer too folly than to Sullivan's but I still went to Sullivan's.

Ok thanks, I'll look into both!

Sirpopopop · Jul 12, 2018

Charleston is one of the bedrocks of the revival of the Southern cooking tradition (starting with Husk, expanding out to dozens of other restaurants since there). The one thing you need to do while out there is go out and eat food at the many fine restaurants in the area. I'd start listing names, but the list is rather exhaustive at this point so I'd do some serious research in this regard. Find a restaurant that speaks to you. Also: reservations aren't going to be easy to come by for a lot of these places. I'd start booking them soon.

Nerdyone · Jul 12, 2018

Prepare to sweat your ass off. I'd just hit the beach. Downtown Charleston is kinda boring

Christian · Jul 12, 2018

EAT OH MY GOD EAT.

The food is really great, and there are so many places, cheap places and chains unique to the South and high-end restaurants, worth going to.

I would also recommend taking the boat to Fort Sumter, but turn off the tour guide narration because you definitely get more than your fair share of Southern State bias in the nobility of what was going on during the Civil War.

inner-G · Jul 12, 2018

Do one of the historic tours of Rainbow Row (horse drawn carriage optional)

Isle of Palms is dope

Check out the market

If you like history, the Old Battery is interesting and they do boat tours

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

Sirpopopop said:
Charleston is one of the bedrocks of the revival of the Southern cooking tradition (starting with Husk, expanding out to dozens of other restaurants since there). The one thing you need to do while out there is go out and eat food at the many fine restaurants in the area. I'd start listing names, but the list is rather exhaustive at this point so I'd do some serious research in this regard. Find a restaurant that speaks to you. Also: reservations aren't going to be easy to come by for a lot of these places. I'd start booking them soon.

Definitely going to try for Husk without a doubt. Any specific recommendation for seafood with a southern slant?

Sirpopopop · Jul 12, 2018

Bumrush said:
Definitely going to try for Husk without a doubt. Any specific recommendation for seafood with a southern slant?

I can tell you what to avoid:

Hyman's is a tourist trap.

Bumrush · Jul 12, 2018

Sirpopopop said:
I can tell you what to avoid:

Hyman's is a tourist trap.

Ok, thank you! I'll avoid it.

DorkLord54 · Jul 12, 2018

There's also Ft. Sumter, if you're a history buff. Not much left of it, but it's still where the Civil War started, so it's still of historical value.

bossmonkey · Jul 12, 2018

Sirpopopop said:
I can tell you what to avoid:

Hyman's is a tourist trap.

Yes yes yes yes yes! I was downtown last weekend and we were tempted to poke our heads out of the car window just to tell the people waiting on Hymans that they were making a mistake.

StraySheep · Jul 26, 2018

I get to go back next week after spending the first 22 years of my life there then moving to Europe. I have missed it a good deal!

I'd say Sullivan's Island and Poes Tavern instead of Folly. But you're going to have to hunt for parking whichever beach you choose.

Will the Riverdogs be playing then? I never went much because I hate baseball but that's a potential way to spend an evening.

Also if you don't have one go to Chick Fil A. I'm going to go at least 3 times next week lol.

Be sure to walk the bridge!

Tarkus · Jul 28, 2018

Best burger place? Here for 2 more days.

StraySheep · Jul 30, 2018

Tarkus said:
Best burger place? Here for 2 more days.

Poes on Sullivan's.

Downtown it's allegedly Husk but I haven't had the opportunity to try it yet.

Bumrush · Aug 1, 2018

VonGreckler said:
For sure! If I remember that is haha.
We're staying on Folly so most of my time will be beach time, but definitely will post some downtown impressions for you as well. PM me after July 23rd if I forget.

Hey, I am looking to book some stuff and was wondering how your trip was?

nick shaw · Aug 1, 2018

go see an improv show at Theatre 99 on meeting st

TheGreatDirector · Aug 1, 2018

Get some goddamn good seafood.

VonGreckler · Aug 1, 2018

Bumrush said:
Hey, I am looking to book some stuff and was wondering how your trip was?

Haha it was raining most of the time.
We got to spend probably one day downtown doing stuff, the rest was just hanging out at Folly Beach.

Folly Beach has a lot of good stuff. The Pier has a restaurant and bar on it that was quite good, as well as a little gift shop with an ice cream shop inside.
Taco Boy on Center Street in Folly is real good too.

Downtown we went and walked around the historic city market, did one of the carriage tours. Old South was the carriage tour company we used but they all seemed pretty similar.
We ate lunch at Charleston Crab House, was real good (try the She Crab Soup) and had dinner at Magnolia's.

Other places around Charleston we went and enjoyed were the Charleston Tea Plantation (only if you like Tea) and the Citadel.

Azwethinkweiz · Aug 1, 2018

Get a burger at Poe's

Get seafood at Hank's

Get a steak at Hall's

You can enjoy the other stuff however you please.

bionic77 · Aug 1, 2018

This is our last day at Hilton Head Island, which is a little far from Charleston and this place is pretty amazing.

Gorgeous beaches. You can bike everywhere and unlike most beach towns it seems to have an abundance of shopping and restaurants.

Bumrush · Aug 1, 2018

VonGreckler said:
Haha it was raining most of the time.
We got to spend probably one day downtown doing stuff, the rest was just hanging out at Folly Beach.

Folly Beach has a lot of good stuff. The Pier has a restaurant and bar on it that was quite good, as well as a little gift shop with an ice cream shop inside.
Taco Boy on Center Street in Folly is real good too.

Downtown we went and walked around the historic city market, did one of the carriage tours. Old South was the carriage tour company we used but they all seemed pretty similar.
We ate lunch at Charleston Crab House, was real good (try the She Crab Soup) and had dinner at Magnolia's.

Other places around Charleston we went and enjoyed were the Charleston Tea Plantation (only if you like Tea) and the Citadel.

Thank you for the update!

inner-G · Aug 1, 2018

VonGreckler said:
Haha it was raining most of the time.
We got to spend probably one day downtown doing stuff, the rest was just hanging out at Folly Beach.

Folly Beach has a lot of good stuff. The Pier has a restaurant and bar on it that was quite good, as well as a little gift shop with an ice cream shop inside.
Taco Boy on Center Street in Folly is real good too.

Downtown we went and walked around the historic city market, did one of the carriage tours. Old South was the carriage tour company we used but they all seemed pretty similar.
We ate lunch at Charleston Crab House, was real good (try the She Crab Soup) and had dinner at Magnolia's.

Other places around Charleston we went and enjoyed were the Charleston Tea Plantation (only if you like Tea) and the Citadel.

Sounds like you had a pretty good time!

Doc Kelso · Aug 1, 2018

Going in October means you'll be running into a lot of college kids in the downtown area. The College of Charleston is smack dab in the center of downtown so there's no avoiding it. The flea market on Meeting Street is always interesting on weekends. Make sure you hit up some of the candy shops around there for some killer handmade fudge/pralines.

If you're down for something cheesy, definitely check out a ghost tour. I also recommend getting out to Fort Sumter if you're interested in history. If you're going into Mount Pleasant (the side of the bridge with Patriot's Point) get ready for traffic.

Otherwise, people have made great food suggestions! I lived in the area for 15 years and went to college there. It's extremely hard to have a boring night in Charleston. When in doubt, just go wandering around downtown, you'll find something. Have fun and enjoy the fall weather!

GDGF · Aug 1, 2018

bionic77 said:
This is our last day at Hilton Head Island, which is a little far from Charleston and this place is pretty amazing.

Gorgeous beaches. You can bike everywhere and unlike most beach towns it seems to have an abundance of shopping and restaurants.

You're like 20 miles away from Savannah. Check it out if the weather isn't too bad!

bionic77 · Aug 1, 2018

GDGF said:
You're like 20 miles away from Savannah. Check it out if the weather isn't too bad!

We plan to do that tomorrow. Our flight is in the evening and we planned on getting lunch and spending some time there.

GDGF · Aug 1, 2018

bionic77 said:
We plan to do that tomorrow. Our flight is in the evening and we planned on getting lunch and spending some time there.

Awesome! Stick to downtown and you will have a blast.

VonGreckler · Aug 1, 2018

Bumrush said:
Thank you for the update!

Yeah no problem. I knew I'd forget!

inner-G said:
Sounds like you had a pretty good time!

We had a blast. Even though it rained a lot, it was that rain that downpours for 30 mins and then is sunny for an hour. Then switches back and forth. We kept running to the beach when it was nice enough.
The only day that was real bad we had sustained thunderstorms and lighting struck the only power line coming onto Folly and blocked access on and off the island as well as no power all night.

Bumrush · Aug 9, 2018

So I booked Husk (lunch), Halls Chophouse and O-Ku so far. Thoughts?

Sirpopopop · Aug 9, 2018

That's a good lineup.

Bumrush · Aug 9, 2018

Sirpopopop said:
That's a good lineup.

Cool, thank you. It's lacking seafood...any recos?

Things to do in Charleston, SC?

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