Charleston SC Weekend Trip (Best Couples Things to do)
If you want a cute couples getaway, Charleston SC is the perfect weekend trip.
When you arrive, I promise it’s going to charm you from the moment your feet hit the cobblestones. It is romantic, walkable, and historic, with tons to do within short distance.
Let’s talk about exactly what you should do when you visit Charleston.
Why you should plan a couples trip to Charleston
In every city, there are the must-visit viral spots everyone talks about. There are also the local haunts and hidden gems you only discover because you’re looking for what you enjoy most.
Charleston is home to all of my favorite things in one place, which is why I highly recommend it for a couples trip!
My city bucketlist always includes speakeasies, historic spots, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can only get in that place. So, here’s my compilation of absolute favorite things to recommend in Charleston.
Where to stay in downtown Charleston
After several trips, I can confirm my favorite place to stay is Charleston downtown. The prices are more premium, but you can also walk out the door to get anywhere.
Our one year anniversary stay was at the Lindy Hotel by Marriott. The Lenoir Restaurant became our absolute favorite for brunch.
My second recommendation would be Kiawah Island. A short drive into the city, and also a beachy town to explore all on its own.
Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is probably the most famous neighborhood in Charleston. Sometimes highly rated spots are overhyped, but I would say this is a can’t-miss.
Start in the French Quarter just north of Rainbow Row and walk along East Bay Street. Homes are super colorful, each with their own unique flare and architecture.
Waterfront parks
Next, head across to Waterfront Park and the very famous Pineapple Fountain.
Points of interest at Waterfront Park:
- The Walled City of Charles Town (historic wall remains)
- Historic markers
- Sweeping views across Charleston Harbor
I’d also visit White Point Garden to the south. This area is home to several Civil War era artillary and enormous oak trees. Its a lovely walk in the shade between memorials.
Points of interest at White Point Garden:
- Hurricane Hugo Memorial
- The Battery
- Several war memorials and historic landmarks
Downtown Charleston
You could make a whole weekend of strolling downtown Charleston. It’s truly like stepping back in time.
Tour cobblestone streets and duck into little coffee shops and bars en route.
Keep an eye out for the home front plaques dedicated to telling the history of the buildings across Charleston.
Historic homes tours
On our last visit we toured the Heyward-Washington House and the Joseph Manigault House. Each was quite unique in terms of history and architecture.
Purchase a multi-pass at your first stop if you plan to visit both, plus the Charleston Museum.
Lunch at Lenoir
Did I mention we loved Lenoir Charleston inside the Lindy? I was enamored by the cheerful pink and green decor and modern Southern menu.
I have not stopped talking about the K-Town Smash Burger since we left. Seriously cannot get over it, please order it if you go.
Dinner at 82 Queen
Courtyard restaurants are a charming part of foodie culture in Charleston.
Reserve this romantic hidden courtyard for a romantic dinner. When you first arrive, you walk down a long brick corridor between buildings.
Turn a corner, and suddenly you’ve entered a hidden garden. Our server started us off with a surprise glass of champagne (we were celebrating our anniversary). Dinner, drinks, and dessert were all well served.
Your Charleston SC weekend trip isn’t complete until you try seafood! The city is full of highly rated seafood restaurants. So, make sure you add one to your itinerary.
Pro Travel Tip: Book your dinner reservations before traveling. Charleston is a foodie city that fills up quickly at peak times. You can always find a bar to sit at, but for the full table dining experience, book ahead.
Where to grab a drink in Charleston SC
Charleston is a dream for late night bar hopping.
The scene isn’t as much of a party as Savannah, Georgia. What you will find are elevated cocktail spots and beautiful rooftop bars with elaborate drink menus.
We visited The Gin Joint, a lowlit bar a daring menu and both indoor and garden seating.
If you’re looking for a speakeasy (I always am) head to Bar Vauté. It’s located at the basement level of Brasserie La Banque. We went on a busy Saturday and the bar was packed.
Charleston sunset boat tour
Sailing the harbor at sunset is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
A few tips for your Charleston sunset cruise:
- Arrive early for the best seating at the front of the boat
- Bring a light cover up. Even in the summertime the wild can feel chilly on the water
- Pack sunglasses that won’t fly off in the breeze
- Grab a drink before you sit down if possible, it will help you avoid the lines and find a good seat
Pro Travel Tip: I created an easy guide to help you plan your ultimate sunset cruise experience in Charleston.
King Street shopping
The largest concentration of boutiques and art galleries is along King Street.
We really enjoyed strolling along and popping into any shop that caught our eye.
Here you’ll find a good mix of big brands and local designers.
Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is located on Meeting Street.
If you wake up early you can visit while it’s a lively daytime farmers market. If you’re around at night, the stalls come alive during the night market hours.
The market was historically a place where people gathered to sell different food and wares. It can sometimes be confused with the nearby Old Slave Mart, the location of a major slave market in Charleston and the first museum on the history of enslaved persons in the US.
Kiawah Island
I stayed in a great little beachy Airbnb here a few years ago and loved the vibes.
Kiawah Island is the spot for long stretches of beach and a quieter small town feel. Whether you stay or just visit for the day, add it to your list to explore.
Fort Sumter
Charleston’s fascinating history makes it all the more compelling to pay a visit to Fort Sumter. You’ll want to book the full tour and step inside the fort. But if you’re limited on time, Charleston boat tours pass along the outside.
Charleston Museum
Don’t skip the Charleston museum. I was pulled right into the exhibits, which include the skeleton of a giant sloth and prehistoric animals.
The history of Charleston exhibits are also worthwhile, and gave a lot of context for the rest of the city.
Local Charleston Plantation history
Plantations hold some of the darkest history of the American South (and American in general). It can feel really heavy to visit, so come aware of that and be emotionally prepared.
Two plantations I’ve personally visited and recommend:
- Magnolia Plantation: The magnolia slavery tour is a must. Our tour guide was highly knowledgable. She honored the stories of the enslaved families, and we left with a deeper understanding of their history and experiences. Often people go to Magnolia Plantation for it’s famous gardens and home. Those are beautiful, but I would start at the enslaved persons tour so you walk into the rest of the property’s history with full context.
- Boone Hall Plantation: This is another well preserved property. Less gardens and weddings, more historical home tour and enslaved history. The front of the home was used as Allie’s summer home in The Notebook.
Most plantations are within a short driving distance from Charleston. If you’re thinking about heading outside of the city, check out my guide of 3 easy road trips from Charleston.
Movies filmed in Charleston
Tons of famous movies were filmed in and around Charleston. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Notebook: The famous boating scene was filmed at Cypress Gardens. Allie’s summer home is the mansion at Boone Hall Plantation.
The Patriot: Scenes were filmed across Charleston. The grand ball scene was filmed at Middleton Hall.
Dear John: The full movie was filmed around Charleston. The sunset date scene was shot at Bower’s Island Restaurant.
Charleston SC Weekend Trip FAQs
It’s easy to think that Charleston and Savannah are similar. Both coastal cities, part of American colonial history, and big foodie towns. But they’re so different. Find out whether you might like Charleston or Savannah the most for a weekend trip.
Charleston South Carolina is a 4 hour 45 minute drive from Atlanta Georgia.
You can fly into Charleston International Airport (CHS). You can also drive into Charleston along major roadways.
I would recommend 2-3 full days to see Charleston. The city holds so much history, culture, and architecture that you’ll want to fill a whole weekend, or week if you can.
Charleston is beautiful in all seasons. I’ve visited in both the summer and fall, and can say the city has fairly mild cold seasons. I would recommend visiting Charleston in the spring, summer, or early fall for the warmer weather. You can also visit in the shoulder seasons of late fall or early spring.
Yes! In my opinion, Charleston is the most romantic city in the American South. It is one of the most popular destinations for weddings. The architecture, weather, and food make it such a perfect romantic weekend getaway.
Charleston is a charming, festive place to visit for Christmas. Here’s my full guide to Charleston Christmas events and things to do.
Yes! Charleston is an easy weekend trip. Book your stay right in the city. This way, you can walk out the door and see the best things around the city.
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Charleston SC weekend trip guide. Charleston strikes a perfect balance of vacation setting and foodie town, plus historic landmarks and Oceanside getaway.
You feel like you can dress up, step out, have a Michelin star meal and also shop and sight see to your hearts content.
We found Charleston to embody hospitality in every sense of the word. It’s a city that runs on tourism, and the welcoming spirit of the people we met was truly authentic. Charlestonians are proud of their city and heritage, and it was delightful to experience.
Head to the Charleston Visitor’s website for tons of trip ideas, itineraries, and planning help.
