Charleston, South Carolina is a city that is the picturesque definition of Southern hospitality. The cobblestone streets, rainbow-colored buildings, and rich history make it a great place for the perfect girls’ trip. The Holy City has incredible shopping and spa options, everything’s Instagram-worthy, and you can’t get a better meal anywhere else in the country, at least in my opinion.
A trip to Charleston is all about relaxing, exploring, and taking in all the unique sophistication the city has to offer. Not to mention, Charleston is also one of the number one bachelorette destinations! No matter whether you’re headed to King Street, Rainbow Row, or Folly Beach, here is the perfect itinerary for exploring Charleston for a fantastic girls weekend!
Day 1 in Charleston, SC
Spa Day at Woodhouse
On Thursday we arrived in Charleston and started our weekend relaxing at the Woodhouse Day Spa. I can’t think of a better way to kick off a girls’ weekend than at a tranquil spa. Upon our arrival, we were treated with luxurious robes, reflexology sandals, and an amazing selection of tea while relaxing in their VIP suite. Make sure to ask for their cinnamon tea with honey! Woodhouse offers a wide variety of rejuvenating and relaxing services from invigorating facials to therapeutic massages, so everyone in your group is sure to find something they will enjoy.
Woodhouse is especially known for their warm neck wraps, which are so relaxing in between treatments. My personal favorites are:
- Woodhouse Hydrafacial – This facial is great if you’re looking for some observable improvement in your skin
- Woodhouse Signature Minkyti – Using products from a local organic skincare line, this facial is exclusive to Woodhouse Day Spa and is super relaxing.
- Swedish Massage – It’s a classic, and so perfect for working out any tension before a weekend of fun. The free mimosa bar definitely also helped with that!
Day 2 in Charleston, SC
Luncheon at Merchants Hall
Friday, we spent the afternoon at a luncheon at Merchants Hall, a gorgeous space with a spectacular view of the City Market. We got to meet an amazing group of entrepreneurs and bloggers. It was so much fun coming together and supporting and empowering each other. 5 Church, a fabulous local restaurant on Market Street, catered the luncheon. The menu featured some amazing hors d’oeuvres including crudites, a local charcuterie and cheese board, and a bloody mary giardiniera.
The first course was a fresh, local lettuce salad topped with local juicy peaches, bacon, pecans, and a green goddess dressing. The main course was a spicy ahi tuna poke bowl made with Anson Mills Carolina gold rice that was seriously to die for. To top off our delicious lunch, we had a banana panna cotta with a milk chocolate ganache. Make sure you check out 5 Church for the best Charleston dining experience.
Makeovers at Largo Salon
After our luncheon, we ended up at Largo Salon for blowouts and makeovers. I tried a LOT of Charleston local hairdressers, but when I found Ralph, he instantly became my go-to hair guy. I swear he does the best blonde in Charleston! The atmosphere at Largo is also the best in town.
A small, stylish salon, Largo provided us with a fabulous, personalized experience complete with champagne and cappuccinos. Their four, knowledgeable and experienced stylists did an amazing job making sure our hair looked fabulous and weekend-ready. After our blowouts, makeup artist Karyna Omura treated us to makeovers giving each of us a naturally glamorous look.
Happy Hour at Uncork
That evening, we headed over to Uncork Charleston on King Street to uncork and unwind. We had way too much fun exploring the huge selection of wines on tap. Over wine, we munched on one of their fantastic charcuterie boards and tried some new menu items, including cherry peppers stuffed with provolone and prosciutto and meatballs.
Our favorite dish was the Oreo Bomb: Their homemade ‘oreo’ cookie with caramel mousse, chocolate truffle and caramel creme topped with chocolate glaze is what dessert dreams are made of! It’s the perfect way to end a Friday night. Plus, if you hit up Uncork during one of their power hours (daily from 6-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m.), you can take advantage of 15% off wine, half-off cocktails, and signature plates for just $7. Grab a couple of girlfriends and split some dishes for an absolutely delicious happy hour!
Day 3 in Charleston, SC
Middleton Place
We started off our Saturday at one of the most beautiful locations in Charleston, Middleton Place. Middleton Place is a national historic landmark and home to the oldest landscaped garden in America. A former plantation, Middleton Place has something to offer everyone. Besides their luscious gardens, they have a house museum, educational tours, a restaurant, an inn, and working stableyards. You can easily spend the entire day exploring this beautiful, historic site.
It was a little chilly when we were there, but we had a lot of fun hanging out with the farm animals and walking through the beautiful gardens. My favorite animal was Kevin the Peacock, even though he chased me a little bit. If you have time, I’d definitely recommend going to their restaurant for dinner; Erik and I had our rehearsal dinner here! Middleton Place is also the perfect place to get some serious Instagramming in. The whole grounds are literally the most picturesque backdrop for photos I’ve ever seen, so be sure to bring out your best for some iconic shots to memorialize your girls’ weekend in Charleston.
Day 4 in Charleston, SC
Sunday Brunch at The Darling Oyster Bar
No girls’ weekend in Charleston is complete without attending Sunday brunch. We decided to indulge at The Darling Oyster Bar on King Street. The restaurant’s classically-chic look with exposed brick walls and pops of seafoam green perfectly complemented the coastal vibes of the city. We shared their famous hush puppies made with local Geechie Boy cornmeal and sorghum butter before indulging in their tasty, Southern brunch dishes including shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and lobster & king crab roll.
To wash it all down we had The Darling Oyster Bar’s famous bloody Mary, The Captain, which is topped with a hush puppy, shrimp, a king crab leg, and a lobster claw. Y’all, I’m not kidding when I say this bloody Mary is a meal in and of itself. It’s only offered on Sundays, but it’s insanely good and you can’t come to Charleston without getting one.
Sunset Cruise with Carolina Girl Yacht
To end our Charleston girls’ weekend we went on a sunset cruise around Charleston Harbor with Carolina Girl Yacht. Although it was a bit chilly, the views from the boat were beautiful. In addition to the main deck, there’s also a sheltered area with windows, so while we sought refuge from the cold we could still look out at all the gorgeous Charleston landmarks as we cruised.
We got to hang out with some awesome bloggers and check out some beautiful local views like The Battery while enjoying drinks from the bar sponsored by Lauren Taylor Law. What made it even better was the DJ they had on board. Between a weekend of excitement and the great tunes, we had such a fun time dancing around to the music in between snacks and drinks.
Yacht photos by Simply Korsun Photography
Merchants Hall and LARGO photos by Catherine Ann Photography
Uncork Charleston and The Darling Oyster Bar photos by Josie Derrick Photography
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