48 Hours in Charleston
By Cassie Gill
Charleston, South Carolina has been a travel hot spot for decades – and it’s not hard to see why. With its sweet southern charm, beautiful historic buildings, and some of America’s best restaurants, there’s plenty to see and do in this pristine coastal city.
Where To Stay
Step into classic Charleston at the gorgeous Hotel Bennett, a 5-star property located right in the iconic Marion Square. The property is both elegant and contemporary in vibe, and an absolute delight to explore. Rooms are cozy and spacious with spa with dreamy spa-inspired bathrooms: we were swooning over the clawfoot tub and Mistral balt salts to unwind after a day of strolling around. For the working folks, the large desk with plugs was a great plus, and beds were plush and cozy for a sound night of sleep. The on-site restaurants and bars were great, too: be sure to make a high tea reservation at Camellias, housed in an exquisite blush pink room inspired by the Fabergé jewel.
Where To Shop
Bal Halbour’s Access Shops Pop Up
The famed Miami luxury mall – which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Florida – is in Charleston for a seasonal pop-up through April 13th, 2025. The unique outdoor promenade is built entirely out of shipping containers, making for an ultra-cool experience. Brands retailing include Tiffany & Co., Dolce & Gabbana, and Golden Goose.
Grab a cocktail at the Balmain bar before sitting down for a multi-course lunch at the delightful Whitman restaurant (don’t miss the She-Crab soup and Krispy Chicken dishes).
While not a native to Charleston, this East Coast brand oozes Southern girly charm. The LoveShackFancy boutique on King Street feels like an escape from the real world, with racks of floral prints, sequins and bows all on display. This store also carries the kids line, as well as the the newly dropped athleisure collection for women. On our wish list at the moment? The best-selling chunky Parson Pullove, accented with pretty ribbon bows.
If you want to snag a few cute items but don’t want to break the bank, the well-curated DFTI Boutique should be on your list. The store carries items all under $100 – but trust us, you’d never be able to tell. Stock up on Spring and Summer essentials, Insta-worthy crew necks, and more.
Where To Eat
Prepare to indulge in southern classics at this gorgeous restaurant, housed in a historic Charleston home off Queen Street. We’re still thinking about every dish we tried on this menu because it was truly that good. Even if oysters aren’t your thing, the woodfired NC offering (note: they are cooked) are a must, followed by the anything-but-basic Joyce Farms Chicken with pecan butter and mustard gravy. Don’t forget the hearth-baked skillet cornbread on the side.
This is hands down our favorite lunch spot in Charleston. This adorable cafe is slightly out of the way, but the daily revolving salads are worth the trek: on the current menu, we tried a ceasar, tortellini pesto, cherry brussels sprouts, and winter greens. The best part? You don’t have to choose just one thanks to the combo plate option. Sister restaurant to Harken, this spot also features excellent coffee and pastries, including lovely cakes on weekends.
Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the nightly live music. High Cotton’s bar-only “Jazztini” has a somewhat viral reputation, and lives up to the hype: think a trifle-style dish with mashed potatoes, steak, gravy, and crispy onions all in a large martini glass. The chocolate cheesecake was also worth indulging in, paired with their signature “Charleston Cocktail” made up of St. Royale Green tea vodka, lemonade, and mint.
Excellent Italian food wasn’t on our radar in Charleston, but Sorelle proved us wrong. This chic and sexy room with Art Deco decor is easy on the eyes, and a spot you could stay a while between the bar and dinner. The signature Sorelle spaghetti with pomodoro sauce, zucchini and burrata was cooked to perfection – and one of the best dishes we had in Charleston.
Where To Caffeinate
This gem of a cafe embodies the Pinterest-perfect rustic aesthetic Charleston is known for. We highly recommend making this your first morning stop to try their homemade scones and exquisite flavored coffees – the Earl Grey lavender latte was divine, as was the vanilla spice. Cookie lovers will also love this spot, which offers modern takes on beloved classics like matcha shortbread and rosemary chocolate chip.
Across the water in Mount Pleasant, the adorable Vintage Coffee Cafe is housed in a preserved historic home (read: great for an Instagram photo). Coffee and beignets were a delight at this sweet cafe, which felt like a visit to grandma’s house. For those looking for something a little more hearty, Vintage also serves up a full all-day menu with burritos, waffles, breakfast sandwiches and more.
Where To Drink
Calling all Southern Charm fans. This trendy bar – which also feels like a cozy neighborhood hangout – is owned by the reality series’ stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll. We loved the throwback diner vibe of the burgundy leather seats, which felt upscale yet relaxed at the same time. The cocktail menu is the true star here, with southern-inspired drinks like the Lavender Gimlit, and the hot honey margarita.
Get ready to wait for brunch or brunch, but you’ll quickly see why this spot has cultivated such a following. The casual bar vibe makes everyone feel like family (think ‘Cheers’) and the laid-back menu pairs perfectly. Southern classics like chicken and waffles are done extremely well at Poogan’s Porch, and pair well with a local beer.
This place is a vibe – trust us. It can be a coffee spot (the peanut butter mocha was divine) or a cocktail one, and we appreciated the versatility. Naturally, Baba’s offers up an excellent espresso martini – but what left us wanting more was the wine menu. Baba’s is buzzy day or night, and also conveniently down the street from the delectable Sugar Bakeshop for those with a sweet tooth.
What To See
The Battery
This defensive seawall is riddled with history tracing back to the 17th century. Once heavily armed, the area had invasions from pirates, the British Army during the Civil War, and more. This spot is also closeby to where the Civil War actually began on the nearby and visible island of Fort Sumter.
King Street
King Street is Charleston’s main drag, if you will. Lined with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, there’s something for everyone on this street. One thing we loved was the emphasis on local businesses and boutiques – like My Sister’s Cottage and Harvest Moon Home – sprinkled in with luxury go-to’s like Louis Vuitton and the ever-popular Abercrombie & Fitch.
The French Quarter & Rainbow Row
European charm is abound in the historic French Quarter of the city, also home to a few of the restaurants we suggested. A stroll down Broad, State and Easy Bay are a must for a first-time vist to Charleston, particularly to see some of the gorgeous homes. Don’t miss the colorful Rainbow Row, the name for a series of thirteen colorful historic homes, at the corner of East Bay and Tradd.
