Now that Southern Charm is finally back for its 10th season on Bravo, you can relax and take yourself on a gorgeous themed weekend in Charleston, hitting all the iconic spots you know and love from the show. Winter is a great time to visit and start your New Year with idyllic weather and southern hospitality.
Where to Stay:
The Dewberry Charleston
If you want to be close to all the sights and want that true luxury Southern Charm experience, you absolutely must stay at The Dewberry, located right off Marion Square. Named after his late father, the property was purchased by John Dewberry, a successful Georgia Tech football player and entrepreneur in 2008 and redesigned as his vision of “Southern Reimagined”. This Michelin Key 2024 hotel inhabits the historic landmark of the L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building, built in 1964. The inside is beautiful, modern but classic, home to great restaurants and bars, and conveniently walkable to downtown sights.
In each of the 154 guest rooms and suites there are custom designed Stickley armoires, Dewberry’s signature botanical patterns, bathrooms of Danby, Vermont marble, mattresses imported from Ireland, and in-room minibars curated by the chef. When exploring the locations on this list, be sure to use the hotel’s complementary Volvos to select locations or hop on a complimentary bike. When you get back from your excursions for the day, we highly recommend the 90-minute Swedish Massage to truly relax and unwind before you head back up to your room to watch some Bravo.
The hotel has two different in-house dining options, The Living Room and Citrus Club. The Living Room, designed after a homey mid-century Charleston living room, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as coffee and alcohol.
Make sure you check out the gorgeous rooftop cocktail bar the Citrus Club while you’re there! Citrus Club, offers the highest vantage point in Charleston, and serves a variety of citrus-infused cocktails and light bites. Guests can choose from 17 different wines, 13 unique cocktails, and even a selection of zero-proof drinks. Overall the hotel has all the amenities and the perfect location for your weekend getaway in Charleston.
Southern Charm Highlights Tour:
Here’s where you can Eat, Drink & Party.
Halls Chophouse
For a true five-star Southern steakhouse experience, this is the spot. A local favourite, some say that this is in fact home to the Southern Charm clubhouse, and a definite favorite of the cast. They have world famous shrimp & grits, and everything else you might expect of elevated Southern comfort food. If you love brunch, they have a much sought after Gospel Sunday Brunch, but make sure you reserve well in advance as it always sells out.
NICO|Oysters+Seafood
Are you a big Naomie (Olindo) fan of the show? Do you love upscale French food, fresh seafood and oysters in a beautiful setting? Look no further. Much like Naomie, this brasserie is stylish, elegant and always serving (at least from 4-9:30pm on most days). Chef Nico Romo heads this restaurant, which is owned by Olindo’s family, and his focus is on local and wood-fired seafood. The cocktail program is also extensive, innovative and delicious.
Fans of Leva and the spinoff Southern Hospitality? Experience the magic yourself: these three are owned and designed by business partners, married couple and fan favourites Leva Bonaparte and Lamar Bonaparte.
Bourbon N Bubbles
Date night or ladies’ night, this is a great spot to get the night going. You may remember the decor and some of the drinks from Season 8 of Southern Charm, which served as the backdrop for Ladies Night Out. Somehow glamorous, Southern and homey yet lush and indulgent, Bourbon & Bubbles is home to not one but two bars and a fabulous happy hour. Though the focus is on sparkling wine and upscale rare bourbon, they also offer a variety of shareable snacks and desserts.
Republic Garden & Lounge
This is Leva’s nightclub, and the main focus of the spinoff show Southern Hospitality. One of Craig, Austin and Shep’s favorite places to party, come ready to hang out and dance! The bar is also a perfect option to hold your private event. The venue has a covered, outdoor patio with overhead heaters for all weather conditions. Their indoor lounge has 4 TV’s, a full sound system and a DJ booth. Event space can be rented day or night and is the perfect brunch location.
Note: There is a strict dress code for entrance on some nights.
Lamar’s Sporting Club
You can spend an evening in an exclusive sports club where the game is always on and the vibe is masculine. It’s part classic sports bar, part expensive luxury lounge, and you can enjoy cocktails and light bites while you watch the game on comfy couches surrounded by wood paneling and elegant rugs. Supposedly, there is a secret door to Bourbon & Bubbles if you need to step away for some girl time. This is the perfect place to enjoy the spirits of your choice.
By the Way
“Southern Charm” stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll have teamed up with Uptown Hospitality Group to open their new establishment, By the Way. The bar is brand new and the ideal all-day, all-night neighbourhood hang. It’s a spot where friends can come together for good food, killer drinks and great fun.
Located just one block from the bustling King Street in the vibrant Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighbourhood, this bar offers comfort cuisine and craft cocktails, staying open late seven days a week. Non-alcoholic cocktails, like a Grapefruit and basil “martini” and Spiritless Kentucky 74 on the rocks, are also offered for guests. The property is now open weekdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and weekends from noon to 2 a.m.
Shopping & Walking:
Charleston is such a beautiful and walkable town – and if you’re staying at The Dewberry, you can just walk one block to King Street to start your tour. King St. is the best area of town for people watching (you may even spot cast members out and about!), and a busy shopping and restaurant district full of fun.
Sewing Down South
It wouldn’t be a Southern Charm tour without a trip to Craig Hanover’s home goods and apparel store, Sewing Down South. Famous for his pillows, Craig offers a surprising variety from yarn to pillows (of course!). Support male sewing by buying all your well-crafted, high quality, Southern Charm gifts here.
While you’re on King Street, stop by a few of the other adorable boutique shops and view the gorgeous architecture! Stop by J. Stark for a gorgeous new bag and down to Marion Square for a lovely walk among historical monuments.
Ms. Patricia’s House
For a real taste of the Southern socialite style, and to see in person the home so heavily featured on the show, walk or drive over to Ms. Patricia’s house on Rutledge Avenue. The luxurious 9,500 square foot Roman Revival mansion is modeled after an Italian villa, with a tiled piazza and huge columns. Though you may not spot Patricia or her son Whitney, from the street you can see the gorgeous gardens, enormous columns and bright green shutters.
There is so much to do and see in Charleston, and these spots are a great way to live like you’re on the show.
The Battery and White Point Garden
A walk around the Battery and White Point Garden offers one of the most scenic and historic strolls in Charleston. As you meander along the waterfront, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque antebellum mansions, their stately facades standing proudly against the backdrop of the harbour. The Battery, a defensive seawall dating back to the 1700s, is lined with cannons and monuments that tell the story of Charleston’s military past.
Just a short distance away, White Point Garden invites visitors to linger beneath the towering oak trees, while Civil War-era relics and peaceful pathways provide a perfect setting for reflection. The views of the water and nearby Fort Sumter add to the charm, making this area a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience Charleston’s rich history and natural beauty on foot.
Whether you want to take a relaxing trip for the holidays with family or your reality TV loving friends or just want to escape cold weather, Charleston has something for everyone. This is truly a gem of the South worthy of a spot on anyone’s travel list.
Images: Instagram
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