A Slow Weekend in Charleston
Charleston rewards slowing down. It is a walking city, flat and shaded and small enough to cross on foot, with the low country and the sea islands just beyond it. I keep a weekend here light and green: a boutique hotel that actually tries, a lot of time outdoors, and food that comes from close by.
I stay at Hotel Emeline or The Ryder, walk everywhere I can, and give a full day to the sea islands and the oldest living thing for miles. Here is a slow weekend in Charleston.
Your Charleston Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1 Day 1: Arrive and walk the old city
- Day 2 Day 2: The Angel Oak and the sea islands
- Day 3 Day 3: Market morning and a slow finish
Where to Stay in Charleston
Hotel Emeline
Home base is Hotel Emeline, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown with a real sustainability streak and a good coffee house of its own.
The Ryder Hotel
The Ryder is the breezy, laid back alternative, a short walk from the same historic streets.
What to Do in Charleston
Walk the historic district and Waterfront Park
Walk the old streets down to Waterfront Park for the Pineapple Fountain and the harbour breeze, then along the Battery past the pastel houses.
The Angel Oak
Drive out to Johns Island for the Angel Oak, a live oak thought to be four to five hundred years old, its branches resting on the ground and reaching back up.
Folly Beach at sunset
End the day at Folly Beach, the easy, salt-worn barrier island beach south of the city.
Where to Eat in Charleston
Eat local and low country
Charleston eats well and close to home: Gullah Geechee cooking, sea island produce, shrimp straight off the boats.
Where to Shop in Charleston
Sweet River Berry Farm
Nearby on the island, Sweet River Berry Farm lets you pick your own in season and carry home the kind of fruit that never survives a supermarket.
Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square
If you are here on a Saturday in season, the Charleston Farmers Market fills Marion Square with low country growers, bakers and makers.
How to Get to Charleston
Fly into Charleston
Charleston International is a short ride from downtown, and once you are here the peninsula is small enough to walk.
A slow last morning
One more walk, one more coffee, then the short ride back to the airport, already planning the next slow weekend down here.
Your Day by Day Charleston Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and walk the old city
Getting in, settling into a greener hotel, and the free walk that is the best of Charleston.
Fly into Charleston
Charleston International is a short ride from downtown, and once you are here the peninsula is small enough to walk. Leave the car and use your feet.
Hotel Emeline
Home base is Hotel Emeline, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown with a real sustainability streak and a good coffee house of its own. If it is full, The Ryder is the other greener pick a few blocks away.
The Ryder Hotel
The Ryder is the breezy, laid back alternative, a short walk from the same historic streets. Either one keeps you car free for the weekend.
Walk the historic district and Waterfront Park
Walk the old streets down to Waterfront Park for the Pineapple Fountain and the harbour breeze, then along the Battery past the pastel houses. It is all free, and it is the whole reason people fall for this city.
Day 2: The Angel Oak and the sea islands
Out to Johns Island for the oldest tree around, a berry farm, and a beach for sundown.
See the full day-by-day itinerary.
This is your only free pass. A free account gives you 3.
Day 3: Market morning and a slow finish
Local produce, a last wander, and an unhurried way out.