If you’re thinking of making your way to Charleston, South Carolina, then I would definitely recommend going for it—especially if you’re looking for romantic things to do in Charleston, SC.
That’s because this city is easily one of the most romantic in the United States, with a ton of history and character in its charming buildings, gardens, and parks. There are gorgeous vacation rentals and fine dining in Charleston that will almost feel like you’re on an island.
To give you some travel inspo, I’m sharing with you my round-up of the most romantic things to do in Charleston.
8 Romantic Things to do in Charleston, SC
1. Dock Street Theatre
One of the first things you should put on your to-do list if you are planning a romantic trip to Charleston is to book a show at the historic Dock Street Theatre.
Seriously, this place claims to be America’s first theatre. Set in Downtown, it was actually built in 1809, first as a hotel and later becoming a theatre.
Even the building itself is romantic; inside, it’s stunning and super well preserved. Think antiques and paintings that really help bring to life the shows of the past.
It’s an intimate venue, just adding to that romance factor!
(FYI It’s open for free tours if you don’t get to see a performance)
2. Belmond Charleston Place
Belmond Charleston Hotel sure LOOKS like a historic building, but it was actually built in the 1980s to emulate the style of the 1800s buildings in the surrounding area.
Still—it’s one of the nicest hotels in Charleston.
If you’re not lucky enough to be staying here, swinging by for dinner and drinks still makes for one of the best romantic things to do in Charleston, SC. Nothing beats good food in luxury settings!
And the award-winning Charleston Grill, with its wood-paneled walls, is just that. For a more laid-back daytime affair, check out Palmetto Cafe, located in the leafy courtyard.
3. Hit the Water on Schooner Pride
Being located on the seafront, Charleston has ample opportunity for you to head out on the water and enjoy the salty air.
So I recommend setting sail from the historic Charleston harbor on a three-mast schooner. This is, like, next-level romance.
I mean, a sunset sail on a high-polish classic schooner sounds pretty dreamy to me. You get to leave the heat behind and head out to the gentle calm of the harbor.
Time it right, and you may get to see a full moon with dolphins playing around the boat as it tours the harbor. I can’t even—best date night ever, right?
4. Waterfront Park
Charleston Waterfront Park is beautiful!
This green space spans eight acres along the Charleston waterfront. It’s a chilled-out space for relaxing, not just in the daytime, but for night time wanderings too.
An after-dinner stroll is such a romantic thing to do at Charleston Waterfront Park.
Kids play in the water fountains on a hot summer evening, the view is super romantic, and you may even be able to see dolphins splashing just offshore. A great end to any day in Charleston, I’d say.
5. French Quarter
Another one of Charleston’s beautiful neighborhoods, the French Quarter is part of Downtown Charleston and is basically the original walled city.
First settled in 1680, the French Quarter is a charming area that’s famed for its art galleries, cobbled streets, and colorful houses. It’s a cool place to stroll around with your partner, soaking up the history.
One place you should hit up in Charleston’s French Quarter is the historic Charleston City Market; it’s THE place for picking up arts and crafts, unique gifts, and souvenirs. If you’re really looking for some fun definitely try taking a Zero George Cooking School Class to get cooking with your partner!
Hot tip: If you’re thirsty, why not swing by Bay Street Biergarten?
6. Go on a Carriage Ride
Ok, so going on a carriage ride with your loved one is easily one of the cutest/most romantic things to do in Charleston!
Not only is it simply fun getting to ride on a horse-drawn carriage, but you’ll also get to learn a lot about Charleston and why it’s called the “Holy City.”
Take your pick of horse-drawn carriages in Charleston; there’s a selection of different tour companies, each with a different style of a guided tour. Make sure to opt for an evening carriage ride for optimum romance.
7. Stroll around Middleton Place
Middleton Place is a historic house around 15 miles from Charleston. A former plantation, the beautifully restored main house is now a museum where you can learn about the past of Middleton Place.
But one of the best things to do here is stroll around its gardens. They’re actually stunning—and they should be since they’re the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States (pretty cool). It’s like a slice of Europe where you’d never expect to find it.
Adding to that, there’s an onsite restaurant where you can sample fine French wines and seasonal country fare.
8. Visit the Fairytale Angel Oak
Literally like something right out of a fairytale, the Angel Oak is an old oak tree. It’s 60 feet tall with huge outstretched branches twisting to either side.
It feels super mysterious taking a walk under its green branches and is a very cool spot to visit. You’re going to want to snap a few artsy pics of this awesome tree.
Nobody knows how old the Angel Oak actually is, but some people say it’s the oldest tree in the country. Some say it’s 400 years old, others say it’s 1,500 years old—like I said, no one knows!
Breathtakingly huge and very peaceful, there’s no possible way that you and your partner aren’t going to fall in love all over again in the shade of this beautiful tree.
There you go, your complete guide to romantic things to do in Charleston SC! There are so many fun and beautiful things to do with your partner in Charleston—you’re going to love it.
Trust me, you and your loved one will adore this place. Go ahead and tag me in your Insta pics and stories and show me what you get up to—I’m @wtfab!
Planning a trip? Be sure to explore my other travel content here.
FAQs
It is recommended to spend at least 2 days in Charleston, SC to really get a feel for what the city has to offer.
The best time to visit Charleston, SC is from March to May or September to November when the weather will be at its best.
Yes, Charleston, SC is definitely worth visiting! There are so many activities to do from boating riding to visiting museums. The choices are endless.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.