Guide to Charleston
The perfect girls’ trip in the books! Here is everywhere my friends and I ate, drank, shopped, and stayed! I also included recs we got but didn’t get to in case you are planning a trip and want to check them out! We had the best time, and the full 4-day itinerary is at the end of this post! I also linked my content and outfits below <3
Stay
Hotel Bennett - this hotel was in the perfect location, very walkable to everything! We were greeted with Champagne, were treated so well, and enjoyed all the amenities. The rooftop pool is small, but there were always chairs available. There were two bars downstairs to enjoy a nightcap at and a rooftop bar. All were enjoyed by my friends and I.
Eats
Little Palm - Share a bunch of apps! The yucca fries are fireeeee, same with the butterbean hummus, and guac!
Holey Bagels - vegan cream cheese and butter schmears and amazing homemade peanut butter!! They have so many bagel flavor options, you’ll have so many good choices. Cinnamon sugar bagel with PB was amazing. Same with a cream cheese on sesame! Breakfast sandwich options available with hash brownsssss.
Sorelle Mercato
Basic Kitchen - Cauliflower Tika Masala is amazing for dinner! Same with the falafel bowl! Get the beet, the hummus, and sweet potato fries.
167 Raw
Prohibition - Crispy Brussels sprouts, potato wedges, and hummus were GREAT! Drinks are also great there!!
Off Track Ice Cream - sooooo many dairy-free options! They have vegan ice cream sandwiches and whipped cream, plus at least 10 DF flavors. A sweet treat for everyone there.
Jenis - not unique to Charleston, obviously, but still a great nightcap!
La Farfelle
Bartaco - not original to Charleston, but GREAT margs and food for everyone. Their salsas are so bomb and fresh.
Pineapple Hut - frozen pineapple “dole whip’!! SO GOOD! Right next to the City Market, so be sure to stop.
Obstinate Daughter - On Sullivan’s Island, great dinner spot post beach!
Mex 1 - Perfect beach lunch, amazing margs, great tacos, and the dip trio was GREAT!
Longboard - On Sullivan’s Island, but such a fun beach restaurant. Great drinks, poke bowls, and tacos!
Drinks
Fiat Lux (rooftop at Hotel Bennett)
Pink Bar (in lobby at Hotel Bennett)
Uptown Social
Zachary’s Daiquiris - warning, very strong!! LOL
Citrus Club - rooftop bar
Little Palm - the frozen mojito literally changed my life
Shem Creek
Henry’s
Coffee
Babas on Cannon - known for the peanut milk drink and the whipped espresso, but all their coffees were good!
Holey Bagels - great coffee, not just bagels!
Mudhouse - stopped midday for a pick me up, and their lattes were BOMB! Get half sweet tho if you don’t like sweet coffees
Sorelle Mercato
Sunlit - the cutest shack right off of King Street! All cold foams are dairy-free! I got the salted maple latte, and it was AMAZING!
The Daily
Shopping & Things To Do
Rainbow Row
Pineapple Fountain
Waterfront Park
King Street Shopping - so many cute shops and bigger name stores. Skims, Free People, Brandy Melville, etc
The Battery
White Point Garden
Charleston City Market - this was one of my favorite activities! So many cute little booths with handmade items, prints, ornaments, food, lemonade, and gifts!
Sullivan’s Island Beach - this beach was so peaceful and WARM! We went at the end of May, so depending on the time of year, it may not be, but it was bathwater for us. The sandbar made it easy not to have a beach chair.
Hotel Bennett Pool Day - only available if you are staying at the hotel, but the service is great! The margs are strong but good! The frozen marg and mango pineapple smoothie were favorites!
Shop My Outfits
Watch the Content
🌴 Charleston, SC — 4 Day Itinerary
Stay: Hotel Bennett, 404 King St
Trip Vibe: lattes, rooftop bars, beach day, King Street shopping
✈️ Arrival Day:
Uber to Hotel Bennett · Check in
Late Afternoon
Freshen up at Hotel Bennett, then take a stroll down King Street — great intro to Charleston + photo ops
Dinner
Little Palm (237 Meeting St) — inside the Ryder Hotel, open until 11 PM. Great vegan options, fun cocktails, beachy DJ vibes. Perfect low-key arrival dinner.
After Dinner
Hotel Bennett pink bar — no reservation needed. gorgeous, very Instagrammable, and you're already home. Easy night in.
🏛 Day Two — Downtown Day
Check hours. Babas is closed today FYI
Morning
Holey City Bagels (43 Cannon St) — get there early, line moves fast! Open 7 AM–1 PM. Vegan cream cheeses available.
Sorelle Mercato (90 Broad St) — beautiful Italian café, amazing lattes and pastries, stunning interior for photos. Open 8 AM–4 PM.
Mid-Morning Walk
Rainbow Row (79–107 E Bay St) — iconic colorful row houses, best in morning light
Pineapple Fountain + Waterfront Park (1 Vendue Range) — stunning harbor views, great photo spot
The Battery + White Point Garden — gorgeous waterfront promenade with antebellum mansions
Lunch
Basic Kitchen (82 Wentworth St) — multiple friends raved about this one. Falafel bowl, cauliflower wings, sweet potato fries, brunch cocktails. Amazing vegan options. ⭐ Top rec.
Afternoon
King Street shopping — boutiques, local shops, check for Jellycats! 🧸
Charleston City Market — sweetgrass baskets, local art, jewelry, souvenirs
Dinner
167 Raw (193 King St) — walk-ins only, no reservations, closed Sundays. Arrive at 11 AM when it opens or right at dinner. One of the most-mentioned spots by friends. ⭐ Top rec.
Night Out
Prohibition (547 King St) — beautiful cocktail bar with live music. Amazing craft drinks.
Uptown Social (587 King St) — lively King Street vibe right up the street. Bar hop between the two.
🏖 Day 3— Sullivan's Island Day
Uber out (~20–30 min). Beach + island adventure.
Morning
Babas on Cannon (11 Cannon St) — THE coffee spot. Iced matcha, honey whipped espresso, potato tacos. Get there early, always a line. Open 7 AM Tue–Sun. ⭐ Most recommended.
Mid-Morning → Afternoon
Sullivan's Island Beach — quiet, gorgeous, less crowded than Folly Beach. Natural sea grasses and dunes, perfect for swimming and photos. Uber is easiest (street parking only).
Dinner (on the island)
The Obstinate Daughter (2063 Middle St, Sullivan's Island) — Italian-leaning, amazing pasta, pizza, fresh seafood. Great outdoor seating. Reserve ahead! ⭐ Top rec.
Evening Back Downtown
Citrus Club Rooftop (334 Meeting St, 8th floor) — sweeping 220° views of Charleston, plant-filled, great cocktails. Check in at the lobby for the elevator pass. Open until 10 PM.
Off Track Ice Cream (6 Beaufain St) — cute shop with vegan options. Try the ice cream flight (4 half scoops)! Open until 10 PM.
🌊 Day 3 — Pool Day + Mount Pleasant
Last full day! Morning to relax, evening adventure.
Morning
Hotel Bennett pool day ☀️ — sleep in, grab breakfast, claim your pool chairs. This is the vibe.
Late Morning / Brunch
Little Palm — great brunch options, open from 8 AM. Yucca fries and green sauce are a must.
Or Bodega brunch
Afternoon
Babas on Meeting Street (second location) — afternoon latte sit-down
The Daily — good coffee and bites, jewelry shop Hart is right next door. Great for a final browse.
Dinner
Post House (101 Pitt St, Mount Pleasant) — worth the Uber! Multiple friends specifically mentioned "The Affair" cocktail. Outstanding food and service. Make a reservation. ⭐ Top rec.
Last Night Out
Shem Creek — Reds Ice House + Saltwater Cowboys right on the water. Iconic waterfront bar scene.
Henry's (54 N Market St) — back downtown, live music, fun late-night vibe.
The Watch Rooftop (75 Wentworth St) — optional nightcap if the group has energy. Great views, famous truffle fries, and espresso martinis.
✈️ Day 4 — Departure Day
Morning
Babas on Cannon — one last iced matcha 🥲 Open 7 AM Thursdays.
Holey City Bagels — quick grab-and-go bagel before the airport. Open 7 AM on Thursdays.
Final stroll on King Street — last photos, soak it all in.
