Your 48-hour guide to Charleston, S.C.

Having been named the number one city in the U.S.– and the number one city in the world – it’s no secret that visitors flock to Charleston, SC by the masses. And we would be remiss if we didn’t take advantage of having a sister-publication in the Holy City – CHStoday – to give us (and you) all the recommendations for a weekend getaway.

To keep you from having to rely on Google or word-of-mouth the next time you head to Charleston, CHStoday asked their readers: “If a friend were visiting CHS for just one day, where would you take them?” – then using some of those locals’ answers to compile a short-but-sweet 48-hour itinerary.

Disclaimer: They tried their best to pack as many activities into the schedule while still keeping it as realistic as possible; so they couldn’t include every single attraction suggested – especially those located off the beaten path (looking at you, Angel Oak Tree).

Day 1:

Early morning in Charleston is quite beautiful. We would recommend getting up early and start your walking about before anyone else starts to think about it. Head south of Broad on Church St. and meander your way down to The Battery – stopping at all the gorgeous homes – and then walk up East Bay St. past Rainbow Row to Broad St.

Stop 1: One Broad St. Mostly a locals place that has amazing breakfast/brunch food and also a great coffee shop. Almost always busy, but vibrant and delicious.

Stop 2: Explore the historic City Market – where you can shop hundreds of local vendors to pick out the perfect souvenirs to take back home.

Stop 3: Depending on what day you are there, you may be able to peruse the Farmer’s Market in Marion Square (on Saturdays) or the Second Sunday event (each month) on King St. But any day of the week King St. has prime shopping if you are in the mood to get something new.

Stop 4: North Morrison. A different side of Charleston. Head up to North Morrison and grab lunch at Lewis BBQ. A great local place that sells all of their meat by the pound with both indoor and shaded outdoor seating, plus a great beer selection – what more could you want? While you’re up that way, stop into the Tattooed Moose (order the duck fat fries), Workshop (CHS’ very own food hall) or the great rooftop at Revelry Brewery (cheers their best-selling Lefty Loosey, a West Coast-style IPA).

Stop 5: Upper King. Now it’s dinner time and it’s time to see just how bright Charleston can shine. Kick-off the evening at the top end of King St. and grab a drink and a bite at Leon’s Oyster Shop. Fried chicken and oysters? – Talk about a shuckin’ good time.

With a multitude of great restaurants on the up and coming Upper King district of Charleston, feel free to walk and pop into several places for a late-night drink. Trust us, you can’t go wrong. A few of our favorites: Cocktail Club, Prohibition, Warehouse, The Rarebit…

Day 2:

With multiple award-winning beaches within a 30-minute drive from the heart of Charleston, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to where to rest your toes in the sand. When looking for the ‘Edge of America,’ Folly Beach offers an eclectic vibe, with a walkable pier (the second-longest on the East coast at 1,045 ft. long + 25 ft. wide) and local, hole-in-the-wall haunts. Whereas if you pop over the Ravenel Bridge, Sullivan’s Island offers more lavish experience – set against large waterfront homes and more upscale dining offerings.

Let’s head to Sullivan’s:

Stop 1: Vicious Biscuit for breakfast… yep, that’s their name and yes they are deliciously enormous biscuits. Pro-tip: Go early to both Vicious Biscuit as well as the beach otherwise lines will be formed outside the restaurant and you will be dealing with beach traffic.

Stop 2: Sullivan’s Island. Park any place around 21st, 22nd, or 23rd Street on Sullivan’s Island. This allows you to leave the car as long as you want and also walk to lunch. Sullivan’s Island has some rental opportunities for kiteboarding for those that are overly adventurous. Be sure to bring chairs, towels, a cooler (sorry, no alcohol allowed on the beach), and enjoy the waves.

Stop 3: Poe’s Tavern or Home Team BBQ. Hungry for beer and burgers? Poe’s is your place – fairly chill and solid for the outdoor beach vibe. Home Team BBQ has some killer pork nachos and their Game Changer is sure to cool you down.

Stop 4: Shem Creek. Feeling like you need to work off some extra fries or nachos from lunch? Coastal Expedition has kayaking and paddleboarding to get your butt in gear. These tours or rentals usually last an hour or two, but trust us – you will feel it in the morning! Reward yourself after all your hard work while overlooking Shem Creek at either Red’s Ice House or Tavern and Table for a drink.

Stop 5: Head back downtown to your hotel or Airbnb to get ready for dinner. Dinner… well, there are so many choices pending the day... but since you went to Upper King last night, let’s head down to the French Quarter.

Stop 6: Anson Restaurant, Hank’s Seafood, or the Bar at Husk. Can’t go wrong with any of these long-standing establishments. The fried flounder from Anson is a must.

Stop 7: Finish the night with a nightcap. The Rooftop at The Vendue, Elevé Lounge, and/or Pavilion Bar have some of the best views in the city. For more of a dance party, Henry’s will be your jam.

If you aren’t in the mood for a libation – sign up for a ghost tour of Charleston – to get a glimpse into some of our spookier history. There are several tours, starting at 6:30 p.m.– so if you’re feeling really ambitious about packing as much into your trip as possible, you’d definitely have time to do this and still grab a drink afterward. That is – if you aren’t too scared…

If you happen to be staying during the weekend, brunch is sacred. If you skip it – your entire visit doesn’t count. Sorry, but that’s non-negotiable. And because brunch is so big, you really can’t go wrong wherever you decide to go – but just in case, we’ve picked a few of our personal faves based on popular menu items:

• Chicken + waffles: Poogan’s Porch, 72 Queen St.
• Grits: Grace & Grit, 320 Wingo Way, Ste. 100, Mt. Pleasant
• Steak + eggs: Halls Chophouse, 434 King St.
• A little bit of everything: 5Church, 32 N. Market St.

Pro-tip: Some restaurants only serve brunch on Sundays. If you’re brunching on a different day of the week, make sure to double-check beforehand to spare yourself major heartbreak.

A few recommendations on where to lay your head at night:

NotSo Hostel, 156 Spring St. + 33 Cannon St.
Starting rate: $30+ per person/night
Budget traveler? With rates as low as $30/night, this international-style hostel might just be your best bet.

The Dewberry, 334 Meeting St.
Starting rate: $250/night
If you’re searching for luxury accommodations, look no further than The Dewberry. This trendy hotel is located in the heart of downtown, right next door to Marion Square.

The Governor’s House Inn, 117 Broad St.
Starting rate: $250/night
Take in the city’s historic charm with this bed + breakfast that dates back to the pre-revolutionary era. Close to the Battery + the City Market, the Governor’s House Inn once served as the Governor’s Mansion– back when Charleston was still the capital of South Carolina.