Charleston: A Long Family Weekend for Every Season

Explore art galleries and boutiques

Stroll down King Street or Bay Street to discover a variety of art galleries, antique shops, and locally owned boutiques. Don’t miss the Charleston City Market for handmade and local crafts or monthly Art Walks showcasing the city’s creative community. You’ll even see artists weave together the treasured sweetgrass basket and carry on the Gullah tradition.

Tour the USS Yorktown at Patriot's Point

Located in Mount Pleasant, the USS Yorktown is a World War II aircraft carrier turned museum. Climb aboard to explore aircraft displays, naval exhibits, and interactive tours that fascinate both kids and history buffs alike.

Savor Charleston’s culinary scene

From shrimp and grits to She-crab soup, Charleston’s cuisine is world-class. Try booking a guided food tour to sample a variety of Lowcountry favorites and learn about the origins of the region’s delights and the southern traditions that have kept them alive for many generations.

Sightseeing in the Historic District

Charleston is best discovered by walking or biking the historic streets. Many hotels even offer guests bike rentals. To soak in a blend of southern charm and seaside breezes, make sure to visit the Historic District to see Rainbow Row, the Battery, the famous pineapple fountain, cobblestone streets, peaceful gardens, and stunning architecture.

Carriage tours

One of the most well-known attractions in Charleston, carriage tours are a unique experience for visitors to learn about the city’s history while admiring the beautiful architecture. No two tours are alike, and they allow visitors to soak in the beautiful city while relaxing their tired feet.

Ghost tours

If you’re looking for a spooky experience after dark, consider one of Charleston’s famous ghost tours. Walking tours explore haunted graveyards and highlight the city’s troubled past involving both pirates and slavery.

Have a beach day

For visitors looking to relax on a beach, choose from either Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach. While Sullivan’s Island mirrors Charleston’s classy and sophisticated vibe, Folly Beach is more laid back with colorful bars, restaurants, and shops.

Charleston Tea Garden

An alternative option to visiting a historic plantation, visitors can tour North America’s only large-scale tea plantation. Guests can truly soak in a unique Lowcountry experience on Wadmalaw Island by learning about tea production and sampling local brews.

• Millers All Day: A modern twist on a classic diner setting, this restaurant serves up southern-style breakfasts all day to both locals and tourists alike. Make sure to try their biscuits or cinnamon rolls made from their homemade biscuit dough!

• Hank’s Seafood Restaurant: If you’re looking for authentic Lowcountry cuisine in the heart of Charleston, then look no further than Hank’s. They offer a wonderful selection of local flounder, shrimp, oysters, and crab to satisfy your seafood cravings.

• High Cotton: Located on bustling Bay Street, High Cotton excels in both customer service and southern culinary specialties. The culinary team adds a southern spin on traditional seafood and steakhouse dishes to highlight the South’s best ingredients such as grits, fried green tomatoes, shrimp, and crab. You will leave feeling like family!

• Citrus Club: Located at The Dewberry Hotel, Citrus Club is a rooftop bar favored by both local business associates and tourists. While enticed by the citrus-inspired cocktails and local beers, you’ll definitely want to stay for the views of downtown Charleston, numerous church steeples, and the Cooper River.

• Page’s Okra Grill: If you’re looking for a casual, family-friendly eatery, then cross over the Ravenel/Cooper River Bridge to Mt. Pleasant and experience a meal at Page’s. Serving up Southern, down-home cooking all day long, you won’t leave hungry! Try their famous Bloody Mary, shrimp and grits, or fried chicken!

• Poe’s Tavern: This is a great choice located on Sullivan’s Island whether you are headed to or coming off the beach for a bite to eat. This little tavern serves up a variety of chicken sandwiches, burgers, and tacos to suit everyone’s tastes.