The Perfect 3-Day Weekend in Charleston
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We recently went to Charleston and had the best time. We went in April and the weather was perfect with highs in the 70s and lows in the 60s. Perfect weather for walking around and exploring. Charleston is a port city that was founded in 1670. It has a rich history which is still evident when you walk around today. It is an eclectic and walkable city with cobblestone streets and delicious Southern food.
Have more time in the south? Check out my Guide to Historic Savannah, Georgia which is only a 2-hour drive from Savannah.
Getting There
We flew from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Charleston International Airport (CHS) on JetBlue on a Thursday morning. We arrived at 10:00 AM so we still had a full day once we got our rental car. From the airport, it’s only 12 miles to the historic district.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel which is a boutique hotel right in the heart of the historic district.
Some other great options are:
20 South Battery Bed & Breakfast
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
You can’t go wrong staying anywhere in the historic district, which is within walking distance of all the best restaurants and attractions.
Things To Do
All-Access Admission to Boone Hall Plantation
1-Hour Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour
Haunted Twilight Horse and Carriage Tour
Two-hour Charleston Historic Downtown Walking Tour
2.5 Hour Downtown Charleston Food Tour
What We Did
Day 1
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
Once we checked into our hotel room, we freshened up and hit the streets. Our first stop was lunch at Fleet Landing. They serve delicious drinks and southern seafood. My favorite part was sitting out on their waterfront patio overlooking the river.
Waterfront Park
After lunch, we walked over to Joe Riley Waterfront Park and The Pineapple Fountain. The pineapple is an early American symbol of hospitality and can be found at the center of the park.
Rainbow Row
From there we continued on to take in the beauty of Rainbow Row. Rainbow Row consists of 13 colorful houses along East Bay Street that date back to the 18th century. They were originally used by merchants who had their businesses on the first floor and their living quarters above. I absolutely loved their window boxes and peeking into their courtyards.
The Battery and White Point Garden
We continued on to The Battery and White Point Garden. The Battery is a 1.2 mile seawall and promenade along the shore of the Charleston Peninsula. It was originally built in the 1750s and then rebuilt in the 1820s. It is a great place to watch the sailboats in the Charleston Harbor and to see the adjacent antebellum mansions. White Point Garden is across the street from The Battery. It is a beautiful public park surrounded by antebellum mansions and massive oak trees. It also has a gazebo and historic monuments, a must see on your trip to Charleston.
King Street
We headed up King Street on our way back to our hotel. King Street is home to some of the city’s trendiest hotels and restaurants. You will also find art galleries, boutiques and exceptional shopping. It was named one of the “Top Ten Shopping Streets” in the US.
Magnolias
We rested in our hotel room for a bit and then headed to Magnolias for dinner. Magnolias serves upscale family-friendly cuisine.
Day 2
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
We walked to the Charleston City Market for breakfast at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. They have savory biscuit sandwiches or you can try savory and sweet little biscuits. Everything we tried was delicious. Their cold brew was really good too!
Angel Oak Tree
After breakfast, we went back to the hotel to get our car and drove 12 miles to the Angel Oak Tree. The Angel Oak Tree is a historical landmark. It is considered to be the largest live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi and is estimated to be 300 to 400 years old. The tree is 65 feet high with a circumference of 25.5 feet, shading an area of 17,000 square feet. It really was a spectacular sight that I highly recommend visiting if you have time.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
From there we drove another 14 miles to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is almost 350 years old and sits on the Ashley River. They have 66 acres of romantic-style gardens, 6 miles of walking and biking trails, a wildlife center, an Audubon Swamp, a bamboo garden and a historic river walk. They also have a guided Magnolia House tour, a Nature Train tour, and "From Slavery to Freedom" tour.
It’s hard to see it all in one day. We started out walking around the gardens, the swamp and then along the river. Then we took the Nature Train Tour, followed by lunch at the Peacock Cafe and then we visited the animals at the wildlife center. It was a perfect day!
Poogan’s Porch
We headed back to the hotel to rest and freshen up and then went to Poogan’s Porch for dinner. Poogan’s Porch serves traditional Southern cooking in a Victorian townhouse with porches and a massive wine cellar. I highly recommend their shrimp and grits.
Day 3
Charleston City Market
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit was so good that we went back for breakfast on day 3. This time after breakfast we explored the Charleston City Market. The Charleston City Market is one of the nation’s oldest public markets with more than 300 vendors.
South Carolina Aquarium
From there we walked over to the South Carolina Aquarium which is located on the historic Charleston Harbor. They have over 5000 animals. Some of their exhibits include Mountain Forest, Coastal Plain, Saltmarsh Aviary, Coast, Ocean, a turtle hospital and a touch tank.
Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
For dinner on our last night, we went to Hank’s Seafood Restaurant. Hank’s is a local legend that serves Lowcountry Seafood Specialities including a raw bar. They have been voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Charleston for 20 years running! We absolutely loved our meal and we will be back!
Other Things To Do
If time permits, here are some more things to do while in Charleston:
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Visitors can explore a retired Naval aircraft carrier, destroyer and submarine that are docked there year-round.
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a sea fort built on an artificial island near Charleston, South Carolina to defend the region from a naval invasion. It was built after British forces captured and occupied Washington during the War of 1812 via a naval attack.
The Charleston Museum
The Charleston Museum is the oldest museum in the United States. Its collection includes historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts and two historic Charleston houses.
Nathaniel Russell House
The Nathaniel Russell House is an architecturally distinguished, early 19th-century house at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Built in 1808 by wealthy merchant and slave trader Nathaniel Russell, it is recognized as one of the United States' most important neoclassical houses.
There is so much to do in Charleston. They also have horse-drawn carriage rides, food tours, ghost tours and sunset harbor cruises. There is something for everyone.
Have more time in the south? Check out my Guide to Historic Savannah, Georgia which is only a 2-hour drive from Savannah.
Looking for another family-friendly vacation idea? Check out my travel guide to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine: Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor, Maine
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