Where to Spend Valentine’s Day in Charleston

January 18, 2019

Charleston is consistently voted the most romantic destination in the U.S. That’s why thousands of visitors flock to the city each Valentine’s Day.

Not only is Charleston beautiful and charming, but the temperature is also very warm in February. You can expect to see highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s during the day here. So, throw on a light jacket, grab a picnic basket and a blanket (and your sweetie) to make this Valentine’s Day one for the scrapbooks.

Brunch at the Butcher & Bee

Brunch is possibly the second-most romantic meal of the day. There’s a solid chance that Charleston’s brunch spots will be less crowded than the restaurants serving Valentine’s Day dinner — especially if Valentine’s Day is on a weekday.

The Butcher and Bee is one of the best spots in Charleston for brunch. It opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Start your day with their famous avocado or ricotta toasts.

Romantic Walk in Downtown Charleston

Walk off all that toast with a romantic stroll through Charleston’s prettiest neighborhoods. Some of your stops might include:

Rainbow Row
The Battery
King Street
The Historic Market

Or, follow our self-guided tour of historic Charleston (feel free to omit not-so-romantic sites, such as City Hall and the Provost Dungeon). Don’t want to navigate the city all on your own? One of our guides would love to show you all the city’s romantic sites.

Folly Beach Picnic

Since Charleston enjoys a warm climate all year long, you can easily head out to Folly Beach for a romantic picnic for lunch. Feel free to bring your own blanket, picnic basket and snacks. We recommend stopping by Ted’s Butcherblock for sandwiches and charcuterie. Or, head to the Queen Street Grocery for fancy snacks.

Just be forewarned that alcohol isn’t allowed on public beaches in South Carolina. Yet, you can always head to one of the nearby restaurants if you feel the need for a Champagne toast. If you’re not a beach-blanket type couple, Folly Beach has plenty of picnic tables and covered shelters.

Just remember that even though it will still be warm in Charleston, the beach is always a little cooler than the rest of the city. Bring a jacket and plenty of blankets.

Couples Massage at the Spa at the Wentworth Mansion

If you need a little extra downtime, a massage at one of Charleston’s many spas should relax you for the rest of your day.

The Wentworth Mansion is a luxury historic hotel that will make you feel like Charlestonian royalty. While we would definitely recommend staying here, we recommend the spa even higher than the hotel. The Wentworth offers a couples’ massage package that includes a one-night stay, candlelight turndown service and a bottle of Champagne. Some of the rooms even come with whirlpools.

The hotel is located in the historic Wentworth Mansion, built between 1865 and 1887. After your massage, head up to the rooftop cupola for sunset drinks.

Couples Cooking Class

What’s more romantic than working together to create something both beautiful and delicious? These two spots offer adult cooking classes that focus on a specific cuisine.

Food Fire + Knives

Food Fire + Knives offers one, two and three-course menu cooking classes. They provide all the supplies and were voted one of the “10 Best Cooking Classes in South Carolina” by Bestthings.com.

Zero George

Zero George is one of the most romantic restaurants in Charleston. They offer basic classes and a Moroccan feast class. All classes come with a three-course meal and wine pairings.

Romantic Dinner

After the sun goes down, head to one of these restaurants for a romantic dinner. These three spots are often voted the most romantic in the city — thanks to their use of high-end ingredients, stellar wine lists and low-key ambiances.

Peninsula Grill

The Peninsula Grill is one of Charleston’s premier restaurants. Take it from us, you’ll want to make reservations in advance because this iconic spot fills up fast on Valentine’s Day. In fact, the restaurant originally opened on Valentine’s Day in 1997, which means that it was practically created just for love.

Pane e Vino

There’s something really romantic about Italian Food (maybe it’s because we all grew up watching “Lady and the Tramp?”). And while the food at Pane e Vino is warm and romantic, it’s the ambiance that puts this restaurant on this list.

Try to get a reservation in the courtyard — it’s lit by lanterns and has plenty of heaters to keep you and your love warm on even a chilly Charleston evening.

Fulton Five

Another famous Charleston Italian restaurant, Fulton Five features white tablecloths and dim lighting. The menu is loaded with pasta, salads and rich desserts.

Carriage Tour of Historic Charleston

There’s no better way to beat the traffic and make your way back to your hotel than a carriage tour. Snuggle up to your sweetie in a comfy carriage, replete with a cozy blanket.

You can ask your driver to point out some of Charleston’s most iconic sites — or simply spend 60 uninterrupted minutes with the one you love. Don’t mind a few extra lovebirds in your carriage? You can always take one of their public carriage rides that accommodate up to 16 people.

Stay at the Planters Inn

Many of Charleston’s historic hotels offer plenty of romantic ambiance. From fireplaces to whirlpools, you can guarantee that you’ll find all the amenities to make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable.

One of the most romantic hotels in Charleston is the Planters Inn. It features four-poster beds, and a few rooms even feature rooftop balconies and fireplaces.

Luckily, Charleston is so picturesque that you’d be hard-pressed to find a spot in the city that doesn’t spark a little romance. From beach picnics to romantic dinners and streets lit by gas lamps, it’s easy to see why this city is considered one of the most romantic in the country.