An Expert's Guide to the Holy City: Charleston, South Carolina

Shop

Spend your days wandering the historic City Market, where there is a diverse array of vendors offering local goods and authentic, handmade souvenirs, like the famous sweetgrass baskets. Stroll along King Street to meander in and out of unique boutiques, local bookstores, and high-end fashion houses.

Sip

You absolutely must try Zachary's Daiquiris, a great place to try a daiquiri flight and enjoy an afternoon snack. The Citrus Club is another must-try location—with an incredible view of the city from The Dewberry's rooftop bar, you'll enjoy their creative cocktails with friends.

Sun

Hit the beaches while you're in Charleston, just a few minutes from the city. Watch the boats come and go from a patio in Shem Creek, or visit Isle of Palms for a beach day with girlfriends while the guys golf. Don't miss the Angel Oak tree, a 500-year-old oak tree on your way to Kiawah Island, just outside the city!

Anson

Offers refined Southern cuisine with a modern twist, featuring dishes like crispy flounder and she-crab soup. Located near the City Market, it pairs elegant, historic charm with attentive service in a stylish, romantic setting. It's a top choice for special occasions or a polished night out.

High Cotton

A stylish and welcoming fine-dining restaurant set in a historic 19th-century cotton warehouse, where Lowcountry tradition meets coastal refinement. Guests enjoy expertly prepared Southern-inspired seafood and steak dishes, a remarkable wine and cocktail program, and live jazz or bluegrass in its heart-pine‑floored, exposed‑brick dining rooms—even during brunch.

Gin Joint

An intimate, speakeasy-style cocktail bar beloved for its impeccably crafted, inventive drinks (including the playful “Bartender’s Choice”) and elevated bar bites like soft pretzels and charcuterie. Since opening in 2010, it’s earned a reputation as a cornerstone of Charleston’s craft cocktail scene, blending vintage flair with relaxed, knowledgeable service in a cozy, low‑lit setting.

The Little Palm

At The Ryder Hotel, this breezy, tropical‑inspired poolside bar and café blends retro Palm Springs chic with coastal Lowcountry flair. It offers creative cocktails and vibrant, share‑friendly dishes across layered indoor, outdoor, and courtyard “Backyard” settings—perfect for everything from brunch to late-night lounging.

Poogan's Porch

A charming Southern institution in Charleston housed in a beautifully restored Victorian home that’s been serving up classic Lowcountry hospitality and cuisine since 1976. Known for standout dishes like shrimp and grits and buttermilk fried chicken, it’s named after Poogan, the friendly neighborhood dog who “guarded” its porch—adding a touch of history and warmth to every meal.

Fig

Fig (stylized as FIG, short for “Food Is Good”) is a celebrated modern-American bistro in downtown Charleston, famed for its seasonally driven dishes featuring fresh Lowcountry ingredients—dishes like ricotta gnocchi and ethereal chicken‑liver pâté—in a refined yet approachable setting. With a James Beard–winning wine and beverage program, attentive service, and a rotating menu that honors regional and European farmhouse cooking, FIG has long been a cornerstone of Charleston’s culinary scene since opening in 2003.

Zachary's Daiquiris

A vibrant frozen daiquiri bar on King Street in downtown Charleston, offering 12 colorful, house-made frozen cocktails crafted with fresh juices and natural sweeteners—nothing artificial—and a light bites menu including dips, flatbreads, sandwiches, and salads. The concept—created by Zachary Elliott, a Make‑A‑Wish alum—is infused with joyful, retro flair and gives back to the community by supporting Make‑A‑Wish South Carolina.