10 Ideas for a Romantic Charleston Getaway

An introduction to a romantic getaway in Charleston, South Carolina begins with the best of Charleston carriage tours, twice as nice when Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend. An ‘X’ marks the date on Sunday, February 14, 2016 for couples planning a dreamy visit to “America’s Favorite City.” Named #1 on the list of “The Most Romantic Cities in the World” in The Reader’s Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler, Charleston sits at the intersection of perfectly romantic and undeniably charming. The ideal choice for any romantic weekend getaway.

Drop Off Your Bags

Nobody is in too much of a hurry in one of America’s oldest cities. Take your time…our gorgeous Percheron horses will look forward to meeting you after you check into one of Charleston’s elegant resorts, five-star hotels or a welcoming 19th century boutique inn with a crackling fireplace and comfy four poster beds.

Enjoy a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

We wonder if Frank Sinatra had Charleston in mind when he sang, “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage…” We do know that you’ll fall in love with every nook and cranny between the cobblestones of our charming historic streets when you take your beloved on a covered horse drawn carriage ride through Charleston. Begin at our Carriage Barn at 20 Anson Street in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District.

Tour Antebellum Plantations

Make your grand entrance via a long avenue lined by shady moss-draped live oak trees and wander the immaculate landscaped grounds surrounding a well-preserved antebellum mansion straight out of the pages of history. Charleston is blessed with some of America’s most graceful and beautiful Southern spreads: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, Middleton Place and Drayton Hall.

Enjoy a Seaside Sunset

Calling all beach lovers. Sullivan’s Island fits the bill for a stroll along secluded stretches of sand. Revolutionary-era Fort Moultrie, a pretty lighthouse and Edgar Allan Poe’s tavern just add to the special charm. Arrive just before sunset to enjoy a date night at a garden table under a big umbrella surrounded by a white picket fence.

Browse Sweetgrass Basket Stalls

Nothing says Charleston better than a hand-woven sweetgrass basket from the Historic Charleston City Market. The prized souvenirs are crafted from a centuries-old traditional method using native bulrush growing in the sandy soil of the coastal region. Visit dozens of colorful market stalls open every day, in the heart of Charleston since 1804.

Enjoy Art and History

Charleston’s giant Pineapple Fountain, the symbol of Southern hospitality, greets you at Waterfront Park bordering the old French Quarter of original Charles Towne, settled in 1680. Pick up a free map for the Art Walk beginning at the Pink House art gallery, Charleston’s oldest building, at 17 Chalmers Street. Stop into the French Hugenot Church (1844), St. Philip’s (1835) and graveyard and the historic playhouse at the Dock Street Theatre (1809).

Visit the Angel Oak Tree

Pay testimony to everlasting love. On John’s Island, an ancient Live Oak has dug its roots in for more than a millennium. Some say it’s closer to 1,500 years old, but a lady never reveals her age. The famed Angel Oak is free to visit, inviting for picnics and photo opportunities. Be prepared to be amazed by her size; she reaches 65 feet tall and 26 feet in diameter, casting shade of 1,700 square feet.

Savor Lowcountry Cuisine

Your Charleston dinner date could mean a table at one of the nation’s 25 best-loved restaurants. In 2015, TripAdvisor reviewers selected Hall’s Chophouse as #5 and Circa 1886 Restaurant as #13 among America’s most highly recommended fine dining establishments. It can be just as much fun to go with one of the best bistros and happy hour deals for peninsula fresh oysters scooped from the sea. Try Fish Restaurant on King Street, Rue de Jean on Upper King Street and Angel Oak Restaurant a few minutes from downtown Charleston on the Savannah highway in John’s Island.

Catch Your Breath

Charleston is known for stunning, gracious townhouses with fragrant gardens tucked behind elegant gates. The best historic homes give us insights into the grandeur of early 19th century Charleston resident lifestyles. At the circa-1808 Nathaniel Russell House, don’t miss the breathtaking centerpiece where many a groom has awaited his bride as she descended the ornate three-story spiral staircase.

Sail Away

Set off together across the Charleston Harbor on a peaceful sailboat excursion. Consult the one of a few sailing charters that leave directly from downtown Charleston. A three-hour trip passes The Battery, Waterfront Park, Castle Pinckney, Ravenel Bridge and Fort Sumter. Watch for dolphins playing in the bow wake, and bring binoculars for bird spotting. Alternatively, make it a wine tasting cruise.

Everybody at Charleston Carriage Works is looking forward to seeing you for Valentine’s Day weekend in the world’s most romantic city.