An Insider's Guide To Charleston, SC
Charleston landscape
In many ways, Charleston is a lot like Martha’s Vineyard. It’s an old city, full of charm, character and history, that’s still incredibly popular today. There’s great food, amazing sights, plenty of things to do and good people to meet.
We love coming here because we always seem to make incredible memories while visiting. Whether we’re in town for a wedding, to reconnect with family and friends or to just enjoy a long weekend away, whenever we leave, we immediately eye our calendar to see when we can make it back.
So, if you’re looking to plan a trip down to Charleston, we wanted to share some of the items on our itinerary, which, as usual, is pretty packed. We hope to see you down there soon.
Charleston 101: What To Do
Charleston downtown

Stroll Down King Street

See the best of what Charleston has to offer by taking a leisurely walk down King Street. Start off at Marion Square and head due south—you’ll know you’re heading the right way if you pass our store! It’s just a little over a mile until you reach the southernmost point of Charleston, aka the Battery, and the ocean view is totally worth it.
man on boat

Boating On The Bay & Beyond

A fun geography fact about Charleston: it’s a peninsula, so it’s almost entirely surrounded by water. Which means there are plenty of places to check out by boat, whether you’re cruising your own vessel or taking a tour of the harbor and the surrounding waterways.
golfer in bunker

A Golfer’s Paradise

Get ready to grip it and rip it! There are no fewer than 17 championship-level golf courses in the Charleston area. It doesn’t matter if you’re a scratch golfer or a weekend hacker, you’ll find all of the beautifully maintained courses challenging, fun and in a coastal setting that can’t be beat.
For Food And Drink
owner of Félix Cocktails Et Cuisine

Craft Cocktails, Parisian Vibe

Félix Cocktails Et Cuisine

Pair your cocktail with any number of delectable small plates at this Paris-inspired bar. felixchs.com.

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit store window

How We Roll

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

A grab & go spot serving up piping hot biscuits and delicious, locally-inspired bites. calliesbiscuits.com.

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer store sign

Brewed Better

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

One of our favorite places to stop for a morning pick-me-up or a cold beverage after work. kuducoffeeandcraftbeer.com.

The Post House Inn entrance

History By The Sea

The Post House Inn

A Mt. Pleasant landmark, this coastal tavern and inn offers classic comforts with a bit of salty air (and a lot of delicious food). theposthouseinn.com.

The Dewberry Hotel sign

Southern Hospitality

The Dewberry Hotel

First-class amenities, award-winning dining and the best rooftop bar in the city. What else do you need? thedewberrycharleston.com .

Exploring Charleston’s Charm And History
women on bikes
Walking around Charleston, it’s impossible to not feel its history. From the narrow, cobblestone side streets to the stately rowhouses, it’s clearly an old town—and one with a rich, complicated past. Here are some of our favorite spots to explore to better understand and appreciate the people and places that have shaped the city.
The Battery

History, With A View

The Battery

Offering the best views of the Charleston Harbor since it was built in 1670, the Battery’s original purpose was to offer a strong defensive position against ships entering the area. The stunning lookouts remain, but now the park is known for its great people watching, old Civil War cannons and the White Point Garden, where on any given weekend, you’re bound to see someone getting married.
Learn More.

Charleston City Market sign

Architecture In Color

Charleston City Market

Since it first opened in 1807 as a ramshackle collection of vendor sheds and low buildings, the Charleston City Market has undergone many expansions and renovations, but one thing has remained constant: it’s the cultural heart of Charleston. It’s a place where you can find local food and folk art, handmade souvenirs and a taste of coastal Carolina unlike anywhere else.
Learn More.

Fort Sumter

Guardian Of The Harbor

Fort Sumter

America changed forever on April 12, 1861 when Confederate troops fired on the US garrison stationed inside Fort Sumter. Although heavily damaged during the Civil War and never completed as intended, the fort is now a national monument, where history buffs can explore the ruins and learn about the people and events that brought about this defining moment in our nation’s past.
Learn More.

Visit Our Stores
Other Spots In And Around Town
decorative image of house and trees
For a true Charleston experience, here are some additional highlights in and just out of town you won’t want to miss.
Pineapple Fountain

The Can’t-Miss Photo Op

Pineapple Fountain

There’s a good chance you’ve seen this multi-layered, pineapple-shaped fountain in images and videos before. And for good reason: it’s an iconic Charleston landmark. So, do the touristy thing and go snap your own selfie in front of it—and enjoy the waterfront park while you’re at it.

blue house on Rainbow Row

Architecture In Color

Rainbow Row

This bakers’ dozen of brightly colored, historic row homes situated along East Bay Street dates back to 1740. Complementing the striking aesthetic of each Georgian house is an equally compelling story. Not just something for architecture fans to check out, as the walk up and down this stretch of Charleston offers plenty of sights, shops and attractions.

Isle Of Palms beach shore

Beach Time

Isle Of Palms

While Charleston proper doesn’t offer much in the beach category, it’s easy to find some sand and sun just outside of town. Isle of Palms is about a 40-minute scenic drive from downtown and offers seven miles of pristine beaches for every sort of surfside fun.

Sullivan’s Island beach shore

Day Trip Destination

Sullivan’s Island

Visitors looking for a place to spend a day during their trip to Charleston should check out Sullivan's Island. Don’t let its designation as a “suburb” fool you: there’s plenty to do here, including stunning beaches, delicious dining and even a gateway back in time, with the Revolutionary-era Fort Moultrie, which is now a National Historic Park.

sand dunes

Charleston, Cherished

We all have those special places we love to visit. The ones where cherished memories are made and lasting friendships are formed. The spots we return to, year after year, as a getaway from the day-to-day and as a reminder that Every day should feel this good. Charleston is one of those places for us.
We’d love to see your Charleston moments, from past visits or an upcoming trip. Post a picture or story on Instagram sharing your favorite photos and memories @vineyardvines or @vineyardvineswomen for a chance to have your post featured on our account. And, who knows, it may even inspire our next collection or adventur