By Sara Paetow****
Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States.
With its beautiful streets, incredible historic sites, outstanding restaurants and miles of gorgeous beaches, Charleston has been named Travel & Leisure’s top city in the U.S. for many years in a row.
If you enjoy history, architecture, great food, and southern hospitality, Charleston is the place for you.
And in honor of the start of the spring season, I am happy to share my favorite activities while visiting this wonderful city.
Farmers Market
The Charleston Farmers market is held downtown in Marion Square Park every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. from April through the end of November, and it’s great for locals and visitors alike.
You can stroll through and find fresh vegetables, good food, and refreshing drinks.
Check out its Instagram to find out more about Charleston Farmers Market and upcoming vendors.
Battery and White Point Gardens
Battery Park and Garden is an iconic landmark on the Charleston peninsula. It is a great place to bring your kids or dogs, or just to get some exercise with great views!
As the name suggests, the battery of cannons was set here to defend the city during the war. There are many panels of historic information too.
If you are a real estate guru, definitely check out the beautiful properties lining the battery – it is the most expensive piece of land in the zip code.
Don’t forget to take lots of photos.
Rainbow Row
The colorful series of historic houses located on East Bay Street, north of Tradd Street, in downtown Charleston are known as Rainbow Row – one of the most photographed sites in the Holy City.
Rainbow Row is a great photo-op, but try not to look too touristy. During spring, the flower boxes outside of each window sill are truly beautiful, and if you have the luxury of visiting this magnificent city during spring, you must check out the foliage surrounding these homes.
And you may be lucky enough to see the Netflix stars of the hit series, “Outer Banks,” which has begun shooting Season 3. The second season featured Rainbow Row and a multitude of locations around Charleston.
Yummy food and drinks
Calling all foodies!!! Charleston is known for high-quality eats in the Lowcountry. It is technically a small city and is known for its iconic, old-school southern food.
With high-quality ingredients and top chefs, the menus have expanded greatly over the years.
Drinking is just as enjoyable as eating here in Charleston. Filled with rooftop bars and electric nightlife, Charleston does not fail to keep visitors entertained.
The Charleston Wine and Food Festival was back in action this year after COVID closed it down in 2020 and 2021. This year’s festival was back to featuring chef demos, interactive experiences, live music, food trucks, food battles and a variety of food and drink experiences.
Horse carriage tours
Catch a horse carriage tour to really learn about Charleston’s Colonial history. There are many tours to choose from, and you’ll see them departing from their gathering areas near City Market.
Palmetto Carriage Works is the oldest carriage company in the city, and Old South Carriage Company has been a family owned business since 1983. Licensed guides from both companies team up with beautiful horses to reveal the history and charm of Charleston.
Booking in advance is recommended to avoid long waits.
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