Visiting Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had–mainly because the people are so nice and knowledgeable about their city’s history, their city is very walkable, and the food is delicious. Charleston was my first solo travel trip to start my passion for experiencing cities from afar, so if you are looking for a place to start traveling alone or with a group of friends and family, give this quaint southern city a try.
Where to Stay in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a group of islands and archipelagos, so traveling around the city means going over gorgeous bridges and seeing nature. If you want to stay in the Mount Pleasant area, I stayed at the Indigo Hotel, which was clean, easy to navigate, and in an area with great restaurants and shopping. I wanted to stay as close to the water and historical Charleston as possible, so I booked the rest of my stay at the Saint Hotel, now the Palmetto, in downtown Charleston. The Palmetto has the best location in the city; everywhere is walkable and easy to navigate, and the staff is exceptional.
Where to Eat:
Brunch:
- Toast all Day: easy brunch menu with a southern twist, and this is the place to go if you are traveling with sports fanatics.
- Millers All Day: A great brunch spot with the amazing Duck’s Benedict and the delish French Toast sticks.
A quick bite:
- Bitty and Beau’s Coffee: A quirky coffee shop to match its fun moniker. It’s the best latte in the city.
- Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer: If you are looking for a place to have your morning coffee and return later for a beer, give Kudu some love!
A hearty dinner:
- Magnolias: A white tablecloth restaurant in downtown Charleston with hearty Southern cuisine. I had the crispy brussel sprouts, blue crab bisque, and pecan-crusted salmon. They have since updated their menu with vegetarian and vegan options, too.
- High-Cotton: Just down the street from Magnolias and across the street from the Palmetto, High-Cotton was my favorite restaurant I tried in Charleston. I had their seafood platter after walking 20,000 steps. It was packed with lobster, shrimp, and scallops, with asparagus, and drizzled with hollandaise sauce. I had this delicious treat with their Havana lemonade – chef’s kiss!
Leave room for dessert:
- Carmella’s Cafe & Desert Bar: Try the lemon snickerdoodle cookie if you love citrus! They also have great gelato and sorbet for something cold during the humid summer months.
Places to Visit:
- The Battery: A landmark in the Charleston area, the Battery is a defensive seawall dating back to the pre-Civil War. It’s a great place to walk through and visit the beautiful historic homes. Sometimes, if you look over the wall, you can see dolphins!
- Fort Sumter: History buffs should visit Fort Sumter, where the first shots were fired in the Civil War in 1861. This historical landmark has served as more than a landmark in the Charleston area, but has served many purposes for over 150 years.
- Rainbow Row: Take a photo on Rainbow Row, a group of 13 colorful houses in downtown Charleston.
- Angel Oak: About a 40-minute drive from downtown Charleston, there’s a 300-to 400-year-old Live Oak whose limbs shake over 17000 square feet.
- Old Market: A stone’s throw away from Palmetto, Old Market has quaint local shops and is a great place to buy souvenirs to remember your travels.
- Cemeteries and Churches: Every turn, you’ll see gorgeous churches and cemeteries with rich histories and some characters in their attached resting places for the deceased. Walk around, read some headstones, or take one of the many tours to learn about Charleston’s unique history.
- Middleton Place: Home to one of the United States’ founding fathers, this once plantation is an hour’s drive from Charleston. It’s a unique viewpoint into the South’s history from the beginning of the United States. On this tour, you can see its beautiful architecture, unique landscape, and maybe an alligator (enjoy this video).
Ready to give Charleston a try?
Visit the city in early spring or late fall to beat the humidity. If you want to make it a road trip, take a three-hour drive to Hilton Head Island or a four-hour drive to Savannah, Georgia. I traveled to all three cities on my first solo female trip, creating memories that lasted me a lifetime.