With its cobblestone streets, waterfront coastline, warm weather, and excellent food scene, Charleston is an ideal city for a fun-filled bachelorette party! The city is known for its historical charm, world-class cuisine, pristine homes, horse-drawn carriages, and walking tours, which will be perfect for your group!
We’ve made your work easier by putting together this guide to throwing the perfect Charleston bachelorette party! Jump in, and let the fun begin!
5 Reasons to Choose Charleston for Your Bachelorette Party
Choosing a city for your bachelorette party can be challenging. There are so many places to choose from and so many things to consider! If you’re taking a look at Charleston, these are our top 5 reasons that make Charleston a fantastic bachelorette party destination:
- The city has a rich history that dates back to the 1700s
- Spectacular and breath-taking colonial houses and cobblestone streets
- An incredible shopping scene for your retail therapy
- A world-renowned food scene with global cuisines to satisfy every taste
- Beautiful beaches to spend those sunny afternoons
Things to Do in Charleston
So you’ve settled on Charleston for your bachelorette party location, but now comes the real planning of what to do. Here are some of our favorite activities to make the most of your time in the Holy City (Charleston’s nickname).
City explorers
Discovering the hidden corners of a place you’re visiting can be exciting! If you’re a city explorer and your crew loves to tour a new city, here are a few of our favorite spots:
- Walk with your girlfriends through Charleston’s hidden alleys and discover the secret trails and passageways. You can also book a guide to show you the secrets!
- Take a minibus tour with your crew through the city. This will be a great way to get to know the town if you’re a first-time visitor. Plus, the minibus takes you farther than you can reach on foot.
- Take the ferry to the epic Fort Sumter National monument, at the entrance of Charleston Harbor, to learn more about the fort’s involvement in the Civil War.
Food lovers
Every city has its own style of cuisine, and Charleston is no exception. You can’t exhaust tasting all the food Charleston has to offer, even if you stay for a month! Consider taking a food tour to maximize your time.
- Secret Food Tours: Charleston – Let a guide take you on a foodie adventure through the picturesque streets of the French Quarter. Prices begin at $99, and you’ll have the chance to taste famous South Carolina barbecues and iconic pubs.
- Charleston Wine + Food Festival – If you’re visiting in March, consider attending the annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival. There’s just so much to do from beer or wine tasting, oyster slurping, and authentic Southern food sure to please a crowd.
- Upper King Street Food Walking Tour of Charleston – The restaurants you’ll visit on this 2.5-hour food tour are trendsetters in Charleston’s culinary scene with contemporary and inspiring chefs.
- Charleston Harbor Dinner Cruise – Let the girls relax in style with music playing softly in the background and a 3-course Southern dinner with a view.
- Grits and shrimp are Charleston’s staple dish, and it’s pocket friendly. You can sample some at Poogan’s Porch or go downtown to Charleston Crab House.
Weekender
Are you looking for activities for your crew to do over the weekend? Charleston has plenty of those! Here are a few of our favorite options:
- Visit The Charleston Museum and the historic houses. The museum aims to educate Charleston area residents and visitors about the natural and cultural history of the South Carolina Lowcountry through collections, exhibitions, preservation, conservation, research, and related programming.
- Take a guided tour of the city that lasts about an hour in a horse-drawn carriage. This experience will take you and the girls back in time as you clatter over the cobblestones and admire the city’s gorgeous architecture.
- Explore Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. A general admission ticket includes access to all tours throughout the day.
Outdoor adventures
Maybe you’re more into outdoor activities than visiting museums. Here are a few adventures to try:
- Charleston Marsh Eco Boat Cruise – Be extra luxurious and enjoy drinks while touring the city by boat.
- Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park – Test your strength and teamwork skills as you spend two hours at this adventure park. Cross over the Tarzan ropes or walk over a moving bridge!
- River Cruises – Enjoy an evening dining on the Spirit of Carolina cruise boat with your pals as you feast on a four-course meal. Watch the sunset as you sip a cocktail.
Where to Eat in Charleston
As a rich foodie city, Charleston offers you and your bridal squad a variety of options to dine and drink. Here are a few of our favorites:
Restaurant suggestions
Leon’s Oyster Shop is an all-time favorite spot where you can combine champagne, beer, fried chicken, and a casual raw bar. The spot is a former auto body shop that has been converted into a restaurant, so be sure to take in the ambiance as well!
Chez Nous is a romantic French restaurant that would be perfect for a big dinner with the girls. They offer a very small menu that changes daily, but that ensures you’re getting the freshest ingredients around!
Wild Common celebrates “all that is right, all that is good” and offers a tasting menu and Chef’s Table for a truly uncommon dining experience.
Kwei Fei brings a Sichuan option to James Island, about 5 miles from downtown Charleston. Check out the lamb dumplings, spicy noodles, and mapo tofu.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit offers some of the best southern biscuits around! This is a walk-up place where you can place your order and take it to go or enjoy it as you walk around the city!
Bar suggestions
The Cocktail Club in upper King Street features custom-made infusions in an upscale lounge. If you love experiencing new cocktails, this is your spot!
The Gin Joint offers you a 1920s experience with its fascinating variety of unique cocktails. You can also get light bites here.
Paddock & Whiskey on James Island offers an extensive whiskey list, but creative takes on traditional cocktails (like A Foolish Pleasure, based on ingredients from rap artist Biggie’s hit “Big Poppa”).
Faculty Lounge hosts Beyonce night and rotating DJs, so get ready for a good time! It’s a hidden bar, so don’t be surprised by the entry!
The Belmont is a small cocktail bar that only allows 40 guests at a time, plays black and white movies on mute, and stocks some of the finest bottles in Charleston.
Where to Stay in Charleston
Are you worried about where your Charleston bachelorette party group will stay? Charleston offers a variety of accommodation options to suit any budget and any group. We’ve rounded up some superb locations for you, with neighborhoods including West Ashley, Downtown Charleston, and the Historic District.
West Ashley
With a deep history and its many restaurants, West Ashley is a scenic, residential district featuring moss-covered trees that reflect the neighborhood’s natural beauty. West Ashley is 8 miles from historic downtown Charleston.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Sleep Inn Charleston is a popular option, conveniently located for exploring Charleston and the surrounding areas. Rooms start at around $76 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview overlooks the Ashley River and is a perfect location to be near all that Charleston has to offer. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the historic downtown Charleston area. Rooms start at $103 per night.
- Home2 Suites has several offers starting at $138. You can access the salt pool with your crew and enjoy an assorted breakfast here.
King Street
King Street is the main entertainment district in Charleston, full of a diverse range of bars and restaurants. If you want to stay in the heart of the action, this neighborhood is for you!
$: Budget Options
- Hampton Inn Charleston Historic District is adjacent to The Charleston Museum and offers free breakfast to start your day on the right foot! Rooms start at around $135 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District is in the former restored Citadel Military College in downtown Charleston. You’re less than a mile from the Charleston City Market and the South Carolina Aquarium! Rooms start at around $145 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- Hotel Bennett is a luxury hotel offering a curated experience for guests to enjoy The Holy City. It was also named the #1 best luxury hotel by USA Today in 2021. Rooms start at around $350 per night.
South of Broad & The French Quarter
South of Broad is an exclusive and historic neighborhood located at the tip of the Charleston peninsula. It’s well known for Rainbow Row, a series of restored and picturesque pastel townhomes. It sits next to The French Quarter, Charleston’s original walled city.
$: Budget Options
- Airbnb can be a great budget option, offering this Enchanting Apartment that sleeps 8 guests starting at around $415 per night (with 8 guests, that’s just over $50 per person, per night!).
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- The Vendue is known as Charleston’s art hotel, so get ready to see some stunning artwork! Rooms start at $190 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- 20 South Battery is a luxury boutique hotel that was built in 1843 as a private mansion. There are only 11 rooms in the property, so be sure to book early if this is where you want to stay! Rooms start at around $300 per night.
How to Get Around in Charleston
Most of Charleston is best explored on foot, and the city is very walkable. You can also rent bikes or scooters to get around town or use a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber.
Should you need a lift, you can also hop aboard the city’s DASH shuttles and cover more areas of the town. The best part: they’re free to ride!
It’s Time for Your Charleston Bachelorette Party
We hope this guide has been helpful to plan your Charleston bachelorette party! Looking for a bit more? Check out our Bachelorette 101 to help plan your event.
We’d love to see pictures from your trip – don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @BDR if you found this Charleston bachelorette party guide helpful!