French Quarter

For a small city, Charleston has a really solid collection of rooftop bars. This one sits at the top of Market Pavilion Hotel, and overlooks Market Street and historic Charleston with a view stretching to Cooper River. The pool here adds a slightly trendy vibe, and there's actually a pretty extensive food menu (apps, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches), making it a particularly nice spot for an afternoon drink (and bite, if you're hungry). It's also a great sunset place, and you could come here for cocktails before dinner at 5Church, which is conveniently located across the street.

Hardly a secret, Husk is still a buzzy restaurant even though it's been open since 2010. The kitchen is run by two Southern natives, which shows on the rotating menu that puts local ingredients center stage. (They also do in-house pickling.) The fact that Husk is situated in a thoughtfully restored 1893 Queen Anne house makes it all the more at home in Charleston. Husk's bar, which is next door the restaurant, is very good in its own right, and worth a trip even if you aren't coming here for a meal.

Named for a dog who stayed at this Victorian home-turned-restaurant after his owners moved away, Poogan's Porch is a Charleston institution. They have a quality 1500-bottle wine cellar, as well as a good selection of wine by the glass, and their fried chicken is a crowd pleaser. Unlike a lot of restaurants in Charleston that just do Sunday brunch, Poogan's does brunch on Saturday, too, and it's really good. Afterward, walk a block south, and meander around the neighborhood, referred to as South of Broad, to see some of Charleston's most stunning antebellum mansions.