DRINK//EAT//DO
DRINK
Cypress
167 E Bay St, Charleston (French Quarter)
cypresscharleston.com
(843) 727-0111
Henry’s House – this laid-back jazz house offers strong drinks and some pretty great jazz. Don’t miss their rooftop and make sure to try their food that’s more a bit more upscale than your typical pub food.
54 North Market Street (City Market)
henryshousecharleston.com
(843) 723-4363
Carmella’s Dessert Bar
198 E Bay St #100 (French Quarter)
carmellasdessertbar.com
(843) 722-5893
Red’s Ice House – This no-frills spot offers a gorgeous view at sunset and some delightfully mediocre drinks. Stick with beer and stay for a while.
EAT
The Ocean Room at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – If you’re looking for an exquisite dining experience, the Ocean Room provides it. It’s a highly-rated steak and seafood restaurant offering sushi and fantastic classic cocktails.
1 Sanctuary Beach Drive (Kiawah Island)
kiawahresort.com
(843) 768-6253
Magnolia’s – An old-school Southern restaurant on the main thoroughfare, the decor and staff are warm and welcoming. Their Fried Green Tomato Sandwich is next level and not to be missed.
185 E Bay Street (French Quarter)
magnoliascharleston.com
(843) 577-7771
A Moonpie – The company started in Charleston, so stop by their general store on the City Market for all-things Moonpie. Mugs, t-shirts, keepsakes, and every flavor of pie you could ever want.
48 North Market Street (City Market)
moonpie.com
(843) 724-3525
Edmund’s Oast
Fischer’s Sports Pub & Grill – The cheese fries at this super casual locals spot are absolutely remarkable. (They smother the whole damn thing in the best ranch dressing you’ve ever tasted.) You can also find local beers and spirits here.
1883 Andell Bluff Blvd (Johns Island)
(843) 243-0210
Hege’s – French bistro with some great classic drinks
275 Gardners Circle (Johns Island)
hegesrestaurantsc.com
(843) 768-0035
The Lobby Bar at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort – This bar makes a great classic cocktail. Be ready to spend, though. The bar staff is incredibly friendly. Venturing out to Kiawah is a hike, but spending a day there isn’t a bad way to spend a day.
1 Sanctuary Beach Drive (Kiawah Island)
kiawahresort.com
(843) 768-6253
DO
Ghost Tours – I did a tour will Bulldog Tours and, while ghost tours are always slightly campy, we learned a great deal of history about the city and saw many points of interest. You’ll even get to visit a private cemetery!
18 Anson Street (City Market)
bulldogtours.com
(843) 722-8687
Charleston Tea Company – Take a day to visit the only working tea plantation in the US. Enjoy a factory tour and a jaunt around the plantation … and all the tea tasting your little heart desires. Heading out to the Plantation on Wadmalaw Island, you’ll be close to Firefly Distillery and the Angel Oak Tree, so make a day of it.
6617 Maybank Highway (Wadmalaw Island)
charlestonteaplantation.com
(843) 559-0383
Angel Oak Tree – This 400+ year old tree (some claim it could be as old as 1,500), it’s said to be one of the oldest living things in the country. This 67′ tall tree covers 17,200 square feet thanks to its crawling branches. Visit for free.
3688 Angel Oak Road (Johns Island)
angeloaktree.com
843-559-3496
Plantation and Garden Tours – You must visit at least one plantation or garden to take in the beauty of the region–Spanish moss-covered oaks, colorful flowers, and still waters.
Middleton Place – Since the 1730s, this plantation on the Ashley River has offered beautiful views. A former rice plantation, it’s now a lovely place to take a long walk and learn about the history of southern plantations, then grab a meal. There’s lodging on-site if you’re inclined to experience a more laid-back Charleston.
3550 Ashley River Road
middletonplace.org
(843) 571-1266
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – This pre-Revolutionary War plantation offers lush and extensive gardens, a petting zoo, tours of the property by boat or train. You’ll more than likely see quite a bit of wildlife including alligators.
4300 Ashley River Road
magnoliaplantation.com
(843) 556-6020
Beaches
Kiawah Island