You don’t necessarily have to go far, far away to have a memorable vacation: there are plenty of U.S. cities worth exploring. One option is Charleston, a top travel destination in the American South. The oldest and largest city in South Carolina, Charleston is known for its history, architecture, food culture and hospitality. The city sits on a harbor at the nexus of three rivers, and it boasts a vibrant music and arts scene, along with numerous museums and family-friendly attractions.
Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between Austin and Charleston. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.
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Flight deals to Charleston
The cheapest flights between Austin and Charleston are if you leave on March 27 and return from South Carolina on March 30. Delta currently has tickets for $263, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had in May. If you fly out of Austin on May 16 and return from Charleston on May 18, American Airlines can get you there and back for $294 roundtrip.
Top Charleston hotels
To plan your stay, here are some of Charleston’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel (115 Meeting St.)
For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $123.
Set in the heart of Charleston, this reconstruction of an 1853 hotel is close to the Gibbes Museum of Art and Charleston County Courthouse, as well as Meeting and King streets.
The Market Pavilion Hotel (225 E. Bay St.)
If you're looking to splurge on top quality, try The Market Pavilion Hotel. Rooms are currently set at $199/night.
Set in the heart of Charleston, this hotel is located right beside the open-air market, close to Waterfront Park, bars, restaurants and shops.
Belmond Charleston Place (205 Meeting St.)
If you're looking to treat yourself, there's Belmond Charleston Place. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $249/night.
Featured Charleston food and drink
Don't miss Charleston's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.
The FIG (232 Meeting St.)
One of Charleston's most popular restaurants is The FIG, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 40 reviews on Skyscanner. The restaurant's chefs work with local farmers, growers and other purveyors to source all of its products featured on the menu.
Halls Chophouse (434 King St.)
Another popular dining destination is Halls Chophouse, with 4.9 stars from 31 reviews.
"It was absolutely delicious," wrote reviewer Maria. "Our entire group was not only happy with their choices, we were all stuffed. Everything tasted fresh. The staff was so friendly and they truly made it an unforgettable experience."
Hominy Grill (207 Rutledge Ave.)
Also worth considering is Hominy Grill.
Hominy Grill specializes in classic Southern specialties.
"It's very popular for brunch and known for Southern cuisine," wrote Lois. "Their grits and shrimp are fantastic. They also have excellent Bloody Mary's."
Slightly North of Broad (192 E. Bay St.)
Finally, there's Slightly North of Broad.
The restaurant bills itself as a "Low Country" bistro, which sources local ingredients for its menu.
"I had the sweet potato tamale and my friend had beef carpaccio," wrote Joleen."They were recommended by the bartender as her favorites and both were very good."
Top Charleston attractions
To round out your trip, Charleston offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.
Downtown Charleston (King Street)
First up is Downtown Charleston.
Historic Downtown Charleston attracts thousands of visitors each year. One of its main features are the historic row homes, many of which have been renovated and restored to their original Revolutionary War appearances.
"Downtown offers many options — shopping, great eating (and) sightseeing," wrote visitor Sarah. "Take a carriage tour or just walk the Battery and Market. Either way, you will love Downtown Charleston."
The Battery
Then, there's The Battery.
This iconic landmark was built as a defensive seawall and promenade.
"This is a waterfront park consisting of park benches under the oaks," wrote visitor Tracy. "Great for locals walking their dogs and for walkers and joggers."
Charleston Waterfront Park (1 Vendue Range)
Lastly, consider checking out Charleston Waterfront Park.
Stroll along the pier of Charleston Waterfront Park along the Charleston Harbor, or bring your friends and family for a picnic in the park.
"You can watch tug boats bring the carriers in and out and see dolphins when you are lucky," wrote visitor Tracy.
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
