The right way to Spend the Holidays in Charleston

Dwelling simply over the state line in North Carolina, I’ve visited Charleston extra occasions than I can rely. Most of my recollections there are from spring and summer season, when the temperature is sizzling and the azaleas are in bloom. However, final December, my household deliberate a Christmas weekend in Charleston for the primary time, and evidently, it gained’t be our final. The Yuletide season is an incredible time to go to the Holy Metropolis — it is not too chilly, the crowds are smaller, and there are such a lot of actions to take pleasure in. 

Listed below are my 9 favourite issues to do throughout a vacation weekend in Charleston, voted the finest metropolis within the U.S. in 2024 by Journey + Leisure readers.

Keep within the French Quarter Inn’s Sleigh Bell Suite.

Staying within the French Quarter Inn‘s Sleigh Bell Suite is the right manner for households with babies (or {couples} merely desirous to get away) to get within the festive spirit. From the second you stroll by way of the wreath-adorned door, it feels as for those who’re getting into a Christmas fairy story. Hand-decorated cookies and an en suite eggnog bar beckon visitors to unwind by a hearth adorned with stockings. The resort additionally hosts Santa readings of “‘Twas the Night time Earlier than Christmas” and carolers on Christmas Eve. And if you wish to take a few of that vacation allure house, you are in luck — suite visitors obtain a complimentary copy of Charleston native Darius Rucker’s “House for the Holidays” album. Better of all, for each Sleigh Bell Suite reservation, the inn will donate $100 to the St. Jude Youngsters’s Analysis Hospital.

Store on the Marion Sq. vacation market.

On Saturdays and Sundays in December main as much as Christmas, Marion Sq. transforms right into a vacation market. It is the perfect place to seek out handmade stocking stuffers created by native farmers, artisans, and crafters.

Cease by The Charleston Place to see the snow.

December is never chilly sufficient for Charleston to see a single flake of snow, however concern not, snow lovers! At The Charleston Place resort, it snows each night time through the Let it Snow occasion. Admission is free, however tickets are required. The “snow queue” begins quarter-hour previous to the hourly snowfall, which happens on daily basis at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and seven p.m.; there’s an extra 4 p.m. slot on Saturdays and Sundays. 

There are a number of different vacation points of interest at The Charleston Place, together with the Competition of Timber. Native Charleston companies every design a Christmas tree for the occasion, and visitors can vote on their favorites. For an unforgettable kid-friendly expertise, snag tickets (costs begin at $165 per grownup and $135 per baby) for the Nutcracker Tea and feast on Christmas themed-treats reminiscent of Nutcracker mille-feuille and caramel chocolate mousse xmas logs, whereas having fun with ballet performances from the the Dance Conservatory of Charleston. And if the kiddos aren’t fairly able to go house but, take a look at the on-site life-size gingerbread home, the place you may write a letter to Santa.

See “A Christmas Carol” on the historic Dock Road Theatre.

There’s nothing fairly like watching Charles Dickens’ traditional vacation story, “A Christmas Carol,” carried out stay on the Dock Road Theatre, certainly one of America’s oldest (it dates again to 1736). This full of life musical manufacturing, which is an annual Charleston custom, options greater than 50 performers portraying the story’s well-known forged of characters from Ebenezer Scrooge to Tiny Tim. Performances are prone to promote out, so order tickets (costs begin at $61 per particular person) properly upfront.

Eat fried seafood and contemporary oysters at Fleet Touchdown.

When within the Lowcountry, good seafood is a should, and Fleet Touchdown Restaurant & Bar is certainly one of my household’s favourite stops. The waterfront restaurant is housed in a retired naval constructing, and simply celebrated its twentieth anniversary with an intensive renovation and a brand-new uncooked bar. With an ocean view, Christmas decor aplenty, and seasonal vacation cocktails, spending a day at Fleet is the right addition to any vacation itinerary.

Attempt the barbecue.

My husband and I by no means depart Charleston with out eating at one of many many barbecue eating places on the town. Lewis Barbecue in downtown Charleston focuses on Texas-style barbecue and has enjoyable choices like inexperienced chile cheddar sausage, corn pudding, and nachos. James Beard Award-winning Rodney Scott’s Complete Hog BBQ is at all times on our checklist, too, together with House Staff BBQ (they’ve my husband’s favourite on the menu — burnt ends). And with winter’s cooler climate, the vacations are the right time to bask in Swig & Swine BBQ‘s hefty household platter, which comes with pulled pork, brisket, turkey, pork stomach, sausage, ribs, hen wings, and your selection of three sides. Can’t make it to Charleston? Lewis Barbecue provides nationwide delivery.

Drive by way of the Vacation Competition of Lights.

Make the brief drive to James Island County Park, situated simply quarter-hour from the center of Charleston, for the annual Vacation Competition of Lights. Guests can count on greater than 750 gentle shows alongside a three-mile drive across the park. Enable loads of time to park your automotive and discover the pageant grounds, which supply snack stands, plenty of purchasing alternatives, a miniature practice journey, and a carousel. 

When you’re like us, one drive isn’t sufficient. Fortunately, vehicles have the choice of creating a number of passes by way of the shows. Make sure to buy tickets ($15 per car) forward of time to attenuate wait occasions on the park.

Dive with elves at South Carolina Aquarium.

The family-friendly South Carolina Aquarium is house to greater than 5,000 animals. Right here, guests can observe American kestrels, barracudas, Goliath groupers, and even rehabbing turtles on the Sea Turtle Care Heart. Throughout the vacation season, actions embody an interactive dive present with elves, Santa meet and greets, and hand-feeding a “ray-ndeer” (a.ok.a. a cownose ray). However the house actually shines at night time, when the primary lights exit throughout Aquarium Aglow, which options larger-than-life gentle installations and plenty of photograph alternatives with Santa.

Go to The Loutrel for vacation enjoyable.

In Charleston, winter temperatures hardly ever dip under 50 levels Fahrenheit, however we will nonetheless faux. Throughout the vacation season, The Loutrel hosts a wide range of actions reminiscent of Christmas-themed afternoon teas, in addition to an annual tree lighting ceremony. {Couples} could need to go for the Holidate at The Loutrel package deal, which features a botanical-inspired vacation cocktail class, a particular Christmas film turndown service, and a personal carriage tour of town with Palmetto Carriage Works.