Charleston Bachelorette Party Guide and Itinerary Ideas

Charleston, South Carolina, has become a top destination for bachelorette parties, and we know why. It’s the perfect place to experience true Southern hospitality, rainbow-colored architecture, rich history, and vibrant nightlife. The city has some of the best beaches on the East Coast along with trendy breweries and restaurants, making it a getaway for all types of brides-to-be. 

To curate the perfect Charleston bachelorette party, we turned to travel expert Ilana Silverman.

Read on for where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in the Holy City, plus a three-day itinerary curated by Silverman herself!

Why You'll Love Charleston

The best part about a Charleston bachelorette party is that you can craft an itinerary to suit any type of bride, including food lovers, party-goers, and beach fanatics. There are so many different activities and things to do that it caters to any type of traveler.

• Beaches: If you are looking for a relaxing beach weekend, Charleston is the perfect spot. With a handful of beautiful white sand beaches—from laid-back Folly Beach to luxurious Isle of Palms Beach—you will have plenty of options.
• Food: For our foodie brides, Charleston is a well-known culinary destination and home to more James Beard winners per capita than any other city in the U.S. That’s why restaurant and bar hopping is a popular way to visit the different types of venues this city has to offer.
• Nightlife: Brides who are looking for a weekend of bar-hopping and rooftops will love the Charleston nightlife scene. You'll find everything from small local breweries to glamorous poolside bars.

Where to Stay in Charleston

Before heading to Charleston, you have to figure out where you are staying. For a girls’ trip filled with luxury and pampering, the Charleston Place hotel is the place to be. “The Belmond’s Charleston Place is the ideal location. It’s in the middle of King Street and has a great rooftop,” says Silverman. “It is the best option if you plan on walking to shops, bars, and restaurants.” Even better, all stays include access to the rooftop pool, WiFi, and the fitness center. While this hotel can be in the higher-end price range depending on the time of year, the perk of a bachelorette is that you can split the room costs and indulge. Other chic hotels that are worth checking into are The Dewberry, Hotel Bennett, Zero George, and The Restoration.

Downtown: For a girls’ trip filled with luxury and pampering, the Charleston Place hotel located in downtown Charleston is the place to be. “The Belmond’s Charleston Place is the ideal location. It’s in the middle of King Street and has a great rooftop,” says Silverman. “It is the best option if you plan on walking to shops, bars, and restaurants.”

French Quarter: The French Quarter is in a central location in Charleston, making it the perfect spot if you are looking to bop around all parts of the city. Stay at the French Quarter Inn, a quaint boutique hotel just off Market Street.

Folly Beach: If you're looking for a beach get-away, set your sights on Folly Beach. You'll find various boutique hotels, from Tides Folly Beach, which has oceanfront views, to the Regatta Inn, which sits on Sunset Cay Marina. 

If you’re more interested in sharing a house with the group and potentially saving money, Airbnb has tons of spacious homes available. For example, this entire four-bedroom beach house listing starts at $248 per night and sleeps up to 10 guests with direct access to the beach. The common space in a house rental compared to individual hotel rooms make it easier to all hang out together.

Where to Eat in Charleston

From casual brunches to high-end dinners, Charleston has a variety of restaurants for whatever mood you're in. Don't miss the Instagram-worthy Bloody Mary at The Darling Oyster Bar or the seafood towers at The Ordinary.

• Best Brunch Spots: Millers All Day, Butcher & Bee, The Darling Oyster Bar, Basic Kitchen, The Junction Kitchen & Provisions.
• Best Dinner Spots: The Ordinary, Husk, FIG, Lenoir, 167 Raw, The Grocery.

What to Do in Charleston

It’s almost a right of passage to deck out your space with gifts, decor, and fun activities for the weekend. Luckily, Charleston is filled with local businesses that make planning a girls’ trip a breeze. Check out the local bakery Swank Desserts’ engagement ring cake topped with macarons and strawberries, or spruce up the bride’s room with this Instagram-worthy balloon décor by Holy City Party. For over-the-top day drinks, CHS Bubbly Bar creates individual “Build Your Own Bubbly Bars” in different settings like poolside parties, picnics, or welcome bar carts. The pop-up bars include a variety of local snacks (like pink rice crispy treats and charcuterie boards!), a choice of mimosas or bottles of bubbly, balloons, and cute favors to give out to the crew.

Ready to explore the city in a unique way? Private horse-drawn carriage tours are a must in Charleston. “Another way to see the city is by a private boat charter,” adds Silverman. “Seeing Charleston by water, whether it is a sunset sail or a morning boat ride, is an incredible, fun experience.”

How to Get Around Charleston

Charleston is a very walkable city. Car services like Uber and Lyft are also available. You also have the option to rent a bike, use the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH), or the city’s bus service called CARTA.

Charleston Bachelorette Party Itinerary

Day One

Morning: After settling into your hotel, enjoy a private horse-drawn carriage ride to explore and get to know the city for the weekend. Your carriage driver will entertain you with historical facts and humor while pointing out many of Charleston’s most noteworthy landmarks and attractions. 

Afternoon: After getting your bearings via the carriage tour, sit down for a leisurely brunch at Millers All Day. Then, make the short walk down King Street for a great selection of bespoke boutiques.

Evening: Before or after dinner, check out Charleston’s most buzzing bars to sample famous local brews. 

Day Two

Morning: Hit the ground running this morning! Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and get ready for the day to explore.

Afternoon: Eat lunch at Magnolia’s restaurant, one of Charleston’s best in their acclaimed culinary scene. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon on a private boat charter and relaxing on the water!

Evening: Tonight, enjoy dinner at The Grocery and walk over to Prohibition, a bar with live bands. Dance the night away!  

Day Three

Morning: Skip breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a Culinary Tour of Charleston: Eat your way through Charleston’s history with light bite classics as you immerse yourself in the city’s history. Go behind the scenes and visit with chefs, bakers, and culinary experts in specialty shops.

Afternoon: Shop and stroll along King Street again, and then visit gorgeous “secret” private gardens hidden behind some of Charleston’s private mansions. 

Evening: Enjoy a night out at Closed for Business, a lively gastropub known for its selection of beer and bar food or check out Pour House, a local favorite spot for live music.