With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely-preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene and friendly locals, Charleston is one of America’s best loved travel destinations. Come, experience what’s new in the Charleston area this spring!
Accolades
New Restaurants
Restaurant News
Accommodations
Retail
Tours & Attractions
Highlighted Special Events
ACCOLADES
52 Places to Go in 2023
NYTimes.com
The Best Places to Travel in May in the US
TripAdvisor.com
The Best Honeymoon Destinations in the US
CNTraveler.com
25 Best Weekend Getaways in the South
TravelAndLeisure.com
14 Perfect East Coast Destinations For A Road Trip’
TheTravel.com
NEW RESTAURANTS
ALCOVE MARKET
320 Broad St Suite 155, Charleston
alcovemarket.com | @alcovemarketchs
Alcove Market is a luxurious cafe. Guests can enjoy fresh pressed juice, breakfast and lunch offerings. Full of fresh ingredients, the juice is made daily. This restaurant has wellness in mind and has partnered with local and national vendors to curate pantry necessities. Opened February 2023.
BAD BUNNIES COFFEE
116A Spring St, Charleston
badbunniescoffee.com |@coffeehousebunnies
A new specialty coffeehouse and community hub built, owned and creatively decorated by two local artists in downtown Charleston. Enjoy exceptional specialty coffee drinks from a local Charleston roaster and delicious locally baked treats. Opened January 2023.
CHARLESTON’S SMALLEST BAR
39C John St, Charleston
holycityhospitality.com | @charlestonssmallestbar
Charleston’s smallest bar is nestled right between 39 Rue de Jean and Coast Bar and Grill. The bar has canned beers, cocktails and frozen drinks along with fried shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops and crab dip! The bar was originally located on Cumberland Street back in the 70s, then moved to John Street in the 90s and now resides back in Hutson Alley. Opened May 2022.
RUBY’S NEW YORK STYLE BAGELS
280 W Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant
rubysnybagels.com | @rubysnystylebagels
Ruby’s New York Style Bagels was born from a lack of traditional New York style bagels in the Lowcountry and the hunger to bring them to Charleston! Visit Ruby’s to enjoy all-natural, freshly made, traditional New York style bagels. Opened January 2023.
SORELLE
88 Broad Street, Charleston
sorellecharleston.com | @sorelle_chs
Inspired by Italy’s markets, all-day cafes and culinary traditions, Sorelle offers a variety of dining experiences throughout its two-story space including an alimentari (market), central bar, wine room, pizza counter, grand dining room and exclusive chef’s table. Opened February 2023.
SOUTHBOUND
72 Cannon Street, Charleston
southboundchs.com | @southboundchs
Southbound’s food showcases local, high-end ingredients cooked over wood fire. This concept has been in the works since 2018 and has come to fruition after overcoming the unique hurdles of transforming a 2,200-square-foot house into a restaurant. Southbound serves dinner seven nights a week and offers brunch Saturdays and Sundays. Opened January 2023.
RESTAURANT NEWS
BEARCAT (WEST ASHLEY)
25 Magnolia Rd., Charleston
bearcatrestaurant.com | @bearcatchs
This former pop-up is now transitioning to a two-part restaurant featuring a walk-in-only cocktail lounge and an upscale dining room with a seven-course tasting menu reminiscent of the six-course menu served during Bearcat’s pop-up days. Opening Spring 2023.
THE DA TOSCANO PORCHETTA SHOP
109 President St. Charleston
dtporchetta.shop | @porchettashop
Once operated as a pop-up at beloved Italian restaurant in Charleston Le Farfalle, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Toscano is in the works, set to offer breakfast bites like smoked salmon, lunch items featuring local meats and above all — a menu highlighting focaccia sandwiches. Opening Spring 2023.
SOMMBA COCINA & CELLAR
1710 Shoremeade Rd #450, Mt. Pleasant
sommbacocina.com | @sommbacocina
Sommba Cocina & Cellar serves Mediterranean-inspired shareable small plates, handcrafted cocktails and an extensive selection of fine wine. Full dinner service is available inside the restaurant and on the patio. Opened January 2023.
SPREAD BAGELRY
1400 Shucker Circle, Mt. Pleasant & 595 King St., Charleston
spreadbagelry.com | @spreadbagelry
Philadelphia-based bagel shop Spread Bagelry will be opening two locations in the Charleston area. The first location will open in Mt. Pleasant at 1400 Shucker Circle in the Oyster Park development in April 2023. The second location is set to open mid-summer 2023 on the ground floor of Hoffler Place Apartments at 595 King St. in downtown Charleston. Spread Bagelry will serve wood-fired bagels made from farm-fresh ingredients and boiled in honey water. Opening 2023.
ACCOMMODATIONS
THE PALMETTO HOTEL
194 East Bay St, Charleston
palmettohotelcharleston.com | @palmettohotelcharleston
The former Saint Hotel has been revamped and renamed The Palmetto Hotel. Under new ownership, the 45-room hotel situated in Charleston’s Historic District, was remodeled to give it a more classic Charleston atmosphere featuring a bar/lounge and restaurant. This boutique hotel is situated nearby local and visitor favorites Marion Square, the South Carolina Aquarium and the Charleston Museum. Opened March 2023.
THE LIMITED HOTEL
425 Meeting St, Charleston
marriott.com/chstr
The Holiday Inn Historic has been renamed The Limited Hotel. The Limited brings contemporary luxury and innovative style mixed with traditional Southern hospitality. Conveniently situated in the vibrant upper King and Meeting Street neighborhood, enjoy many attractions within a five-minute walk.
RETAIL
CLAYTON & CRUME
332 King St, Charleston
claytonandcrume.com | @claytonandcrume
Luxury leather goods retailer Clayton & Crume’s second retail location is situated in the heart of downtown Charleston’s Historic District. The store is located under The Pinch Hotel at King and George Streets and spans around 1,400 square feet. Clayton & Crume offers designs and sells an array of leather goods, including belts, luggage tags and coasters.
GUCCI
242 King St, Charleston
gucci.com | @gucci
Luxury retailer Gucci has relocated from Market Street to King Street at Charleston Place. The new 4,200 square-foot store showcases a wide collection of men’s and women’s shoes, luggage, handbag, jewelry, watches, eyewear and more. Unique to this location is that it is one of the few Gucci locations in the U.S. to carry leather handbags and shoes for women and men. Opened February 2023.
JIBE CYCLING STUDIO
48 Alexander St, Charleston
jibecycling.com | @jibesouth
A rhythm-based indoor cycling studio offering 45 minute classes packed with a full body workout where you’ll dance, sweat and smile! Classes for anybody and everybody.
NEEDLEPOINT.COM CHARLESTON
13 Broad St #1, Charleston
needlepoint.com | @needlepointdotcom
Needlepoint.com offers the finest quality needlepoint canvases, kits and accessories backed by exceptional customer service. Shop in store or online for delivery straight to your door.
PALMETTO BLEND
palmettoblend.com
Local author, entrepreneur and African American business owner Darron Campbell created Palmetto Blend combining the perfect measurements of seven spices that fully represent authentic Gullah Geechee cuisine and bring out the flavor in everything you cook. The seasoning is available for purchase online.
REI CO-OP
1720 Shoremeade Road, Mount Pleasant
rei.com | @rei
Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-Op has opened a new 21,500 square-foot store in Mount Pleasant. The location offers an assortment of apparel and gear for camping, running, fitness, hiking, cycling, climbing and more. This new location features a full-service bike and ski shop staffed by certified mechanics. To celebrate the opening of REI, the co-op invested $10,000 in Charleston Waterkeepers and $10,000 in Coastal Expeditions Foundation. Opened February 2023.
SOUCHI
141 Broad Street, Charleston
souchi.com | @souchigram
Souchi is a women’s knitwear brand that began in 1997. All designs are hand-loomed by the owner herself, Suzi, in her home town Basalt, Colorado. She uses the best yarns in the world, fine Italian cashmere, merino wools and cottons from Tanzania. Opened August 2022.
WELTON’S TINY BAKESHOP
682 King St, Charleston
weltonstinybakeshop.com | @weltonstinybakeshop
The people behind Welton’s Fine Foods, Chefs Zachary and Hannah Welton, bring a new extension of their ethos with Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. All are sourced locally with domestic flour, heirloom grains and the loveliest of Lowcountry produce dairy and proteins with the vision of supplying naturally leavened, seasonally-inspired and European-influenced sweet treats to the Charleston community. Opened January 2023.
THE REAL RAINBOW ROW
Charleston Native and Lambda Literary Award winner Harlan Greene uncovers a wealth of knowledge about Charleston’s LGBTQ past and present in his latest book titled The Real Rainbow Row: Explorations in Charleston’s LGBTQ History. The book may be purchased on Amazon.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
108 ELEMENTAL TOURS
90 Cumberland St, Charleston
108elemental.com | @108_elemental_tours
108 Elemental Tours offers Charleston’s most terrifying ghost stories from the city’s best storytellers. They offer a variety of tours from Haunted Walking Tours and Forgotten Myths to Paranormal Pub Crawls and Holiday Special Events. See one of the country’s oldest cities from a whole new perspective led by their fully licensed guides.
CRUSH YARD
3365 S. Morgans Point Rd., Mount Pleasant
crushyard.com | @crush.yard
Backed by investors and brand ambassadors like NFL stars Rob Gronkowski, his brothers and other football greats including AJ Green and Brian Dawkins, Crush Yard is making its way to Mt. Pleasant. This 40,000-square-foot pickleball club and restaurant will feature eight pickleball courts, an outdoor lounge and play area, dining spaces and membership options. Opening 2023.
FOLLY BEACH PIER
ccprc.com | @charlestoncountyparks
In 2020, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) closed the Folly Beach Pier for a reconstruction project. After two years, the Folly Beach Fishing Pier officially reopened in December 2022. The CCPRC will be hosting various events at the pier to celebrate this re-opening, including a dedication ceremony (March 1); Folly Pier Fest (March 11); Moonlight Mixers (May 5, June 16 and July 7); and the Cast Off Fishing Tournament (May 27, June 24, August 26 and September 23).
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
14 Wharfside St., Charleston.
iaamuseum.org | @iaamuseum
IAAM focuses on the cultures and knowledge systems retained and adapted by Africans in the Americas and the diverse journeys and achievements of these individuals and their descendants. It will feature an African Ancestors Memorial Garden, exhibitions and a Center for Family History to trace genealogies. Opening June 27, 2023.
NORTH CHARLESTON SPORTS COMPLEX
1455 Monitor St., North Charleston
northcharleston.org | @northcharleston
A new $25 million Sports complex is coming to North Charleston. This new facility includes a 25-meter competitive pool to complement the North Charleston Aquatic Center in Dorchester County, a proper gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, badminton and a myriad of other indoor athletics, five new tennis courts to meet the official United States Tennis Association standards, a roller rink for street hockey and roller-skating and a multi-purpose field to meet the growing demands of youth athletics. Opening TBD.
TOPGOLF
5000 Topgolf Way, North Charleston
topgolf.com | @topgolf
High-tech driving range and sports bar mashup Topgolf has finished construction and is now open. The new North Charleston location, near the Charleston Area Convention Center, features 72 climate-controlled, all-weather hitting bays on two levels, a 9-hole mini golf course, a full-service bar/restaurant and a rooftop terrace with fire pits. Experience indoor driving range-style games that utilize micro-chipped golf balls and technology that keep track of every shot, including the accuracy and distance of each ball. Opened January 2023.
TRIDENT TOURS
1263 Dingle Road. Mt. Pleasant
trident.tours
Experience a relaxing escape from the crowd and explore the coastal islands around Charleston County on a private boat charter. Offering 24′ pontoon boats with comfortable seating, the latest navigation and safety equipment and USCG commercially licensed captains, Trident Tours provides a more steady experience compared to V-bottom boats.
URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK
7800 Rivers Ave, North Charleston.
urbanair.com | @urbanairpark
The ultimate indoor adventure park and family fun destination is coming to North Charleston. The park will feature attractions perfect for all ages and offer the perfect destination for unforgettable kids’ birthday parties, exciting special events and family fun. Look forward to the 40,000 square-foot park opening and employing 60 locals. Opening March 2023.
HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS
CHARLESTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
446 King St, Charleston
charlestonjazz.com | @chsjazz
The 8th annual Charleston Jazz Festival draws music lovers from around the globe to Charleston for a four-day celebration of the Holy City’s jazz heritage. Musical performances feature renowned international headliners, including GRAMMY award-winning artists Samara Joy and Dianne Reeves, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cindy Blackman Santana and more Lowcountry favorites. April 20 – 23, 2023
THE CHARLESTON SHOW
Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain Street Charleston
thecharlestonshow.com
The Charleston Show (formerly the Charleston Spring Antiques Show), now in its second year, presents a curated collection of antiques, contemporary design, fine art & jewelry. The Thursday evening Preview Party on March 16 benefits the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust. This gala opening event provides an opportunity to support the collections and preservation of the historic estate as well as a chance for a first look at the antique show’s offerings. The Charleston Show brings together 30 exhibitors from the United States, England and Europe showcasing the best period to mid-century furniture, traditional and contemporary art and ceramics, jewelry, folk art, oriental rugs, silver, prints and maps, garden and architectural antiques. March 17 – 19, 2023
CREDIT ONE CHARLESTON OPEN
161 Seven Farms Drive Charleston
creditonecharlestonopen.com | @creditonecharlestonopen
The Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, will return for its 51st year on April 1 on Daniel Island in Charleston. The nine-day event showcases a singles draw of 56 players, a qualifying draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 teams. Past champions Madison Keys, Belinda Bencic and Sloane Stephens are set to return to Daniel Island in 2023. April 1 – 9, 2023
2023 FESTIVAL OF HOUSES AND GARDENS
historiccharleston.org |@historiccharlestonfoundation
Since 1947, the Historic Charleston Foundation’s Festival of Houses and Gardens has provided intimate glimpses into some of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Charleston. Explore the area’s significant cultural and architectural landscapes and historic events in the Charleston region from 350 years ago to the present day. In addition to the usual educational tours and events, new Sip and Stroll Tours will be introduced to provide guests with exclusive entry into some of Charleston’s loveliest private gardens, perfectly paired with wine tastings. March 15 – April 16, 2023
ART CHARLESTON
gibbesmuseum.org/art-charleston | @thegibbesmuseum
Join The Gibbes Museum for a five-day visual arts festival that will inspire and challenge you to imagine, question and recognize how art pushes the boundaries for all that is possible. Explore all that the event has to offer – from contemporary Southern art and nationally acclaimed lectures to an elegant luncheon, a lively culinary street fair, a one-of-a-kind musical performance, artist panel discussions, an evening with Beeple Studios and an artisan fair. April 26 – 30, 2023
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA
spoletousa.org | @spoletofestivalusa
Celebrating its 47th season, this 17-day festival features 100+ events throughout various venues in the Holy City, including Dock Street Theatre, the Charleston Gaillard Center and Firefly Distillery. Working to celebrate international arts and culture, Spoleto is internationally acclaimed as America’s premier performing arts festival. This year will feature events ranging from operas and orchestras to dance and artist talks. Check out the full program lineup on the Spoleto Festival website. May 26 – June 11, 2023
