Local Favorites for Staying in Downtown Charleston

The Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise along the Charleston Harbor is a unique way to see the whole city.

Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square is an easy way to meet local vendors and support small businesses. It only runs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Doing the Downtown Culinary Walking Tour by Charleston Culinary Tours is such a nice way to get a taste of what Downtown has to offer.

You can take the Lost Stories of Black Charleston tour to learn the depth of history this city holds through people that know it best.

The Cooper I Experience, exclusive through booking with The Charleston Place, offers a private yacht ride around the harbor.

Walking The Battery or Waterfront Park are both beautiful and free ways to see our most iconic scenery. I’ve had many picnics at both parks and there’s plenty of shade on sunny days.

If you have a sweet tooth, the Charleston: Beignets, Baklava, & Sweet Treats Market Tour is a perfect addition to your stay in Charleston. They offer many stops through the heart of Charleston’s historic downtown district.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Charleston without a carriage tour or ghost tour, so why not both? Palmetto Carriage’s Haunted Horse-Drawn Carriage Evening Tour is a nice way to keep our horses out of the sun and enjoy the eerie streets of this old city.

Church and Union has one of the most stunning dining rooms in the city. Their two enormous stained-glass windows make for such a gorgeous view during Golden Hour, and the food is just as good.

Indaco will always have a special place in my heart because of my dietary restrictions. The staff is always very attentive and, even with adjustments, the food is delicious.

If you want sushi, you shouldn’t go anywhere but SHIKI. Their menu is full of various choices for amazing prices, but I will never say “no” to their specials.

Southbound has such an intimate and homey feel with unforgettable plating. Their menu changes often, so you always have something new to try!

As a breakfast-all-day kind of person, Millers is my go-to. Their frittata is to die for, and I see their Peach Elderflower Mimosa in my dreams.

If you want something more hearty and savory, you need to get the Garlic Noodles from Pink Bellies. It’s not just because I used to work there, but their whole menu is flawless. You cannot miss (you should try my drink “Miss Leading Lady” while you’re there).

If you want something sweet to end the day, you need Kaminsky's. The space is small, so there’s usually a wait, but it’s far worth it once you taste their pies and hot apple cider.

Brasserie La Banque is where I go for all of my nicer dinner dates with out-of-town friends. The menu changes with the seasons, and they even have a speakeasy downstairs!