14 Romantic Things to Do in Charleston for Couples

Planning a romantic getaway to Charleston? Charleston, SC is one of the most romantic destinations in the South! Here are my favorite romantic things to do in Charleston.

There are so many romantic activities in Charleston, from taking a classic horse-drawn carriage ride to learning how to make cocktails together to strolling through lush gardens hand-in-hand.

Kevin and I spent a romantic week-long vacation in Charleston, and we were able to do so many romantic things! Plan the perfect couples getaway with these romantic Charleston activities.

Most Romantic Things to Do in Charleston

1. Take a Romantic Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

One of the most romantic things to do in Charleston is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Climb aboard a covered carriage and take a romantic ride through the heart of historic Charleston. You’ll experience all the charm and beautify of the city’s cobblestone streets, antebellum homes, and lush gardens.

There’s a good reason this is one of the top things to do in Charleston! A carriage ride is the quintessential Charleston tour and is a great way to learn about the city’s history.

Book your romantic Charleston carriage ride here.

2. Take a Cocktail Class Together

One of the best things Kevin and I did on our trip to Charleston was take a cocktail class together.

Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge, located at the swanky Grand Bohemian Hotel, offers a unique cocktail class experience on the weekends. Head up to the rooftop bar overlooking the city and grab a seat at the bar to learn all about making classic cocktails.

The class includes a welcome toast, a demonstration and tasting of 4 classic cocktails (Old Fashioned, Gin Fizz, Daiquiri, and Margarita), and a lesson in bartending and cocktail history. We also learned a little bit about Charleston’s speakeasies and got some local restaurant and bar recommendations from our bartender.

This was a super cute date night activity, and we happened to do it on our dating anniversary as well (unplanned), so it was perfect!

3. Visit Magnolia Plantations and Gardens

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been famous for their landscaped gardens since they were opened to the public after the Civil War.

Take a romantic stroll through the azaleas and live oak trees, over bridges spanning serene ponds, and along the Ashley River.

While the gardens themselves are very romantic, it’s important to remember that beneath the beauty of these gardens lies a complex and painful history. Magnolia Plantation, like many others in Charleston, was built and sustained by the labor of enslaved Africans. As you stroll through the gardens, take a moment to reflect on the lives of those who worked the land under harsh conditions. Be sure to visit the slave cabins to learn more about the enslaved and freed African Americans who lived and worked here.

You can get discounted tickets to the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens using the Charleston TourPass.

4. Have a Picnic in the Park

Charleston’s parks are the perfect place for a romantic picnic (also a great choice if you’re planning a romantic getaway on a budget).

Waterfront Park is a great spot along the Cooper River with plenty of benches by the water and under a canopy of trees where you can picnic and enjoy the scenery. Plus, this is where you’ll find the famous Charleston Pineapple Fountain.

White Point Garden is another popular scenic park with grassy areas shaded by old oak trees. You can picnic here surrounded by history, from Civil War cannons to monuments and statues.

5. Visit the Gardens at Middleton Place

The gardens at Middleton Place were designed to outshine neighboring gardens. They’re considered America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens.

Stroll through the variety of camellia, azalea, cypress, and oak. The gardens are laid out with symmetrical designs, reflecting pools, and a maze of hedges. I recommend visiting early in the morning when the fog lays across the gardens, giving them a misty, moody feel.

As you visit, remember that this beauty was made possible by the labor of enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation. Be sure to also visit the slave cemetery, Eliza’s House, the stableyards, and the programing on enslavement at Middleton Place to learn more about the enslaved and freed African Americans who lived and worked here.

6. Visit the Angel Oak Tree

The Angel Oak Tree is estimated to be 400-500 years old and is considered the largest Live Oak east of the Mississippi, measuring 66.5 feet tall and 28 feet wide.

The tree is magnificent, and it’s so romantic to walk hand-in-hand beneath and between its sprawling branches.

You can also picnic here, though not beneath the tree. There are picnic tables in the park further away from the tree if you’d like to set up for a romantic picnic here.

7. Sip Cocktails on a Rooftop Bar

Charleston has some amazing bars, and a lot of those are romantic rooftop spots with amazing city views where you can watch the sunset.

I highly recommend The Rooftop at The Vendue, a multi-level rooftop bar on top of The Vendue Hotel. This space is funky and art-forward, same as the hotel below, plus they have delicious drinks at two different bars on the roof. You can get a view off one direction toward the water and off the other direction for sunsets behind the city.

The Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge is another great rooftop bar. I’ve already mentioned their cocktail class, but they also have a nice outdoor rooftop area with cozy seating and city views.

8. Stroll Through the Charleston Night Market

The Charleston City Market is usually only open during the day. But from March through December on Friday and Saturday nights (plus some Thursdays and Sundays), you can stroll through the Night Market.

This is the largest art market in the Southeast, with over 200 local and regional artists represented. They also have live music and food available.

This is a great place to shop for local souvenirs to help you remember your romantic Charleston getaway.

9. Get a Professional Photoshoot

Document your romantic Charleston getaway with a fun and talented photographer, learn local tips, and capture priceless memories with photogenic backdrops. It’s a win all around!

With Flytographer, you can hire an amazing local photographer for a romantic vacation photoshoot at Charleston locations like the French Quarter District, Waterfront Park, Broad Street, and Folly Beach. Get wall-worthy photos that allow you to relive your getaway as the perfect souvenir.

You can use my link here for $25 off your first Flytographer photoshoot.

Book your romantic Charleston Flytographer photoshoot here.

10. Stay at a Romantic Hotel

For a romantic getaway in Charleston, you’ll need a romantic place to stay! And Charleston is filled with amazing hotels, quaint B&Bs, and cozy vacation rentals that are perfect for couples.

A few of the most romantic hotels in Charleston include:

• French Quarter Inn — the most award-winning hotel in Historic Charleston
• The Loutrel — luxury hotel in the historic district with a Rooftop Terrace
• 86 Cannon Charleston — restored 1860s house and adults-only property with a zero edge salt water pool
• The Spectator Hotel — a boutique hotel that combines the Old South and the Jazz Age
• The Pinch Charleston — modern boutique hotel on King Street that feels more like an apartment than a hotel

Any of these hotels would be perfect for cozying up together after a long day of explore Charleston!

11. Have a Romantic Dinner for Two

Charleston has some of the best restaurants in the South! There are so many great Charleston restaurants to choose from for a romantic dinner, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Frannie & The Fox — Italian food on a cozy outdoor patio with a huge fireplace
• Sorghum & Salt — Locally-crafted cuisine and a seasonal menu for new dishes every time you visit
• Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar — Waterfront dining for Southern seafood favorites
• Well-Hung Vineyard & Restaurant — Great wine, a cheeky label, and elevated Southern favorites

You really can’t go wrong with any of these delicious Charleston restaurants!

12. Take a Beach Getaway

One of the best parts about Charleston is that it’s so close to the beach, so you can combine a city break with a beach getaway all in one vacation.

Folly Beach has some of the best waves on the South Carolina coast, plenty of beach bars, and the perfect habitat for coastal wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles. At just 13 miles from Downtown Charleston, Folly Beach is an easy beach getaway from the city.

Sullivan’s Island has 10 miles of protected shores and tons of wildlife. This peaceful, secluded beach is an amazing getaway. At just 9 miles from Downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island is the closest beach to the city.

There’s also Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island all within 25 miles of Charleston.

13. Wander the Hidden Alleyways

Get lost exploring the charming streets of Charleston together. There are so many quaint alleyways and secret pathways that make for a romantic stroll through the city.

Wander through the historic Philadelphia Alley or the picturesque Longitude Lane. Walk among the trailing Confederate Jasmine that lines Stoll’s Alley and Price’s Alley.

Around every corner is a new beautiful lane full of history for you and your lover to explore.

14. Tour the Beautiful Historic Homes

Charleston is full of beautiful historic house museums that you can tour.

From the grand Nathaniel Russell House to the preserved Aiken-Rhett House Museum, the historic Heyward-Washington House to the opulent Joseph Manigault House, there are so many picturesque antebellum homes to see.

These beautifully preserved mansions, with their intricate details, sweeping staircases, and lush gardens, tell the stories of Charleston’s wealthy elite. However, it’s vital to remember that these homes were also sites of enslavement and conditions of immense hardship. As you admire the grandeur of these historic sites, take the time to also learn about the lives of the enslaved people who played a crucial role in maintaining these households.

You can get discounted tickets to all of these historic homes using the Charleston TourPass.

Charleston for Couples Map

Ready to explore all these romantic things to do in Charleston? Use the map below to plan out your getaway for two!

I hope you have a romantic trip to Charleston, SC!

Romantic Charleston FAQ

More Charleston Tips

Check out the posts below to continue planning your Charleston vacation:

• 13 Best Charleston Ghost Tours For a Scary-Good Time
• 50+ Fun Things to Do in Charleston at Night
• 10 Amazing Hotels in Charleston, SC
• 10 Best Tours in Charleston, SC
• 16 Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC
• 11 Best Bars in Charleston, SC
• Your Perfect Charleston Bachelorette Party Itinerary
• 9 Free Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 37 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 7 Days in Charleston: Perfect 1 Week Charleston Itinerary
• 14 Tips for Your First Trip to Charleston, SC
• 14 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the South
• The Best Winter Vacations in the South

---

Ready to visit Charleston, South Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in Charleston using Booking.com or vacation rentals near Charleston using VRBO.
• Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

---

Cheers!

Paige

Which of these romantic things to do in Charleston for couples are you most interested in? Let me know in the comments!