Under $100: Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina,, is a gorgeous Southern city with lots of character and charm. The warm temperatures and abundance of outdoor attractions make it a great spring destination.

Begin your day with breakfast at Three Little Birds Café, where their mantra is “Peace, Love, and Pancakes.” Their menu has a little bit of something to tempt every palate, from pancakes in mouthwatering varieties like granola maple and banana pecan, to low country shrimp n’ grits. Expect to spend around $8–10 for breakfast.

Horse Carriage Tour through Old Charleston, South Carolina © Rolf52 | Dreamstime

Next, explore the area with an Old Charleston walking tour. You can find tours leaving at both 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. every day of the week except Monday. There are tours that focus primarily on the city’s overall history and architecture, and others geared more toward Charleston’s role in the Civil War. Each will cost you about $15, if you buy your tickets online.

For lunch, check out Persimmon Café, a cute eatery serving delicious sandwiches, soups and custards. Try out the adult grilled cheese with gouda, prosciutto, cheddar and green apple, or the zucchini melt topped with fontina cheese, red onions and their pistachio pistou, both priced at $6.75. Follow it up with some Nutella and toasted marshmallow custard for $4.75!

Charleston City Market, South Carolina © Oseland | Dreamstime

Whether you’re looking for a spectacular buy or just browsing, the Charleston City Market is a great place to view some of the city’s best craftsmanship. Their large Great Hall combined with their open-air marketplace means you’ll have plenty to look at. Whether you’re searching for a new piece of art, hand-woven baskets or one-of-a-kind jewelry, you’ll find your new favorite thing right here.

Fried Chicken & Biscuits at The Hominy Grill, Charleston, South Carolina © Charlestons TheDigital | Flickr

Reserve a table for dinner at The Hominy Grill, a Charleston favorite with an award-winning chef and owner. You’ll have a hard time picking something off the menu, when you’re faced with choosing between all of the deliciously hearty Southern options, such as a rack of ribs smothered in blackstrap molasses barbecue sauce or half a fried chicken covered in country ham gravy. Expect to spend around $15–20 for dinner, with no regrets.

Once you’ve awakened from your food coma, check out Mynt, a vibrantly-colored bar that caters to young professionals. With live music and specialty cocktails starting at $7, you can afford to try a few of the local favorites before heading back to your hotel.