Guidebook for Charleston
Food Scene
I love wine, and cheese - and I certainly love convenience. So Avondale Wine and Cheese is a local's gem! Featuring local honey and a couple of local cheese options - this is an affordable spot for a girls night or a date night. No reservations. Also a great place to grab a bottle or two of affordably-priced wine for your stay.
45 locals recommend
Avondale Wine & Cheese
813 Savannah HwyI love wine, and cheese - and I certainly love convenience. So Avondale Wine and Cheese is a local's gem! Featuring local honey and a couple of local cheese options - this is an affordable spot for a girls night or a date night. No reservations. Also a great place to grab a bottle or two of affordably-priced wine for your stay.
Who doesn't love Mexican food? These guys are authentic, inexpensive, and offer free (and ample) parking. The Mama's Specialty Soup is something to crave, and their tacos are delish. Fun, festive atmosphere with outdoor seating.
64 locals recommend
Santi's
1302 Meeting Street RdWho doesn't love Mexican food? These guys are authentic, inexpensive, and offer free (and ample) parking. The Mama's Specialty Soup is something to crave, and their tacos are delish. Fun, festive atmosphere with outdoor seating.
Asian fusion goodness. I highly recommend getting the Okinamiyaki with an egg. It's like a cabbage pancake that won't do you wrong. I promise. (I didn't think I liked cabbage nor pancakes, so give it a whirl.) The Mapo Dofu is delish (but spicy, spicy hot!) and the brussel sprouts are killer.
212 locals recommend
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge AveAsian fusion goodness. I highly recommend getting the Okinamiyaki with an egg. It's like a cabbage pancake that won't do you wrong. I promise. (I didn't think I liked cabbage nor pancakes, so give it a whirl.) The Mapo Dofu is delish (but spicy, spicy hot!) and the brussel sprouts are killer.
Three Little Birds is a local's place. They're open for breakfast and lunch. Tip: if you want to make the experience more of a brunch, stop and grab a bottle of bubbles at Earthfare and enjoy a mimosa with Three Little Birds' fresh-squeezed orange juice.
47 locals recommend
Three Little Birds Cafe
65 Windermere BoulevardThree Little Birds is a local's place. They're open for breakfast and lunch. Tip: if you want to make the experience more of a brunch, stop and grab a bottle of bubbles at Earthfare and enjoy a mimosa with Three Little Birds' fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Great happy hours, and delicious paella. (I love the chicken, but if you get the seafood - add chorizo!) Live music on Thursday evenings.
66 locals recommend
Barsa Tapas, Lounge, & Bar
630 King StGreat happy hours, and delicious paella. (I love the chicken, but if you get the seafood - add chorizo!) Live music on Thursday evenings.
This is one of my favorite restaurants on Folly Beach. They don't take reservations, but call about 30 minutes beforehand and you can get added to the list.
117 locals recommend
Jack of Cups Saloon
34 Center StThis is one of my favorite restaurants on Folly Beach. They don't take reservations, but call about 30 minutes beforehand and you can get added to the list.
Essentials
A small chain, this local, organic grocery store is great for some healthy produce, prepared meals, or a salad bar. They also have pizza to order and delicious smoothies. You can sit and eat at the cafe if you'd like as well. Convenient, and not as overwhelming as a Whole Foods.
76 locals recommend
Earth Fare
74 Folly Rd BlvdA small chain, this local, organic grocery store is great for some healthy produce, prepared meals, or a salad bar. They also have pizza to order and delicious smoothies. You can sit and eat at the cafe if you'd like as well. Convenient, and not as overwhelming as a Whole Foods.
Harris Teeter
290 East Bay StreetStandard grocery store. A VIC Card will get you some savings.
Bert's Market
202 E Ashley AveA great spot to grab some essentials from a family-run supermarket.
Entertainment & Activities
Best theatre in town. Who doesn't like to laugh? So affordable, a local's gem - all with a focus on improv theatre. Bring cash - no cards accepted. Wine and beer can be bought at the concession stand and brought into the theatre, and are inexpensive! Wednesdays-Saturdays, it's a must-do! Make reservations ahead of time online.
91 locals recommend
Theatre 99
280 Meeting StBest theatre in town. Who doesn't like to laugh? So affordable, a local's gem - all with a focus on improv theatre. Bring cash - no cards accepted. Wine and beer can be bought at the concession stand and brought into the theatre, and are inexpensive! Wednesdays-Saturdays, it's a must-do! Make reservations ahead of time online.
A great little independent movie theater on James Island with beer, wine and snacks available for purchase.
118 locals recommend
The Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank HwyA great little independent movie theater on James Island with beer, wine and snacks available for purchase.
A great stadium on the water for our minor league team: the Charleston Riverdogs. Fireworks on Fridays, and specials throughout the week when the Riverdogs are at home.
73 locals recommend
Charleston RiverDogs
360 Fishburne StA great stadium on the water for our minor league team: the Charleston Riverdogs. Fireworks on Fridays, and specials throughout the week when the Riverdogs are at home.
This is a great company if you want to paddleboard or kayak out on the ocean. They provide all the equipment you need & have different lengths of trips.
69 locals recommend
Coastal Expeditions
514 Mill StreetThis is a great company if you want to paddleboard or kayak out on the ocean. They provide all the equipment you need & have different lengths of trips.
Parks & Nature
Great for those who like to walk or run (3 times around is a 5k.) There's a beautiful fountain in the middle, plenty of space to picnic, and free parking. The flowers are usually gorgeous and there are large oak trees on the outskirts of the park. Definitely iconic, and mostly locals.
165 locals recommend
Hampton Park
Great for those who like to walk or run (3 times around is a 5k.) There's a beautiful fountain in the middle, plenty of space to picnic, and free parking. The flowers are usually gorgeous and there are large oak trees on the outskirts of the park. Definitely iconic, and mostly locals.
Folly Beach is that quintessential beach town. You can wander in and out of the shops, in and out of the bars, and in and out of the beach all while in flip-flops and a bathing suit. Great food options and life moves a little slower. It's a little bit of a younger scene than some of the other beaches, but for peace and quiet escape to one side of the beach or the other. (Take a left or a right at the end, and go as far as you can!)
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueFolly Beach is that quintessential beach town. You can wander in and out of the shops, in and out of the bars, and in and out of the beach all while in flip-flops and a bathing suit. Great food options and life moves a little slower. It's a little bit of a younger scene than some of the other beaches, but for peace and quiet escape to one side of the beach or the other. (Take a left or a right at the end, and go as far as you can!)
Free and beautiful - the Angel Oak Tree is the oldest tree this side of the Mississippi. It's a beautiful (and quick) sight to see any time of year.
440 locals recommend
Angel Oak Tree
3688 Angel Oak RdFree and beautiful - the Angel Oak Tree is the oldest tree this side of the Mississippi. It's a beautiful (and quick) sight to see any time of year.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great places to grab a beer, glass of wine, or a cocktail in & around Charleston.
A great local music venue. The "deck" shows (outside) are always free. Most evenings, there is live music inside as well.
177 locals recommend
The Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank HwyA great local music venue. The "deck" shows (outside) are always free. Most evenings, there is live music inside as well.
The cocktails here are well done, and they'll definitely make you feel like you're on vacation. Splurge to take home a souvenir glass if you feel the urge!
23 locals recommend
Wiki Wiki Sandbar
15 Center StThe cocktails here are well done, and they'll definitely make you feel like you're on vacation. Splurge to take home a souvenir glass if you feel the urge!
This is definitely a local's gem. Serving only beer and wine - it's a great spot for an outdoor beverage.
103 locals recommend
Chico Feo
122 E Ashley AveThis is definitely a local's gem. Serving only beer and wine - it's a great spot for an outdoor beverage.
Sightseeing
Rainbow Row
83-107 E Bay StA budget-friendly way to see both history and nature. A ferry ride out to the Fort offers views of Charleston from the harbor as well.
501 locals recommend
Fort Sumter National Monument
A budget-friendly way to see both history and nature. A ferry ride out to the Fort offers views of Charleston from the harbor as well.
Arts & Culture
The grounds tour is absolutely beautiful. Add on the house tour for a more in-depth experience of life in the Low Country back in the day.
192 locals recommend
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River RdThe grounds tour is absolutely beautiful. Add on the house tour for a more in-depth experience of life in the Low Country back in the day.