Girls’ Weekend Trip to Charleston

Charleston was practically made for girls’ weekends. Some of the most popular activities here include spa days, shopping, eating and happy hour. What more could you ever want to do with your gal pals? Discover the best activities for a successful girls’ weekend trip in Charleston. No matter what your interests, there’s something for everybody here.

Day 1: Shopping, Spa Day and Drinks

Start your weekend with a luxurious and relaxing day at the spa, followed by a little shopping. After recharging your batteries, it’s off to a chic bar for happy hour.

The Spa at Belmond

One of the most relaxing ways to celebrate a girls’ weekend is to spend a day at the spa. Luckily, Charleston has plenty of high-end spas and spaces for relaxation to help get you ready for the rest of your trip.

The Spa at the Belmond is possibly one of the most luxurious spas in Charleston. They boast an indoor pool, sauna and relaxation lounge, so you can spend time gabbing between treatments.

Try their signature massage or facial; both are very relaxing and detoxifying. If you need even more pampering, the Moroccan Ritual will make you feel like a princess.

Shopping on King Street

If you’re heading to Charleston for shopping, King Street is a great place to start. You’ll find plenty of shops along this historic avenue.

Start at the Shops at Belmond Charleston Place (especially if you’ve spent the morning getting spa services!). Then, head north on King Street to check out all the boutiques Charleston is famous for. You’ll want to make stops at House of Sage, Finicky Filly, Channels of Charleston and Lily along the way.

Luckily, Charleston has tons of shopping, so you could conceivably spend your entire weekend with no other activities in sight.

Drinks at Bourbon N’ Bubbles

You’ll inevitably get a little thirsty during your day. When you need a little libation to help you relax even further, head to Bourbon N’ Bubbles. This chic little bar really lives up to its name — you can find both bourbon-and-bubble-based drinks here. They also have small bites here should you need a little something to nibble while you sip.

Planters Inn

It’s back to the hotel! If you want to stay at a historic spot, you can’t go wrong with the Planters Inn. This is where Charleston’s famous Planters punch was invented. The rooms are cozy, cute and reflect Charleston’s elegant but welcoming charm.

Day 2: Tour Magnolia Plantation and Charleston’s Alleyways and Passages

Spend the day enjoying Charleston culture. Start your morning by wandering the grounds of one of the most scenic Charleston plantations. Head back to Downtown Charleston to learn about the city’s local history before heading out for a night on the town.

Magnolia or Boone Plantations

Magnolia Plantation is one of Charleston’s most scenic plantations. You could conceivably spend an entire day here (though you won’t want to if you only have a weekend in the city!). Not only can you tour the plantation house itself, but you can also tour the gardens surrounding it.

If you and your girl squad would rather head to Allie’s summer home (yes, that Allie — as in “The Notebook”), head to Boone Hall Plantation instead.

Charleston Alleyways and Hidden Passages Tour

After touring the outskirts of Charleston, it’s time to head back into the city. You could wander Charleston’s streets for months without seeing every nook and cranny. Luckily, you don’t need to go searching for all the city’s secret spots on your own. Our Hidden Alleyways and Passages Tour will help you find some Southern charm — without spending the whole day trying to find it.

Stars Rooftop Bar Sunset

Charleston enjoys warm days year-round. It’s no surprise we have some of the best rooftop bars in the country. While you could enjoy an evening out a different rooftop bar for just about every day of the month, we wouldn’t recommend it.

Instead, just head to Stars Rooftop Bar for great views, drinks, snacks and (of course) the sunset.

Dinner at Husk

After you’ve sparked an appetite with an aperitif, head to Husk for dinner. Husk is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Charleston — which is why they’ve even expanded to Nashville, too. You can try all the elevated versions of the best dishes in the South.

The menu changes seasonally (based on what’s fresh). But you can always find dishes, like pimento cheese, charcuterie, housemade pickles, cheeseburgers and shrimp and grits.

Carriage Ride

End your evening with a carriage ride. While you might expect to see couples on these carriages, you’ll also see other girl squads. You can rent a private carriage or hop on a public group tour. You’ll see Charleston’s most iconic sites — without worrying about changing out of your heels.

Day 3: Long Relaxing Brunch Before Heading Home

It’s the final day of your girls’ trip, and hopefully you feel both energized and relaxed. Before you head to the train station, airport or your car for the ride home, fuel up with a famous Charleston brunch.

Butcher & Bee Brunch

The Butcher & Bee has possibly one of the most famous brunch menus in Charleston. We recommend spending a few hours here and really taking your time to relax. All the ingredients are locally sourced. Menu items include avocado toast, mezze plates, shakshuka and morning hummus.

If you’re not planning on driving home, feel free to order a spiced pear daiquiri or an apple brandy cocktail with your meal.

Alcohol-Free Activities

Charleston is a cocktail-friendly city. But what if you don’t want to partake in all the gin-fueled fun? No problem, most of these spots offer alcohol-free options, too. Feel free to order a virgin daiquiri at Stars. You can also opt for a sunset boat ride instead of happy hour.