Things to Do in Charleston SC for Couples (Beyond the Obvious Tourist Trail)
Are you planning a couples trip to Charleston, SC?
We have been to the Holy City several times and no matter how many times we visit, we still discover new things to love. A street we haven’t wandered down. A restaurant that just opened. A cocktail we haven’t tried.
That’s one of the reasons it’s such a perfect place for couples. Charleston is meant for exploring together. Whether you’re looking for unique things to do in Charleston SC for couples or just need a great trip with someone you love, you’ll find both here.
Here’s everything we’d tell you to do.
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Explore Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston is one of the most walkable cities in the South. Doing your own walking tour of the touristy and non-touristy areas of Charleston doesn’t cost a thing or require a reservation. Grab breakfast or brunch first. This is a walking morning and you’re going to want to fuel up before getting started.
Check Out the Homes South of Broad
If you’re looking for non-touristy things to do in Charleston, start here. Once you cross Broad Street, the prime tourist activity mostly disappears.
This residential area is known as South of Broad (or SOB to the locals) and it’s where Charleston’s wealthiest families built their homes starting in the 1700s and they are gorgeous. One of our favorite things to do in Charleston is to wander these streets checking out the houses.
Some things to look for as you are walking:
Haint Blue Porch Ceilings: Many of the porch ceilings are painted a soft blue-green color called haint blue. The Gullah people of the Lowcountry believed the color warded off evil spirits. Whether or not that worked, the tradition stuck. You’ll now find the pale blue on porch ceilings all over the South.
Single Houses: You’ll also notice many of the houses were built with the front door facing a side garden instead of the street. Because the lots on the peninsula were so narrow, builders just turned the houses sideways.
Half Addresses: Look for addresses like 14½ tucked beside regular addresses on the street. Those are the old outbuildings from the 1700s like the kitchens and carriage houses that were eventually converted into their own residences.
There are no shops or restaurants down here. Just streets that look basically the same as they did three hundred years ago. Stop and read the historical markers. But remember, people actually live here so be respectful and stay off personal property.
The Battery, White Point Garden, and Rainbow Row
Keep walking south through SOB and you’ll dead-end right into White Point Garden and then the Battery.
White Point Garden is a park at the tip of the peninsula full of gorgeous old oak trees and some Civil War markers. There are benches throughout the park where you can sit and relax with your coffee and people watch.
Pass through White Point Garden and you’ll find The Battery, a seawall built in the late 1700s to protect Charleston Harbor. Today, its a nice walking path that gives you gorgeous views of the harbor, Fort Sumter, and the houses of SOB.
Parking down here is nearly impossible. This is a residential neighborhood, not a tourist area, and it wasn’t designed for visitor traffic. Just walk down after you finish wandering South of Broad.
From The Battery, head north on East Bay Street and you’ll find Rainbow Row on your left. You’ll probably know it when you see it because if you’ve ever seen a picture of Charleston, you’ve seen Rainbow Row. It’s pretty iconic. Thirteen houses painted in beautiful pastel colors.
Mornings are the best time to visit Rainbow Row because you’ll have fewer people and better light for photos. When the sun gets high overhead it washes out the colors and makes it harder to get good pictures.
🌈 The Briefest Little History of Rainbow Row
The houses of Rainbow Row date back to around 1740, when they were built as merchant storefronts with living quarters above. After the Civil War the area fell into disrepair and sat neglected for decades.
In 1931 Dorothy Porcher Legge bought a section of the homes and restored them, painting them pastel pink inspired by colonial Caribbean architecture. Her neighbors followed suit, each choosing their own pastel color.
Today, the homes are still privately owned but any exterior changes (including paint color) require approval from Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review. So, my guess is those colors aren’t going anywhere.
Just past the last of the colorful homes, you’ll find The Tavern at Rainbow Row. Open since 1686, this is the oldest continuously operating liquor store in America. During Prohibition they disguised the front as a barber shop and sent customers around back.
Stop in and pick up a bottle of wine or spirits for your evening. It’s just really cool to say you bought a bottle from the oldest liquor store in America.
Waterfront Park
Your next stop is the iconic Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park. It’s the one place in Charleston that’s photographed even more than Rainbow Row.
Take a right by The Tavern at Rainbow Row onto Exchange Street and walk about two blocks. This will drop you in the southern end of Waterfront Park. You’ll know you are there when you see the river. The fountain will be to your left.
This whole park is really beautiful so take some time to walk through and enjoy the shade from the massive oak trees.
There’s a second, larger fountain at the north entrance of the park, and you’re allowed to wade in both. You’ll see kids in them all the time on warm days. I’ve personally never felt inclined to put my feet in shallow water shared by lots of little kids, but you make your own call.
🍍 Why is Charleston Obsessed with Pineapples?
You’ll see pineapples all over Charleston. On fence posts, painted on doors, in wallpaper, and gift shops. Pineapples are the symbol of Southern hospitality and you’ll actually find them in many Southern homes. But, the history of the Charleston pineapple connection is pretty fun.
Back in the 1800s, pineapples were an exotic fruit that most people had never seen and they were incredibly expensive. Hosts throwing parties could go down to the docks and actually rent a pineapple from a merchant to display on their table as a status symbol.
After the party, they returned the fruit. Displaying a pineapple meant you could afford to entertain at the highest level. The tradition stuck, and the pineapple became synonymous with Southern welcome.
Charleston City Market
If you are planning a first-time trip to Charleston SC the City Market is worth a walk through.
Operating since the 1790s, this marketplace is the oldest of its kind in the nation and a National Historic Landmark. You’ll find four blocks of vendors selling everything from sweetgrass baskets and local art to handmade jewelry and cheap souvenirs.
If you’re looking to pick up a Charleston souvenir in the City Market, you can’t go wrong with a Gullah handwoven basket or a classic watercolor of Charleston. The painting of Rainbow Row that I bought here 30 years ago still hangs in our family room.
Be sure to look for the “Certified Authentic: Handmade in Charleston” tile in the seller’s booth to know you are buying items crafted by local artisans.
King Street
It doesn’t matter how many times we come to Charleston, I am going to be spending some time on King Street.
The best way I can describe it is if Boston’s Newbury Street or Chicago’s Magnificent Mile migrated south, it would look a lot like Charleston’s King Street. This is the iconic shopping street in the city.
The street has three basic zones. Lower King, between Broad and Market Streets, is where you’ll find antique dealers, art galleries, and jewelry stores. Middle King is local boutiques, restaurants, and fashion. Upper King is where the design showrooms and nightlife live.
A few shops to keep on your radar: Hampden has been the go-to for designer fashion on King Street for 15 years and has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Candlefish is a boutique candle shop with a library of distinctive fragrances. Croghan’s Jewel Box is a Charleston institution that just relocated to its own building.
If your visit falls on the second Sunday of the month, the city closes King Street to cars from noon to 5pm. Street vendors, live music, the whole street to walk. It’s a fun way to spend the afternoon.
Prefer a Guided Tour?
Sometimes it’s easier to let someone else take the lead and Charleston has some great history tours that focus on downtown. These are the best of the best.
Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour 5/5 ⭐️ Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through 30 blocks and 300 years of history while a certified guide shares stories most tourists never hear.
Historic Charleston Guided Walking Tour 5/5 ⭐️ A two-hour guided walking tour that covers the French Quarter, Rainbow Row, South of Broad, and the Battery with a licensed local guide
Walking Tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel 5/5 ⭐️ This small group tour of no more than 12 people is led by a Ph.D. historian and Professor of History at The Citadel. The deepest dive into Charleston’s history you’ll find on foot.
Things to Do On the Water in Charleston SC
Charleston is a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides. At some point you have to get out on it.
Take the Ferry to Fort Sumter
The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Ft Sumter, just off Charleston’s coast. We visited Ft Sumter on one of our first trips to Charleston and really enjoyed it. You get to see the city from the water plus get a healthy dose of history.
The ride across the harbor takes about 30 minutes and the views of the skyline, the Ravenel Bridge, and the harbor are beautiful. At the fort you’ll have about an hour to explore. National Park Service Rangers are on hand with presentations and to answer questions.
There are three ferries daily from downtown and two from Patriots Point. We opted to leave from Patriots Point so we could also tour the USS Yorktown, USS Laffey and the military aircraft on display. I highly recommend this option.
Allow 2.5 hours for the Ft Sumter tour and add another 1 – 2 hours for exploring Patriots Point.
Side note: There is also a nightly ghost tour of the USS Yorktown that gets you access to areas of the ship that are closed to the general public.
Book your tickets for the Ft Sumter Ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point here ⛴️
Spend an Afternoon at Shem Creek
Head across the Ravenel Bridge into Mount Pleasant to Shem Creek. While this area has popped up on the radar of places to see in Charleston and gotten more tourist traffic over the past few years, it’s still one of the the most authentically local spots in the Charleston area.
In Shem Creek, you can take guided kayak tours or you can rent kayaks to explore on your own. There’s over 8 miles of paddle routes that you can explore, but the really cool thing is that you’ll be paddling around active shrimp boats.
Dolphins love to follow those shrimp boats and they are very well known for playing in and around the kayaks. You can bring your dog too. You just want to make sure that they have a doggie life vest.
After kayaking grab a table at one of the waterfront restaurants for lunch or dinner.
Take a Harbor Cruise
If you’d rather see Charleston from the water without doing any of the paddling yourself, choose a harbor cruise that fits your travel style. There are enough options that you can pick based on what kind of afternoon or evening you want.
Private Luxury Yacht Charter 5 / 5 ⭐️
This is the bougie option. A private crewed sailing yacht for you and up to six guests. Bring your own drinks and a picnic or upgrade to onboard catering. Is it the most expensive thing on this list? Yes. Is it worth it for the right occasion? Also yes. Dolphins show up regularly, which at this price point it’s the least they could do.
Carolina Belle Harbor History Cruise 4.5 / 5 ⭐️
This 90-minute narrated history tour sails past Fort Sumter, the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and Castle Pinckney. You can choose a daytime or sunset sailing.
Morris Island Eco Boat Cruise 4.5 / 5 ⭐️
This might be the most unique option on the water. It launches from Bowens Island, winds through Lowcountry tidal creeks, and beaches on uninhabited Morris Island. You can walk the shore around the historic lighthouse, look for sea turtles and dolphins.
Blues and BBQ Sunset Dinner Cruise 3.6 / 5 ⭐️
For a fun night of live music and Southern BBQ choose the Charleston Princess. Three decks, open seating, good for a special evening out. BTW – Don’t let the rating scare you away from this one. It has mostly 5 star ratings with a few out of place low scores.
Haunted Harbor Ghost Cruise 4.5 / 5 ⭐️
For a spooky night opt for ghost stories about pirate attacks and naval battles told from a 45-foot catamaran after dark.
Book a Private Fishing Charter
One of our all-time favorite travel memories is a fishing charter we did together in Ketchikan, Alaska when on a cruise. I’m not saying that fishing in Charleston would be the same as fishing in Alaska. But, this is about doing things in Charleston as a couple and a day on the water is a fantastic option.
There are three options depending on what you’re after. Inshore charters stay in the tidal creeks and marshes, so you’re looking at calm water, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum. Half or full day and great for any experience level.
Nearshore trips head into open water for cobia, king mackerel, and amberjack. And, offshore charters run all the way out to the Gulf Stream for mahi mahi, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna giving you a full day and a serious adventure.
Date Night Ideas in Charleston SC
Looking for date ideas in Charleston? I’m guessing so, since you’re seeking out things to do in Charleston for couples! You’re in luck because Charleston does date nights (and afternoons) well. Really well. These are the ones that deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Sail on the Schooner Pride
Book the sunset sail on the Schooner Pride, an 84-foot, three-mast tall ship. You’ll spend two hours out on the water, powered only by the wind (as long as the wind is cooperating).
The trip takes you past the Battery, Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Ravenel Bridge with the Charleston skyline behind you.
It’s not a narrated tour but more of a chance to relax out on the water. Beer and wine are available for purchase on board.
The views are stunning and this tour fills up fast so book well in advance. We did a similar cruise in Boston and it was the highlight of our trip.
Book your tickets for the Schooner Pride sailing ⛵️
First Friday ArtWalk
If your trip falls on the first Friday of the month, plan to do the First Friday ArtWalk.
Over 40 galleries across downtown Charleston open their doors from 5 to 8pm. It’s completely free and there’s no pressure to buy anything.
Most galleries put out complimentary wine and light snacks and some have live music. Artists are typically on site and happy to talk about their work.
The galleries span Broad Street, King Street, East Bay, Church Street, and throughout the French Quarter. Start at any gallery and pick up a map. The tour is self guided so you can pick your favorites and build your own route.
It runs every month except January and July. If it lines up with your trip, don’t skip it.
Take a Cooking Class at Zero George
We have never had time to fit this one in on our itinerary when we were in Charleston, but it is absolutely on my list for as soon as possible.
Zero George Street is a boutique hotel in a c.1804 carriage house in downtown Charleston, and their cooking class is one of the most unique date night experiences in the city. The restaurant was selected in the inaugural 2025 Michelin Guide American South and you can get a look behind the scenes.
This demonstration-style class is limited to eight people who get to look on as the chef works through a three course menu using local, seasonal ingredients.
This is definitely not a budget option, but for the experience, access to the chef, and an amazing three-course meal, I think it’s totally worth it.
Catch a Show at Dock Street Theatre
If you love live theater like I do, check out Dock Street Theatre’s schedule when planning your trip.
Charleston Stage, South Carolina’s largest professional theater company, runs a full season of plays and musicals here year round. Not only are the productions fantastic, but the history of the Dock Street Theatre is worth the visit alone.
The original theater opened in 1736 as the first building in America designed specifically for theatrical performances. It sadly burned in the Great Fire of 1740. In 1809, Planter’s Hotel was built on the site and became the spot where the city’s wealthiest spent horse racing season.
During the Great Depression the WPA converted the condemned hotel into a theater modeled after 18th century London playhouses, and it’s been Dock Street ever since.
And then there’s the ghost situation. The most frequently spotted is Nettie, a local “lady of negotiable affection” who was struck by lightening on the balcony while she screamed insults at Charleston’s high society. Today, visitors claim to have seen her roaming the halls still wearing her trademark red dress.
The other is believed to be Junius Booth, father of John Wilkes Booth, the man who shot Abraham Lincoln in a theater. The fact that his ghost now haunts a theater is not lost on anyone.
Check the schedule before your trip and book ahead. Popular shows sell out.
South Carolina Aquarium After Hours
The schedule for this one can be hit or miss, so check in advance of your trip. It’s only offered a few times a year.
We’ve done a similar event at the Georgia Aquarium and it makes for a great date night. On these after-hours nights the South Carolina Aquarium is only open for adults 21 and older. They offer all-inclusive beer, wine, small bites, and the run of all their galleries after dark.
No kids, no crowds, just you and the sea turtles with a glass of wine.
Charleston RiverDogs Game
When Bill Murray is listed as “Director of Fun” for the local baseball team, you know you are going to have a good time. Murray is part owner of Charleston’s minor league franchise and fans can’t get enough of the RiverDogs.
RiverDogs games may not have the all out craziness that the Savannah Bananas games do, but the Charleston based marketing team comes up with some pretty great promotions. And to be fair, the RiverDogs are a legit baseball team. The Savannah Bananas are pure entertainment.
Wiener Wednesdays with 50-cent hot dogs, Knights of the Diamond Table Renaissance Fair Night, Marvel Night with Spider-Man jerseys, and Los Perros Santos Weekend are some of our favorites. Check the schedule. There’s always something fun happening.
Spend an Afternoon in Park Circle
Park Circle is a cool up and coming artsy neighborhood in north Charleston. We found it when The Tattooed Moose moved here a few years ago. More on that in a bit.
This was actually a 1900s neighborhood built around a central park and is perfect for an afternoon date since its still primarily residential so things close early.
Now, it’s home to a collection of eclectics shops like Black Octopus Mercantile, Roadside Blooms, and Itinerant Literate Independent Bookstore. If you get to Park Circle by 3pm, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the shops before they close.
After you get your fill of shopping, head to Firefly Distillery, South Carolina’s largest distillery and the birthplace of the world’s first sweet tea vodka. We did the moonshine flight a few years ago when they were in their original location and can’t wait to do it again now that they are in Park Circle.
End with dinner at Tattooed Moose. I’d call it a bougie dive bar. Is that a thing? It was a true dive bar featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives back when it was a hidden gem restaurant in Charleston years ago. When they moved to this new location, they kept the same traditions of customers signing the walls and the overall dive bar feel.
But, once word got out about their amazing menu it definitely became more mainstream. Order the Duck Club and you’ll understand why Jason once did a U-turn in the middle of the road when we passed their location on Johns Island.
Take a Ghost Tour
Charleston is one of the most haunted cities in America. Three hundred years of pirates, plagues, duels, and war will do that. If you’re into something spooky after dark, you have plenty of options.
Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour 4.8 / 5 ⭐️
Led by Charleston native Mike Brown, host of the Pleasing Terrors podcast and a ghost tour guide for 28 years. Consistently one of the highest rated tours in the city. He shows actual historical photos throughout for a whole extra layer of creepy.
Real Hauntings of Charleston 4.9 / 5 ⭐️
Small group walking tour with hundreds of reviews. Guide Brandon is known for making the history both engaging and genuinely spooky.
Ghost & Dungeon Night-Time Walking Tour 4.2 / 5 ⭐️
The only company that takes you into the Provost Dungeon, one of the most notorious jails in colonial America. More history, more darkness, less walking.
We’ve done ghost tours in other cities, including a pub crawl in Salem that was one of the best nights of our trip. History is a little more fun with a drink in your hand. Charleston has several highly rated versions of this.
Drunk History & Haunt Jaunt New tour so no reviews yet
The Drunk History and Haunt Jaunt covers Charleston’s history from the Revolution to Prohibition with three bar stops along the way. Equal parts spooky and social.
Haunted Booze and Boos Walking Tour 4.2 / 5 ⭐️
A costumed pirate guide leads this small group of no more than 10 through Charleston’s most haunted sites with bar stops along the way. The most theatrical version of the pub crawl.
Historic Things to Do in Charleston for Couples
If wandering South of Broad left you wanting to know more about what you were looking at, this is the next step. Charleston’s history runs deep and these are the places worth touring. Start at the Nathaniel Russell House and work your way north.
Nathaniel Russell House
Built in 1808 by a wealthy merchant with more money than family pedigree, the Nathaniel Russell House is worth the visit for the entry hall alone. The free-flying spiral staircase rises three stories with no visible support is stunning.
Docent-led tours run throughout the day and if you’re planning to visit, I recommend watching The Kitchen House Project beforehand. It will really help you understand the history of the preservation project. Plan about an hour.
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Address: 122 East Bay Street
About a 10-minute walk north, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is one of only three Colonial public buildings still standing in America – the other two being Faneuil Hall in Boston and Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
South Carolina declared independence from Britain on its steps and George Washington attended a ball in its Great Hall. The guided dungeon tour takes you into the basement where the British held prisoners during the Revolutionary War. Plan about an hour.
US Customs House
Address: 200 East Bay Street
Two blocks north on East Bay Street is the US Customs House. It’s a working federal building so you can’t go inside, but the exterior is stunning and worth seeing. One of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in the country.
Aiken-Rhett House
Address: 48 Elizabeth Street
About a 15-minute walk northwest, the Aiken-Rhett House tells a completely different story than the Nathaniel Russell House. Where that one has been meticulously restored, this one has been left completely untouched since the 1850s.
The peeling paint, the worn floors, the original slave quarters, kitchen, and carriage house are all exactly as it was. It’s a self-guided audio tour, about 45 minutes, and one of the most interesting experiences on this list.
Where to Eat in Charleston SC for Couples
Charleston’s food scene is one of the best in the country and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to eat. Most of these recommendations came from a college friend who has been a professional chef in the Charleston area for nearly 30 years.
On one of our first trips I reached out to ask where we should eat and this is the list he gave us. We’ve been working our way through it ever since and he has never steered us wrong.
F.I.G.
F.I.G. stands for Food Is Good and it has been earning that name since 2003. James Beard Award winning, locally sourced menu that changes nightly, and somehow it still feels like a neighborhood restaurant rather than a destination. Book ahead. It fills up fast.
The Ordinary
From the same team behind F.I.G., The Ordinary is a Southern seafood and oyster bar in a stunning old bank building on King Street. Twenty-two foot ceilings, six varieties of raw oysters on the half shell every night, and a really excellent drink list. Closed Tuesdays.
Most of Charleston’s restaurants use the Resy app for dining reservations. You won’t find them on OpenTable and you can’t book directly through their websites. Its a good idea to download and register the app before your trip.
The Darling Oyster Bar
The Darling is one of our favorite date nights in Charleston. It’s more upscale than a typical oyster bar. The food is beautiful and the atmosphere is genuinely fun without being loud. Order everything on the raw bar and share plates.
167 Raw
Sit at the bar if you can. 167 Raw started as a tiny New England-style oyster bar and the bartenders know their menu inside and out. They’ll steer you in the right direction. Don’t skip the lobster roll. And check the brick wall opposite the bar. There’s a map showing exactly where every oyster on the menu comes from.
The Shellmore
The Shellmore is over in Mount Pleasant and worth every minute of the drive. It’s my favorite place for oysters in Charleston. But, it’s tiny. The chef is the only person in the kitchen and you feel like the food is being made specifically for you. Because it kind of is. This is one of those meals you’ll be talking about for the rest of the trip. Reservations strongly recommended.
Le Farfalle
Modern Italian in the heart of downtown Charleston. Handmade pasta, locally sourced ingredients, and a really great wine list. The focaccia with whipped ricotta alone is worth the visit.
Chubby Fish
Chubby Fish doesn’t take reservations and the line forms before the doors open at 5pm. Get there early or be prepared to wait. It is worth it. Chef James London builds the menu daily around whatever his local fishermen bring in. Handwritten on the chalkboard, changes constantly.
Charleston is also one of the best oyster cities in America. We’ve eaten at many of them and have a full guide to the best oyster bars in Charleston.
Charleston Plantation Tours Worth the Drive
A trip to Charleston isn’t complete without spending at least one day outside the city visiting the historic plantations. These are four of the best.
Drayton Hall
Built in 1738 and never renovated, Drayton Hall is unlike any other plantation you’ll visit in Charleston. Every other one has been restored, refurnished, and presented as a museum version of itself. This one hasn’t been touched. You’ll see the original finishes, original materials, and even the original furniture.
It survived the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the 1886 Charleston earthquake, and centuries of Lowcountry hurricanes while neighboring plantations burned or fell apart.
The African American cemetery on the grounds is one of the few documented burial sites of enslaved people in the Lowcountry that has been continuously respected and maintained.
If you only do one plantation, do this one. For the guided house tour plus grounds and galleries, plan about two hours. Closed Tuesdays.
Middleton Place
Middleton Place is the most visually stunning of the four plantations on this list. The 65-acre gardens were formally designed in the European style in the 1740s and the Garden Club of America named them the most important garden in America. Butterfly lakes, centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and views over the Ashley River. It’s just really beautiful.
Two Founding Fathers called this home. Henry Middleton was president of the First Continental Congress and his son Arthur, born here, signed the Declaration of Independence.
The Beyond the Fields enslaved persons history tour is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind at any plantation in the South and worth adding to your visit.
The restaurant is consistently excellent. Lunch runs 11am to 3pm and dinner is available on select evenings. If you’re combining with Drayton Hall, plan lunch here. Plan 2 to 3 hours.
🌳 This combo Drayton Hall and Middleton Place tour is the best one you’ll find!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Magnolia Plantation was founded in 1676 and has been owned by the same family for 15 generations. The gardens are unlike anything at the other plantations on this list. Not formal like Middleton but wild and romantic, designed to work with nature rather than against it.
The azaleas and camellias here were the first ever planted outdoors in the American South. And now of course, they are in every self-respecting Southerner’g garden.
The Audubon Swamp Garden is thirteen acres of boardwalk running through a blackwater cypress swamp full of alligators, herons, egrets, turtles, and the occasional bald eagle. It’s genuinely unlike anything else on this list.
The Slavery to Freedom tour is consistently called the highlight of the visit. If you go, do the slave cabins before the main presentation. Time gets tight at the end if you reverse the order.
Add-on options include a nature train, wildlife boat tour, and house tour. Plan at least 3 hours.
🌸 Book a Guided Tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall Plantation is in Mount Pleasant, about 20 minutes east of downtown, so plan it as its own separate trip rather than combining it with the Ashley River plantations.
Founded in 1681, it’s one of the oldest working plantations in America and still actively farms the property. Strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins. You can U-pick in season and the on-site farm store has a butcher, fresh seafood market, and wine shop worth a stop before you leave.
The Avenue of Oaks is the thing everyone comes for. A corridor of live oaks planted in 1743 leading up to the house. You’ve seen it before even if you don’t know it. It’s the plantation from The Notebook.
The nine original slave cabins are the most comprehensive slavery exhibit of any plantation on this list. Each cabin covers a different chapter of history from arrival through Emancipation to the Civil Rights movement.
The Gullah Theater at the end of Slave Street has live cultural performances by descendants of the enslaved people who lived here. It’s the only plantation in the Lowcountry that presents the Gullah culture with a live performance component. Plan 3 hours.
Don’t Have a Car? You Can Still Visit Charleston’s Plantations!
These plantation tours offer entry tickets and transportation from your hotel or downtown Charleston.
Day Trips from Charleston SC
One of the best things about staying in Charleston is what’s within an easy drive. These are the ones we recommend.
Beaufort, SC
If you have a free day, drive down to Beaufort. It’s about 90 minutes south on Highway 21 and worth the trip. It’s a small, walkable town right on the water with antebellum homes, locally owned shops and restaurants on Bay Street, and a waterfront park along the Beaufort River.
We went the first time for breakfast at a friend’s restaurant and ended up staying way longer than we planned. It’s definitely someplace we want to go back to and spend more time. Coastal Living named it America’s Happiest Seaside Town and I can see it!
Angel Oak Tree
About 25 minutes from downtown on Johns Island, the Angel Oak is one of the oldest living things in the country. This massive Southern live oak estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old, 65 feet tall, with branches that stretch nearly 160 feet across and shade over 17,000 square feet of ground.
It’s free and it’s worth it. You won’t spend more than 15 to 20 minutes here, but its definitely worth the drive. We enjoyed it so much, we’ve actually been twice.
Be aware that it closes at 5:00, so get out there early and then head to Wadmalaw Island!
Wadmalaw Island
About 45 minutes from downtown, Wadmalaw Island has two very different things to do, but both are equally fun.
The Charleston Tea Garden is the only place in North America where tea is commercially grown and produced. Add the trolley tour through the tea fields while you’re out there.
Deep Water Vineyard is the only winery in Charleston, sitting on 48 acres of live oaks at the end of Bears Bluff Road. The wines lean sweet, which isn’t my preference, but we still had a great time at the tasting.
You can walk through the vineyards on your own. On the weekends, they have food trucks and live music. Oh, and farm animals roam the property.
Speaking of farm animals… they have a cow who lives in the vineyard and loves visitors. Jason can confirm. She would not leave him alone. If you can find someone who loves you the way that cow loved Jason, you’re doing something right.
🍷 This Wine Sippin’-Tea Drinkin’-Tree Huggin’ Lowcountry Sightseeing Tour takes you to the Angel Oak Tree, Charleston Tea Garden, and Deep River Winery
Beaches Near Charleston
Charleston’s beaches are all within easy driving distance and each one has its own vibe.
Folly Beach is the closest and most laid-back… surf culture, local bars, the kind of beach town that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sullivan’s Island is quieter and more residential, the choice if you want to actually relax.
Isle of Palms has a resort feel with more amenities. Kiawah Island is the most upscale of the four. We’ve stayed at the Sanctuary there and it’s a beautiful resort experience if you want a beach day that comes with a little more polish.
Not sure which beach is right for your trip? We have a full guide to the beaches near Charleston SC right here.
Savannah, GA
Two hours south and worth every minute of the drive. Savannah is often called Charleston’s little sister. The comparison is fair with both having historic squares, antebellum architecture, incredible food scene, and Spanish moss everywhere. But, Savannah has its own distinct personality.
I’d only recommend Savannah as a day trip if you are in Charleston for 4 – 5 days. It really deserves a weekend of itsown.
Start Planning Your Couples Trip to Charleston SC
You’ve got the date nights, the day trips, and the plantation tours, which is honestly most of a great Charleston weekend right there. The two things left to sort are where to eat and where to sleep, and we’ve got you on both.
For dinner, Charleston’s oyster bars are a couples trip in their own right, cocktails, a raw bar, and a slow hour or two with someone you like. Start with our guide to the best oyster houses in Charleston.
And when you’re ready to book a room, the right neighborhood makes the whole trip, so we broke down where to stay in Charleston for a romantic weekend, from the historic inns with wine-and-cheese hours to the quiet courtyards worth coming back to at night.
Book the dinner reservations now, though. The good ones go fast, and you don’t want to plan the perfect trip and end up eating take out.
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