I am heading to Charleston on the 27th as a surprise getaway with my hubby. I was just told of our destination today, so I don't have long to plan sites and dining. Help! If i have two days to spend there what should we absolutely see and do? We both love great food.....where should we dine? We're not really into fried food - love a great authentic meal with great wine! Anything off the beaten tourist path??

Welcome to the forum. You might want to read through some of the excellent trip reports here and see what others have enjoyed,

I always tell first time visitors to take a carriage ride first thing, then you will want to walk through the Historic District . Just go to the corner of Market and Anson and get in line.

You'll want to shop on King Street. If you're here on Saturday the Farmer's Market on Marion Square is great. Go through the Market on Market St too.

There are tons of great restaurants. My favorites are FIG, High Cotton, SNOB, Anson, Tristan and Cypress. Cru Cafe is nice for lunch. If you don't like fried food you'll want to pass on any of the restaurants that have hawkers on the street.

You only have 2 days, so you really want to stay ON the beaten path. You'll want to see the beautiful homes that people come from all over the world to visit. WHere are you staying?

Hi Melissa_Hawes,

I really liked Hominy Grill when I went; terrific Southern home-style cooking. If I might suggest, rather than having every minute of every day planned out, allot some time for just meandering with little purpose through the Historic District (perhaps vaguely following the "walking tour" in Fodor's guidebook), to give some breathing room to linger over unexpectedly lovely homes, gardens and water views.

I'd highly recommend the boat ride out to Fort Sumter, to experience a place associated with one of the most important events in US history first-hand. The Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House were fascinating house tours, if you're interested in that.

Best wishes, Daniel

You might want to check out this website. It is an old rice plantation and has large grounds with gardens. You can also stay and eat dinner at the restaurant. I think it would be romantic at sunset. Too bad you will barely miss the wine stroll https://www.middletonplace.org/
have fun!

Fort Moultrie is also there, but on Sullivan's Island, adjacent to Charleston. You could stroll on the beach there before supper. The beach is residential. http://www.nps.gov/fosu/historycultu...t_moultrie.htm

Melissa, I would recommend doing some research. Charleston comes up a lot on this forum, and there are a lot of good posts on the city here. I'll make things easier for you by providing a link to the itinerary I did while in Charleston (as well as Savannah) a couple years ago. See my second post on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...charleston.cfm

There are a number of threads about food in this city as well. I'll just say at present that my best experience was at SNOB.

If I had only 2 days, I might skip plantations, even though I love them all. Middleton is particularly fun this time of year-the gators are out!

With the construction on the Crosstown and 17 in both Mt P and West Ashley, it might take a lot of time. And I have lots of off the beaten path recs: Center for the Birds of Prey, Bull Island, Frances Bieldler Forest. But they take time. And for first timers, I think the OP should concentrate on the HD.