Vanessa’s guidebook
Food scene
Very close- almost walking distance. This is an authentic Jewish bakery serving breakfast & lunch.
11 locals recommend
Charleston Bakery & Delicatessen
10597 Dorchester RdVery close- almost walking distance. This is an authentic Jewish bakery serving breakfast & lunch.
The Taste Asian Bistro
10645 Dorchester RdVery close- Great sushi, hibachi and Asian dishes
the owner is from New York and this is authentic New York style pizza. We love their Stromboli. They do deliver on some days of the week but it’s close by for pick up. (We also use Marco’s for delivery)
Italian Bistro
1605 Central Avethe owner is from New York and this is authentic New York style pizza. We love their Stromboli. They do deliver on some days of the week but it’s close by for pick up. (We also use Marco’s for delivery)
Palmetto Flats Restaurant & Tavern
975 Bacons Bridge Rdright up Bacon’s Bridge Rd
Myles and Jun Yakitori
710 Bacons Bridge RdClassy Japanese/Yakitori (and right up the road)
Our favorite Summerville steakhouse. It’s located right off the downtown square. We usually pair our meal with a walk around the square and some time sitting by the fountains. They have a small playground outside so it makes for a nice family spot.
34 locals recommend
The Icehouse Restaurant
104 E Doty AveOur favorite Summerville steakhouse. It’s located right off the downtown square. We usually pair our meal with a walk around the square and some time sitting by the fountains. They have a small playground outside so it makes for a nice family spot.
Low Country Fish Camp
903 Central AvenueExcellent fish and chips
Kairos Mediterranean
1200 North Main StreetGreat food!
Breakfast place- you wait in line, order at the counter and then they serve you. They have amazing, unique biscuits. Really a one-of-a-kind place.
17 locals recommend
Vicious Biscuit
206 Front StBreakfast place- you wait in line, order at the counter and then they serve you. They have amazing, unique biscuits. Really a one-of-a-kind place.
Great place for an anniversary/birthday meal. Valet parking. It’s pricey, but the service is incredible.
34 locals recommend
Halls Chophouse Nexton (Summerville)
300 Nexton Square DrGreat place for an anniversary/birthday meal. Valet parking. It’s pricey, but the service is incredible.
Our favorite seafood & favorite restaurant in Charleston. Truly southern meal complete with boiled peanuts and hushpuppies. They have a great gift shop. We often pair this meal with a visit to the famous Charleston Open Air Market.
153 locals recommend
Rodney Scott's BBQ - Charleston
1011 King StreetOur favorite seafood & favorite restaurant in Charleston. Truly southern meal complete with boiled peanuts and hushpuppies. They have a great gift shop. We often pair this meal with a visit to the famous Charleston Open Air Market.
More expensive, but the perfect place to celebrate that special occasion. They have famous She Crab Soup and a lot of unqiue dishes like creme brulee french toast for brunch.
45 locals recommend
82 Queen
82 Queen StMore expensive, but the perfect place to celebrate that special occasion. They have famous She Crab Soup and a lot of unqiue dishes like creme brulee french toast for brunch.
Taco Boy
106 E Ashley AveThere's this one in Nexton & one in downtown Charleston. Unique tacos.
Our favorite grass-fed burgers. They offer apple butter to dip with their sweet potato fries. (Don’t knock it, until you try it!)
85 locals recommend
Triangle Char & Bar
828 Savannah HwyOur favorite grass-fed burgers. They offer apple butter to dip with their sweet potato fries. (Don’t knock it, until you try it!)
Sightseeing
A great place to sit and talk on a warm evening, while enjoying the fountains. There are some cute local shops and always an event/live music on the Third Thursday of the month.
9 locals recommend
Hutchinson Square
A great place to sit and talk on a warm evening, while enjoying the fountains. There are some cute local shops and always an event/live music on the Third Thursday of the month.
Open every Saturday from the second weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving, 8am-1pm. Located in the First Citizen’s Bank parking lot in downtown Summerville. Get the usual farmer’s market fruits and veggies, along with fresh caught seafood, homemade breads, dips, pastas, perogis and more.
14 locals recommend
Summerville Farmers' Market
200 S Main StOpen every Saturday from the second weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving, 8am-1pm. Located in the First Citizen’s Bank parking lot in downtown Summerville. Get the usual farmer’s market fruits and veggies, along with fresh caught seafood, homemade breads, dips, pastas, perogis and more.
The famous pineapple fountain is a must see while visiting Charleston. Children are permitted to wade in it and there is also a splash pad near by.
49 locals recommend
Famous Pineapple Fountain
1 Vendue RangeThe famous pineapple fountain is a must see while visiting Charleston. Children are permitted to wade in it and there is also a splash pad near by.
A horse drawn carriage tour is my favorite way to see and learn the history of Charleston.
467 locals recommend
Rainbow Row
83-107 E Bay StA horse drawn carriage tour is my favorite way to see and learn the history of Charleston.
Don't miss the Charleston Open Air Market. It is a great place to grab some unique keepsakes to commemorate your visit. It’s one of the only places to buy sweet grass baskets.
37 locals recommend
Market Street
Market StreetDon't miss the Charleston Open Air Market. It is a great place to grab some unique keepsakes to commemorate your visit. It’s one of the only places to buy sweet grass baskets.
Be sure to drive over the famous Ravenel bridge. There is a pier underneath the bridge that you can walk on. You can also walk on the Ravenel Bridge itself- a bucket list item for many. Sunset walks are especially beautiful.
282 locals recommend
Arthur Ravenel Junior Bridge
Be sure to drive over the famous Ravenel bridge. There is a pier underneath the bridge that you can walk on. You can also walk on the Ravenel Bridge itself- a bucket list item for many. Sunset walks are especially beautiful.
USS Yorktown CV-10
40 Patriots Point Rdan aircraft carrier you can tour in the Charleston Harbor
There are boat tours that go out to Fort Sumter (known for the battle that marked the start of the civil war)
501 locals recommend
Fort Sumter National Monument
There are boat tours that go out to Fort Sumter (known for the battle that marked the start of the civil war)
I recommend you park in the Charleston Co Parks parking lot as they have lots of amenities- bathrooms, changing stalls, beach rentals (umbrellas and chairs), life guards during peak season, etc.
We like to walk to Coconut Joes for lunch.
76 locals recommend
Isle of Palms Beach
I recommend you park in the Charleston Co Parks parking lot as they have lots of amenities- bathrooms, changing stalls, beach rentals (umbrellas and chairs), life guards during peak season, etc.
We like to walk to Coconut Joes for lunch.
A beautiful plantation house, tons of gardens to explore and a petting zoo. (Bring bug spray during the summer.)
395 locals recommend
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River RdA beautiful plantation house, tons of gardens to explore and a petting zoo. (Bring bug spray during the summer.)
This is the only one on my guide book that I haven't been to. It's a plantation and they have horse back tours.
192 locals recommend
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River RdThis is the only one on my guide book that I haven't been to. It's a plantation and they have horse back tours.
John’s Island boasts the famous Angel Oak Tree- still alive, the tree is 300-400 years old, 65 feet tall, trunk circumference of 25.5 feet and shades 17,000 sq feet. (Free- warning that they close this briefly each time there is lightning in the area)
440 locals recommend
Angel Oak Tree
3688 Angel Oak RdJohn’s Island boasts the famous Angel Oak Tree- still alive, the tree is 300-400 years old, 65 feet tall, trunk circumference of 25.5 feet and shades 17,000 sq feet. (Free- warning that they close this briefly each time there is lightning in the area)
Family Activity
This is super close- it’s a brand new, (opened 3/19/22) large park with walking trails, splash pad & playgrounds very close by ($2 a person).
Ashley River Park
200 Renken RoadThis is super close- it’s a brand new, (opened 3/19/22) large park with walking trails, splash pad & playgrounds very close by ($2 a person).
Bizzy Bee Indoor Play Center
7671-A Northwoods BlvdGreat indoor play place- I'd say for up to age 10 or so
I have not been to this one as my kids are little but this is a trampoline park with other fun activities.
Summit Adventure Park Charleston
1964 Ashley River RdI have not been to this one as my kids are little but this is a trampoline park with other fun activities.
Bee City Zoo
1066 Holly Ridge LnThis is a smaller interactive zoo- you can also purchase their honey