Best Things to Do in Charleston on Vacation | Travel Tips by Flytographer

Montoya's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Our favorite restaurant in Charleston was Vicious Biscuit! It was actually recommended by our Flytographer Kelsey and we loved it. Great service and even better food!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Our favorite activity in Charleston was visiting the McLeod Plantation. Our tour guide was informative and knowledgeable. She really gave us insight into the history of the area. Also, if you like honey, visit the Savannah Bee Company shop on King St. They have tons of different honey (with free samples!), mead, and even skin care products. We loved this store so much we ended up going back twice!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Charleston?

Be sure to stop by the visitors center in downtown Charleston! They have some pretty interesting exhbits there with plenty of space for everyone to spread out and explore. They can also help make arrangements for any tours you might be interested in. Bonus: it's right next door to the Charleston Children's Museum.

Visited Charleston in March

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer

Sarah's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Vern's Obsinate Dauhgter (Sullivan's Island) Post House (Old Village) JackRabbitFilly (North Charleston) Bar 167 Chez Nous Maison Melfi's Pizza

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Sullivan's Island French Quarter Battery Waterfront Park Old Village in Mount Pleasant Hampton Park

Hometown Shoot in October

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Lauren's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Where to Eat with kids: • Hometeam BBQ (Sullivan’s Island): Games + great food. The Sullivan’s spot is more family-friendly than downtown. • Shem Creek (Mt. Pleasant): Laid-back waterfront dining where you can watch boats and maybe spot dolphins.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Charleston offers a perfect mix of history, beach vibes, and great food. Explore the colorful Rainbow Row, take a relaxing stroll along Shem Creek, and don’t miss the sunset views or dolphin sightings. For foodies, Lewis BBQ and Hometeam BBQ on Sullivan’s Island are must-visit spots for family-friendly dining. Top it off with a visit to the awe-inspiring Angel Oak Tree and enjoy Charleston’s natural beauty.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Charleston?

1. Visit the South Carolina Aquarium: Perfect for little explorers, the aquarium features hands-on exhibits, a large touch tank, and a sea turtle hospital that kids love. 2. Take a Carriage Ride: See Charleston’s historic streets from a horse-drawn carriage. It’s a fun, laid-back way for kids to learn about the city’s history while enjoying the ride. 3. Play at the Charleston Waterfront Park: The Pineapple Fountain is always a hit with kids, and there’s plenty of space to run around or enjoy a family picnic by the water. 4. Explore Patriots Point: Older kids will love the interactive exhibits aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. They can explore aircraft carriers, submarines, and helicopters up close. 5. Check out Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry: This museum is filled with hands-on exhibits like an art room, a medieval castle, and a pirate ship that encourages creative play for younger children. 6. Go on a Boat Tour: A Charleston harbor cruise or dolphin-watching tour is a fun and exciting way for kids to enjoy the water and spot some wildlife. 7. Visit Boone Hall Plantation: While known for its history, Boone Hall also offers gardens, farm animals, and seasonal activities that kids can enjoy. They often host family-friendly events throughout the year.

Visited Charleston in October

Photo Shoot Location: French Quarter District

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Brittany's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

There are far to many good ones to pick

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Walking downtown was wonderful.

Visited Charleston in July

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Kortney in Charleston for Flytographer

Abby's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Omg I absolutely love Page’s Okra Grill. It’s a must stop. Perfect combination of home cooking and seafood. The peanut butter pie is amazing!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

I love battery park and downtown! Isle of palms beach is absolutely beautiful! If you have a boat definitely check out Capers island. Beautiful with drift wood and amazing sea shells.

What is your best travel tip for Charleston?

If you go downtown make a day of it so you can eat, see all the sights, and shop the amazing shops.

Visited Charleston in July

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Caleena's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Delaney Oyster House is one of our favorites!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

We love the Charleston City Market and shopping on King Street. But one of our favorites places is the short drive to Kiawah.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Charleston?

Our kids love the beach, so we focus on having time by the ocean. Bring strollers as there is a lot of walking in Charleston. You can also dine at great restaurants with kids if you go early!

Visited Charleston in June

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Savannah's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

There has been so many good ones, it’s hard to pick just one! We really liked the food and atmosphere at Fleet Landing. We also got to enjoy watching some dolphins while eating!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Loved the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square!

What is your best travel tip for Charleston?

Make a list of all things you want to see/try/do, so that you can try and accomplish all of it. There is just so many things to do while here!

Visited Charleston in June

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Kortney in Charleston for Flytographer

Lillie's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Home team BBQ they had amazing food! Their tots were delicious!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

The aquarium, carriage ride tour, and horseback riding, and our favorite thing was taking a sunset cruise with Charleston sailing charters.

Visited Charleston in June

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer

Kortlin's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Hall’s Chop House

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Sunset cruise

What is your best travel tip for Charleston?

Pedi Cab’s on King!

Visited Charleston in May

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Beth's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Fleet Landing for seafood! They have the downtown Charleston vibe with a water view. The staff is as amazing as the food. Rodney Scott’s for BBQ. Hands down, the best pulled pork I’ve ever had!

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Drayton Hall, Fort Sumter, Firefly distillery

Visited Charleston in May

Photo Shoot Location: Waterfront Park

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Lisa's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

We did a food tour and it was a fun way to taste local cuisine

Visited Charleston in May

Photo Shoot Location: Waterfront Park

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Maggie's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

We kept it casual this trip as we were traveling for our daughter’s 2nd birthday! D’Allesandro’s Pizza was the perfect stop following our flytographer photo session for our little pizza lover. East Bay Deli was a great stop for lunch following the aquarium.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

We absolutely loved strolling through downtown with so many flowers in bloom.

What is the best tip for celebrating your birthday in Charleston?

We took our daughter for her 2nd birthday. She loved the aquarium, strolling around downtown admiring all the horses, and wandering the plantations and playgrounds in the area!

Visited Charleston in April

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer

Josh's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Leon's Oyster Bar

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Exploring new restaurants and bars. There is so many great spots both old and new that are worth experiencing

Visited Charleston in February

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Anthony's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

N/A

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, King Street

Visited Charleston in February

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Bridget's Travel Tips for Charleston

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Charleston?

The Charleston Place Hotel was phenomenal and the rooms were so romantic.

Visited Charleston in December

Photo Shoot Location: French Quarter District

Kate in Charleston for Flytographer

Megan's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Circa 1886 - Beautiful, charming, history and one-of-a-kind dining experience. The staff paid attention to little details and went above and beyond. Food was delicious. Top notch dining experience unique to Charleston.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Loved that everything was an easy walk or car ride. Sights were beautiful, lots of landmarks and sights to see and delicious food. Safe and friendly!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Charleston?

Lots of narrow/bumpy sidewalks that can be tough with a stroller but do-able!

Visited Charleston in October

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Chelsea's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

82 Queen - great ambiance and food!

What is the best tip for going on your babymoon to Charleston?

Stay at Charleston Place! Such a premium experience and centrally located so you can walk the city.

Visited Charleston in September

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Emma in Charleston for Flytographer

Amelie's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Rutledge Kitchen- our #1 spot always ! True chef’s kitchen, relaxed vibe, incredible food and amazing people.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Beach time at Kiawah

What is the best tip for celebrating your anniversary in Charleston?

Don’t schedule too much. A few dinner or lunch reservations & a Flytographer session, leave the rest up to spontaneity.

Visited Charleston in August

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Michelle in Charleston for Flytographer

Rini's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Charleston has the best seafood and fried green tomatoes. We always try to go back to our favorite such The Darling oyster bar, Magnolia, Virginia Restaurant, Swamp Fox and Husk.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

We always took a walking tour while in Charleston! The city has so much history and we love learning from the local.

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Charleston?

Spend a night at the nicest hotel in town and have dinner or cocktails on the roof top bar.

Visited Charleston in July

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer

Jennifer's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Coffee? Check out The Brown Fox in Mount Pleasant. It’s just over the bridge a few minutes from Shem Creek. They have an amazing selection of coffee and pastries.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Shem Creek, Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant outside of Charleston.

Hometown Shoot in July

Photo Shoot Location: Hampton Park

Michelle in Charleston for Flytographer

Karin's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Hidden gems for kids- Whirling Waters Waterpark in North Charleston

Visited Charleston in June

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Michelle in Charleston for Flytographer

Sherryl's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

We loved 82 Queen. The brunch in our opinion, is Charlestons best. All around the traditional southern cuisine is mouthwatering divine. It’s not over complicated, just super satisfying. The cocktail options are so yummy! Staff at 82 Queen goes above and beyond. They are extremely accommodating and professional. Macaroons and gelato from Le Macaron on Meeting Street are a must for macaron snobs like ourselves. I had the gelato nightly, they are conveniently opened until 11 pm. Ru Ru’s Tacos is a wonderful place for retro casual fun dining. Their menu is hysterical and the food is scrumptious. No matter where you eat, we always try the She Crab Soup. It’s a Charleston staple that we couldn’t get enough of.

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

I think it’s a must to do a tour or two. We’ve always thoroughly enjoyed Bull Dog Tours for walking ghost tours. Palmetto Carriage Works gave us a wonderful private coach tour, they also do ghost tours and history tours. Unitary Church Cemetery is whimsically beautiful to see. Shopping at the Marketplace and surrounding shops is always so much fun. There’s great places to eat, listen to music or grab a drink. We enjoyed antique shopping on King Street and a short Uber ride to Terrace Oak Antique Center as well. Exploring all the beautiful clothing stores and unique shops walking on King Street is so much fun.

What is the best tip for planning a bachelorette in Charleston?

My daughter, the bride to be, and myself her mom, did a mother/daughter trip as her bachelorette. This was such a special and memorable trip. We stayed at The Charleston Place hotel, which was phenomenal in itself. We had spa treatments, enjoyed the rooftop pool, the delicious restaurants and atmosphere at the lounge. Our photo shoot added to these special memories.

Visited Charleston in June

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Denise's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

We loved the laid back atmosphere of Taco Boy at Folly Beach!

Visited Charleston in May

Photo Shoot Location: French Quarter District

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

kelsey's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Fleet Landing (get the crab soup) and Carmella’s (get the cannoli cake)

Visited Charleston in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer

Breeanna's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

167 raw! Ask for Elliott at the bar

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Walking around the charming city streets

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Charleston?

Just enjoy each others company in the city :)

Visited Charleston in April

Photo Shoot Location: Historic Downtown

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer

Olivia's Travel Tips for Charleston

What are the best places to eat and drink in Charleston?

Carmella’s & Vendue rooftop

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Sullivans Island

Visited Charleston in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Kara in Charleston for Flytographer