When I say this trip was a whirlwind, it is no exaggeration! Normally Charleston is an easy trip and not so rushed, but we had last minute changes which forced us to cram. So now I can give an accurate account of how to spend 24 hours in Charleston from experience. Let’s dive in!
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Lodging for 24 Hours in Charleston
There are many amazing places to stay in Charleston and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Each is popular for their own reasons and all of them have the charm people look for when visiting the Holy City. I had a comped night with Hotel Bennett, so we chose to use it on this trip and got to enjoy one of the crown jewels of Charleston again!
We have consistently been impressed by this hotel and it’s amenities, plus the service! Everyone from the bellhops, concierge, front desk staff, and restaurant staff are SO friendly and make the stay just that much better. I’ve also been witness to their organization and efficiency with events which just makes me appreciate them even more. The location is perfect, right off of King St. next to Marion Square which makes it convenient to everything downtown. In the mornings, Jason likes to go downstairs to La Patisserie for a coffee and maybe a pastry. Just know that weekday mornings are pretty busy in La Patisserie as people stop by before starting their day.
If you only have 24 hours, why not stay at Charleston’s best? Other options for hotels that are convenient to downtown are:
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Mid-century style dripping everywhere
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Overlooks Marion Square
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Top-rated bar, The Citrus Club
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Bikes included (if booking directly) which I think would be so fun to explore on. In the Summer it is SO humid. The more wind on your body the better; bikes are your friend.
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Balconies that scream French charm, but with Charleston views
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Top-rated restaurant, Charleston Grill
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City Market and King St. shopping are right around the corner, including LoveShackFancy
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Bonus points for having Charleston’s #1 rooftop bar
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Make sure to check out the art gallery
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A stone’s throw from the famous Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain (like it’s right there)
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Expect crowds here, especially on weekends, but still worth the stay!
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Gorgeous interiors
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You get your own. personal. butler. What?! I hope his name is Alfred.
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Heated towels
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Hardly a walk to the famous City Market
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SO retro and unique
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Stay here for ALL the fun and colorful photo ops
Where to Eat
I’ll say this now – you’re going to need a lot more than 24 hours in Charleston to eat all the yummy food because there is a lot! When we arrived we went straight to Edmund’s Oast for a beer and a late lunch. I’ve been wanting to try Edmund’s Oast forever because I heard their food is just as good as the beer. We had the Spicy Pimento Cheese, Spicy Korean Meatballs, and the 2 piece Chicken Dinner.
Charleston is known as a foodie paradise and there’s no shortage of places to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Dinner Options:
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar (Average entree price $28.75)
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Southern and seafood
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Eat on the water here! It’s right next to Waterfront Park too
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Vegetarian and gluten free menus available
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Try the fried green tomatoes, calamari steak, and crab cakes
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Convenient to a parking garage if you’re not staying nearby
Chubby Fish (Average entree price $26.50)
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Seafood restaurant, stylish and laid back, but elevated dishes
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Raw oyster bar if you’re into that (I like them all the other ways, but not raw)
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Casual to upscale casual
Barsa (Average tapas price $10.55)
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Spanish tapas restaurant
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Get the brussel sprouts, empanadas, dates, and croquettes
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Then get the paella, any of them (note: it takes 45+ minutes, so get tapas to hold you over!)
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You may want to drive if you’re staying on the lower end of the peninsula, it’s a long walk up King St.
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Don’t leave without at least trying the Okonomiyaki
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Parking can be a pain in this area, so expect to drive a little bit to find a spot
The next day we had to be at the city marina early. This was the day that was pretty crammed with the boat excursion, shooting content, and getting Miller back from a friend. By the time we were done it was mid-afternoon so we went to Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant for lunch before heading home. This area is one of my favorites to hang out in because it’s so close to Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms (IOP). Before or after a day at the beach, I’ll always stop here and get a bite to eat.
It’s surrounded by water and marsh views, herons and pelicans, incoming and outgoing boats, and lots of great food! I’ve eaten at Water’s Edge, Red’s Ice House, The Shelter, Saltwater Cowboy’s, Red Drum, Page’s Okra Grill, Coleman Public House, Grace & Grit, Mainland Container Co., and now Tavern & Table! The only one I wouldn’t go back to is Page’s. Don’t get me wrong, it’s Charleston famous and very popular with tourists, but I’ve given it three chances and I’m just not impressed with the food and don’t get the hype. If you go to Grace & Grit, you MUST try the grit flight. I know the flavors sound strange for grits, but trust me; the brussels pesto was my favorite. The Shelter is very dog-friendly so we like to bring Miller here; Jason always gets their Golden Beet Salad.
Tavern & Table had great flavor, was fresh, and reasonably priced (average lunch entree price $16). We shared the Dynamite Shrimp, Jason had the Ahi Tuna bowl with salmon instead (that crusted avocado – YUM), and I had the Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread. This is a great spot to sit outside and watch the boats; you may even see a dolphin or two. Be prepared, Shem Creek is very popular with locals and tourists alike, so parking can be difficult in the high season.
What to Do with 24 Hours in Charleston
I want to highlight a way to enjoy the Holy City that maybe you haven’t thought of – chartering/renting a boat! Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see the city. Not only do you get an awesome view of downtown and all the amazing properties that line The Battery, but you can also go fishing, island hopping, explore Fort Sumter, or tie up at Shem Creek for lunch. If you want some serious deep sea fishing, there are companies that can take you further than the peninsula. The marsh and ocean is a way of life in the Lowcountry, not only for leisure, but many make their living through fishing, shrimping, oyster harvesting, boat charters, tours, and more. If you only have 24 hours in Charleston, this is a great morning activity that frees up the rest of the day.
With a little help from a friend we were able to schedule a very last minute morning boat excursion with Dave Gugliotti, owner of Carolina Marine Group. Dave started Carolina Marine Group in 2014 and now it is known as the biggest and best private tour boat company in the city. He offers a bunch of different types to choose from including: bachelorette/bachelor parties, team building activities, cigar & bourbon tour, dolphin tours, and sunset tours. His boats are beautiful and spacious, the vibes are good, and Captain Dave will be one of the coolest and realest people you’ll ever meet. If you don’t need a boat charter, you want a boat charter to meet Dave; I hope we get to see more of him ourselves.
If you’re looking to stay on land, one of the best ways to explore Charleston is by simply walking or biking. I recommend the hot spots like Rainbow Row, the Battery, Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park, and City Market, but you should also check out:
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Catch a show at Charleston Music Hall
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Chill with friends at Forte Jazz Lounge
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Take a tour of High Wire Distilling
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Go on a self-guided tour and don’t be afraid to walk down alleys and side streets; they’re full of surprises like courtyards, cobblestone streets, colorful houses, window boxes, and gardens
ROAM Luggage
Speaking of Rainbow Row, part of the reason we went to Charleston was to shoot content for a brand partnership with ROAM Luggage. We got to design (yes, design!) our own luggage in exchange for content creation. Thank you ROAM for being one of our first few brand partnerships!
Listen ya’ll, both our luggage pieces that literally fell apart last Fall only had two wheels and one sided interiors. This was a major upgrade for us. I also got a set of pink and white striped packing cubes to match and I’m never not using packing cubes to organize my bag again. You can find those cubes here. Even Jason’s asking for some now.
Have you heard of ROAM? From the same creators and owners of Tumi, it’s the only luggage brand that lets you customize the colors. Customers can choose a different color for the front and back of the luggage, the handles, wheels, even the zipper! When I saw “Bermuda Pink” as an option, I knew the perfect setting for it was Rainbow Row.
I chose Bermuda Pink for the front and back, Vail White for the wheels and zipper, and Tromso Ice for the handles and binding. I bet Tromso Ice looks so good with the Como Blue option.
Just look at this pretty combo! You can even choose the color of the monogram where the identification card is as well; such a nice touch. Jason designed his piece in Kyoto Black and Venetian Green.
As far as durability, they are strong and sturdy. The handles glide up easily and don’t wobble, the wheels are smooth and don’t shake, the polycarbonate case is hard and I trust it to keep my belongings safe. The only negative is the matte finish of the pieces (in my opinion) make it more susceptible to scuffs and scratches. Maybe a glossy finish on the shell would help with this. Either way, my pretty pink luggage was not the only victim of TSA’s poor handling; Jason’s black luggage wasn’t having a good day either. The good news is that ROAM has a lifetime warranty, and although cosmetic damage is not included, our luggage was considered more substantial than normal. The lifetime warranty allowed ROAM to provide us new luggage and a shipping label to send the others back. ROAM’s website recommends a cleaning eraser to buff scuffs out. Also, we have pieces that need to be checked in, so I doubt a carry-on would see what ours did. TSA shows no mercy, no matter how pretty your luggage is.
It’s totally doable to spend 24 hours in Charleston. This guide is not all inclusive because there are SO many things to see and do in the Holy City, but if you have any questions and need more tips, let me know and I can try to help!
One Comment
I love Charleston and go there often. Loved seeing some new places for me to visit!