Charleston · For couples
Things to Do in Charleston for Couples
Charleston might be the most romantic city in the South: candlelit dining rooms, gas lamps, steeples at sunset and the sound of a jazz trio drifting across a dining room. These are the experiences we'd plan a couples' trip around.
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Sunset
Schooner Pride sunset sail
Floating dock by the SC Aquarium, 360 Concord St
Two hours under sail on an 84-foot, three-masted schooner as the sun drops behind the steeples, past Fort Sumter and the Battery, often with dolphins. Not narrated; the crew answers questions.
Tip: Sails run March to early November.
Citrus Club at The Dewberry
The Dewberry, 334 Meeting St
Charleston's highest rooftop, an eighth-floor terrace with olive trees and 360-degree river-to-river views, pouring citrus-driven cocktails. Adults 21+ only.
Pavilion Bar
Market Pavilion Hotel, 225 E Bay St
A fifth-floor terrace with a cascading pool and harbour views, known for sunsets, mojitos and martinis. It gets livelier later, with DJs on some nights.
Tip: No reservations; come before sunset.
Dinner for two
Peninsula Grill
Planters Inn, Market St
A romantic dining room in the 1844 Planters Inn, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Charleston, and home of the 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake. Anniversary territory.
Charleston Grill
Belmond Charleston Place, Meeting St
Half refined dining room, half jazz club: Executive Chef Michelle Weaver's kitchen, with live jazz, soul and Brazilian sets seven nights a week. Open 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily.
FIG
232 Meeting St
The neighbourhood restaurant that helped start Charleston's dining boom in 2003, run by James Beard Award winners Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope. Tuesday to Saturday only.
Tip: Resy releases tables at noon Eastern, four weeks ahead; the bar is walk-in.
After dinner
Forte Jazz Lounge
475 King St
Charleston's only strictly jazz venue, patterned on New York listening rooms: candlelit tables and two sets a night Thursday to Saturday (7 and 9:30 p.m.). Open Wednesday to Saturday.
The Gin Joint
182 E Bay St
One of Charleston's first craft cocktail bars (2010): a dim, pre-Prohibition-style room and a shaded courtyard, classic drinks and good bar snacks.
By day
- Walk South of Broad in the early morning, before the tour groups.
- Spend a slow morning at Middleton Place or Magnolia, then lunch on Sullivan's Island.
- Take the carriage tour on your first afternoon; it's corny and completely charming.
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Rd, about 25 minutes
Landscaped gardens, a house museum and stableyards on the Ashley River, with free garden tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open 9 to 5 daily; adults $29.
The Obstinate Daughter
2063 Middle St, Sullivan's Island
A wood-fired island kitchen (pizza, pasta, raw bar) a few blocks from the beach on Sullivan's Island, Michelin-listed. Pair it with a beach walk.
Everything here was checked in September 2026. Seasons, show dates and reservation rules change, so confirm before you go.
Questions people ask
What is the most romantic thing to do in Charleston?
A sunset sail on the Schooner Pride, followed by dinner at Peninsula Grill or Charleston Grill, where there's live jazz with dinner every night.
What is Charleston's most romantic restaurant?
Peninsula Grill in the 1844 Planters Inn is a classic for anniversaries (and its 12-layer coconut cake). Charleston Grill adds live jazz; FIG is the one food lovers want.
Are there adults-only rooftops in Charleston?
Citrus Club, on the eighth floor of The Dewberry, is open to adults 21 and over. It's the highest rooftop in the city.