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Last Updated:

2/17/23

Charleston, SC

Pineapple Fountain, The Most Photograph Spot in Charleston South Carolina

Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine.  If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find.  You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.

Breakfast

Pecan Fried Chicken and a Cinnamon Waffle from Early Bird Diner in Charleston, South Carolina

Early Bird Diner

1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Sample Menu of What I Would Order

Chicken & Waffle: Pecan Fried Chicken and a Cinnamon Waffle with Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce and Syrup $15.50


Early Burger: Beef Patty, Applewood Bacon, Scrambled Egg, and Cheddar on White Toast with 1 Side $13.50


Shrimp & Grits: Sauteed Shrimp, Applewood Bacon, and Scallions in Tomato Gravy over Grits with a Biscuit or Toast $17.00

Hours:

Monday to Saturday 8 am - 4 pm

Sunday 8 am - 2 pm

Order Online: Yes

Seen on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Key Lime Pie Donut from Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts in Charleston South Carolina

Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts

481 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Some of the Donut Flavors I Would Order

Berry Cobbler: Berry Filled Doughnut with Cinnamon Glaze and Crumb Topping


Apple Bacon Fritter: Fritter made out of Bacon Infused Dough filled with Granny Smith Apples


PB&C:  Peanut Butter Glaze drizzled with Chocolate Ganache & Chocolate Mousse Filling


Blue Cheese Cabernet:  Homemade Pear Jam, Cabernet Glaze, Blue Cheese Honey Drizzle


Baked Banana: Banana Bread Doughnut, Banana Glaze & Walnuts


Sweet Corn Blueberry: Sweet Corn Custard, Blueberry Glaze, Corn Lemon Shortbread

Hours:

Tuesday to Friday  7 am - 3 pm

Saturday and Sunday    8 am - 3 pm

Close Early If Sold Out

Order Online: Yes

Constantly Mention as the Best Donuts in South Carolina

Activities

Patriots Point

In my opinion, Patriots Points is the best place to visit in the Charleston area. One of South Carolina's most popular tourist attractions with more than 300,000 visitors each year. You can explore an aircraft carrier, a submarine, a destroyer, and a Vietnam War exhibit. I have much respect for this museum on how they honor the United States military.


SINGLE DAY ADMISSION:


Parking $5.00

Adult - $27.00

Child(6-11) - $16.00

Senior(62+) - $19.00


Added Cost for Captain's Guided Tour (Recommended) - $15.00

Look at USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Near Charleston South Carolina

40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Hours:

Daily 9 am - 6:30 pm

Food Trucks Make a Return to Patriots Point for the Spring and Summer Season

South Carolina Aquarium

South Carolina Aquarium was announced as one of ten recipients of the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. The aquarium puts a lot of effort into helping sea turtles. Their animal exhibits take you throughout South Carolina from the mountains to the oceans. The centerpiece is the two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank, where you will see Caretta, a 220-pound loggerhead sea turtle hanging out with some sharks.


General Admission (Start At Price, Very Rough Estimate):


Adult - $28.95

Child(3-12) - $23.15


Note From Them "The South Carolina Aquarium utilizes a dynamic ticket calendar to determine daily admission prices. This model allows guests to plan their visit on a date that fits both their schedule and budget. The pricing you see today will never decrease, but it may increase closer to your selected date. Tickets are available for purchase up to 60 days in advance. Buy your tickets early to guarantee the best price!"



Couple of Otters from South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston

100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401

Hours:

Daily 9 am - 5:00 pm

Last Entry Time 3:30 pm

Fort Sumter

It is a nice ferry ride out of Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter secluded on an island. The park ranger will give a tour of the fort when you arrive; altogether, you spend about an hour on the island. Plenty of time to take photos of the cannons. The ferry departs from two locations, either near the South Carolina Aquarium or Patriots Point Naval Museum.


Fort Sumter Tour (Ferry Cost):


Adult - $32.00

Child(4-11) - $19.00

Senior/Military - $29.00

One of the Old Cannons Inside Fort Sumter in Charleston South Carolina
Credit: Fort Sumter | My Own

340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401

Ferry Departure Times:


Liberty Square 9:30 am, Noon, 2:30 pm, 4 pm

Patriot Point 10:30 am, 1 pm, 3:30 pm

USS Yorktown/Fort Sumter Tour Combo (My Pick) Adults $52 Children $33

Magnolia Plantation & Garden

Yes, I know about Middleton Plantation, but I feel overall that Magnolia Plantation has more to over to the public. It is Charleston's most visited plantation. Magnolia Plantation was selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" by Travel + Leisure Magazine, the only garden in South Carolina to have that honor. It is the oldest public garden in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870. The plantation has numerous tour options, e.g., boat, tram, and house tours.


Admission Info (Just Adult Info Here):


General Admission - $29.00

Historic House  - $15.00

Nature Tram - $10.00

Nature Boat - $10.00

Audubon Swamp - $10.00

Historic Garden Walk - $10.00

The Most Photograph Bridge at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina

3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414

Hours:

Daily 9 am - 5:00 pm

Last Entry Time 4:00 pm

Photography Allowed But Not Inside Plantation House

Food

One of the Best Burger Spots in Charleston Area of South Carolina

Poe's Tavern

2210 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

Hours:

Daily 11 am - 10 pm

Order Online: Yes

Sample Menu of What I Would Order

Tell-Tale Heart Burger: Fried Egg, Applewood Bacon & Cheddar Cheese $16.00


Black Cat Burger: Grilled Onions, Edgar's Drunken Chili, Applewood Bacon & Pimiento Cheese  $16.75


Sleeper Burger: Roasted Garlic Blue Cheese & Buffalo Fried Shrimp $16.25

One of the Best Burger Spots in Charleston Area of South Carolina

BBQ Tray from Lewis Barbecue, One of the Best Places to Eat in Charleston South Carolina

Lewis Barbecue

464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403

Sample Menu of What I Would Order

El Sancho Loco: Pulled Pork, Chopped Brisket & Sausage on Normandy Farms Bun $14.00


Sliced USDA Prime Beef Brisket: Famous Central Texas Style Brisket  $27.00 per Pound


Banana Pudding: Homemade Banana Pudding with Marshmellow Fluff & Crumbled Nilla Wafers $6.00

Hours:

Sunday & Monday 11 am - 9 pm

Tues to Sat    11 am - 10 pm

Order Online: Yes

Located Down the Road from Rodney Scott's BBQ, Go to Both Places

Maple Soaked Pancake, Creative Ice Cream from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream in Charleston South Carolina

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

501-A King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Flavor Samples From Menu (Seasonal)

  • High Five Candy Bar: Peanut Butter, Caramel, Chocolate, & Pretzels


  • Pumpkin Cake Roll: Pumpkin Ice Cream, Spiced Cream Cheese, & Cake


  • Wedding Cake: Vanilla Cake with Lemon, Blackberries, and Buttercream Icing


  • Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam: Buttermilk Ice Cream with Crumbled Biscuits and Swirls of Peach Jam


  • Powdered Jelly Donut: Vanilla Custard, Raspberry Jelly, and Brown Sugar Donut Crumble


  • Brambleberry Crisp: Vanilla Ice Cream with Oat Streusel and Brambleberry Jam


  • Texas Sheet Cake: Chocolate Cake Crumbles, Bittersweet Fudge, and Cocoa

Hours:

Daily Noon - 11 pm

Order Online: Yes

Jeni's is Known to Have Some of the Best Ice Cream in the Country

Places to Stay

FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website.  I will keep them updated the best I can every three months.  I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE

The Charleston Place

  • Walking Distance of Dock Street Theatre, Pineapple Fountain, and The Battery


  • From their Website: "An independent, iconic landmark in the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Captivating the hearts and imaginations of a new generation. Redefining the legendary service, experiences — and city — with renewed passion, purpose, and intention."


  • Food/Drinks Options: Charleston Grill (Southern Seasonal Menu), Palmetto Cafe (Serving Lowcountry Favorites), and Thoroughbred Club (Tapas/Dessert/Live Music)


  • Who is this for: People that are Fans of Historic Buildings, Scenic Walkers, Theatre Goers, & People with Padded Wallets

One of the Classy Rooms at The Charleston Place in Charleston South Carolina

205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)


Deluxe King Room June 22' - $640

Premier King Room Oct 22' - $862

Deluxe Room Dec 2022 - $410

Deluxe Room Dec 2022 - $410

Premier King Room April 23' - $813

Francis Marion Hotel

  • Walking Distance of Charleston Museum, Aiken-Rhett House Museum, and South Carolina Aquarium


  • From their Website: "Rising 12 stories above the Historic District, the hotel offers spectacular views of Charleston’s church steeples, historic mansions, and famous harbor, providing easy access to the wealth of Charleston’s attractions."


  • Food/Drinks Options: Swamp Fox Restaurant (Southern Classic Cuisine), Halls Chophouse (Top Service in Charleston), and Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts (Best Donuts in South Carolina)


  • Who is this for: People that are Foodies, Downtown Walkers, Sealife Gazers, & People Like Pricey Coffee

Look at Room at Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston South Carolina

387 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)

Book Way in Advance, High Sellout Rate


Deluxe King Room June 22' - $364

Traditional Room Dec 22' - $259

Traditional Room June 23' - $372


Book Way In Advance, Rooms Sell Quick

21 and up fun

Fruit Punch Brew from Edmund's Oast Brewing in Charleston South Carolina

Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.

1505 King St #115, Charleston, SC 29405

SAMPLE OF BEER MENU

Cereal For Dinner: Blonde Ale with Almond, Coconut, & Vanilla | 5.0% ABV 


Sour Cranberry Lime: Sour-Fruited | 6.5% ABV


Pillow Fort: IPA - Triple New England/Hazy | 10.0% ABV


Something Cold: Ultra Premium Blonde Ale | 5.0% ABV


Apple Cider Doughnuts: Blonde Ale | 5.0% ABV


Hours:

Daily 11 am - 9 pm

Also Known To Serve A Very Good Hot Dog

Food Menu is Available

Exterior Look at the New Firefly Distillery in Charleston South Carolina

Firefly Distillery

4201 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

SAMPLE OF SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

The King Leon: Firefly Sweet Tea Whiskey, Meyer Lemon, & Sprite $11


The OG: Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade $11


Lowcountry Mule: WhiskeyJam Whiskey, Sweatman's Ginger Beer & Lime $11 


Park Circle Punch: Firefly Fruit Punch Moonshine, Firefly Coconut Cake Moonshine, Sprite & Lemon $11


Firefly Tasting


A Tasting Flight of 6 Spirits, $13 per person

Hours

Mon to Thurs, Sat: Noon - 6 pm

Friday: Noon - 8 pm

Sunday: Closed

Post & Courier's Adult Egg Hunt - Relive the joys of your youth! Grab a drink and hunt for hundreds of hidden eggs. Prizes range from candy and gifts to exclusive GOLDEN EGGS with prizes valued up to $400.00!
Grab some yummy brunch from one of our food trucks. Enjoy drinks from Firefly Distillery, giant lawn games, shop from local vendors, and get your photo with the Easter Bunny at our photo booth!
MUST BE 21 OR OLDER. To ensure everyone gets a prize, participants are limited to 10 eggs - March 26 11am to 2 pm

 Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location.  I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information.  Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn

The Summary in Activities Uses OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

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