Charleston, South Carolina – a gem of the South known for its pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and irresistible charm – is the perfect setting for a bachelorette getaway. I recently planned my sister’s bachelorette there and have some advice & tips to share.
Where to Stay
Charleston offers fantastic neighborhoods, each with its own vibe:
- Downtown: If you crave being in the thick of things with walkable access to restaurants, bars, shops, and historic sights, downtown is your spot. It’s ideal for the group that wants to be steps away from it all. We ended booking this 4-bedroom VRBO. It was in a great location, clean and super charming.
- Folly Beach: Folly Beach is a relaxed coastal haven about a 20-minute drive from downtown. Opt for this if the group wants a beachy vibe with easy access to Charleston’s bustle. We looked into Airbnbs here, but ultimately decided since it was going to be cooler while we were there, that a downtown, walkable house made more sense.
- French Quarter: For historic elegance, the French Quarter is your jam. Filled with art galleries, antique shops, and stunning architecture, the French Quarter offers a sophisticated air.
Activities in Charleston
- Shopping: King Street has all the shopping your heart desires. Browse boutiques, national brands, and the iconic Charleston City Market for souvenirs.
- Historic Immersion: Charleston is steeped in history. Stroll the waterfront Battery, and admire Rainbow Row’s colorful houses. We didn’t take any routs, but there are plenty of walking & bike tours offered on Airbnb experiences.
- Drag Show: I still reminisce about the drag show I went to at The Palace in Miami and since my sister enjoys live music, I figured this would be a fun activity for the group. We booked the Diva Royale show at the Deco Nightclub.
- Goat Yoga: I wanted to plan an actvitiy that wasn’t focused on drinking, and my sister loves animals. I was able to find this Goat yoga/animal farm experience that was about a ~30 minute drive north of downtown Charleston. I booked it on Aribnb experiences.
- Hit the Beach: Charleston boasts gorgeous coastal stretches. Hit up Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, or Isle of Palms. Since we went in March and it’s still quite chilly, we did not opt for this.
Restaurants & Bars
Charleston’s food and nightlife scene is top-notch. Here’s where to go:
- Brunch: Indulge at favorites like Millers All Day, Poogan’s Porch, or Toast for delectable morning eats.
- Sophisticated Fare: Renowned spots like FIG, Husk, or The Ordinary. We ended up eating a Rudy Royale’s one evening, which was traditional southern food and friendlier on the wallet for the group.
- Rooftop Views: Elevate your evening with cocktails and stunning city vistas at The Rooftop at the Vendue or The Citrus Club.
- Lively Night Out: King Street is your party central. Bar hop at Republic Garden & Lounge, Uptown Social, or any of the hotspots lining the street.
Bachelorette outfits & theme nights
One night we did a ‘Final Fiesta’ theme – I booked us dinner at Mesu Mexican restaurant and wore this bright amazon dress. We planned a game night in after, so I bought some fiesta table center pieces. For the bach games, I googled various ‘Bride or Groom’ games and then made my own from Canva templates. I had her fiance answer it beforehand, which was a fun surprise!
For our Drag show evening, we did a ‘Sequins & Sparkle’ theme where I wore this pink sequin jumpsuit. It was a big hit and pretty comfortable, although I could have gone with a size large instead of medium, and the sequins constantly snagged on each other throughout the night.
All bach decorations I purchased from Amazon. I was the one bringing them and was flying in from San Francisco so I needed to choose decor that could fit in my carry-on bag. I went with this pink foil door fringe, and this pink decor pack. I also did a print out of her fiance from FedEx for $17 which was a funny touch for the house.
For gifts for the bride I tried to stick with things she would use again after the bach vs all ‘bride’ embroidered items that would get stored in the back of a closet after. I went with this PJ set from Le Rose, that my sister can also wear on her wedding day to get ready in. I actually own two of their PJs set, one I got as a bridesmaid gift and the second pair I bought because I liked them so much. I knew it would be great even post-wedding. These white slippers which would work for wedding day getting ready outfit too, heart-shaped bride sunglasses, and also had a crown, veil & sash for her to wear throughout the weekend as well.
Charleston Bachelorette Pro-Tips:
- Timing Matters: Charleston is lovely year-round but can get very crowded in peak seasons. Aim for a shoulder season visit (spring/fall) if possible. We were there the first weekend of March and unfortunately a storm was moving across the US so it rained both days, but the temperature was great & it wasn’t too crowded.
- Comfortable Shoes: There were tons of Cobblestones, prioritize comfy footwear.
- Reservations are Key: Book popular restaurants and activities well in advance, especially for groups.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated, I packed Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix – Ultima is my preference for an electrolyte packet, as I found it has the cleanest ingredients, moderate sodium content & low sugar (claims 0 sugar, but they do use organic sweetener).
All-in-all it was a great trip, I’d never been to Charleston before so I enjoyed getting to see the city and checking it off my bucket list. I think it’s a fun city for bachelorette parties with plenty to do, and in the warmer months there’s even more it offers with the beaches.
Happy planning your Charleston bachelorette!
PS – For any Southern Charm fans, we ran into Venita, which was super exciting! (Wearing this amazing jacket)
