Five ways into Charleston, without getting lost in the guidebooks. The shrimp and grits and the oyster roasts, the antebellum mansions and the hidden alleys, the barrier-island beaches just outside the city, cut down to the five that matter in each.
Best Value9 free, skimmable Charleston lists. No sign-up, no paywall.
EatThe five classic Charleston foods, shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, a Lowcountry oyster roast, soul food and a hot buttermilk biscuit, and where to get the real thing.
Read Free Five →ExploreThe five Charleston neighborhoods worth wandering, South of Broad, the French Quarter, Upper King, Cannonborough-Elliotborough and Shem Creek.
Read Free Five →
EscapeThe five best beaches near Charleston, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Kiawah's Beachwalker Park and Edisto Beach.
Read Free Five →
ExperienceThe five best historic house museums in Charleston, the Nathaniel Russell House, Aiken-Rhett House, Edmondston-Alston House, Drayton Hall and the Calhoun Mansion.
Read Free Five →
ExperienceThe five best museums in Charleston, the Charleston Museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art, the International African American Museum, Fort Sumter and Patriots Point.
Read Free Five →
ExperienceFive free things to do in Charleston, Rainbow Row and the Battery, Waterfront Park, the historic district walk, Marion Square and the Ravenel Bridge.
Read Free Five →
DiscoverFive Charleston hidden gems, the Angel Oak Tree, the wild Unitarian churchyard, Philadelphia Alley, the Pitt Street Bridge and McLeod Plantation.
Read Free Five →
DiscoverThe five best places to shop in Charleston, King Street, the City Market, the Lower King antique district, Upper King and the Broad Street galleries.
Read Free Five →
StayFive iconic Charleston hotels, Charleston Place, the Wentworth Mansion, the Dewberry, Planters Inn and the Vendue art hotel.
Read Free Five →The genteel, historic tip of the peninsula.
Best for: History-lovers who want quiet and grandeurExplore picks →Central and walkable, everything at your door.
Best for: First-timers who want to be in the middle of it allExplore picks →Hip and lively, the dining-and-nightlife end.
Best for: Night owls who want restaurants and bars at the doorExplore picks →Leafy and residential, quiet but still central.
Best for: A calmer base within easy reach of everythingExplore picks →Sand and space, a short bridge from downtown.
Best for: Beach-first travelers happy to drive into townExplore picks →Ready-to-use plans with timing, reservations, insider tips, an interactive map, and a printable PDF.
First-Timer's
A first trip to Charleston, cut to the five decisions that shape it: where to stay, getting around, the history, what to eat, and the beaches. Five picks. Zero overthinking.
Date Night
Five Charleston date nights, each fully planned: the most romantic table in town, an oyster night, a rooftop, a wine bar, and a harbor stroll, with what to order and how to time it.
Brunch
Five Charleston brunches worth the wait, from a Victorian porch famous for shrimp and grits to a buzzy King Street counter and a courtyard Italian, with what to order and how to beat the line.
Hidden Bars
Five Charleston hidden bars and craft cocktail hideaways, from a 1920s-style den to an upstairs speakeasy and a rooftop, with what to order and how to find them.
Special Occasion Dining
Five Charleston restaurants worth a milestone, from Mike Lata's FIG to Husk and a grand hotel dining room, with what to order and how to book.
Day Trips
Five Charleston day trips worth the drive, from the barrier-island beaches and the Ashley River plantations to the Angel Oak, Beaufort, and Edisto Island, with how to do each.
Where to Stay
Where to stay in Charleston, five neighborhoods for five kinds of trip, from South of Broad to Upper King and the beach islands, each with who it suits and a landmark hotel.
Every recommendation from the Charleston guides, mapped by neighborhood and category.
Preview only, unlock the full interactive, saveable map with any Charleston guide.
Tours and experiences that pair perfectly with our Charleston recommendations.
Cobblestone streets, antebellum homes, and hidden gardens.
Browse →Get out on the water and see the city from the bay.
Browse →Oak-lined estates and Lowcountry marsh beyond the city.
Browse →Browse All Charleston Experiences
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