Gay Summer Getaway: Charleston, South Carolina

While Charleston is an inviting and inclusive LGBTQI+ destination year-round, we invite you to enjoy the lively Summer and Fall seasons. Enjoying the area’s stunning beaches, exploring historic neighborhoods, taking a stroll through gardens, or partaking in the city's vibrant culinary and nightlife scenes is something for everyone to love. From outdoor concerts to art exhibits and waterfront adventures, these seasons in Charleston are full of energy and charm. Make it your time to explore all the Lowcountry has to offer.

Kick off your Charleston Trip with a New Hotel Experience

Charleston’s hotel offerings are ever-evolving with beautiful new boutique hotel options for those looking to try someplace new. The two latest additions to the hotel scene are the Nickel Hotel and the Hotel Richemont:

●     The Nickel Hotel, which opened in May, features 50 suites, a lush interior courtyard, a library, a guest-only lounge and Rosemary Rose, a rooftop bar and lounge open to the public. While the modern, arched façade creates a dramatic entrance, the interiors feel intimate, honoring the city's passion for historic preservation from the filigree ironwork on the balconies to the handmade tilework and the courtyard fountains. 

●     The Hotel Richemont, which opened in mid-June, is a boutique hotel operated by The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The space draws inspiration from the city’s art, history, architecture and natural beauty. With just 25 thoughtfully appointed apartment-style rooms, the design showcases a unique Charleston blend of historic and contemporary elements hand-selected by local interior design firm B. Berry Interiors. The property also features a Vietnamese restaurant and bar, Two Bit Club.

Savor the Flavors of Charleston 

Charleston’s dining scene is a feast for the senses — rich in taste, culture, and character. It’s the perfect place for visitors to toast, build connections, and enjoy sharing a great meal. Charleston’s culinary offerings continue to captivate with an ever-growing selection of restaurants that blend innovation with Southern tradition. Here are some notable and newer options:

●     Cane Pazzo is a new neighborhood osteria led by Chef/Owner Mark Bolchoz, Jr., formerly the Indigo Road Culinary Director. With his deep family roots in Charleston, Bolchoz will infuse classic Italian dishes with a Lowcountry twist, telling the story of his Southern upbringing through a menu of fresh, handmade pastas, seasonal small plates and wood-fired proteins. Located at 1276 Yeamans Hall Road, Hanahan.

●     New to the Charleston International Airport is Kardea Brown’s Southern Kitchen, a new restaurant inspired by Food Network chef and local Sea Island resident Kardea Brown, through her cookbooks, TV show and retail products. Brown brings her deep roots in traditional Gullah cooking to a welcoming space that reflects the Lowcountry's rich history, vibrant culture and hospitality. The restaurant will embody her signature style, offering guests an immersive experience celebrating Gullah cuisine's flavors and heritage.

●     Set in a historic, 1820s Federal-style building on the corner of Pitt and Montagu Streets in the charming residential Harleston Village, Merci is a neighborhood bistro offering a European-inspired menu in a cozy, convivial setting. Menu highlights include an updated spin on classics, from steak tartare and foie gras to Beef Wellington and roasted duck. Merci is primarily inspired by the European travels of Chef Zentner and his family, but also by beloved neighborhood bistros in New York and Boston. 28 Pitt Street

●     After years of managing some of Charleston’s top restaurants, like Oak Steakhouse and

Royal Tern, Herman Ng wanted to bring the cuisine he grew up eating to Charleston. XO Brasserie offers contemporary Chinese cuisine with a focus on Cantonese and Sichuan flavors in an elevated, vibrant atmosphere. 

Retail Therapy with Southern Style

Charleston’s shopping scene offers the perfect mix of charm, style, and self-expression. Whether splurging on statement pieces or scouting unique local finds, retail therapy here is always necessary.

●     Visit Croghan’s Jewel Box's new location. The famed jewelry store has relocated just a few blocks down King Street to discover a treasure trove of heirloom silver, estate jewelry and classic gifts. Sisters Mariana Ramsay Hay and Rhett Ramsay Outten are the third-generation owners of this gleaming boutique that has been in business for over 100 years.

●     Estelle Colored Glass is a luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass cake stands and stemware housed in a stunning boutique on King Street inside The Charleston Place hotel. Estelle Colored Glass is inspired by the owner, Stephanie Summerson Hall’s grandmother, Estelle, who loved antiquing and had a special day of the week where she visited her favorite shops looking for new treasures in small neighboring South Carolina towns. Their location at 302 King St even features a chic mocktail bar where visitors can sample drinks in various glass styles offered in the collection. 

●     Sewing Down South on King Street is a home décor store from Craig Conover of Southern Charm. The brand specializes in luxury, handcrafted pillows, fabrics, and unique accessories. Known for its coastal-inspired designs and high-quality craftsmanship, the store offers a blend of timeless Southern charm and modern elegance, making it a popular spot for interior design enthusiasts.

Summer is Better When You’re Out

Charleston offers a vibrant lineup of attractions, exhibits, and events that reflect the city’s welcoming spirit. Whether you're celebrating Pride or simply soaking up the season, there’s something for every LGBTQI+ traveler to enjoy:

●     Check out NaturePOP at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, featuring more than 40 vibrant, larger-than-life sculptures made entirely of LEGO® bricks. This colorful outdoor exhibition blends art, science, and nature, with over 800,000 LEGO® pieces forming imaginative depictions of animals and ecosystems. Admission is included with garden entry, and tickets are available online. Now until August 15, 2025.

●     Aquarium with Virtual Reality? Immerse yourself in 360-degree views of spectacular sharks and wondrous whales at the SC Aquarium. Undersea Explorer, the new virtual reality experience, is now open for riders. Choose your ocean adventure and step aboard

to enjoy the thrill of the ocean as live-action films are synced with motion-platform seating. 

●     Fashion is Forever! The latest exhibition at the Charleston Museum, Reimagined Fashion: Creations of the Future Past highlights the work of Local designers and artisans drawn from the inspiration of the Charleston Museum’s historic collections. Each piece pairs examples of historic craftsmanship from the collection alongside their new creative works.

●     The 10th annual Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival celebrates the best in Caribbean food, culture and music. The focus of this unique festival is to highlight Caribbean food, specifically food using Jamaican jerk seasoning. July 19, 3-10 PM at Navy Yard Charleston, Building 64, 2301 Noisette Blvd., North Charleston.

●     The 21st annual Sweetgrass Festival celebrates the rich Gullah Geechee culture and provides an extensive showcase of sweetgrass baskets as well as unique arts and crafts, paintings and live performances. Informative and interesting educational sessions will enlighten and entertain participants of all ages. Saturday, July 26, 10 AM – 3 PM at Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant

●     Known for their annual pride festival, the Park Circle neighborhood is now playing host to the first annual MELT Mural Festival, celebrating and promoting the tradition of street art, and highlighting the city’s vibrant heritage.  September 11, 2025 - September 14, 2025   

●     Join in celebrating the MOJA Arts Festival, an annual festival of Black arts and culture and the related artistic contributions to the world, especially through African American and Caribbean legacies.  September 25, 2025 - October 5, 2025

To stay updated on all things Charleston, visit ExploreCharleston.com and see what's new in Charleston!