The Perfect Charleston Bachelorette Trip: Brunch, Boat Day and Cobblestone Streets
Charleston is one of the best bachelorette destinations on the East Coast. It has pastel row houses, cobblestone streets, boutiques on every block, great oysters, and a harbor made for a boat day. It's also easy to walk, which means less time arranging rides and more time with your girls.
This guide follows the weekend the way it usually goes: exploring the historic streets, brunch, a boat day, and a big dinner. You can also see the whole trip as a carousel on our Instagram.
Exploring Historic Charleston
Give yourself a morning to wander. The best part of Charleston is simply walking the streets around King Street and the French Quarter, ducking into shops, and stopping for photos in front of the colorful houses.
Shop and photo stops:
- Candlefish is a candle shop where you can make your own candle, which is a fun group activity. Book ahead for a group.
- Dressup is a boutique for matching outfits and weekend looks.
- Hill House has home goods and gifts in a pretty, photogenic shop.
- Love Shack Fancy is a bachelorette favorite for flowy dresses and ruffles.
Coffee stops: Charleston has a lot of good coffee, and an iced latte is the unofficial accessory of the weekend. A few places to look at:
- The Harbinger on King Street, known for its cold brew.
- Harken in the French Quarter, which bakes its pastries from scratch.
- Clerks Coffee Co in the lobby of the Emeline Hotel, near the City Market.
- Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer has a dog-friendly courtyard patio.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Cobblestones are tough on shoes, and you'll do a lot of walking.
Brunch
Charleston brunch is a must, and the spots below are popular enough that you'll want a reservation.
- 82 Queen is a classic Charleston restaurant with a lovely courtyard.
- Little Palm has a bright, tropical feel that's great for photos and brunch cocktails.
- Millers All Day is a casual, fun breakfast spot with plenty of comfort food.
- Poogan's Porch is a historic house with a big porch, serving Southern favorites.
Tip: Reserve brunch for the whole group a few weeks ahead, and put the reservation in your shared itinerary in VowCrew so everyone sees the time and address.
Boat Day
Charleston is a harbor city, and a boat day is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon with the group. Cruise the harbor, anchor at a sandbar, and stop at a waterfront restaurant on Shem Creek.
A few options to look at:
- Captain Cocktail Cruises runs a party boat out of Shem Creek that fits groups of about 22 and is aimed at bachelorette parties.
- Boatsetter and GetMyBoat are marketplaces where you can compare captained boats, group sizes and reviews side by side. Look for a boat with a captain so no one has to drive.
Tip: Hire a boat with a captain so no one has to worry about driving. Ask what's included (coolers, speakers, floats) and whether you can bring your own drinks before you pay. Book early for spring and summer weekends.
Dinner
Dinner is the big night, and Charleston is known for its restaurants. These are the spots that fit a group:
- Indaco is an Italian restaurant with handmade pasta.
- Darling Oyster Bar is the move for oysters and a lively table.
- Sorelle is a stylish spot for a girls' dinner.
- Frannie & the Fox is a polished restaurant in the Dewberry hotel.
- Church & Union is set in a historic church with a pretty dining room.
- Pelato serves Italian pasta in a cozy room.
Tip: Call ahead for groups of eight or more, and ask whether they take a deposit or require a set menu.
Where to Stay
For a group of six or more, a rental house or a block of hotel rooms is usually easier than cramming everyone into one big room. In Charleston, the area around King Street and the French Quarter keeps you in walking distance of the shops, brunch spots and restaurants above. Staying downtown also means you can skip rides most of the weekend.
Tip: Decide on a house or hotel block early, and keep everyone's booking info and flights in one place in VowCrew, so nobody has to dig through the group chat for a confirmation number.
Plan the Whole Weekend in One Place
Organizing a bachelorette trip across six group chats isn't fun. That's why I built VowCrew.
With VowCrew, your group can:
- Put every reservation in a shared itinerary, so no one has to ask "what time is brunch again?"
- See everyone's flights in one place, so you know who lands when.
- Split expenses so no one is stuck covering the boat or the dinner.
- Easily view where your group is staying, and what you need to wear for each event.
Download VowCrew and get your Charleston weekend organized.