We’ve all seen Charleston on Southern Charm, so why not head down for a weekend to check it out IRL? Charleston is the prefect girls weekend spot with funky dining, great shopping and some fabulous spas to pamper yourselves. Here is our complete guide to a girls’ trip to Charleston—all you need is 36 hours for the perfect escape to Charleston with your friends!
Where to Stay
Charleston is a cute little coastal town, easily accessible with many direct flights into CHS airport, which is only about a 20-minute drive from the downtown. For a relaxing stay, pick the The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, which is located just across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge from the Downtown, the resort has amazing views of the harbor and direct access to the marina. With four dining options on site, you could honestly spend your whole weekend here, but why not take their complimentary shuttle into town for a bit as well during your girls trip to Charleston?
The rooms are beach chic, it’s as if you stepped into the pages of Coastal Living. All rooms come with balconies so be sure to make some time to just sit and enjoy the view. Or even have breakfast out there! The lobby also has lots of picture-perfect seating areas to enjoy as well, so be sure to explore.
What to Do During Your Girls Trip to Charleston
Every girls’ trip to Charleston needs to include some time at the spa so why not start there? The Estuary Spa at the Beach Club at the Charleston Harbor Resort is just the place you’ll want to relax. Book a deep tissue massage or a facial and let the therapists do their thing while the stress of the week just drifts away.
Then after your spa treatments head to the Fish House for a tasty lunch. Located on property, the is a great place to grab lunch and enjoy the view of the harbor. Their menu is filled with lots of local classics, the ingredients are seasonal and fresh, we both tried the Market Vegetables and Farro bowl.
And after you enjoy lunch, head to the nearby Patriots Point to take in a little history and to enjoy the birdseye view from the top of the deck of the USS Yorktown. You get to check out the entire ship and it makes a great photo opp as well as being a really interesting place to learn a little US history firsthand.
Finally, head in town for the evening. Take the free shuttle from the Charlesotn harbor Resort and get dropped off right in the center of the action downtown. Start by strolling around the picturesque streets, they are so charming you won’t want to leave. Be sure to head to the waterfront and then hit up “Rainbow Row”, trust me you’ll want to snap a shot for Instagram.
Where to Eat
Start with some rooftop cocktails at The Rooftop at the Vendue and enjoy the balmy Charleston weather. This funky rooftop bar has a great cocktail list as well as bar bites menu. Cheers to a fun girls’ weekend in Charleston and start the night off on the right foot.
Then head to Fig for dinner. Fig specializes in farm to table cuisine and the menu reflects that. Everything is seasonal and the menu changes daily. We started with the Jimmy Red Cornbread and then moved on to a King Mackerel rice bowl and the Mizuna Salad. For mains we had the Roasted Snowy Grouper, the Palmetto Sweet Onions and the Pumpkin Soup. For dessert we had the Galette des Rois cake. This is a Charleston staple so be sure to try it when you visit.
But after all that be sure to save a little room for a special second dessert. Head around the corner to the famous Planters Inn for their 12-layer coconut cake. This coconut cake is worth a try, but trust me, 1 slice is probably enough for three people! So, order one to share before the night is out.
And in the morning, you’ll want to visit the Park Cafe for brunch. This trendy café has lots of plant-based options that taste as good as they look. Grab a health shot and some kale toast and you will be starting your day off feeling great! The space is super cute as well, so this is another great spot for pics.
Charleston is filled with great food, lots of wonderful streets to explore and a whole lot of culture, so book your next girls trip to this fabulous little city!
For some travel tips to some other small cities on the East Coast read out guide to Richmond, VA or our piece about how to spend 36 Hours in Providence, RI.
