Best insider tips for Charleston SC on a weekend
Best insider tips for Charleston SC – Food tips, where to go, and what to see in Charleston, SC. Get all these tips from an insider who lives in Charleston, SC, and knows where to go and what to do.
Charleston, SC is one of the most iconic cities in the US. With a population of only 137,000 people, this city has so much charm that it is definite to see. There is so much to see and to do, that it will be hard to do everything on a weekend.

If you arrive with your RV, Motorhome, Travel Trailer, or Campervan make sure to reserve a spot in advance.
There are really nice campgrounds around Charleston, SC. But because Charleston is a popular place, make sure to make reservations in advance.
The Country Park at James Island is very well kept and has WIFI throughout, full hook-ups, a splash park, and a dog park. Round-trip shuttle service to the downtown Convention and Visitor Bureau, Folly Beach Pier, or Folly Beach County Park for only $10 per person.
- Pull-Thru (full hookup): $70
- Back-In (full hookup): $60
- Water & Electric Only Sites: $55
All sites have 20, 30, and 50 amp electrical connections.
They also offer tent camping.
KOA on Mount Pleasant
The Charleston campground is conveniently located next to Isle of Palms, Shem Creek, Daniel Island, Patriot’s Point and more. These places provide peaceful scenic landscapes with aquatic activities and plenty of bird wildlife.
You can camp under shady trees, enjoy the pool and fish in the nearby lake.

Edisto State Park
If you want to stay directly on the beach, I recommend Edisto State Park. It is very quiet with hiking trails and the beach directly next to you, you won’t be bored.
The drive into Charleston will take you around 30 – 45 minutes. Here is all the information you need to know. Edisto Beach State Park
If you arrive by plane or car in Charleston, SC
If you want to stay in a hotel in Charleston, SC, there are many options to stay in different price categories hotels:
Embassy Suites by Hilton in Mount Pleasant
Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview
Of course also check out Airbnb for many different kinds of housing options around Charleston, SC.
Best insider tips for Charleston SC -What to do in Charleston, SC on a weekend
After breakfast, walk to the battery and enjoy the view of Fort Sumter. Book a tour and take a 30-minute boat ride and learn about the event which led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war.
Walk back on the promenade and sit on the cannons and see many statues of military heroes. Riley Waterfront Park with the pineapple fountain is a fun place for kids to cool off. Walk through the park and see lots of interesting southern-style mansions.

Have lunch and either book a walking tour or do your sightseeing yourself:
Visit the
- Aiken-Rhett House,
- Nathaniel Russel House
- the Charleston City Market
- walk down Market or King Street and take a detour to Rainbow Row.
If you are too tired to do more walking, take a carriage tour and enjoy a pleasant ride through downtown Charleston, SC.

Or let the college kids make some money and take a bike carrier ride around the city.
After dinner go on a
- Ghost & Graveyard Walking tour or
- Ghost & Dungeon Walking Tour or
- Haunted Jail Tour
to digest the good food you just ate.
You can book tours at Bulldogtours.com.

More things to do around Charleston, SC
If you want to relax a little bit from all the walking you did the day before, hit the beach. Visit Folly Beach, Kiawah Island or my favorite beach, Isle of Palms.
If you are on Isle of Palms have lunch (Shrimp Nachos) at Coconut Joe’s. Sit on the deck and look out to see Dolphins swimming near the beach.
At night go to the Windjammer (directly on the beach) and check out the live music inside or behind the Windjammer on the beach. (Tickets are mainly very reasonable around $ 10).

Best insider tips for Charleston SC on a weekend:
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Visit the military museum with retired navy ships.
Charleston Tea Plantation
Take a tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation and enjoy this beautiful place.
The Bigelow family, William Barclay Hall and the staff of the garden stand ready to bring you the tea experience of your life. We’re located on picturesque Wadmalaw Island in the heart of the Lowcountry just a few miles south of the historic city of Charleston.
Visit the Angel Oak Tree
The Angel Oak Tree is on Johns Island and is one of the oldest trees on the East Coast. It is considered to be the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi estimated to be 300 to 400 years old. There is no admission to see the Angel Oak Tree.
Plantations to visit:
Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, and the oldest public garden in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens. So join us here at Magnolia Plantation to experience the beauty of its gardens and its rich history today.
Drayton Hall’s main house, galleries, and landscape are open to the public weekly Wednesday through Monday.
Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and gracious home on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. The family and descendants of Major Boone were influential in the history of South Carolina, the colonies, and the nation. In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows. This spectacular approach to his home symbolizes the southern heritage and will take root in your memory for many years to come. It would take two centuries for the massive, moss-draped branches to meet overhead, forming today’s natural corridor and a scene that NBC Daytime television says is “a must-see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C.”

Dining in Charleston, SC – Best insider tips for Charleston, SC
I love Fleet Landing for the outside and inside dining. Spectacular views and waterfront dining. Watch the boats cruise by on the harbor while you enjoy Charleston classics like shrimp and grits or lump crab cakes. The food is delicious.
Raw Bar serves a variety of seafood. Get a taste of the raw bar with ‘The Sampler” which comes with 4 each oyster, clams, and shrimp.
Halls Chophouse is outstanding food since 2009 in downtown Charleston.
Seafood Market on Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant. Shem Creek is actually a cool place to go for lunch or dinner because you can not go wrong no matter which restaurant you choose to go to. Sit waterfront and watch dolphins swim by. Enjoy a cocktail at Red’s Ice House rooftop bar and relax.
Crust Wood Fired Pizza offers classic pizza and inventive pies like the crustacean, which is topped with spicy shrimp, prosciutto, arugula pesto, feta, mozzarella, arugula, and Calabrian oil.
Nico’s in Mount Pleasant or Lauras in Summerville is another great Italian option.

Here are many more restaurant tips for Charleston
Also, explore the surroundings on a day.
West Ashley
West Ashley is a charming area filled with unique recreational opportunities, hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. Shop the Citadel Mall and the many little local shops.
Park Circle
Park Circle, North Charleston is packed with restaurants and breweries. The weekends are normally packed with activities, like live music and markets.
Lolas offer outdoor and indoor dining.
LoLA features Authentic Louisiana Cuisine with a Low Country, Family-Friendly Atmosphere.
Savory items like overstuffed PoBoys, perfectly seasoned Crawfish and Oysters, Flavorful Gumbos, and lots of Cajun Pub Fare.
We invite you to join us for Happy Hour, Tuesdays thru Friday where you can find great discounts on food and drinks.
Our outside patio is pet-friendly so your furry friends are also welcome.
Park Circle is a cool place to walk around, check out different bars and restaurants, have a beer and listen to the music on Sunday afternoons in the Commonhouse Aleworks.

Summerville, SC
Summerville is about a 40-minute drive from Charleston and is worth the time. It is a little city with a couple of bars and restaurants and downtown shopping. Take a stroll through the historic downtown or simply take a seat and enjoy the small-town charm as you allow your taste buds to tingle with every sip of the homegrown southern sweet tea.
We love to go to the Montreux beer garden, right next to it is the Sweetwater 123 restaurant. Want a good burger? Check out Matt’s Burgers or get a pizza at Benny Mazzetto’s.
Sweet Tea Festival / Hold my tea bar crawl / Flowertown Festival are just a couple of fun events in Summerville.
Check visitsummerville.com for more information.

Summary of Insider Tips What to do in Charleston, SC on a weekend
The best time to visit Charleston, SC is in spring and fall. The summer is very hot and humid. You won’t get bored in Charleston, with the pretty beaches and the beautiful downtown, and the huge variety of good restaurants. Plan at least 3 days to see it all.
Let me know when you are here.
Conny
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