Guidebook for Charleston
Food Scene
It's a great farm-to-table option. One of Charleston's favorites for more than a decade. Classy. Impeccable service. One time we saw the mayor there. My favorite dish is the roasted Carolina quail.
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Slightly North of Broad Restaurant
192 E Bay StIt's a great farm-to-table option. One of Charleston's favorites for more than a decade. Classy. Impeccable service. One time we saw the mayor there. My favorite dish is the roasted Carolina quail.
Some of the best food we've had in Charleston. You always need a reservation, but they do have a communal table. You wait in the bar until seats open up there and you join others already seated there.
177 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
FIG
232 Meeting StSome of the best food we've had in Charleston. You always need a reservation, but they do have a communal table. You wait in the bar until seats open up there and you join others already seated there.
Your best bet for oysters in Charleston. There's usually a line outside the door, but it moves fairly quickly and you can have a glass of wine while you wait. Primarily seafood menu, and as fresh as you'll get. One day I witnessed a fisherman drop in and sell part of his catch to the manager.
154 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
167 Raw
193 King StYour best bet for oysters in Charleston. There's usually a line outside the door, but it moves fairly quickly and you can have a glass of wine while you wait. Primarily seafood menu, and as fresh as you'll get. One day I witnessed a fisherman drop in and sell part of his catch to the manager.
This location of Pearlz is here in West Ashley, only about 10 minutes from our house. It's as good as the famous one downtown, and even has a patio for outdoor dining.
129 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pearlz Oyster Bar
9 Magnolia RdThis location of Pearlz is here in West Ashley, only about 10 minutes from our house. It's as good as the famous one downtown, and even has a patio for outdoor dining.
Funky and wonderful. Features oysters and fried chicken, killer scalloped potatoes and surprising brussels sprouts. Great patio for people watching when it's not too hot or too cold. Also a fun bar.
230 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Leon's
698 King StFunky and wonderful. Features oysters and fried chicken, killer scalloped potatoes and surprising brussels sprouts. Great patio for people watching when it's not too hot or too cold. Also a fun bar.
Best pizza we've found in Charleston. Wood fired and spicy.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monza Pizza Bar
451 King StBest pizza we've found in Charleston. Wood fired and spicy.
Possibly the best seafood in the Charleston area. We ate here in December 2017 and left fully satisfied. Don't let the fact that it's in a renovated Pizza Hut fool you; this place rocks.
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
NICO | Oysters + Seafood
201 Coleman BlvdPossibly the best seafood in the Charleston area. We ate here in December 2017 and left fully satisfied. Don't let the fact that it's in a renovated Pizza Hut fool you; this place rocks.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best rooftop bar in Charleston. Views to die for, very sophisticated and upscale. You can't go wrong stopping in for a drink here.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pavilion Bar
225 E Bay StBest rooftop bar in Charleston. Views to die for, very sophisticated and upscale. You can't go wrong stopping in for a drink here.
Great music on the patio. Crowded and hip scene. Even when it's cold, the overhead heaters keep you warm.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Republic Garden & Lounge
462 King StGreat music on the patio. Crowded and hip scene. Even when it's cold, the overhead heaters keep you warm.
Parks & Nature
This is the site of the original settlement of Charleston. It's only five blocks south of us. Wonderful exhibits showing what it looked like around here in 1670. A replica ship, cannons, reconstructed defenses, in a park-like setting with gardens and stunning views of the Ashley River.
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Towne RdThis is the site of the original settlement of Charleston. It's only five blocks south of us. Wonderful exhibits showing what it looked like around here in 1670. A replica ship, cannons, reconstructed defenses, in a park-like setting with gardens and stunning views of the Ashley River.
Funky beach town with restaurants, bars and shops, and a nice long sandy beach good for swimming and sunning. You can park for free. If you want to use (outdoor) showers and changing cabanas, you can pay $8 and park closest to the more remote end of the beach in the county park.
581 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueFunky beach town with restaurants, bars and shops, and a nice long sandy beach good for swimming and sunning. You can park for free. If you want to use (outdoor) showers and changing cabanas, you can pay $8 and park closest to the more remote end of the beach in the county park.
Essentials
Five blocks from us, well-stocked grocery store with generous hours.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Publix Super Market at Ashley Landing Mall
1401 Sam Rittenberg BlvdFive blocks from us, well-stocked grocery store with generous hours.
Sightseeing
Walking through South of Broad is one of the first things you should do when you get to Charleston. Park your car on the Battery; spaces open up all the time. My favorite street to view the stunning houses and gardens is Legare. Stroll up to Broad, go east on Broad to Meeting or Church, turn right and walk back down towards the water.
Please be aware, there is only one public restroom for the entire area south of Broad Street. It is by the Hazel Park Playground on East Bay Street
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
South of Broad
Walking through South of Broad is one of the first things you should do when you get to Charleston. Park your car on the Battery; spaces open up all the time. My favorite street to view the stunning houses and gardens is Legare. Stroll up to Broad, go east on Broad to Meeting or Church, turn right and walk back down towards the water.
Please be aware, there is only one public restroom for the entire area south of Broad Street. It is by the Hazel Park Playground on East Bay Street
This is where the Civil War began. The ride on the boat out to the island will give you a lot of history about the war and its effect on Charleston. Then you can spend an hour or so exploring the fort. Book tickets in advance, and catch the boat at the Aquarium.
501 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monumento Nacional Fort Sumter
This is where the Civil War began. The ride on the boat out to the island will give you a lot of history about the war and its effect on Charleston. Then you can spend an hour or so exploring the fort. Book tickets in advance, and catch the boat at the Aquarium.
Shopping
One of our favorite stores for interesting, affordable and unusual souvenirs of your trip to Charleston. Local artists have created clothing, artwork, cards and more.
Indigo
4 Vendue RangeOne of our favorite stores for interesting, affordable and unusual souvenirs of your trip to Charleston. Local artists have created clothing, artwork, cards and more.
Charleston's coolest bookstore. Lots of books on local history and personalities. New and used books. Very convenient to Marion Square.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Bicycle Books
420 King StCharleston's coolest bookstore. Lots of books on local history and personalities. New and used books. Very convenient to Marion Square.
If you're creative, you'll really enjoy this funky basement store with everything an artist might want. Friendly people, great card selection, framing materials, paints, canvases, brushes, and all sorts of art supplies.
Artist & Craftsman Supply Charleston Downtown
143 Calhoun StIf you're creative, you'll really enjoy this funky basement store with everything an artist might want. Friendly people, great card selection, framing materials, paints, canvases, brushes, and all sorts of art supplies.
Arts & Culture
Don't be put off by the fact that the house is empty. It's the only plantation house in Charleston that survived the Civil War. The rest were burned down by the Union Army. The house dates to 1736, and is hauntingly beautiful. It's a type of historic preservation that doesn't erase history by painting and fixing up to "restore." My favorite plantation visit.
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River RdDon't be put off by the fact that the house is empty. It's the only plantation house in Charleston that survived the Civil War. The rest were burned down by the Union Army. The house dates to 1736, and is hauntingly beautiful. It's a type of historic preservation that doesn't erase history by painting and fixing up to "restore." My favorite plantation visit.