What are some budget-friendly places I can stay in Charleston?
Avoid the pricier hotels in downtown Charleston and head just across the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant. There’s also West Ashley which is just a few miles west of downtown to West Ashley, for and has some great hotel deals
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2.
Where can I go shopping in Charleston?
King Street: This stretch of shopping includes everything from local bookstores, antique shops, and art galleries, to your favorite chains, as well as design and decor shops.
Mount Pleasant’s Old Village: Here you’ll find a smattering of delightful local shops featuring clothing, gifts, local art, and home decor.
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3.
What are the best restaurants in Charleston?
For a formal, Southern dining experience:
Husk: New takes on Southern favorites from a James Beard Award-winning chef.
Fig: A Charleston mainstay of fine dining for 15 years (and another James Beard Award winner).
The Ordinary: Top-notch seafood (especially oysters) in a chic setting.
For Southern BBQ:
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint: Everything’s made from scratch daily, from mac & cheese to Sweet Dixie sauce.
Lewis Barbecue: Texas-style brisket that falls off the fork and melts in your mouth.
For the cult favorites:
EVO Pizzeria: Homemade wood-fired crusts to die for.
Peninsula Grill: The famous 12-layer coconut cake is a truly epic Southern dessert experience.
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4.
What are some kid-friendly activities in Charleston?
South Carolina Aquarium:There are 5,000 aquatic creatures here to entertain the kiddos, plus guided programs and a Touch Tank, where children can interact with sea creatures and feed the stingrays.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry: This kids’ destination is all about hands-on activities and imaginative play, including a pirate ship, castle, water lab, art studio, and outdoor play space.
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5.
What are the top 5 things to see in Charleston?
The Angel Oak: This massive, mossy legend is located on Johns Island. At 400-500 years old, it’s quite the granddaddy ghost of Charleston and a truly stunning sight that evokes the Lowcountry Southern landscape perfectly. Bring a picnic and dine al fresco in the park.
Fort Sumter National Monument: Take a tour that includes a boat trip around the harbor (where you might see some dolphins) to get to this historic site. You’ll spend an hour learning about the spot where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Nathaniel Russell House: Charleston is famous for its grand Southern architecture, and this Neoclassical beauty is a striking example. Tour this home, which was built by a wealthy merchant and is now designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Charleston City Market: Here you’ll find a day market with open-air stalls and vendors, the Great Hall with galleries and shops, and a night market on Friday and Saturday evenings March through December. Pick up a sweetgrass basket made in the beautiful Gullah tradition of basket weaving that’s been vibrant here for more than 300 years.
The Battery: This picturesque neighborhood runs along the water and includes some of Charleston’s most beautiful and historic Southern mansions. Take a stroll overlooking Charleston Harbor, and make sure to bring the camera!