Things to do in Downtown Charleston: A Local’s Guide

• Casual Crabbing with Tia: A truly unique opportunity to learn to crab and throw a cast net in a beautiful waterfront setting with a native Charlestonian expert. Casual Crabbing with Tia

• Guided historical walking tour with Walk and Talk Charleston: From Gallery Walks to LGBTQ+ History, and a collaborative tour of the International African American Museum, join the Lid Lady and her team for a fresh perspective on Charleston’s “history and historic gossip.”

• The International African American Museum: Tells the raw stories of the African American experience across generations, the trauma and triumph that gave rise to resilient people. International African American Museum

• The Edmondston Alston House: With unmatched views of Charleston Harbor, learn what sets the Edmonston-Alston house apart and how its unique story ties into Charleston’s history. Edmondston Alston House

• The Gibbes Museum of Art: Boasting a collection of over 10,000 American works, experiencing the museum gives visitors a sense of Charleston’s rich cultural heritage and history through a vibrant artistic lens. Gibbes Museum of Art

• First Friday Art Walks: Embark on a totally free, choose-your-own-adventure look into Charleston’s vibrant art scene on the First Friday of every month, year-round. First Friday Art Walks

• High-Wire Distilling Co Tour: I’ll arrange a tour for you at High-Wire Distilling Co, where you can taste their small-batch Whiskey, Gin, and Southern Amaro. High-Wire Distilling Co

• Spoleto Festival USA: Each May and June since 1977, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston's theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. Spoleto Festival USA

Breakfast / Cafes:

• Le Chambertin: It’s hard to find a French bakery or cafe more authentic than Le Chambertin without physically being in Paris. The lovely owner is usually there, and will happily serve you a freshly baked chocolate croissant (if there are any left), or hand over a perfect jambon-buerre sandwich for lunch smartly wrapped and tied in butcher paper. Very French

• Baba’s on Cannon: Inspired by cafés and bars of Europe and welcoming folks in the morning for espresso and house-made pastries, at lunch for sandwiches and salads, and in the evening for cocktails and wine.

• Handy and Hot: Helmed by award-winning chef, TV personality, and cookbook author Vivian Howard, Handy & Hot is a small-batch bakeshop located on the bottom floor of the Lindy Renaissance Charleston hotel, right next to her restaurant Lenoir, which is a great option for dinner or drinks.

Lunch:

• Rodney Scott’s BBQ: Acclaimed pitmaster and 2018 James Beard Foundation award winner for Best Chef Southeast, Scott’s signature Hemingway-style whole hog barbecue is loved by locals and visitors alike.

• Beautiful South: American Chinese take-out style dishes plus regional Cantonese classics with a sit-down vibe and great atmosphere.

• The Variety Store: One of two waterfront restaurants downtown, this no-frills spot popular with locals serves a righteous seafood lunch, which may be optionally enhanced with a killer Bloody Mary.

• Ted’s Butcherblock: Grab a sandwich at this neighborhood butcher shop and enjoy it there or take it for a picnic.

Dinner:

• Lowland: James Beard award-winning chef Jason Stanhope brings timeless, comforting classics to life accompanied by an excellent beverage program, set in a gorgeous historic home steps from King Street.

• Bintu Atelier: A small but mighty space celebrating the dynamic influence of African cuisine through a Lowcountry lens. A truly unique space in a vast culinary landscape.

• Vern’s: An inviting neighborhood bistro serving up modern American cuisine and thoughtful beverage pairings.

• Kultura: Innovative takes on traditional Filipino dishes brought to you by Bizarre Foods Chopped champion, Chef Nikko Cagalanan.