Whether by boat, carriage ride, or by feet, there’s so many ways to explore Charleston, SC. But have you ever considered biking around Charleston? With the rising popularity of rent-a-bikes, now it’s easier than ever to explore Charleston by bike! Grab a bottle of water, hop on your bike and head down the road for a fun filled 2-hour tour of this gorgeous city.
Historic Broad Street
Start your ride off by heading out in the morning when the weather is cooler and the city is quieter. As you begin your tour along Broad Street, you’ll notice the historical homes that date back to the late 1700’s alongside cobblestone roads from when Charleston was first founded. Perfect for the avid Instagrammer, there’s a variety of homes with colorfully painted doors that will create the perfect backdrop to make you instagram feed pop! You’ll have a hard time picking just one – and you might even find that the Major Peter Bocquet house at 95 Broad Street, with it’s stunning tangerine orange exterior, tops the list!
Colorful Rainbow Row
Cruise down Broad Street and take a right down East Bay and you’ll enter into the famous Rainbow Row. These colorful row houses, originally built in 1740, were originally used by merchants who would run their business on the first floor and lived in the top floors. Known for its pastel pops of color and proximity to The Battery, it’s easy to see why locals and visitors alike love it so much! And talk about another picture perfect photo op!
Continue down The Battery and circle around White Point Garden where you’re going to want to hop off your bike for a bit of reclining in the grass among the ancient oak trees. This is a great area to relax for a while before hitting the road for the remainder of your tour.
Shop on King Street
Extra points here if your bike has a basket on it because shopping along King Street is going to give you plenty of reasons to fill it up! You’ll be dazzled by the gardens and gates at the stately homes along King Street in the renowned South of Broad neighborhood. King Street begins where it intersects with South Battery at White Point Gardens. And, as you journey along King Street you’ll slowly see a transformation take place along this historic road. Historical estates and classic Charleston architecture slowly transform into rows of darling shops, restaurants, and lively cafes as you continue your ride towards the heart of downtown Charleston. King Street is the hub of Charleston’s retail district and, as it crosses Calhoun Street, you’ll find Marion Square, another of Charleston’s famed downtown parks, which at times is home to some of the top events in Charleston including Charleston Wine + Food Festival and the Southeastern Wildlife Festival (SEWE).
Stop along the way and explore one of the many antique stores, boutiques, and fine art dealers. Or simply relax in a charming courtyard with a coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Lunch like a Local
After a leisurely ride around the city, lunch like a local along Meeting Street! From Broad Street to Society Street you’ll find some of the best dining places in town on this stretch of Meeting Street. Teeming with a variety of restaurants, you simply cannot go wrong with any choice. We particularly love dining in the Peninsula Grill courtyard or at The Palmetto Cafe for a one-of-a-kind Lowcountry dining experience.
Nothing can beat using your own two feet to tour the city and really take in all Charleston has to offer. Whichever method of transportation you choose to explore Charleston, take our word for it, you really can’t go wrong. The beauty of a vacation in Charleston is just that …. the beauty! And, after a day spent exploring the Holy City, you’re going to love relaxing in a private downtown carriage house or a charming pied-à-terre. Start planning your vacation getaway by booking one of our luxury vacation rentals either downtown or on Folly Beach. The concierge team at Luxury Simplified Retreats will make sure you’ve got bikes waiting for your arrival … all you’ll need to do is pack a hat and some sunscreen.
