R Kitchen - Our favorite restaurant! Every dinner is 5 courses, but the menu changes every night. In fact, you don't know what you're eating until you sit down! Recommended to book reservations a month in advance

Swig and Swine - Our go-to for Carolina BBQ

Oyster House - The first restaurant we take all out of town guests to

Taco Boy - While not California Mexican food, they have great Mexican-fusion! Veterans and First Responders get a discount as well!

Pearlz Oyster Bar - Where we like to stop for oyster shooters downtown

Glass Onion - All local farm-to-table; every month, a Charity Drink For a Cause is selected with all profits going towards a local charity.

Magnolia Plantation - Our favorite plantation as it focuses on natural gardens. 365 days of blooms!

Charlestowne Landing - Features a zoo of just local wildlife, historic colonial village, and a great museum on the founding of Charleston

Fort Sumter - Where the Civil War began!

There are many plantations and historic homes in and around Charleston. They are the biggest tourist attractions for the area! Each one offers something different. To find the one that best suits your interests, follow this guide.

Bulldog Ghost Tours - The first tour we did in town was Bulldog's Ghost and Dungeon tour. Focuses more on local legends and history than trying to spook you!

Old South Carriage - Horse-drawn carriage tours are a local staple

Coastal Expeditions - For the outdoorsy and adventurous. We've enjoyed the kayak tours with them on Shem Creek (only 10 minutes from downtown) as well as the boat tour to Bulls Island (where we got engaged!)

Rainbow Row - A famous street of colorful downtown homes. A Charleston icon

Waterfront Park - Downtown. Offers a great view of the water, the Pineapple Fountain, and a great walk

Shem Creek - Only 10 minutes from downtown; a great boardwalk with restaurants, bars, and plenty of dolphins! All restaurants offer waterfront seating.

Downtown in general offers a lot of great walking; particularly if you enjoy architecture and churches

Gibbes Museum of Art - Small but robust. Focuses on local art, both historical and contemporary

Charleston Museum Mile - The section of downtown that contains the majority of local museums

Charleston City Market - Indoor farmer's market, open daily

Pounce Cat Cafe - Pet cats, enjoy coffee or wine, all while supporting the Charleston Animal Society