Rachel's Guidebook

Rachel
Rachel's Guidebook

Walkable neighborhood favorites

The guidebook is long so I’ve listed out the chapters. Starts with: - neighborhood favorites - sites to see and places to visit - activities - restaurants/cafes - live music - places to get a drink
Don’t miss this!! Walk here. Healthy spot. Favorite for breakfast, lunch, coffees. Love the smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, burrito, and everything else!
Huriyali Riverland
Don’t miss this!! Walk here. Healthy spot. Favorite for breakfast, lunch, coffees. Love the smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, burrito, and everything else!
Sunday farmers market at the PourHouse. Local produce, food trucks, and artisan crafts and items. Great Motown live music on the deck in the afternoon. There is also a yoga class outside on the deck before it starts in the morning. Check the PourHouse website.
29 locals recommend
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market
1977 Maybank Hwy
29 locals recommend
Sunday farmers market at the PourHouse. Local produce, food trucks, and artisan crafts and items. Great Motown live music on the deck in the afternoon. There is also a yoga class outside on the deck before it starts in the morning. Check the PourHouse website.
Great creative Asian food with a rotating menu next to the PourHouse. Make note of the spice levels on the menu. Delicious!
28 locals recommend
Kwei Fei at Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy
28 locals recommend
Great creative Asian food with a rotating menu next to the PourHouse. Make note of the spice levels on the menu. Delicious!
A local gem. Great music on the deck and inside. Check their website and catch a show! I’ve seen so many great musicians here. Every Wednesday on the deck has Dead on the Deck with Grateful Dead covers. Ends around 9pm.
177 locals recommend
The Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy
177 locals recommend
A local gem. Great music on the deck and inside. Check their website and catch a show! I’ve seen so many great musicians here. Every Wednesday on the deck has Dead on the Deck with Grateful Dead covers. Ends around 9pm.
Wonderful yoga! All types of classes from yin to power flow to slow flow. Check their website. Tymi’s classes are my favorite!
James Island Yoga
Wonderful yoga! All types of classes from yin to power flow to slow flow. Check their website. Tymi’s classes are my favorite!
Fantastic top quality cocktails in an unassuming environment. Always great music. A favorite spot of mine for a drink. I love the margarita with mezcal. Get it spicy if you’re into that.
Bar George
Fantastic top quality cocktails in an unassuming environment. Always great music. A favorite spot of mine for a drink. I love the margarita with mezcal. Get it spicy if you’re into that.
Breakfast all day in a bright fun atmosphere.
Millers All Day - James Island
Breakfast all day in a bright fun atmosphere.
Cozy pizza spot. Love their white pizza and salads.
96 locals recommend
Crust Wood Fired Pizza
1956 Maybank Hwy
96 locals recommend
Cozy pizza spot. Love their white pizza and salads.
Raining and not sure what to do? I love the terrace theater! It’s a blast from the past. Retro movie theater showing popular & independent films, with concessions that include beer & wine.
118 locals recommend
The Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank Hwy
118 locals recommend
Raining and not sure what to do? I love the terrace theater! It’s a blast from the past. Retro movie theater showing popular & independent films, with concessions that include beer & wine.
Neighborhood bar. Lots of whiskeys as the name indicates.
39 locals recommend
Paddock & Whisky
1962 Maybank Hwy
39 locals recommend
Neighborhood bar. Lots of whiskeys as the name indicates.

Sightseeing & Places to Visit

My favorite beach and where most people surf.
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley Avenue
581 locals recommend
My favorite beach and where most people surf.
Another favorite beach but further away. More residential.
Sullivans Island
Another favorite beach but further away. More residential.
Good place for a sunset picnic
21 locals recommend
Brittlebank Park
185 Lockwood Dr
21 locals recommend
Good place for a sunset picnic
Another nice spot to park and walk the path down to the end of folly beach. Quiet and you can sometimes see dolphins feeding.
10 locals recommend
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
West Ashley Avenue
10 locals recommend
Another nice spot to park and walk the path down to the end of folly beach. Quiet and you can sometimes see dolphins feeding.
Nice spot at the end of folly beach to explore
82 locals recommend
Folly Beach County Park
1100 W Ashley Ave
82 locals recommend
Nice spot at the end of folly beach to explore
Historic park. Good place for a picnic or to catch the sunset.
154 locals recommend
White Point Garden
2 Murray Blvd
154 locals recommend
Historic park. Good place for a picnic or to catch the sunset.
Historic downtown.
467 locals recommend
Rainbow Row
83-107 E Bay St
467 locals recommend
Historic downtown.
One of my favorite plantations to visit. Beautiful gardens.
395 locals recommend
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River Rd
395 locals recommend
One of my favorite plantations to visit. Beautiful gardens.
Hampton Park Gazebo
30 Mary Murray Dr
49 locals recommend
Famous Pineapple Fountain
1 Vendue Range
49 locals recommend
A small plantation about a 4 minute drive away.
72 locals recommend
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
325 Country Club Dr
72 locals recommend
A small plantation about a 4 minute drive away.
Hop on one of the boat tours to fort sumter
501 locals recommend
Fort Sumter National Monument
501 locals recommend
Hop on one of the boat tours to fort sumter
Another favorite beach but a little bit of a drive out to Kiawah Island. Tends to be less crowded.
81 locals recommend
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
8 Beachwalker Dr
81 locals recommend
Another favorite beach but a little bit of a drive out to Kiawah Island. Tends to be less crowded.
Good place to watch the sunset or take a walk on the water in the Old Village neighborhood.
66 locals recommend
Pitt Street Bridge
100 Pitt St
66 locals recommend
Good place to watch the sunset or take a walk on the water in the Old Village neighborhood.
The Battery
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
141 locals recommend
USS Yorktown CV-10
40 Patriots Point Rd
141 locals recommend
38 locals recommend
Melton Peter Demetre Park
640 Wampler Dr
38 locals recommend
49 locals recommend
Famous Pineapple Fountain
1 Vendue Range
49 locals recommend
Stono River County Park
3580 Moonglow Dr
57 locals recommend
Palmetto Islands County Park
444 Needlerush Pkwy
57 locals recommend
234 locals recommend
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr
234 locals recommend
Hampton Park Gazebo
30 Mary Murray Dr
Another favorite plantation known for it’s architecture.
192 locals recommend
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Rd
192 locals recommend
Another favorite plantation known for it’s architecture.
An hour drive out of town. Check the tides because you want to go at low tide. Boneyard beach is beautiful place to explore. Message me for more information!
46 locals recommend
Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
1066 Botany Bay Rd
46 locals recommend
An hour drive out of town. Check the tides because you want to go at low tide. Boneyard beach is beautiful place to explore. Message me for more information!
31 locals recommend
Edisto Beach State Park
8377 State Cabin Rd
31 locals recommend
6 locals recommend
Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge
6 locals recommend
If you go out to botany or Edisto, stop here for fresh local produce and pies.
16 locals recommend
King's Farm Market
2559 SC-174
16 locals recommend
If you go out to botany or Edisto, stop here for fresh local produce and pies.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
585 Donnelley Dr

Activity

Open air market downtown.
364 locals recommend
Historic Charleston City Market
188 Meeting St
364 locals recommend
Open air market downtown.
Kayak and paddle board rentals and tours. Tours to Bull Island in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and to see dolphins.
69 locals recommend
Coastal Expeditions
514 Mill Street
69 locals recommend
Kayak and paddle board rentals and tours. Tours to Bull Island in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and to see dolphins.
489 locals recommend
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf
489 locals recommend
70 locals recommend
Charleston Farmers Market
329 Meeting St
70 locals recommend
29 locals recommend
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market
1977 Maybank Hwy
29 locals recommend
Surfing lessons on Folly Beach
11 locals recommend
Shaka Surf School
6th Street East
11 locals recommend
Surfing lessons on Folly Beach
Theater downtown for improv
91 locals recommend
Theatre 99
280 Meeting St
91 locals recommend
Theater downtown for improv
Art museum downtown
369 locals recommend
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting St
369 locals recommend
Art museum downtown
History museum with some natural history as well.
371 locals recommend
The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting St
371 locals recommend
History museum with some natural history as well.
An amazing new museum on the water.
International African American Museum
14 Calhoun St
An amazing new museum on the water.
Performing arts theater
28 locals recommend
Charleston Gaillard Center
95 Calhoun St
28 locals recommend
Performing arts theater
Historic performing arts theater with musicals and plays
101 locals recommend
Dock Street Theater
135 Church St
101 locals recommend
Historic performing arts theater with musicals and plays
38 locals recommend
Aiken-Rhett House
48 Elizabeth St
38 locals recommend
10 locals recommend
Heyward-Washington House
87 Church St
10 locals recommend
Historic house you can tour
40 locals recommend
Nathaniel Russell House
51 Meeting St
40 locals recommend
Historic house you can tour
19 locals recommend
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
161 Calhoun St
19 locals recommend
Castaway Island Excursions
2223 Folly Rd
Fun sailing charter around the harbor. Book palmetto breeze for their large catamaran with a bar or their boat Serena for a smaller mono haul sailing experience.
21 locals recommend
Palmetto Breeze Sailing Charters
1407 Church St
21 locals recommend
Fun sailing charter around the harbor. Book palmetto breeze for their large catamaran with a bar or their boat Serena for a smaller mono haul sailing experience.
Bring your boat and put in at the neighborhood landing to explore Charleston from the water! Message me and I’m happy to give you tips. This is also a great spot to walk to and watch the sunset.
10 locals recommend
Riverland Terrace Public Boat Landing
19-35 Plymouth Ave
10 locals recommend
Bring your boat and put in at the neighborhood landing to explore Charleston from the water! Message me and I’m happy to give you tips. This is also a great spot to walk to and watch the sunset.

Restaurants & Cafes

Downtown. No reservations but worth the wait. Go for the Rockefeller oysters, fried oyster sandwich, Siam salad, fried chicken and plenty more!
230 locals recommend
Leon's
698 King St
230 locals recommend
Downtown. No reservations but worth the wait. Go for the Rockefeller oysters, fried oyster sandwich, Siam salad, fried chicken and plenty more!
Hip healthier food downtown. Try the beet margarita and cauliflower wings.
44 locals recommend
BASIC KITCHEN
82 Wentworth St
44 locals recommend
Hip healthier food downtown. Try the beet margarita and cauliflower wings.
A favorite Breakfast/lunch spot downtown
59 locals recommend
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
1107 King St
59 locals recommend
A favorite Breakfast/lunch spot downtown
Owned by the harbinger team. Another favorite Breakfast/lunch downtown. In a beautiful historic section of downtown walkable to many great sightseeing locations like the battery, king street, colonial lake, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
19 locals recommend
Harken Cafe
62 Queen St
19 locals recommend
Owned by the harbinger team. Another favorite Breakfast/lunch downtown. In a beautiful historic section of downtown walkable to many great sightseeing locations like the battery, king street, colonial lake, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Breakfast/lunch downtown
112 locals recommend
The Daily
652 B King St
112 locals recommend
Breakfast/lunch downtown
Favorite casual local seafood with a waterfront view. On the way out to Folly Beach. Great for sunset but go early.
171 locals recommend
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island Rd
171 locals recommend
Favorite casual local seafood with a waterfront view. On the way out to Folly Beach. Great for sunset but go early.
Everyone goes for the burgers but don’t miss out on the tuna tacos and fries.
205 locals recommend
Poe's Tavern - Sullivans Island
2210 Middle St
205 locals recommend
Everyone goes for the burgers but don’t miss out on the tuna tacos and fries.
Downtown favorite Asian. Okonomiyaki is my favorite. Creative dishes.
212 locals recommend
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge Ave
212 locals recommend
Downtown favorite Asian. Okonomiyaki is my favorite. Creative dishes.
Folly Beach quirky restaurant. A personal local favorite. They have pop up food truck at the PourHouse.
117 locals recommend
Jack of Cups Saloon
34 Center St
117 locals recommend
Folly Beach quirky restaurant. A personal local favorite. They have pop up food truck at the PourHouse.
Favorite Neighborhood dinner spot
28 locals recommend
Kwei Fei at Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy
28 locals recommend
Favorite Neighborhood dinner spot
Neighborhood pizza place
96 locals recommend
Crust Wood Fired Pizza
1956 Maybank Hwy
96 locals recommend
Neighborhood pizza place
Great Italian food close by on John’s island.
184 locals recommend
Wild Olive Restaurant
2867 Maybank Hwy
184 locals recommend
Great Italian food close by on John’s island.
My favorite pizza place. Family atmosphere.
11 locals recommend
Bakers Bar
6 Windermere Boulevard
11 locals recommend
My favorite pizza place. Family atmosphere.
Well known really nice restaurant. Hard to get in without reservations. Delicious.
177 locals recommend
FIG
232 Meeting St
177 locals recommend
Well known really nice restaurant. Hard to get in without reservations. Delicious.
Oysters and tuna burger are my favorite. No reservations and expect a wait. Can go to Bin 152 across the street for a glass of wine while you wait or walk around King Steet, Queen Street and Colonial Lake.
154 locals recommend
167 Raw
193 King St
154 locals recommend
Oysters and tuna burger are my favorite. No reservations and expect a wait. Can go to Bin 152 across the street for a glass of wine while you wait or walk around King Steet, Queen Street and Colonial Lake.
Healthy breakfast and lunch
56 locals recommend
Huriyali
401 Huger St
56 locals recommend
Healthy breakfast and lunch
Delicious, near Hampton park downtown.
11 locals recommend
Park & Grove
730 Rutledge Avenue
11 locals recommend
Delicious, near Hampton park downtown.
Well known, nicer oyster and raw bar
165 locals recommend
The Ordinary
544 King St
165 locals recommend
Well known, nicer oyster and raw bar
Local, casual seafood place on the water by the shrimp docks in Mount Pleasant
41 locals recommend
Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
106 Haddrell St
41 locals recommend
Local, casual seafood place on the water by the shrimp docks in Mount Pleasant
Neighborhood spot
Millers All Day - James Island
Neighborhood spot
Don’t miss! Favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Grab a coffee, smoothie, or food and sit on their outside deck.
Huriyali Riverland
Don’t miss! Favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Grab a coffee, smoothie, or food and sit on their outside deck.
15 locals recommend
Frannie and The Fox
181 Church St
15 locals recommend
Great tuna burger and seafood. Also a raw bar.
154 locals recommend
167 Raw
193 King St
154 locals recommend
Great tuna burger and seafood. Also a raw bar.
Spanish tapas
6 locals recommend
Estadio
122 Spring St
6 locals recommend
Spanish tapas
Island Provisions - Downtown Charleston
Minero Mexican Grill & Cantina
61 locals recommend
Old Village Post House Inn
101 Pitt St
61 locals recommend
8 locals recommend
Sullivan's Restaurant
2019 Middle St
8 locals recommend
Casual best breakfast on folly beach.
170 locals recommend
Lost Dog Cafe
106 W Huron Ave
170 locals recommend
Casual best breakfast on folly beach.
Folly beach restaurant. Tuna nachos are my favorite.
Rita's Seaside Grille
Folly beach restaurant. Tuna nachos are my favorite.
One of the best seafoods in town!! No reservations but go early and put your name down to come back later.
50 locals recommend
Chubby Fish
252 Coming St
50 locals recommend
One of the best seafoods in town!! No reservations but go early and put your name down to come back later.
Upscale oyster bar
89 locals recommend
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 King St
89 locals recommend
Upscale oyster bar
Oyster and seafood bar
17 locals recommend
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
701 E Bay St
17 locals recommend
Oyster and seafood bar
Upscale delicious dining option downtown.
45 locals recommend
82 Queen
82 Queen St
45 locals recommend
Upscale delicious dining option downtown.
53 locals recommend
Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.
98 Broad St
53 locals recommend
Upscale classic southern food restaurant that has been in Charleston for ages.
87 locals recommend
Slightly North of Broad Restaurant
192 E Bay St
87 locals recommend
Upscale classic southern food restaurant that has been in Charleston for ages.
62 locals recommend
39 Rue De Jean
39 John St
62 locals recommend
Great date spot - cozy in an old downtown house.
100 locals recommend
Chez Nous
6 Payne Ct
100 locals recommend
Great date spot - cozy in an old downtown house.
breakfast and lunch spot - paninis and crepes
44 locals recommend
Queen Street Grocery
133 Queen St
44 locals recommend
breakfast and lunch spot - paninis and crepes
Coffee and beer spot with an outdoor garden/patio
109 locals recommend
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer
4 Vanderhorst St
109 locals recommend
Coffee and beer spot with an outdoor garden/patio
My favorite neighborhood spot, Kwei Fei, opened a downtown restaurant called Beautifk South. So good!
Beautiful South by Kwei Fei
My favorite neighborhood spot, Kwei Fei, opened a downtown restaurant called Beautifk South. So good!
Delicious Pakistani restaurant downtown
Ma'am Saab - Pakistani Restaurant
Delicious Pakistani restaurant downtown
Upscale sushi. Best sushi in town but need a reservation.
Sushi-Wa
Upscale sushi. Best sushi in town but need a reservation.

Live music

Neighborhood spot with live music inside and outside on the deck. On Sundays, they have yoga on the deck and a farmers market.
177 locals recommend
The Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy
177 locals recommend
Neighborhood spot with live music inside and outside on the deck. On Sundays, they have yoga on the deck and a farmers market.
Funk and soul
50 locals recommend
The Commodore
504 Meeting St
50 locals recommend
Funk and soul
69 locals recommend
Charleston Music Hall
37 John St
69 locals recommend
28 locals recommend
Charleston Gaillard Center
95 Calhoun St
28 locals recommend
Dive bar with good local live music.
70 locals recommend
The Royal American
970 Morrison Dr
70 locals recommend
Dive bar with good local live music.
67 locals recommend
Music Farm
32 Ann St
67 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
Forte Jazz Lounge
477 King St
7 locals recommend

Bars

Neighborhood bar. Recommend the margarita with mezcal.
15 locals recommend
Bar George
1956 Maybank Highway
15 locals recommend
Neighborhood bar. Recommend the margarita with mezcal.
Neighborhood bar
39 locals recommend
Paddock & Whisky
1962 Maybank Hwy
39 locals recommend
Neighborhood bar
Folly Beach outdoor deck bar. Fun, laid back scene with local music. Outside only. Serves good casual food too. One of my favorites.
103 locals recommend
Chico Feo
122 E Ashley Ave
103 locals recommend
Folly Beach outdoor deck bar. Fun, laid back scene with local music. Outside only. Serves good casual food too. One of my favorites.
Downtown with a rooftop.
150 locals recommend
Revelry Brewing
10 Conroy St
150 locals recommend
Downtown with a rooftop.
Close by, one of my favorites. Look up the food truck they have on site.
69 locals recommend
Low Tide Brewing
2863 Maybank Hwy
69 locals recommend
Close by, one of my favorites. Look up the food truck they have on site.
Breakfast coffees and evening drinks. Great banana bread and espresso martinis. Good place to go for a cocktail before dinner.
17 locals recommend
babas on cannon
11 Cannon St
17 locals recommend
Breakfast coffees and evening drinks. Great banana bread and espresso martinis. Good place to go for a cocktail before dinner.
Rooftop cocktail bar attached to the Dewberry. If you have to wait to get upstairs, have a drink at the Dewberry bar while you wait.
32 locals recommend
Citrus Club
334 Meeting St
32 locals recommend
Rooftop cocktail bar attached to the Dewberry. If you have to wait to get upstairs, have a drink at the Dewberry bar while you wait.
34 locals recommend
Bin 152
152 King St
34 locals recommend
16 locals recommend
Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar
700b King St
16 locals recommend
Bar Rollins
Little Palm
19 locals recommend
Munkle Brewing Company
1513 Meeting Street Rd
19 locals recommend
Revelry Brewing - Folly Beach

Neighborhoods

Closest beach about a 10-15 minute drive. Lots of surf spots - message me if you want some! Pop into one of the many restaurants and bars. I’ve listed a few of my favorites above.
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley Avenue
581 locals recommend
Closest beach about a 10-15 minute drive. Lots of surf spots - message me if you want some! Pop into one of the many restaurants and bars. I’ve listed a few of my favorites above.
Historic neighborhood on the water in Mount Pleasant. Nice for a walk to see the houses with many water look out spots. Eat at the Post House while you're there and pop into the Pitt Street Pharmacy. Much of The Notebook and OBX were filmed in this neighborhood.
6 locals recommend
Old Village
6 locals recommend
Historic neighborhood on the water in Mount Pleasant. Nice for a walk to see the houses with many water look out spots. Eat at the Post House while you're there and pop into the Pitt Street Pharmacy. Much of The Notebook and OBX were filmed in this neighborhood.
Really nice local beach a bit further away. Spend the day and pop into one of the many restaurants and bars. I’ve listed a few of my favorites above.
Sullivan's Island Beach
Really nice local beach a bit further away. Spend the day and pop into one of the many restaurants and bars. I’ve listed a few of my favorites above.