What a weekend! Mike was in Brooklyn, performing his best man duties at his friend's bachelor party, and I attended his fiancee's bachelorette party here in Charleston. Ever since
they came to visit us last year, they have fallen in love with Charleston. I was so excited when she told me that her bachelorette would be here, and I had a blast helping her maid of honor plan it!
I started this list for her MOH, and since I get questions often about what to do when in Charleston, I thought I would share this list with you for a destination Charleston bachelorette party or Charleston girls' weekend. One of the best parts about visiting Charleston is that the "touristy" part of the city is pretty small and doesn't require a rental car or many Uber rides to get from place to place.
Before I jump in, let's talk about how to get there. Flying into the Charleston International Airport is super easy. Almost all big-name airlines fly here, and I've had tons of success finding cheap flights in and out of the city. From there, it's just a 20 minute Lyft or Uber ride downtown. If you're driving, I would definitely suggest finding the city garage closest to your hotel. There is almost no free overnight street parking, but there are tons of garages with flat daily fees (that are much cheaper than hotel valet prices).
1. Where to stay:
If you're looking for a downtown Charleston weekend, I would definitely suggest staying on King Street (anywhere south of Spring Street for best walk-ability) or in the French Quarter (between the City Market and Broad Street).
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The Vendue - This is where we stayed last weekend, right in the middle of the French Quarter, and it was perfect! The complimentary breakfast was delicious, there were milk and cookies each evening, and I love the rotating art exhibition. Right now, it's an amazing array of food-themed art! Plus, there's a rooftop bar with great views of the harbor.
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The Spectator Hotel - Modern and exuding 1920s glam, this spot is one of the newer hotels in the city, only a block away from the City Market. They have complimentary room service breakfast each morning and full-service butlers.
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The Mills House - One more in the French Quarter: I love this hotel because it has a rooftop pool and some of the easiest parking in the city (with a parking garage attached to it).
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The Restoration - If you're looking for a cozy place to stay as a group, this is it. The suites are beautiful, and this hotel is such an all-in-one find. It has it's own rooftop bar, coffee spot, shopping, spa, and a pool.
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The Dewberry - In what used to be the Rivers Federal Building, these hotel rooms are brand new and full of natural light. The hotel is right on Marion Square, and super close to all of Upper King Street's bars and restaurants!
2. Brunch and dinner for a group:
If you're planning on visiting Charleston, you might already know that it's absolutely a destination for its food. However, even though there are tons of restaurants up and down every street, some of them can be pretty small and/or require reservations really far in advance. There are five that are walkable from any of hotels listed above and are able to accommodate larger groups. If you're looking to save a little money, making reservations for a late morning or early afternoon brunch and a dinner (instead of 3 meals) can help - all of these places do both brunch and dinner well (plus a suggestion for each)!
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Paw Paw - order some biscuits and hushpuppies for the table
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Prohibition - the cocktails here are award-winning
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Craftsman Kitchen & Tap House - the local and national beer selection is unmatched
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5Church - they have a rotating mimosa flight for brunch
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82 Queen - the She Crab Soup is my favorite in the city
Okay, and two that are not walkabout but definitely need to be mentioned: Edmund's Oast and Taco Boy!
3. Plan a daytime activity:
Yes, eating and drinking are definitely the main attractions, but here are some great ideas to do in-between meals, again, all within walking distance from any of the hotels.
- Make candles at
Candlefish
- Hang out with kitties at
Pounce Cat Cafe
- Drink around the city with a
Charleston Brews Cruise bus tour
- Relax with a
massage
- Charter your own
private boat around the harbor
4. Go out on the town:
The reason I always tell people to stay near King Street or in the French Quarter for a girls' trip is for this reason. The nightlife in these two areas is the best in the city! I have three personal priorities: delicious drinks, beautiful views, and sweets!
- King Street:
- Rooftop bars:
The Cocktail Club,
Stars,
Uptown Social, and
Pour Taproom
- Clubs and Dancing:
Prohibition,
Mynt, and
Republic
- Sweets:
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit,
Jeni's ice cream,
Glazed gourmet doughnuts, and
Cupcake Down South
- East Bay:
- Rooftop bars:
The Vendue,
Pavilion Bar,
Burwell's, and
The Watch
- Relaxed bars:
The Gin Joint,
Pearlz, and
5Church
- Sweets:
Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe,
Carmella's Dessert Bar, and
The Ultimate Coconut Cake
5. Walk around:
Last, but not least, no trip to Charleston is complete without a walk around the city. There's nothing like being on the cobblestone streets and seeing all the beautiful architecture up close. Plus, a few of these walks come with some great shopping, too.
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The Charleston City Market shopping
- King Street shopping (between Calhoun and Broad streets)
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Rainbow Row and Tradd Street architecture walk
- Harbor side walk along the Battery (Murray Boulevard and East Bay Street) up through Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain
- A stroll through the College of Charleston (St. Philip, George, Coming streets and College and Green ways)
There you have it! As always, if you ever have a questions about your Charleston trip, please email me!
