A guide to Charleston, S.C., 4.5 hours from Raleigh

If you're ready to trade in oak trees for palms for a weekend, it might be time to visit Charleston.

Driving the news: Oyster season (for those who celebrate) is underway and temperatures have fallen to a degree that you can visit the city without evaporating immediately upon arrival.

• If you've never been to South Carolina, this is where you should start.
• If you've only ever been to Myrtle Beach, there's a support group for that, I'd imagine.
• Charleston is Savannah's older, classier sibling. It's OBX, but more photogenic (*ducks*).

A visit to the Holy City is a must. But don't take it from me — take it from Travel & Leisure magazine, who have named it the best city in the U.S. for ten straight years.

• Edgar Allen Poe wrote short stories about its shores; George Washington raved about its women; Bill Murray and Darius Rucker both call it home.

Getting here: Charleston is about 4-5 hours' driving distance from Raleigh. Flying might save you some time, but not much. Nonstop service between the two cities isn't currently offered.

Where to stay: Downtown, on the peninsula. If you're ballin' on a budget check out NotSo Hostel. If you're just ballin', go to Hotel Bennett.

Getting around: The peninsula is small enough that you can get around by foot, bicycle or rideshare. Don't worry about renting a car — we have limited parking spaces and a surplus of confusing, one-way streets.

Pro tip: Take a pedicab at least once. It's its own adventure.

Eat:

Don't let lunch or dinner be an afterthought. Charleston is perhaps best known for its culinary scene, and numerous restaurants, chefs and bar programs have received national recognition.

Lenoir: North Carolina's own chef Vivian Howard, of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, opened two restaurants in Charleston in 2020. Lenoir, named for Howard's home county, offers Southern food that's elevated but in a way that doesn't stray too far from its roots.

167 Raw: This oyster and raw bar is right in the heart of downtown. Small plates are the way to go. Order the space potato — trust me.

Fleet Landing: Downtown's only true waterfront restaurant, its something-for-everybody menu includes Charleston classics, like shrimp and grits.

Drink:

Little Palm: This trendy, poolside cocktail bar opened last year, and this year was named one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire.

Eleve: Though you can't go wrong with any downtown rooftop bar, this one atop the Grand Bohemian Hotel stands out for its Alice In Wonderland-esque aesthetic.

• Yes, and: The wine blending class at the hotel's downstairs bar makes for a fun evening activity. You can take home your own custom wine with a custom label as a keepsake.

Carmella's: The silver lining of being a city beloved by wedding and bachelorette parties is that they can support a high quantity of late-night dessert bars. Carmella's is the tried-and-true choice for grabbing an espresso martini and a slice of cake before calling it a night.

Do:

Tour: Take a harbor cruise, a walking ghost tour or visit one of our many museums.

• Of note: The International African American Museum is set to open early next year and will be located on the site of where some 40% of enslaved African people first entered North America.

Explore on foot: The best way to take in the city's architecture and natural beauty is to immerse yourself within it. Start in the historic district to see some of the oldest still-standing buildings in the country, then make yourself to White Point Gardens or Waterfront Park for harbor views.

• Or, walk up King Street for sights and shopping.

Hit the beach: I can't in good conscience recommend a trip to this little coastal city without a visit to its coast.

• Our closest beaches are within a 30-minute drive from downtown.
• Plan for at least a half-day there to have time to enjoy the beach, explore the island and grab a bite to eat.

For a no-frills, fried Lowcountry seafood dinner go to Bowens Island near Folly Beach. Avoid the line by getting there early. Stay for the sunset, if you can.

To pretend it's no-frills when there are actually plenty, go to Sullivan's Fish Camp on Sullivan's Island.

• Its atmosphere is designed to appear unassuming but is professionally done by a team whose former clients include Wes Anderson.

Yes, but: If you want to see the Lowcountry but don't like sand, skip the beach and go to Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant instead.