Mini-Guide: Charleston, SC
/One can't help but slow down in Charleston. Gracing the cobblestone streets are stately mansions, ancient trees draped with moss, and people who welcome you with a smile. Its history is one of the longest and most diverse in the country, and still, the Holy City surprises you with every visit. A seductive blend of old and new, it's no wonder that dear friends of ours chose Charleston for their honeymoon.
With only a few days in Charleston, our friends asked us how they should spend their time. Naturally, we jumped at the challenge. The Compass & Key itinerary for wandering Charleston is a full day packed with ideas to discover the architectural and natural beauty of the city, including tasty stops along the way. Our mini-guide also features curated destinations for lodging, dining and attractions. This is Southern charm at its best.
ITINERARY
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SLEEP
Belmond Charleston Place | South Carolina Luxury Hotel and Spa
This luxury hotel in the heart of Charleston, SC features the award-winning restaurant, meeting and conference facilities and beautiful rooms and suites.
Zero George Street, Charleston, United States
Don’t let Charleston’s ‘old South’ reputation confuse you; Zero George hotel has no doilies or chintz. What it does have: restored colonial architecture, Architectural Digest-worthy interiors, an inventive local restaurant and plenty of shaded piazzas.
Vendue Hotel | Boutique Art Hotel in Downtown Charleston
Discover Charleston's first art hotel in historic downtown Charleston, SC. Book your stay at The Vendue and experience art outside the frame.
DINING & DRINKING
- Deli delights at Butcher & Bee
- DIY barbecue tasting at Home Team BBQ, Rodney Scott’s Bar-B-Que and Lewis Barbecue
- Fried chicken, champagne & oysters by the dozen at Leon’s Oyster Shop
- Live music and cozy seating at Elliotborough Mini Bar
- Asian soul food at Xiao Bao Biscuit
- Fresh bread and flaky croissants at Brown's Court Bakery
- House-made charcuterie and fresh seafood at The Grocery
- Considered by many to be the best restaurant in Charleston, The Ordinary
- Sophisticated cocktails in The Living Room, the lobby bar at The Dewberry
- Dinner at James Beard award-winning restaurant FIG
- Brunch in a church-turned-diner at 5Church Charleston
- Artisan iced coffee at Black Tap Coffee
MORE DIVERSIONS
- Cruise around town in a rented bike from the Bicycle Shoppe or Affordabikes
- Sample artisan-crafted spirits with a tour and tasting at High Wire Distilling
- Get lost in America's oldest landscaped gardens at historic plantation Middleton Place
- See Civil War burial sites among 92 acres at Magnolia Cemetery
- Tour local art galleries through Canvas Charleston
- Stand in awe of the USS Yorktown battleship
LINKS
- Charleston Magazine Calendar of Events
- Charleston's Museum Mile
- Charleston Visitor's Bureau
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![What a stunning #lake sunset by @thefurneyjourney. We're celebrating freshwater escapes everywhere at thecompassandkey.com [link in bio]. #lakesaregreat](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56d389f045bf216eb2dc01c8/5980cba1d7bdceac02e73b3d/5980cba1cab339954b436466/1501612963673/)
![It's Friday! ✨ Find time to #getoutside this weekend, whether skipping stones in a National Park or simply strolling a nearby nature preserve or garden. #NatureistheBestMedicine .
I snapped this 📸 of my husband enjoying the spectacular views of the #Tetons just after we arrived at Colter Bay. If you're looking for a lake escape like this one, check out our Magical Lake Getaways [Link in Bio].](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56d389f045bf216eb2dc01c8/5980cba1d7bdceac02e73b3d/5980cba1cab339954b436469/1501612963395/)
