Graceful Spaces Guide to Charleston
Make the most of your next trip with our CEO Christina’s favorite places to shop, dine, and sightsee in the Holy City.
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“Charleston is my favorite city in the world.”
I love everything about it—the beautiful beaches, the friendly people, the oysters, the gorgeous window boxes downtown. I'm from the East Coast, right outside of Charlotte, and I co-founded Graceful Spaces while my family lived in Austin. But to me, Charleston is where I was always supposed to be.
This place is so near and dear to my heart. I feel so blessed to live here and to be able to support clients here. Our team has made many beautiful memories here. If you get the chance to spend a few days in Charleston, I hope this guide helps you feel right at home.
—Christina
Welcome to Charleston—the place our cofounder Christina (and the other half of Graceful Spaces) calls home. After over a year of serving this beautiful community, we’ve fallen even more in love with the city’s historic sights, friendly people, and effortless charm. There’s nowhere else quite like it.
If you've never had the chance to stroll down King Street or spend a lazy afternoon at the beach—read on. We're taking you on a journey through our favorite spots around Charleston, covering the can't-miss tourist staples, hidden gem restaurants, and everything in between.
Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston is packed with history. You'll probably recognize iconic landmarks like Rainbow Row or The Market, but that's only the beginning. Love old architecture? Don't miss the scenic courtyards and gorgeous porch-wrapped homes on streets like Legare, East Bay, and Church. Take a carriage ride or walking tours of Charleston's historic buildings, or, if you're in the city at night, try a ghost tour.
One of the coolest things about Charleston is how it blends old with new. Take a break from sightseeing and pamper yourself at a hotel spa, or hit up the Meeting Street boutiques or the fashion district near Charleston Place Hotel.
Once items arrived, we unpacked and sorted them by room, zone, and category, placing them in clear tubs for easy transport.
For outdoor fun, stroll down Battery, a popular walking spot with harbor views and stunning antebellum mansions, or head to Mount Pleasant for a walk through Pitt Street Bridge, a former trolley bridge turned scenic public park. If you have the time, there are plenty of other walking trails in the area to enjoy. While spring and fall are considered the high seasons in Charleston, there's always something going on downtown year-round. Summer can get humid, so be sure to plan out some time to cool off at the beach.
Christina’s Perfect Day Downtown
BREAKFAST
Enjoy breakfast at Vintage Coffee or coffee and tea at Brown Fox.
SIGHTSEEING
Horse and Carriage Tour, Charleston City Market, and The South Carolina Aquarium are perfect kid-friendly options.
LUNCH
Try the corn ribs, vegan Caesar, or cauliflower wings at Basic Kitchen. If you're feeling extra indulgent, try the beet margarita!
SHOPPING
Take a well-deserved shopping break in Lake, Beau and Ro, or Veronica Beard.
DRINKS
Drinks at Citrus Club offer a lovely rooftop view of the city. Plan to arrive early, as it's first-come, first-serve.
DINNER
For dinner, Sorelle is an excellent Italian restaurant with 5-star service. If you're feeling seafood, try a meal at Tempest. You'll want to make reservations in advance and plan to spend a few hours at either place—worth the wait!
SORELLE
SORELLE
LAKE PAJAMAS
Beaches
It's no secret that one of Christina's favorite things to do is spend a day at the beach. It's a great spot for family hangouts, celebrations, and holidays—you can even bring your pet to most beaches (check out any required permits). Our Charleston and Austin teams love getting together for beach days whenever we can.
While it’s a popular destination for spring and summer vacation, Charleston's nearby beaches stay relatively warm throughout fall. Try a morning kayak session with Coastal Expeditions, or hit the beach with a favorite book. No matter the weather, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms are a must.
Christina’s Perfect Day at The Beach
BREAKFAST
If you’re coming from the Mount Pleasant area, stop at Owlbear Cafe for coffee and breakfast. They have a great kid-friendly board game area.
SIGHTSEEING
Plan to enjoy a beautiful, meditative walk through the dunes to access the beach (if you have trouble walking, consider Isle of Palms for easier beach access).
LUNCH
Head to Sullivan's Fish Camp for lunch—their Pool Boy cocktail and parmesan fried shrimp are incredible.
SNACKS
Stop by The Co-op for its famous frosé and maybe a sandwich or two, but plan to order in advance, as it gets busy fast!
DINNER
Try pizza to-go from Obstinate Daughter for a relaxing dinner on the beach. If you'd prefer to eat onsite, you won't want to miss their raw oysters or octopus!
AFTER DINNER
Wind down the day with a beach fire.
LEADERSHIP RETREAT 2024- SULLIVANS ISLAND
LUNCH AT SULLIVAN’s FISH CAMP
Packing for Charleston
Our biggest tip for packing your suitcase for Charleston? Leave some room in your suitcase! The shopping in town is fabulous. As you plan your outfits, keep the following tips in mind:
Pack plenty of layers. It’s typically warm in the area, but be prepared for temperatures to drop when it rains.
The streets can be uneven downtown, so bring a good pair of comfortable walking shoes.
There are no cabs or ebikes in Charleston, so plan to hop into a pedi cab to get around.
Pack plenty of color! Save the black and white for NYC and embrace floral, skirts, and colors all year round.
Seasonal Style Guide
SPRING/FALL
Pack plenty of layers and be prepared for showers. Shop online from local boutiques Beau and Ro Charleston and Monkee’s MP for the latest styles. If you’re heading to the beach don’t forget to grab a sweater! LAKE has the coziest sweaters for the beach!
SUMMER
Stick with sandals and a breathable dress or skirt. Shorts and a cute tank top are also a great option!
WINTER
Try pairing loafers or sneakers with a warm sweater or chic blazer.
BRAND HIGHLIGHT: MILLE
We love MILLE! They’re a staple in our closets. It’s the perfect brand to grab a few pieces from for a trip to Charleston! Their dresses are great for brunch, shopping, and dinner. The best for creating a versatile, comfortable, and chic outfit for CHS.
Where to Eat
The food scene in this city is unmatched—our favorites include Basic Kitchen, Sorelle, and anywhere with really good oysters! For fine dining, you’ll want to make reservations or plan for a bit of a wait, but it’s always worth it.
Christina’s Favorite Restaurants
This is a great downtown spot. It's a Scandinavian restaurant and reminds me a lot of eating at Rebecka's parents ‘house (her parents are 100% Swedish).
A five-star experience with amazing Italian food and great views. Plan to spend some time here!
This is one of my favorites—I take everybody here. They have incredible corn ribs, cauliflower bites, and clean bowls.
Very kid-friendly, very beach-friendly. You can come all year long!
APPETIZERS AT POST HOUSE
PASTERIES AT SORELLE
The Best Places for Oysters
What to Do
There’s always something going on in Charleston, which makes it a fun place for the whole family to visit. We love a classic beach day, but if you’re looking to take things up a notch, try these favorites:
STAY IN THE LOOP
Get the latest news about Charleston events and activities by following The Charleston Dream or The Charleston Moms on Instagram.
OUTDOOR FUN
Explore Palmetto Park’s trails, playgrounds, paddle boats, bikes, and small waterpark. Bonus—it has plenty of shade during those hot summer months. Memorial Waterfront Park has a great playground with views and walking paths. Other outdoor favorites include Shem Creek Boardwalk for dolphin spotting and Edmund’s Oast Brewery for a fun afternoon date.
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
There are loads of things to do in Charleston with kids. Spend a day at the beach, visit the aquarium, or take a kayak tour with Coastal Expeditions. For fun on land, try the zipline in John's Island or Charleston Fun Park, which has go-karts and an arcade. For rainy days, there's no place like Sky Zone.
Where to Stay
We love the wide variety of options for hotels and rentals in Charleston. Each space has its own unique character and flair. Whether you’re looking to keep it lux downtown or venture a bit further out for proximity to the beach, we’ve got you covered.
DOWNTOWN:
The Charleston Place for fantastic views and shopping.
The Dewberry for excellent service, a gorgeous spa, and the Citrus Club.
Stay Duvet provides hand-selected luxury vacation rental homes in South Carolina!
MOUNT PLEASANT:
Spotlight: BASIC PROJECT
You may recognize this name from a previous home tour! We loved getting the chance to collaborate with Kate and Ben Towill, the award-winning husband and wife team behind Basic Projects. Designers, developers, and consultants, the Towills founded Basic Projects in Charleston after moving there from NYC in 2013. In addition to collaborating with artisans and property owners on projects, the couple has an inn and their own portfolio of restaurants:
The Post House Inn is a lovely place to stay smack in between Charleston and Sullivan's Island. You can enjoy walking around Old Village, being on the water, and renting bikes. It’s such a cute spot!
