Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a bit like stepping back in time in the best way possible. The architecture. The beaches. The history. The cobblestone. The lanterns. The food. Oh, the food! This list is the must-dos – perfect for spending a weekend in this southern city or even a week-long trip. You choose. You may even want to extend your stay.

1. Walk along the Battery and Rainbow Row – Bonus: Watch the sunrise come up over water, casting its glow on the brilliant row of historic mansions. Some other streets worth perusing while you’re in the neighborhood? Church Street, Legare Street, and Longitude Lane are definitely worth your time.

2. Eat really good food. And I mean, reaaally good food! Charleston is known for its delicious southern fare. You really can’t go wrong and you could eat at a new restaurant for months it seems – but the necessities? Husk (make a reservation because they fill up very quickly), Indaco, Lost Dog Cafe at Folly Beach, Hyman’s (touristy but delicious), The Macintosh, FIG, The Ordinary, Hominy Grill, and Leon’s Oyster Shop.

3. Shop the markets, both the downtown city market and the weekly farmers market, held every Saturday morning in April-November at Marion Square, in the heart of downtown.

4. Shop on King Street. This historic shopping district has it all. Hampden Clothing, Blue Bicycle Books, M. Dumas & Sons, Mac & Murphy, Pink Chicken, and Candy Shop Vintage, just to name a few, are all worth perusing.

5. Hit up the beaches! No trip to Charleston is complete without making a stop at a beach! There are a few in the area – Isle of Palms, Folly, and Sullivan’s Island all have a different feel and locals usually have their favorite. Folly is an excellent place to watch the sunrise. Sullivan’s offers calmer waters for the little ones, and Isle of Palms is very family-friendly.

6. Take the ferry to Ft. Sumter. It’s definitely worth the short trip there – you’ll get to see and explore essentially where the Civil War began as well as be surrounded by the gorgeous Charleston Harbor.

7. Stroll around the historic Plantations. Boone Hall and Middleton Place are beautiful. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Drayton Hall are also worth visiting!

8. Take a Carriage ride tour around downtown. You’ll see horses and carriages everywhere, and trust me, you’ll want to experience Charleston this way too! It’s fun to hear an insider’s take on what life used to be like in this historic city.

9. Have a drink/meal/kayak at Shem Creek. Just over Ravenel Bridge, you’ll find the cutest creek lined with fun restaurants (try Red’s) and you’ll be able to rent a kayak to explore – you can even take your kayak out into the Harbor if you’d like! Definitely a fun thing to do while in Charleston!

10. Walk/run/bike ride over Ravenel Bridge. The views are stunning!

This list could continue on and on, as Charleston offers something for everyone! Singles, couples, families… there’s a reason why The Holy City has became so popular in recent years. Enjoy your trip!

You may also enjoy:

10 Things to Do in Folly Beach

Katy’s Charleston Bachelorette Party