It’s no secret that Charleston is one of the nation’s hottest travel destinations.Â
It is a playground for outdoor activities with great weather, delicious restaurants and an active nightlife. Not to mention beautiful people!
Most of these wonderful Charleston SC points of interest are easily accessible, however, as with any town there are also the less known activities and places.Â
This guide is an ode to the unknown!
We will delve into the lesser-known attractions, including restaurants that don’t need weeks-out reservations, golf courses with same-day tee times and a couple of activities that you won’t see on a majority of brochures.
Best Hidden Restaurants in Charleston
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Asian food is not the first thing that comes to mind when visiting the Lowcountry, which is perhaps the reason you can almost always find a table here.
They have a delicious menu that is always rotating and at a great price.
They also have affordable drinks, making it a great casual option for lunch or dinner!
Wild Common
The tasting menu at Wild Common is anything but common.
While they claim it is only 3 courses for $75, you typically get around 7 different bites, making the price a steal.
They also offer a hefty wine pairing for $65 that we highly recommend!
Herd Provisions
We believe this whole animal butcher shop/farm-to-table restaurant has more available tables than most because it is located near Hampton Park.
We’re sure it would be booked out months in advance if it was closer to King Street.
Trust us, it’s worth the 5 minute drive!
Did we mention they serve Ancient White Park cattle, one of the oldest and rarest breeds in the world?
Charleston SC points of interest – Activities
Rent a Party Bus
A Charleston party bus is the best way to take advantage of the Lowcountry’s active nightlife and plethora of drinking/eating establishments.
Charleston is a very spread out region, making transportation difficult if you plan on drinking.
Whether you’re staying Downtown and need a ride to the beach or golf course, or you’re staying in one of Charleston’s many surrounding neighborhoods and need a ride Downtown, a party bus is the best way to get there!
Kayak with Dolphins
You probably won’t believe us when we say how easy it is to find dolphins in Charleston, as long as you know where to go!
For only $35, you can rent a kayak for two hours from Flipper Finders in Folly Beach and be surrounded by dolphins in minutes.
We recommend heading out around sunset for the best views and highest likelihood of seeing wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, manatees and a variety of fish.
Best Lesser-Known Golf Courses in Charleston
City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course
We know what you’re thinking, how is the muni course one of the lesser known courses?
To be honest, it’s not. But it is one of the less played courses because travelers assume that it is not worth playing. We’re here to tell you that that is a misconception and you should check it out!
For non-residents the green fees are $60 or $80 with a cart, either way a great deal!
Rivertowne Country Club
This semi-private club located in Mount Pleasant is the only Arnold Palmer course in the Charleston area.
Even though it is less than half an hour from Downtown Charleston, you feel immersed with nature in scenic marshlands.
We’re not sure why this course gets less attention than many of the others in the area, but we think you should take advantage of it!
Bonus Saving Tip
The best way to avoid the crowds and high prices is to visit Charleston during the winter months (December through February).
While you may not get the perfect 70+ degree weather days, you’ll get more affordable rates for lodging, entertainment and dining.
There will also be smaller crowds at pretty much everything.
You can even get 20% off Charleston transportation!
Conclusion
Charleston is a premier travel destination with delicious restaurants, fun activities and beautiful golf courses.
These amazing attractions tend to bring huge crowds, especially in the Spring and Fall.
However, it is possible to avoid these by checking out some of our favorite, lesser-known Charleston SC points of interest.
Don’t forget, a Charleston party bus is the most fun way to see all of these attractions!