A Perfect Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston packs a full weekend naturally -- brunch downtown, beach bars on Isle of Palms, barbecue that justifies the trip on its own, and sunset drinks on Shem Creek. Kasey Jane walks through a two-day itinerary that covers all four, plus a few stops most travel guides skip.

Day One: Downtown Brunch to Beach Bars

The weekend starts at Poogan's Porch, a staple brunch spot in downtown Charleston housed in a classic Southern porch-front building. From there, head east to Isle of Palms and The Windjammer, a beachfront bar that runs seasonally. The Windjammer is the kind of place where you end up staying longer than planned -- in this case long enough to run into the cast of Outer Banks.

Day Two: Boots, Barbecue, and Shem Creek

The second day opens at Tokova's downtown, a cowgirl boot shop where you can get a pair branded with custom initials on the spot. Then it is over to Sullivan's Island for A Bovo, a permanent jewelry shop -- walk in, pick a chain, and they weld it on your wrist so there is no clasp to lose.

Lunch is at Lewis Barbecue, which Kasey calls the best barbecue in Charleston without hesitation. The order to know: sliced brisket, fat not lean. The sides hold up on their own.

After lunch, head to Shem Creek for drinks on the water. The specific recommendation is Reds, with a walk up to the Crow's Nest for the elevated view. Dolphins are a regular sighting from the deck.

Night Out: Cocktails, Pizza, and a Ferry Ride

The evening starts at Cocktail Club downtown for gin martinis and live music. Close the night at Benny's Pizza for a late-night slice. If you are staying on Daniel Island, the Daniel Island Ferry runs back downtown and drops you at the French Quarter -- a better way to end the night than a rideshare.

The final morning stop is High Cotton for she-crab soup, a Charleston classic that is easy to overlook if you are focused on dinner reservations.

Key Takeaways

• Poogan's Porch is the brunch pick downtown; Lewis Barbecue is the lunch pick, specifically the sliced brisket with fat
• The Windjammer on Isle of Palms is seasonal -- plan your trip around it if beach bars matter to you
• Shem Creek is the best spot for casual waterfront drinks; Reds and the Crow's Nest are the specific calls
• Sullivan's Island has two worthwhile stops: Tokova's for custom cowgirl boots and A Bovo for permanent jewelry
• The Daniel Island Ferry is a practical and scenic way to get between Daniel Island and the French Quarter
• High Cotton's she-crab soup is worth a dedicated stop before heading home