Charleston, South Carolina, is a perfect destination for couples looking to spend some quality time together. The city is filled with romance, rich history, and charm, providing the perfect place for any couple’s getaway. In addition to Charleston’s best beaches, I will explore some of my favorite attractions, entertainment, and date night ideas that couples can enjoy in Charleston, SC!
Top 10 Fun and Romantic Date Ideas for Couples in Charleston, SC
From historic attractions to live entertainment and a classic dinner date night, there are plenty of fun and romantic ways to spend time with your significant other in Charleston, SC!
Attractions in Charleston for Couples
1. Picnic at The Battery and White Point Garden
The Battery is a beautiful historic district located in downtown Charleston, and White Point Gardens is a public park located at the southern end of The Battery.
Couples can take a romantic stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the stunning views of Charleston Harbor and Rainbow Row.
Or, pick up some food and drinks, and have a picnic on the garden grounds! You’ll be surrounded by nature, historic homes, and beautiful gardens while you enjoy each other’s company.
Pro tip: plan the perfect Charleston picnic by filling your basket with local food and drinks. I love Caviar and Bananas for their grab-and-go sandwiches, sides, and local craft beer options!
2. Visit the Historic Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is a historic market that features local vendors selling a variety of goods. Goods at the market range from clothing, jewelry, and food.
The market is located in historic Downtown Charleston on Meeting Street. It’s one of the best places to start a day downtown since it’s central to everything!
For a fun and romantic date, stroll the market and pick out unique souvenirs for one another. Then, you grab brunch Downtown and explore the Holy City together.
Explore all that the Charleston City Market has to offer on their website.
3. Stroll Along Charleston Waterfront Park
This park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It offers beautiful views of Charleston Harbor, the Ravenel Bridge, and Patriots Point.
Charleston Waterfront Park is an 8-acre park with a pier, a large lawn area, and a fountain. The fountain, which is shaped like a pineapple, is an iconic site in Charleston.
For a fun date, couples can take a long walk along the pier. This park is also a great place for a picnic! There are many picnic tables and large grassy spaces to lay out a picnic blanket.
Pro tip: in the Summer months, there is even live music and events in the park’s open-air pavilion!
Romantic Entertainment Ideas in Charleston SC for Couples
There are plenty of romantic things to do in the city of Southern charm. Here are a few of the best entertainment options for your romantic getaway.
4. See the Charleston Symphony Orchestra
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the ideal place for music lovers to go on a romantic date! This professional orchestra performs at various venues throughout the Charleston area.
The CSO is best known for its classical symphonies, but they also play pop concerts and holiday shows. Here are a few upcoming shows for their 2023-2024 season:
- Music of the movies: A performance featuring songs from classic films like Harry Potter and the Pirates of the Caribbean
- Holiday pops: A classical Christmas show
- An Evening with Zukerman: Talented violinist Pinchas Zukerman will play with the CSO
You can find shows, tickets, and more info on the CSO website.
5. Go on a Ghost Tour
The historic city of Charleston is known for many things, including its haunted history. For couples who enjoy a good scare, there are many tour companies that offer a spooky and entertaining way to explore the city’s haunted history!
Here are a few of the different ghost tours you can take in Charleston:
- Haunted Destinations: Explore haunted cemeteries, jails, and dungeons with Bulldog Tours
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: Charleston is home to many haunted bars and pubs, and Ghost City Tours provides a fun way to check them out. You’ll walk and drink your way through various bars while learning about Charleston’s haunted history.
And if you love walking tours, check out this list of the 5 top walking tours in Charleston, SC.
6. Visit the South Carolina Aquarium
This is the biggest aquarium in South Carolina. The SC Aquarium features a variety of marine life exhibits, including a touch tank, a sea turtle recovery area, and more.
This is a fun and educational date spot that offers plenty of opportunities for couples to learn, explore, and have fun together.
Couples can spend time strolling through the aquarium and viewing the marine life exhibits together. For more interactive fun, there are touch tanks, which allow visitors to get up close and personal with sea creatures, like horseshoe crabs and sea stars.
After exploring the aquarium, couples can get a seat at The Sea Change restaurant. It offers a beautiful view of the Charleston Harbor and a menu featuring fresh seafood and local ingredients.
You can learn more and plan your visit on the SC Aquarium website.
Other Fun and Romantic Date Ideas in Charleston
And if you want more romantic date ideas besides the typical attractions and entertainment, see the list below.
7. Wine and Dine
Charleston is a foodie paradise. It’s home to some of the Lowcountry’s best restaurants and bars, so you can’t beat a classic dinner date!
Romantic Dinner spots:
- The Cocktail Club: This speakeasy-style cocktail bar offers a dimly lit atmosphere and a creative cocktail menu. Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 4-7 pm, and features discounted drinks and small plates.
- Circa 1886: Located in a historic carriage house, Circa 1886 offers a romantic and elegant atmosphere and a menu featuring Southern-inspired cuisine with a modern twist.
- Fig: This farm-to-table restaurant is known for its creative dishes and intimate atmosphere.
- Husk: Husk offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere and a menu featuring Southern cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
You’ll find some of the options above and more on this list of the 10 best restaurants in historic Charleston, SC.
8. Sunset Sail on the Schooner Pride
One of the most romantic things you can do in Charleston, SC with your date is watch the sunset over the water on the Schooner Pride.
The Schooner Pride is a classic 84-foot tall ship that sails along the Charleston Harbor, offering stunning views of the city skyline and the sunset over the water. The company offers sunset sails, moonlight sails, and private charter tours.
During the Sunset Sail, couples will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of the harbor while sipping on complimentary beer and wine. There are also options for snacks like cheese and crackers, and fruit.
The sail is a two-hour experience, so it’s a great way to get to know someone on a first date, or for long-time couples to spend an intimate moment with one another.
You can find more information about the tour offerings on this website.
9. Spa Day
Relax and unwind with your partner by treating yourselves to a spa day. Charleston is home to many spas and wellness centers that offer different spa day packages.
Here are some of the best places to enjoy a spa day in Charleston:
- Earthling Day Spa: This wellness center offers services like facials, unique body treatments, massages, and more. They are located in historic downtown Charleston, steps away from other local shops and restaurants.
- The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place: Go here for a luxurious spa day experience. They have two rooms dedicated to private couples spa services! One of the best services for couples is the couples massage, which includes a side-by-side massage in a private room, along with hot towels, aromatherapy, and a glass of champagne.
- The Woodhouse Day Spa: This wellness center can customize a package to offer exactly what you need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. They have a large list of services that can be enjoyed by couples, including couples massages.
10. Visit the Beach
And of course, you can’t visit the beautiful city of Charleston without checking out its beaches! A day at the beach is one of the best ways to enjoy Charleston with your significant other.
Most Charleston beaches are less than an hour from the city center. You can easily spend a day at the beach before heading back downtown for dinner and drinks!
Here’s a quick rundown of some Charleston beaches to visit for your next daytime date:
- Folly Beach: Folly is a laid-back beach with a small “surf town” feel to it. Downtown Folly Beach is easy to get around and you can walk from the beach to shops, restaurants, and vacation home rentals. There are plenty of eclectic shops in downtown Folly to explore, as well as some amazing local restaurants!
- Kiawah Island Beach: Kiawah is best known for its 10 miles of pristine beaches, maritime forests, and world-class golf courses. Kiawah is home to many upscale restaurants, shops, and more. If you’re trying to impress your date, this is the beach to go to!
- Sullivan’s Island: Sullivan’s also has a small and relaxed beach town feel. It’s the perfect spot for lovers of water sports. Plan a fun date out kayaking or jet-skiing on the water! There are also a ton of delicious dining options on the island.
For more, check out this list of the 8 best beaches closest to Charleston, SC.
Table of Things to Do in Charleston, SC for Couples
| Activity Number | Activity Name | Description | More Information |
| 1 | Picnic at The Battery & White Point Garden | Enjoy a romantic picnic in this beautiful park by the water | The Battery |
| 2 | Visit the Historic Charleston City Market | Explore the historic market featuring local vendors & artisans | Charleston City Market |
| 3 | Stroll Along Charleston Waterfront Park | Take a leisurely walk along the scenic park by the harbor | Waterfront Park |
| 4 | See the Charleston Symphony Orchestra | Experience a captivating performance by the orchestra | Charleston Symphony |
| 5 | Go on a Ghost Tour | Discover Charleston’s haunted history with a guided tour | Bulldog Tours |
| 6 | Visit the South Carolina Aquarium | Enjoy a fun day exploring marine life and exhibits | SC Aquarium |
| 7 | Wine and Dine | Experience Charleston’s culinary scene at fine restaurants | Charleston Dining |
| 8 | Sunset Sail on the Schooner Pride | Take a romantic sunset sail on a classic schooner | Schooner Pride |
| 9 | Spa Day | Relax and unwind with a couples spa treatment | Charleston Spas |
| 10 | Visit the Beach | Spend a day at one of Charleston’s beautiful beaches | Charleston Beaches |
Conclusion to Things to Do in Charleston, SC for Couples
Charleston, SC is a city full of romance and adventure, making it the perfect destination for couples looking to spend quality time together.
From scenic waterfront parks to romantic sunset sails, there are plenty of options for couples looking to explore the city.
And here are some other fun ways to spend a weekend in Charleston, SC:
