Charleston
March 3-5, 2019 (2D2N): My first solo trip and I’m lovin’ it! Charleston has been on my radar for a while now, but the flight has always been on the high end for the time I wanted to visit. I got an RT flight for $153 with JetBlue departing on a Sunday and returning on a weekday in early March (off-peak time, but the flowers have already started blooming). While you can visit Charleston for two days, I’d recommend making it 3-4 days to appreciate what Charleston has to offer - southern charm, food, culture & history!
*covered by Charleston Heritage Pass
Day 1 am arrival at Charleston airport from JFK
Middleton Place* (9-5 pm; $29 or $49 combo with EA House; suggested duration 3 hr)
30 mins Garden Overview (10am; 11am; noon; 2, 3 & 4pm)
1 hr Beyond the Fields guided tour (11 am; noon, 1 & 2 pm)
30-minute Meet the Breeds guided tour (12:30 & 2:30 pm)
Check-in to Belmond Charleston Place
Lunch @ Maui Tacos Charleston
Nathaniel Russell House* (10-5 pm; 45 mins guided tour depart on the hour, last tour at 4 pm; $12 or $18 combo with AR House)
Heyward-Washington House (HW)* (10 or 12 on Sun to 5 pm; 25 mins guided tour departs every half an hour, last tour at 4:30 pm; $12 or $18 combo with JM House)
Gibbes Museum of Art* (10/1-5pm; $13)
Riley Waterfront Park & the famous pineapple fountain
HH @ Kaminsky’sKaminsky'saily: $2 off wine; $6 dessert martinis; $1 off dessert beers)
Swim/relax by the hotel pool
Dinner @ Leon’s FinLeon'stry and Oysters (amazing fried chicken)
Day 2
Breakfast @ hotel
9:30 am: Pay-as-you-wish walking tour with Free Tours by Foot (~2 hr)
St. Philip’s CPhilip'sree to go inside)
Dock Street Theater (free to tour the theater and patio)
Waterfront beach
Nathaniel Russell House (garden only)
St. Michael’s Michael's cemetery)
City Hall (clean bathroom and free exhibition on the 2nd floor)
Old Slave Mart Museum (9-5 pm; 45 mins self-guided; $4 if you mention Free Tours by Foot)
Edmondston-Alston House (EA)* (1-4:30 pm; 30-minute guided tour departs every half an hour; $12 or $49 combo with Middleton Place)
Walk along King’s StrKing'sd admire all the beautiful houses
A quick stroll through Charleston City Market
Walk up King’s StrKing'sd enjoy some window shopping
Aiken-Rhett House (AR)* (10-5 pm; 45 mins self-guided audio tour, last tour at 4 pm; $12 or $18 combo with NR House)
The Charleston Museum* (9 or 12 on Sun to 5 pm; $12 or $25 combo with HW/JM Houses; suggested duration 2 hr)
Joseph Manigault House (JM)* (10 or 12 on Sun to 5 pm; last tour at 4:30 pm; $12 or combo with HW/Charles Museum for $25)
HH @ Prohibition (4-6pm M-F; $5 drink & food; $1 oyster)
Swim/relax by the hotel pool
Dinner @ Bar at Husk (fried chicken and/or cheeseburger)
Day 3
Breakfast @ hotel
Lyft to the airport (~20/car)
AM flight to JFK
Other points of interest
Historic carriage tours (the horses are humanly treated)
Sullivan'sSullivan'sd Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Folly Beach
Sailing & boating
Other food & drink recommendations
Lobster roll @ 167 Raw
Quick grab-n-go @ Callie’s HCallie'sit
Speakeasy @ The Cocktail Club
Proof (strong drinks, try The Elephant’sElephant'sunset @ The Rooftop at the Vendue
Tips
Renting a car is not necessary if you are staying downtown. To get around, take Uber/Lyft.
If you can’t decide which house museum to visit or are planning for rainy days during your stay, purchase the Charleston Heritage Pass.
Many restaurants allow reservations in advance, so take advantage of that!
There are three plantations outside of Charleston. Based on all my research, Middleton Place had the best review. While the other two (Magnolia & Drayton Hall) also have beautiful gardens, Middleton is the only one with a working farm. Make sure you stop by and visit all the animals. If you do, pick Middleton.
