Swap the Popular Charleston Landmarks For These Hidden Gems
I know you already know all the popular Charleston landmarks: The City Market, Marion Square, The Pineapple Fountain, The horse carriage rides, and The Battery. While these are all lovely and certainly staples here for a reason, might I suggest these swaps for hidden gems that are equally as (if not more) beautiful? For a more authentic Charleston experience, try one of these instead. You will be glad you did!
Swap The City Market with Farmers Markets and Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway
The City Market (also sometimes called the slave market) on Market Street downtown is a fine place to shop, but it’s very busy, overpriced, and you can get locally-made items in many other places!
For example, those gorgeous, iconic sweetgrass baskets will cost you half the price if you shop at one of the roadside vendors off of Route 17 in Mount Pleasant. This is called Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway. Come on over the Ravenel Bridge, hop on 17 North, and once you get past the Isle of Palms Connector (on your right) you will start seeing the vendors on your left and right every quarter mile or so.
Next, try out one of our many, many farmers markets! They are chock full of local makers, goods, and produce from local farms.
Downtown Charleston Farmer’s Market
Location: Marion Square – 329 Meeting Street, Charleston, 29403
Dates: Saturdays, March 5th – November 26th, 2022
Hours: 8 am – 2 pm
Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market
Location: Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion (Moultrie Middle School) 645 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, 29464
Dates: Tuesdays, April – September
Hours: 3:30 pm – 7 pm
Location: 2024 Academy Road, Johns Island, 29455
Dates: Saturdays, year-round
Hours: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Swap Marion Square with Hampton Park
Lovely as ever, that Marion Square! But just a little ways north on the peninsula is Hampton Park, boasting 60 acres of walking, bike and fitness trails, picnic tables, a playground, and my favorite part: flowers blooming all year. Visit Hampton park for exercise, strolling, sunbathing, or bring your laptop and do some work with their free WiFi access.
There are also several fantastic restaurants within walking distance:
Swap the Pineapple Fountain with Mount Pleasant Pier
photo by @maalta.photos
You’ll get the same stunning harbor views and porch swings at Mount Pleasant Pier that you get at the Pineapple Fountain area, plus more! Less than two minutes over the Ravenel Bridge, the Mount Pleasant Pier is a Charleston County Park, complete with a gift shop offering sandwiches and ice cream, a playground, and a gorgeous view of the harbor and city skyline (public restrooms during gift shop hours, too!) I highly recommend visiting at sunset.
Swap the Horse Carriage Rides with A Walking Tour or A Chef's Food & History Tour
The carriage rides are very popular and undoubtedly fun and interesting, but if you would like a more personalized or unique experience, choose from a series of walking tours with a certified guide from Walk & Talk Charleston.
photo from @walkandtalkchs
photo from Undiscovered Charleston
Or, really spice things up with a Charleston culinary and history tour led by acclaimed Charleston Chef Forrest Parker, including a cooking demo, lunch and wine pairing. This is the ONLY experience like it in Charleston!
Swap The Battery with Pitt Street Bridge
If you have a hankerin’ for a beautiful spot to stroll, complete with the smell of pluff mud and misty salt air, drive just 10 minutes over the Ravenel Bridge to Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant. Enjoy picturesque harbor and marsh views on both sides of the palm tree-lined path. Maybe even pack a picnic, a hammock, or a fishing rod. My husband and I go crabbing here often and it’s also a great crabbing spot in the summer. 🦀
Travel back west on Pitt Street to Pitt Street Pharmacy for a delicious casual lunch or an ice cream cone (I love their BLT!) For something a little fancier, sit down for a cocktail, lunch or dinner at Post House. I highly recommend the burger!
Want to be pointed to more Charleston hidden gems like these?
Step away from Trip Advisor and don’t even think about sticking your nose into an old-school guidebook. You deserve an authentic Holy City experience with the help of my trusty digital travel guides! With suggestions for the hippest happenings and the sweetest sights, can’t miss events, cheers-worthy happy hours, and the tastiest bars and restaurants, my guides have a reference for everything needed to make your Charleston weekend a memorable one.
Thinking about moving to Charleston? Contact me and I can help you with the move!
Valerie Weber, Realtor
The Shahid Team @ The Boulevard Company
843-973-2445
thecharlestonhome@gmail.com
Please let me know if the Hampton park photos are yours so I can credit you. I accidentally deleted the account credit from this post.