If you’ve never been to Charleston, SC, you may be surprised to find there are many similarities between the Holy City and the City of Brotherly Love. For starters, there is so much history in and around the area. Plus, there’s a booming food and beer scene. The core of the city is extremely walkable and bicycle-friendly, and driving is fairly easy, too.
Then, of course, there are the jarring differences. Charleston is a city oozing with quintessential Southern Charm, while Philly is a proudly gritty city. (Nobody likes us, we don’t care.) Though, this makes Charleston the perfect destination if you’re looking for a change of pace without giving up parts of Philadelphia. Here’s our guide to navigating and getting the most out of your trip.
Getting There & Getting Around
Start your trip by flying direct from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Charleston International Airport (CHS) via American or Frontier Airlines. If you’re spending the majority of your time downtown, a car is not necessary. It’s very walkable and there are several buses, plus a city-wide bike share program called Holy Spokes.
While there’s plenty to do downtown, there’s also amazing history located just outside city limits. You can take a quick drive or use a ride share app, or you can book through a few tour companies such as Adventure Sightseeing and GrayLine Tours.
Where to Stay
It’s definitely convenient to stay downtown, and many of the hotels are beautiful. The Dewberry, Grand Bohemian, and The Restoration are popular posh spots. There are options such as Zero George and the romantic Two Meeting Street for a more intimate B&B feel. For a more immersed experience, the Cannonborough neighborhood is not a far walk from the central King Street. Try the elegant 86 Cannon or the budget-friendly Notso Hostel.
What to Do
Speaking of history, years of important Civil War history takes place in Charleston. Learn about the significance of the forts surrounding the city and how they shape American history. You can visit them directly or take a fun tour on Charleston Harbor Tours.
Once back in Charleston proper, learn about the lives of the 1% before the revolution. Many family lines have been so wealthy they were able to preserve a lot of the original materials. Others have been restored through the years. Tours are available for homes such as the Nathaniel Russell House Museum, a National Historic Landmark.
If you need a break from formal history, visit the Gibbes Museum of Art or Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at The College of Charleston. Both host an impressive array of art sure to capture your attention. Let’s not forget shopping, too! The Charleston area is full of boutiques and local artisans, such as Hampden Clothing, Blue Bicycle Books, and J. Stark. For gifts like hand poured candles, visit Candlefish downtown or Park & Madison in Mount Pleasant. An all-in-one stop is the bustling historic Charleston City Market, where you’ll find woven seagrass baskets and more local novelty items.
A couple noteworthy plantations are located just outside Charleston. Each one has its own history dating back centuries, with different stories about its owners and slaves. The most popular ones in West Ashley are Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Drayton Hall, and Middleton Place. On the other side of the peninsula is Boone Hall, famed for a few appearances in Hollywood movies.
Further west, you can travel to see one of the oldest oak trees, the Angel Oak Tree, in all its magnificence on Johns Island. Then, head to the beaches on Folly Beach for families, Sullivans Island for a romantic walk to the lighthouse, or Kiawah Island for golfing resorts. Each has their own charm depending on what you’re looking for.
Where to Eat
Though the town may be small, the flavors here are the bold, lowcountry favorites you would expect… and then some. You can’t talk about food in Charleston without mentioning Sean Brock first and foremost. This now-celebrity-chef revolutionized elevated local Southern cuisine in the city at his restaurant Husk. It should be the first to-do on your list after confirming your travel plans (since it’s difficult to get a reservation). If you can’t snag one, it’s no loss to eat down the street at FIG. Run by Chef Mike Lata, the mentality is very similar: honest-to-goodness local fare, refined. Escape the hype by trying Bar Normandy for an under-the-radar experience of small plates and good wine.
For more casual eats, there’s the indubitable Hominy Grill for all things biscuit-related. Don’t worry if there’s a line, there’s a bar window outside. Eat the mezze spread at Butcher & Bee, get the fish tacos at Raw 167, or balance a salad with heavenly dessert at Caviar & Bananas. For quality BBQ, you’re going to have to travel outside the downtown area to Rodney Scott BBQ or Swig & Swine. Take a break from classic Southern food with creative Asian cuisine at Xiao Bao Biscuit.
Where to Drink
The town is full of local breweries making a mark on the beer scene. Grab a seat at some of these taprooms: Palmetto Brewing Co., Revelry Brewing Co., Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.… just to name a few. After the sun sets, the cocktails are the star of the show in town. The Living Room at The Dewberry impresses with its theatrics like hand-stamped ice. Similarly, find carefully crafted drinks at Gin Joint, Drawing Room at the Vendue, and many more.
Of course, Sundays are for brunch. The Darling Oyster Bar is a favorite, even though you wouldn’t think of oysters for breakfast. The Captain Bloody Mary itself is worth the trip (and a ‘gram, naturally). But it’s dishes like clam chowder poutine (hello, hangover cure) and lobster rolls that are worth staying for. Even though it’s known for seafood, the chicken biscuit sandwich here is still damn good.
No matter what, you can’t go wrong with food and drinks in Charleston. There’s something delicious waiting for you around every single corner. The same goes with picturesque historical scenes, which I think are the best parts of Philly as well.
