Background

Known for its amazing location on the water, it’s no surprise Charleston is one of my favorite weekend getaways for fishing, seafood and golf in the country.

Spending a long weekend in the city is just enough time to capture the essence of the rich, Southern vibes of the area.

If you’re planning to visit Charleston soon, here’s my ideal weekend itinerary to hit all the can’t miss spots:

Day I: Historic Charleston

Kick off your weekend roaming the streets of Historic Charleston, one of the wealthiest Southern cities of the 18th century.

Start by walking The Battery, a former civil war defensive seawall that’s now lined with mansions along the water.

Keep walking north on E Bay St to run into Rainbow Row.  Here, you’ll find pastel colored houses with questionable conspiracies behind their paint schemes.  Some say it’s simply to fight off the summer heat while others are convinced it’s a secret code to help drunks find their way home.  Regardless, they’re the quintessential architecture of downtown Charleston.

Just further up the road is waterfront park where you can snap a picture with the iconic pineapple fountain.  Now, if you’re hungry for lunch, stroll through the Historic Charleston City Market and make sure to stop by Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits.

Poke around King Street, originally named for King Charles II, where local shops line both sides of the street before visiting Old Slave Mart Museum where you’ll learn about the intricate slave trade that built and sustained most of the local economy in the 18th century.

After all that walking, you’re bound to be hungry.  Make sure to book your reservation in advance at Xiao Bao Biscuit, weirdly housed in a former gas station.  Opening in 2013, it still is my favorite Asian restaurant in the area.  You absolutely have to get the Okonomiyaki.  It certainly lives up to the hype.

Once the sun goes down, take part in a legendary Charleston Ghost Tour.  Your guide will inevitably touch on some colorful parts of the city’s history, including its unusual connection to dueling.

Day II: Golf

With over 30 courses within 20 miles of the city, Charleston truly is a golfers paradise.  Not to mention its blue skies, warm weather and slight breeze coming off the water, you truly can’t go wrong with any course.

But, while there are plenty of options to choose from, none compare to Kiawah’s Ocean Course.  Ranked the #4 public golf course in the US by Golf Digest and home to the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, the Ocean Course is a long and challenging historic track.  You’ll certainly be reaching into your bag for driver on most holes.

Get up early on Day Two and play a full 18.  Then, head over to the clubhouse for a few Ocean Course Ales by Low Tide Brewing.

After you’ve put down a few beers after your round, keep the party going by heading back downtown to Palmetto Brewing Company.  Plan to stay for a few hours and taste-test multiple options on tap.

Finally, close out your day by heading over to Leon’s Oyster Shop.  Another unique location, Leon’s is set in a retrofitted auto body shop.  The retro vibe is one of the most popular spots in town. Here, you obviously have to order their world famous char-grilled oysters for the table.  As for your main course, surprisingly go with the hot and crispy lard-fried chicken.

Day III: Fishing

There are plenty of great fishing spots around the world, yet very few compare to the unique ecosystem of Charleston.  Ranging from deep water wahoo to monster inshore estuary redfish, it has something for everyone.  Mix in beautiful scenery, perfect sunny weather,  and the occasional dolphin, manatee or sea turtle spotting, a fishing charter is a must when visiting for a weekend.

I recommend booking an inshore charter through RedFin Charters.  Named the “Best Fishing Charter” in the city by the Charleston City Paper, the provide you with top of the line equipment and know the ins and outs of the local hotspots.

Make sure to have your captain clean your catch so that you can prepare and cook your winnings that night for dinner.

Other Important Details

Where To Stay:

There are several options to choose from when staying in Charleston for the weekend.  I personally prefer a hotel downtown as a good central location for your trip, but staying just outside the city in Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms are also decent options if you don’t mind a short drive each morning.

Just steps from the Pineapple Fountain, I highly recommend the HarbourView Inn.  Its newly renovated rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the historical side of the city.  If you’re looking to save a few bucks, The Venue is another solid downtown option.  More on the artsy side, this boutique hotel gives you a small city feel still located in the heart of the Charleston action.

If you’re not convinced hotel living is for you on this trip and you are planning on communal late night beers with everyone in the group, these VRBO options will certainly suffice for the weekend.

Getting Around:

While everything is walkable downtown, I certainly recommend a rental car from the weekend.  In my experience, the city’s Uber/Lyft situation is slightly slow and you’ll want your own vehicle, especially for the Kiawah golf outing, about a 45 minute drive from downtown.

Make sure to book through RentalCars.com to find the cheapest rate.  They’ll connect you with Avis, Hertz and the other big players while offering a Price Match Guarantee if you’re able to find a better deal elsewhere.

When To Visit:

The best time to visit Charleston is certainly in the spring between March and May.  Temperatures remain mild and comfortable and you avoid the humidity and bugs that come with South Carolina summers.  Additionally, you’ll get the full beauty of the city with blooming magnolia trees and in season fishing.

Wanting More?

While I’ve provided a pretty jam-packed weekend itinerary, if you’re staying for longer or simply want to substitute out one activity for another, there’s plenty more to Charleston.

For a historic dive, trek out to Fort Sumter to stand at the initiation of the Civil War or swing by the McLeod Plantation and hear about the cultural and economic impact of slavery on the area.

If you’ve got a hot day, check out the beaches of Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach.  With flat, soft sand, you’re able to wade into the water a good 50 yards on good days before being fully submerged.  If you decide on a beach day, definitely don’t cut it short and stay for the sunset.  I swear, nothing compares to it.