The Don’ts of Chareleston
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Charleston, we want to be sure you know what you should NOT do when you plan a Charleston family vacation.
Don’t Expect Charleston to Be Cheap
Charleston is not an inexpensive city to visit. It’s expensive to dine and drink in Charleston. It’s totally worth it, just be prepared. The most expensive part of your Charleston vacation will be your accommodation. You don’t always get what you pay for, as the accommodations are small and “historic.” If your hotel offers a happy hour or social hour, take advantage of it to save some money.
Ten Travel Budget Tips for Saving Money
Don’t Miss Happy Hour
The best way to save money on your Charleston trip is to take advantage of Happy Hour specials at the local bars and restaurants. It’s also a great way to get out and meet locals, who are usually more than eager to share their tips for the best things to do in Charleston. Happy Hour is typically from about 5:00 until 7:00, and some hotels host a similar “social hour” with free appetizers and drinks.
If you want to host your own happy hour before heading out for the evening, you will have to plan ahead as you cannot buy hard liquor outside of an actual liquor store. You can get beer and wine at the grocery store or gas station, but if you want vodka for that Bloody Mary Mix, you’ll have to head to the liquor store. And remember they are closed on Sunday!
Don’t Miss Out on South Carolina Food
South Carolina food in Charleston is phenomenal; especially if you love comfort food or seafood. There are a lot of different cuisines that are expertly prepared in Charleston so you really can’t go wrong, but let’s focus on the traditional South Carolina that you absolutely should try on your next trip to Charleston!
- Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern dish that is so simple, yet truly amazing!
- She-Crab Soup is the perfect starter for any meal in Charleston; hot, creamy bisque may seem odd in this humid climate, but it’s a must! The name comes from female crab meat that is used to make the soup!
- Rice was the first cash crop in the Carolinas and it’s still a staple on most menus in Charleston. Crab rice is great, or if you prefer chicken, pilau is basically chicken and rice.
- Oysters are also a common thing to eat in Charleston; if you get a chance to hit up an oyster roast, don’t miss it; it’s so good! While oysters on the half-shell aren’t a traditional Charleston dish, there are a lot of oyster houses in Charleston.
- Po-Boys are a popular Southern sandwich, and the two favorite types are shrimp po-boys or oyster po-boys.
- Frogmore Stew (also known as Low Country Boil) is not made with frogs, don’t worry! It’s basically shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes all boiled together. It’s fun to make with a big group of friends, but you can also get it in restaurants.
- Biscuits are another Southern staple and they aren’t just for breakfast! We can never get our fill of biscuits in Charleston!
- Boiled peanuts are a great snack to grab at the Farmer’s Market while you are walking around. They boil peanuts in the shell with spices and seasoning. It’s yummy!
Other Southern meals that are easy to find in Charleston include fried chicken, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, and fried green tomatoes. If you’re looking for a fun souvenir to take home, the Charleston Bloody Mary mix is really tasty! We always bring home a few bottles after a trip to Charleston. If you like seafood, you’ll love the food in Charleston!
Don’t Forget to Make Dinner Reservations
If there are specific Charleston restaurants you want to try, make sure you have reservations ahead of time! Even if you think you’re visiting Charleston during the low season, the best Charleston restaurants will still be full. But don’t bother waiting in line for dinner if you forget to make reservations. There are TONS of great restaurants to pick from, so just walk around the corner and find another spot. It’s not only the famous Charleston restaurants that have phenomenal food.
One thing to note about Charleston restaurants is that many of them close between 3 and 5 or between lunch and dinner, so make sure you plan ahead. Some only serve lunch, while others only serve dinner, so if there is a particular restaurant you want to try, check their hours ahead of time!
Don’t Think Every Historic Home is Open to the Public
One of the main reasons people visit Charleston is its historic architecture. But you have to remember, people live in a lot of these cool old houses. So, don’t go stepping through gardens and courtyards to get photographs, and definitely don’t go peeping in the windows. Unless you know for sure it’s a museum, treat every house like a private home because many of them are.
Don’t Miss Historic Home Tours
Once you’ve established what is a private home vs a private home museum, be sure to take a few tours of the homes that are open to the public. There are plenty of historic home tours in Charleston, and the Charleston CVB has rounded up the 11 best house tours in Charleson, including the Nathaniel Russell House Museum and the Aiken Rhett House.
Don’t Be Overwhelmed by City Market
Every travel blog and vlog will tell you that City Market is one of the best places to visit in Charleston. The Charleston City Market stretches for a couple of blocks and features over 300 vendors selling arts, crafts, souvenirs, and snacks. It can be overwhelming if you are there on a hot, humid, crowded day. We found it to be pretty touristy, so don’t feel guilty if you don’t go through the entire market.
Don’t Get Too Excited About Rainbow Row
Another popular Charleston attraction is Rainbow Row, a street lined with colorful houses. It’s pretty, but it’s not much different than all of the other streets in Charleston. There are hundreds of colorful homes and streets in Charleston, this one just happens to be more popular than others.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Churches
Charleston is sometimes called the Holy City, in part because there are over 400 church steeples on the Charleston skyline. Many give tours and several have cemeteries you can visit as well but don’t feel like you have to go to all of them, and don’t feel bad if they all start to look the same after a few tours.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Holy City Moniker
Part of the reason Charleston is nicknamed the Holy City is due to religious tolerance, so don’t think this is a super conservative religious city because the people are very open and welcoming and they like to have a good time.
Don’t Be Shocked by Sudden Storms
Sudden rain storms are pretty common in Charleston, but they’re usually very brief. It’s pretty common in coastal cities, and Charleston is no exception. In fact, most hotels and souvenir shops sell plastic ponchos because so many tourists are caught off guard by the rain.
Don’t Mess With Flooded Streets
Charleston is pretty much at sea level, so when those rain storms hit, the streets can flood quickly. Don’t walk or drive through streets that are flooded as you can be swept away. The water will dissipate fairly quickly, so just wait it out. Chances are, your rental car is not covered by flood insurance.
Don’t Drive in The Charleston Historic District
Like many historic downtown areas and tourist districts, driving can be a nightmare in Charleston. The streets are narrow and many streets are one-way only, making it difficult to navigate. Leave your car at the hotel and enjoy Charleston on foot.
Don’t Pack the Wrong Items
When packing for your Charleston trip, make sure you have the right clothing and shoes for exploring the area. You’ll be walking a lot, sometimes on cobblestone streets, so having good walking shoes is key to enjoying your Charleston vacation. You could easily walk 10 miles in a day here, just out and about.
Likewise, make sure you have lightweight clothing that is comfortable in hot, humid temperatures. You’ll want lots of sunscreen and a hat to keep the sun off your face and neck.
Don’t Forget Your Manners
You are in the South, after all, so don’t forget your manners when you visit Charleston. It’s expected that people hold the door for each other, and use their please and thank you. This includes being courteous to others when you stop to take photos; don’t just stop in the middle of the street! Step aside and let others pass first.
What not to do when visiting the Southern States
Don’t Miss Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is the spot where the Civil War began, and a visit to Fort Sumter National Historic Park during your Charleston family vacation. When you visit the Battery in downtown Charleston, you will see a fort just off the coast. That is not Fort Sumter; that’s Pinckney Castle. You have to take a ferry out to Fort Sumter. Not only will you learn about a crucial part of American history when you visit Fort Sumter, but you’ll also have a great view of the Charleston skyline from the ferry over.
Don’t Skip the Dark History of Charleston
Not all of Charleston’s history is colorful houses and southern charm. There’s a very dark side of American history here as well, and it’s important to learn about the slave trade and the plantations of the area. It’s estimated that 40% of the slaves brought to America from Africa came through the port of Charleston. Plantations have always been a tourist attraction of Charleston, but many are now stepping forward to educate visitors on the real history of what happened at the plantations. If it feels like a plantation is still whitewashing its history, find a more realistic one to visit. Some of the most popular Charleston plantation tours include:
- Magnolia
- Drayton Hall
- Boone Hall
- Botany Pay
Don’t Miss the Rest of Charleston
The historic district is the main draw for most visitors to Charleston, but there is more to the Holy City! Charleston is surrounded by history and some fantastic beaches, so feel free to add a few days to your Charleston vacation for some day trips from Charleston.
- Folly Beach is out on the coast just 25 minutes from Charleston
- Sullivan’s Island is also 25 minutes from Charleston and has Fort Moultrie National Historic Park, Station 18 Beach, and Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse.
- Isle of Palms has six miles of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from Charleston
Don’t Mess with the Alligators
You won’t run into any alligators in downtown Charleston, but if you’re out on the islands or visiting one of the golf courses, you are bound to see an alligator or two. They may look docile and slow, but they are not! Every year, alligators have encounters with humans and their dogs, and there typically is no winner. If you see an alligator, steer clear!
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Charleston! It’s such a charming city, with loads of historic sites and amazing food, not to mention nearby beaches and day trips!
Looking for more travel destinations in the Southern United States? Check out some of our other blog posts: