A College Kid’s Guide to Charleston
When applying to colleges, I found myself in this weird limbo of wanting to be in or near a city, but also wanting that authentic college campus feel. When I visited the College of Charleston, my jaw was on the floor. This sunny oasis was a far cry from the snowy New England schools I originally had my sights set on. One of the oldest cities in the country, Charleston has a rich history and the charm of a coastal retreat. I have been so lucky to call this place my home for the past two years!
Before I start, it is important to note that downtown Charleston, where the College of Charleston is located, is on a peninsula. Everything on the peninsula is accessible by foot or bike—one of the major perks of this school. Most places I talk about will be on the peninsula and within walking/biking distance, but some of the best things to do involve a short trip over the bridge.
Are You Hungry? Charleston is known for its incredible food. Whether you’re looking for old-fashioned, stick-to-your-ribs low-country meals or upscale, trendy cuisine, chances are you’ll find it downtown. At least once a month, my friends and I meet at Big Bad Breakfast after a night out for a laidback brunch of french toast, biscuits, and of course fried chicken. If their line is too long, we head south to Millers All Day or Sweetwater Cafe for pancakes and waffles, or even to Breizh pan Crepes. As a northerner, it is my personal belief that biscuits are the greatest food on earth. Half of the restaurants I mention will have biscuits, but I would argue that Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit takes the cake.
During lunch hours you can find college kids and working professionals alike at Ladles for soup and sandwiches. Don’t miss Mercantile and Mash in the old cigar factory or my personal favorite, Brown Dog Deli for the drool-worthy sandwich creations and 1980s vibe.
I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention Charleston’s coffee houses. Students flock to Caviar and Bananas, Kudu Coffee, and Tricera Cafe which are all right on campus and are great places to get homework done or grab something to drink on your way to class. For those coffee connoisseurs, students and locals love Harken Cafe and Second State Coffee.
It could be argued that dinner is where Charleston really shines. If you’re looking for something casual and quick, Fire is the first place every student will direct you toward for their heaping servings of Pad Thai, chicken teriyaki, and sushi. Taco Boy and Juanita’s are great for cheap tacos and guac with your friends. If you’re looking for barbeque, the options are practically endless. My favorite is Lewis Barbeque for their mouth-watering pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese. If you’re looking for more options, you can’t go wrong with Home Team or Rodney Scott’s. For dining that’s a little fancier, Poogan’s Porch has traditional southern cuisine to die for - think she-crab soup and shrimp and grits with a side of ghost stories to go right along with your meal (more on that later). You can dine on charcuterie boards and French fusion on the rooftop at Eleve, enjoy the warm evening air and authentic Italian at Le Farfalle’s outdoor seating, or slurp down fresh oysters at The Darling Oyster Bar. If you need to walk off that big meal, walk over to Jeni’s for the coolest ice cream flavors like Skillet Cinnamon Roll, Brambleberry Crisp, and… Everything Bagel? Of course, there’s also Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe where you can satisfy any sweet tooth with sundaes and brownies, decadent chocolate cake, and coconut cream pie - the menu changes every day so you never know which amazing dessert you’re gonna get. If you’re craving pizza at 2 AM on a Friday night for whatever reason, head over to Sabatino’s or Gilroy’s for pizza slices the size of your head!
And all of that is just on the peninsula. Off the peninsula, the most popular restaurants are Saltwater Cowboys, known for their “trashcan nachos” and beautiful views of the ocean, Poe’s Tavern, a burger restaurant devoted to Edgar Allen Poe, and Vicious Biscuit for biscuits stacked with everything you can think of!
Want Something Fun To Do? After you’ve stuffed yourself with all that amazing food, take a five-minute walk over to King Street for the best shopping. On the second Sunday of every month, the full length of King Street is blocked off to traffic so you can walk down the center of the street. Enjoy outdoor dining and check out the events hosted by the stores. Head down to Market Street to the Historic Charleston City Market to see the work of local artists and pick up some of those famous biscuits at Callie’s. Keep heading south and you’ll walk past the thirteen brightly-colored historic houses that make up Rainbow Row. At the bottom of the peninsula, have a picnic with your friends at The Battery and watch boats go by. If you wake up early enough on a Saturday, walk over to Marion Square to pick up fresh produce and check out more local crafts at the Farmers Market.
If you’re a bit of a history buff, check out the Charleston Museum, Aiken Rhett House Museum, or head over the bridge to Fort Sumter, a sea fort from the Civil War that now serves as a national monument. If you want to explore the more ~ghostly~ history of the city, book a ghost tour with one of the tour companies downtown to learn about the haunted prison and the spirits that reside at Poogan’s Porch. I have gone on two different tours around Halloween, and I had a blast.
If you’re craving some fresh air and exercise, grab your bike or rent one and ride up to Cannon Park to play frisbee or lounge around under massive willow trees. If you’re up for a challenge, go for a run across The Ravenel Bridge for incredible views of the whole peninsula.
In the evenings, get tickets to see live music and comedy shows at Music Farm or visit one of the funky jazz bars on King Street. If you want to recreate the famous scene from The Notebook, walk over to the American Theater, but I would not recommend actually laying down in the middle of the street. If you’re into sports, TD Arena hosts all the College of Charleston’s team competitions from volleyball to basketball. You can also head over to The Citadel, the military college, to watch a football game.
One of the best things about going to school in Charleston is access to the beaches! Less than thirty minutes away from campus, you can surf, swim, and sunbathe on the beaches at Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island (where you might run into Thomas Gibson). My friends and I like to grab a bunch of blankets and pizza and watch the sunset.
By the time you finally get back to your brightly-colored historic Charleston home, you’ll be wiped, but believe me, you will have barely scratched the surface of this incredible city!
