Travel: The City Column
The City Column: Discover H&H’s Guide To Charleston
Updated on June 3, 2026
Known for its history of religious tolerance, this South Carolina city is a hub for culinary and design innovation.
Scroll down to see where to stay, eat, shop and explore in Charleston!
Where To Stay:
This 16-room boutique hotel exemplifies the city’s romantic old world charm, with guest rooms spread across restored brick residences and carriage houses, some of which date back to 1804. There are shared and private verandas, and guests can mingle in the hotel’s courtyard garden.
0 George St.
This new hotel in the city’s historical center has a playful ambience. The combination of patterned wallpaper, plush seating and wood fixtures balances Charleston’s new vibrance with its storied past. Guests can choose between 22 rooms and suites in three buildings, two of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.
36 George St.
Where To Eat:
Chef-owner Vivian Howard has created a menu of classic dishes with modern flavor. The Cornmeal-dusted Catfish comes with Carolina caviar, and the Apple and Cabbage Slaw gets zing from gochujang dressing. You might recognize Vivian from her cookbooks or the PBS series A Chef’s Life.
68 Wentworth St.
This restaurant set the bar for fine dining in Charleston when it opened in 1997 and continues to top dining lists. Indulge in the Champagne Bar menu, which features oysters, caviar and lobster, or the comprehensive selection of steaks. Then try the Ultimate Coconut Cake, voted one of the best desserts in the country many times over.
112 North Market St.
What To See:
Established in 1905, the Gibbes is one of the oldest art institutions in the U.S. Its permanent collection spans four centuries of American art, including 600 miniatures. This fall, don’t miss Earthly Matters, an exhibition by realist painter Bo Bartlett.
135 Meeting St.
International African American Museum
The grand opening isn’t until January 2023, but the museum is hosting events this year. This first-of-its-kind cultural centre will share stories of African Americans throughout the history of the U.S., and visitors can even trace their own genealogy. The African Ancestors Memorial Garden will highlight the city’s original shoreline, a place where many captive Africans first arrived.
14 Wharfside St.
Where To Shop:
Block-print linens, seagrass- wrapped tumblers, palm beach totes: the pieces from Amanda Lindroth’s collection are inspired by joyful island life. The new Charleston store is her second location.
445 King St.
What started as a fabric and furniture showroom from designer Sarah-Hamlin Hastings is now the city’s premier destination for fine furniture, decorating accents and textiles. The store is a study in the art of the objet — how to pair, style and collect.
701 East Bay St., Suite 106
House & Home September 2022