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Local couple Barbara (@blushingalpacas) and Cory (@skidmorediaries) live in Charleston and have provided a guide to some of their local “go to” places in Charleston and surrounding areas.
You and your significant other only have 48 hours in Charleston… what do you do?
This is quite an undertaking in the Charleston area because there are so many places to go, food to eat, and people to meet. But as locals, here’s our guide to the Charleston area if you only have 48 hours.
Day 1:
Early morning in Charleston is quite beautiful. We would recommend getting up early and start your walking about before anyone else starts to think about it. Head south of Broad on Church St. and meander your way down to The Battery stopping at all the gorgeous homes and then walk up East Bay St. past Rainbow Row to Broad.
Stop 1: One Broad St. Mostly a locals place that has amazing breakfast/brunch food and also a great coffee stop. Almost always busy, but vibrant and delicious.
Charleston is a city that always seems to have something going on. Depending on what day you are there, you may be able to peruse the Farmer’s Market in Marion Square (on Saturdays) or the Second Sunday event (each month) on King St. But any day of the week King St. has prime shopping if you are in the mood to get something new.
Stop 2: North Morrison. A different side of Charleston. Head up to North Morrison and grab lunch at Lewis BBQ. A great local place that sells all of their meat by the pound with both indoor and shaded outdoor seating + a great beer selection – what more could you want? While you’re up that way, stop into the Tattooed Moose, Edmund’s Oast or the great rooftop at Revelry Brewery. If you are feeling extra motivated do them all!
Stop 3: Upper King. Now it’s dinner time and it’s time to see just how bright Charleston can shine. Kick off the evening at the top end of King St. and grab a drink and a bite at Leon’s Oyster Shop. An eclectic place with a great menu. Head on down a few blocks and check out Felix. A local take on a French Bistro style restaurant, with dishes inspired by both the Loire and the Lowcountry, you can’t go wrong.
With a multitude of great restaurants on the up and coming Upper King district of Charleston, feel free to walk and pop into several places for a late night drink. Trust us, you can’t go wrong.
Day 2:
Head to the beaches – but which beach? Depends on what you like to do. Our favorite happens to be Sullivan’s Island. On your way over the Ravenel Bridge towards the beach, you will see all the sailboats and cargo ships passing below you.
Stop 1: Vicious Biscuit for breakfast… yep that’s their name and yes they are deliciously enormous biscuits. Protip: Go early to both Vicious biscuit as well as the beach otherwise lines will be formed outside the restaurant and you will be dealing with beach traffic.
Stop 2: The Beach. Park any place around 21st, 22nd, or 23rd street on Sullivan’s Island. This allows you to leave the car as long as you want and also walk to lunch. We’ll get to that in a few. Sullivan’s Island has some rental opportunities for kiteboarding for those that are overly adventurous. Bring chairs, towels, a cooler (sorry, no alcohol allowed on the beach), and enjoy the waves and beach life.
Stop 3: Poe’s Tavern or Home Team BBQ. Hungry for beer and burgers? Poe’s is your place; fairly chill and solid for the outdoor beach vibe. Home Team BBQ has some killer pork nachos and their Game Changer is sure to cool you down.
Stop 4: Shem Creek. Feeling like you need to work off some extra fries or nachos from lunch? Coastal Expedition has kayaking and paddle boarding to get your butt in gear. These tours or rentals usually last an hour or two, but trust us – you will feel it in the morning!
Reward yourself after all your hard work while overlooking Shem Creek at either Red’s Ice House or Tavern and Table for a drink.
Stop 5: Back downtown to your hotel or Airbnb to get ready for dinner. Dinner… well, there are so many choices pending the day... but since you went to Upper King last night, let’s head down to the French Quarter.
Stop 6: Anson Restaurant, Hank’s Seafood, or the Bar at Husk. Can’t go wrong with any of these long-standing establishments. The fried flounder from Anson is a must.
Stop 7: The Vendue. Time for a view of the Harbor. The Rooftop at The Vendue has some of the best views in the city and is the perfect way to cap off the night and your stay in Charleston.
Are you tired yet? Follow along on the CHStoday Instagram page today to catch Barb as she goes on this adventure + for your chance to win a $50 gift card from Poe’s Tavern, a $50 gift card from Vicious Biscuit, and a $50 gift card from Revelry Brewery.