Charleston, South Carolina is considered one of the most romantic cities in the US. The city is chock full of stunning waterfronts, shady oak trees, delectable food, cozy bed and breakfasts, and plenty of night-time attractions, all set among cobblestone streets and romantic architecture. The harbor, the city, and the beach all come together to create a beautifully romantic atmosphere for you to enjoy. In short, all kinds of fun things to do in Charleston SC for couples are aplenty.
We have a complete list of fun and romantic activities you can partake in with your significant other in Charleston, SC! So, here are the most romantic things to do in Charleston.
1. Go on a Historic Home Tour
See the beautiful architecture and history of Charleston through a historic home tour. While there are many tours you can go for, the Aiken Rhett House is one you simply can’t miss! You’ll find three distinct architectural designs reflected in the house, including the Greek Revival and Victorian influences. The Edmondston-Alston House is another iconic residence you should explore. It features stunning waterside views of the Charleston harbor and allows you to view architecture from the 19th century.
2. Book a Spa Day at Belmond Charleston Place
Having a spa day together can be the perfect way to spend time with your other half. The Spa at Charleston Place is located atop the Charleston Place hotel, a historical landmark in South Carolina. Besides offering delicious food and drinks, beautiful accommodations, and generous hospitality, their spa is one of their finer features.
The spa offers many packages you can enjoy with your significant other. It features two dedicated couple rooms and offers services daily from 6 AM to 8 PM. Their services include therapeutic massages, skin care, hand and foot therapies, and much more you can enjoy for a rejuvenating, relaxing experience.
3. Wander the Alleys of Downtown Charleston
Explore our favorite part of the city and walk the area South Of Broad. We especially recommend visiting the many quiet alleys of downtown Charleston. You’ll love the quaint homes, decorations, and stunning landscaping that characterizes the peninsula here! These charming streets carry over 350 years of history, so you’ll find plenty to explore! Philadelphia Alley, Stoll’s Alley, St. Michael’s Alley, and Elliot’s Alley are all great spots you can visit. You can even find guided tours for these alleys, be sure to check them out!
4. Catch a Yoga Class at Charleston Power Yoga
If you want to do something powerful and enlivening go for a yoga class at Charleston Power Yoga. Power yoga is essentially a fast-paced type of yoga that helps improve strength and flexibility. Having your partner close by won’t just help encourage you to strive further but will also help strengthen your bond further. If you are looking to move, Power Yoga is one of the more active things to do in Charleston SC for couples!
One class at the studio will cost you $24, and each class has a different blend of poses, exercises, and motions you can try.
5. Go to a Sound Bath at the Beach Hosted by Still Soul Studio
For a peaceful sound bath experience by the beach, book a session with the Still Soul Studio in Charleston, SC. Sound baths are a great bonding experience and a way to incorporate deep, meditative, and peaceful states in your connections with each other.
Still Soul Studio offers 45-minute sonic sound bath sessions that help promote healing at a cellular level and are a perfect activity you can enjoy with your loved ones. It is one of the top things to do for couples.
6. Go See the Stunning, Historic Angel Oak Tree
For more sightseeing fun, visit the Angel Oak tree on Johns Island in Charleston, SC. This oak tree happens to be one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi River. It is estimated to be over 400 years old. Having survived countless hurricanes, floods, and other natural calamities, it has become a historical landmark in the area.
The name comes from the local claims folklore that tells stories of former slaves appearing as angels around the tree. Rather than offering a sinister vibe, this tree is a popular tourist spot for its awe-inspiring setting anyone would enjoy.
7. Wild Common
We recently had one of the more memorable meals we’ve ever had at Wild Common in Charleston! The tasting menu and overall dining experience is truly one-of-a-kind! That’s why we wanted it to make our “best things to do in Charleston SC for couples” list. If you haven’t heard of Wild Common, don’t fret. Wild Common is a farm-to-table dining experience you have to try. Every dish at this unique downtown restaurant is crafted from the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and sustainable fisheries to create an unforgettable culinary experience. You can expect true originality in the menu. Taste crispy fried oysters swimming in sweet chili vinaigrette and wood-grilled skirt steak with warm tomato relish or sautéed wild mushrooms atop creamy polenta. Mouthwatering right? I’m still thinking about that tasting menu: one of the best meals of my life!
8. Take a Class at Zero George Cooking School
Zero George Street is one of Charleston’s leading European-style boutique hotels. They are famously known for the in-house Zero restaurant and bar. Besides serving delectable food and offering accommodations, they also offer cooking classes where you can watch their chefs in action.
Take your significant other for a fun, informative, and intimate cooking class. Here you’ll learn to cook 3 courses paired with wine. Each class costs around $195/person and takes place Tuesday to Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
9. See World-Class Art At The Gibbes Museum
The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC is a spectacular celebration of American artistry from centuries ago to the present day. Established in 1905 by the Carolina Art Association and housed within a beautiful Beaux-Arts building that was once home to the city’s public library, this iconic museum showcases an impressive selection painting, sculptures and other fine decorative arts with distinct classical ornamentation throughout its grand facade — making it one of South Carolina’s most attractive destinations for history buffs and culture seekers alike. The shop there has a lot of beautiful gift offerings and local art books as well.
10. See a RiverDogs Baseball Game
When it comes to fun things to do in Charleston SC for couples that love sports, does it really get better than the RiverDogs? We think not! A baseball game is certainly a great way to spend time with each other. The RiverDogs are Charleston, South Carolina’s minor league baseball team and are ranked among the top minor league teams in the US. Any game with this team in action is worth the watch! Grab a hot dog, iced cold beer, and have a blast!
11. Grab a Local Brew at Low Tide Brewing
For beer enthusiasts looking for fun things to do in Charleston SC for couples, may we suggest Low Tide! you are planning on grabbing something to drink with your partner, visit Low Tide Brewing at Johns Island. Here you can enjoy creative brews featuring local Lowcountry flavors. Besides offering a wide selection of beers, they also have delicious dining options from several food trucks.
12. Visit The Beautiful Gardens At Middleton Place
Middleton Place is a historic estate steeped in American history and breathtaking beauty. Located near the Ashley River of Charleston, South Carolina, this 1741 plantation was built by Henry Middleton who served as President of the First Continental Congress and Governor of South Carolina. Taking its allure one step further, it features America’s oldest landscaped gardens created by landscape architect John Nye with 65 acres planted full to bursting with lush trees, shrubs and beautiful blooms that have been dazzling guests since 1755!
13. Dine at the Slightly North of Broad
Sometimes the best way to spend your day together is to have a nice dining experience. After all, food can be the most nurturing form of love, the key to their heart! We had a really delicious meal here recently. It was so good we had to add it as one of our tastiest things to do in Charleston SC for couples! Slightly North of Broad serves warm, delectable foods made from a blend of locally sourced ingredients. The warm environment, excellent staff, and steaming hot foods can make for a perfect date night with your significant other!
14. Have a Laugh at Theatre 99 Comedy Show
If you are looking for some light laughter and fun, go see an improv show at Theatre 99. This is, one of Charleston’s leading comedy improv theaters. The theater offers improvised plays based on the audience’s suggestions, and any show could become one of the funniest theatrical experiences you’ve had! Also, the ticketing is quite affordable, around $10 on a Wednesday night and $20 on Fridays and Saturdays.
15. Canoe through Cypress Gardens
For a romantic getaway, take a trip slightly north to Cypress Gardens. You’ll enjoy the serene views this 175-acre garden provides paired with the cypress tree-lined swamps. You’ll also find plenty of guided boat rides in the area, allowing you to fully explore the stunning scenic views. You also don’t want to miss out on their butterfly house filled with live butterflies, a pond, and plenty of flowering plants. But this garden isn’t just known for the scenery; it is also more popularly known as the shooting site for the Notebook, a timeless love story!
16. See the Art at Robert Lange Studios
If your significant other is interested in the arts, try sharing in their interest by visiting an art studio! There are many showstopper studios here in Charleston, and the Robert Lange Studio is no exception. The studio features works from several artists and will allow you to have an interactive experience during your visit. The space itself exudes warmth and promotes inclusiveness; you’ll find a mix of contemporary, modern, and even artworks rooted in the classics displayed here. In any form, the studio is one that anyone could walk in and enjoy!
17. Embrace the Southern Spirit and Get Some Legit Barbecue at Lewis
Want some tasty date night fare? It’s time to for barbecue and Lewis is one of the best in the south. If you are visiting when the weather is on the chillier side, you are in for a treat. Enjoy their barbecue in their outdoor space as you sit cozied up in a blanket with your other half! The brisket is ridiculously good, and if its a weekend, you better order the Short Rib! O.M.G. it is so good.
18. Book a Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
One of the best ways to end your day in Charleston is to catch a Lowcountry sunset view. Charleston Harbor gives you amazing views of the city as well as Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, the Ravenel Bridge, and several of the gorgeous rivers in the area. Plus, if you leave from Shem Creek, on your way out to the harbor you’ll get to see one of the prettiest waterways in the Lowcountry!
19. Have a Decadent Brunch at Poogan’s Porch
If you are planning a day out but want to explore daytime options, nothing beats a nice brunch date! For your brunch date, Poogan’s Porch in Charleston is well worth the visit. Enjoy an amazing Lowcountry culinary experience at Poogan’s Porch. You will experience classic southern hospitality at this bustling eatery. They have an extensive brunch menu with salads, cheese fritters, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, iced coffees, mimosas, and plenty of dessert options to explore. if Poogan’s Porch is fully booked, we also like Miller’s All Day.
20. Attend the Symphony at the Gaillard Center
For an enriching musical experience, attend the Symphony at Gaillard Center in the Holy City. This 15,000-square-foot exhibition hall is a center for world-class events, with artists showcasing their best works and performances from globally acclaimed classical performers. Their Symphony orchestra ensemble is perfect for a venture into music where you can listen to classical compositions of Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms.
21. Visit All The Charleston Churches
For those couples that love history and architecture Charleston, SC has so much to offer. Two of our favorite things involve the old churches. We love trying to get up to a rooftop like the Vendue or The Loutrel and count the church steeples! Then we like to visit as many of the old churches as possible! Maybe this is odd for some, but for those couples that love history, walking around to see all these beautiful and spiritual places is a really nice experience. There are so many here dating back to the 17th and 18th century. The architecture of all of these churches varies so much. They are all so unique from the French Huguenot style to the Anglican to the Circular Congregational.
22. Go See a Movie at the Independent Theater Terrace Theater
Sometimes a good movie is all you need for an evening well spent with your loved one. Charleston’s very own Terrace Theater is the perfect spot to go to for a nice movie screening. But this theater isn’t your typical “closed-in-a-dark-room” experience; it offers a more intimate quaint setting you can enjoy as a couple.
Besides watching the latest box office stunners, you’ll also be able to sip on a wide variety of fine wines and beer from around the world.
23. Experience A Rooftop, Such As The Rooftop At The Vendue or Eleve
There’s not a lot of things more romantic then rooftop views of Charleston at night with a bottle of wine to share with your loved one! Charleston also offers an abundant selection of rooftop bars where you can enjoy a cool, cozy vibe with your other half. The Rooftop at the Vendue is one such example where you can enjoy stunning views of the city as you share a drink with one another. They also have a selection of fine sandwiches, salads, and desserts for you to munch on! Another great example is Eleve, a rooftop restaurant where you can dine on vibrant cuisines and enjoy creative cocktails, fine wines, and beers. Easily one of our favorite fun things to do in Charleston SC for couples!
24. See a Live Performance at Dock Street Theater
The Dock Street Theatre is one of the oldest theaters in downtown Charleston. It is also recorded as one of the first theaters designed for theatrical performances in the US. It serves as one of the core theatrical and art venues in Charleston and is a wonderful place to spend your time together. You’ll be able to view live performances from local art groups and touring companies. Shows include a mix of traditional musicals and original plays for you to enjoy.
25. Do a Wine-Tasting Tour at the Winery Tour with Crafted Travel or Deep Water Vineyard
Nothing speaks romance like a nice bottle of wine. Take your significant other on a one-of-a-kind wine-tasting tour in Charleston, where you can enjoy the finest vineyard winery in the region. Crafted Travel is popular for hosting a variety of wine tours that include fine wine tastings and hand-crafted seasonal charcuterie boards paired with tours of scenic country roads.
The Deep Water Vineyard is another honorable mention, popularly known for its fine Lowcountry brews and blends. They also offer daily self-guided tours and tastings for you to enjoy.
26. Take a Romantic Paddleboard Trip at Shem Creek
Carve out some time for a romantic paddleboard trip at Shem Creek, where you can experience the true magic of the Lowcountry. Shem Creek is popular for its waterfront activities, including kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding. Paddleboarding is a fun sport and may seem challenging to some, but the tides and currents of Shem Creek allow people of all skill levels to adapt quickly. You will have a truly enjoyable experience with your significant other which is why it is one of the most liked couple things!
27. Explore Charleston Harbor aboard The Schooner Pride
If you want to explore the Charleston waterfronts a bit more, climb aboard the Schooner Pride. The Schooner Pride is an authentic replica of the 18th-century ships that functioned along the Charleston Harbor. This ship offers public tours along its decks, where you can enjoy the ocean breeze and stop as you watch the views. They set out daily for dolphin sails, sunset sails, and other events you can enjoy with your significant other!
28. Go On A Ghost Tour
Searching for one of the more eerily fun things to do in Charleston SC for couples? Well, discover the supernatural secrets of Charleston with a ghost tour! Take a spooky adventure through the haunted streets and landmarks of South Carolina’s oldest city. Knowledgeable guides will take you back in time. They will tell you tales right out of local legend — from centuries-old hauntings to modern ghostly activity. You’ll even learn about pirate encounters, dungeons, sickness, and more. This tour is not only full of scary but playful stories, it’s also a true history lesson!
29. Walk at Battery Park and Take in the Views
Looking for exciting things to do on a date? The Battery Park and Garden is one of the most iconic landmarks in Charleston that you’ll enjoy exploring. This fortified seawall stretched along the Charleston peninsula was named after the role it played as a defense artillery battery on-site during the civil war. Today it is a popular tourist destination lined with majestic views, beautiful architecture, and historic antebellum mansions that are a must-visit!
30. Boozy Nightcaps
End your night with a good conversation over a boozy milkshake or delicious dessert at Kaminsky’s or Carmella’s! Both of these sweet destinations are in the East Bay area of the city, so if one is crowded simply head to the other. At Camella’s we love to sip a shake while sitting at the bar and people watching! At Kaminsky’s we like to split a big piece of cake.
Final Thoughts
Charleston, South Carolina, is filled with plenty of picturesque destinations and couple activities you can explore with your other half. The next time you are looking for the best things to do in Charleston SC for couples be sure to consider these stunning options. Exploring these destinations will give you a fine idea of why Charleston is regarded as a city for the romantic!
