Charmed by Charleston: A Perfect Fall Weekend Getaway

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, it’s time for lunch. Head over to the upper King Street area and stop at babas on cannon for sandwiches, salads and toasts with a great coffee drink menu.

Once you’ve filled up, explore upper King Street and make your way to the Charleston Museum. If you are someone who likes to explore historic homes, get the two or three site visit ticket to save some money.

Go back to the hotel, refresh and get ready for dinner, then head to the Pineapple Fountain for sunset photos before heading to dinner. A few recommendations in the area: Pearlz Oyster Bar or Iron Rose.

It’ll be hard, but leave room for dessert. Once you are done with dinner, walk over to Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar to grab a nightcap and a dessert. If they have the apple butter cookie on the menu, GET IT.

To burn off some of those calories, walk over to the Charleston City Market. On Friday and Saturday nights, there is a night market open from 6:30 to 10:30 pm with all local artisans. It's a great place to grab souvenirs for your loved ones or simply for yourself!

After breakfast (at your hotel if it’s included!) head downtown to join a walking tour. If it’s raining, you might like the Gibbs Museum of Art as an alternative.

After the tour, head to King Street and put your name down at 167 Raw Oyster Bar. While you wait, explore lower King Street — such incredible boutique shopping. Pace yourself! There is a lot to see. A personal favorite is the Preservation Society of Charleston Shop, a non-profit with incredible local artisans and a section in the back full of books.

Enjoy your lunch and then continue bopping around King Street before heading back to your hotel.

If you are looking for a rooftop bar and drinks before dinner, I recommend stopping by The Dewberry. They don’t take reservations and there might be a wait depending on when you arrive (they give preference to hotel guests), but the rooftop is worth it for pre-dinner drinks and a bite where you can enjoy the view and the energy from tourists and locals alike.

Head to dinner. If you like live music, try The Establishment — on Saturday nights, they have live jazz music from 6 to 10 pm. For something a little quieter, try The Ordinary. Both are great seafood restaurants.

It’s your final morning in Charleston, so enjoy a slower start. Grab breakfast at your hotel or head over to upper King Street. You’ll find a bunch of options for food (Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit gets great reviews) and coffee (Idle Hands Coffee off of King Street is a favorite — it’s quiet and a great place to relax, read a bit or just grab a coffee). Then, continue exploring the Elliot-Cannonborough neighborhood.