Charleston, South Carolina has always been a popular bachelorette party destination. My friends and I recently got back from a bachelorette party there. Most of us are married with kids so it was definitely a different vibe than the bachelorette parties of our 20s. However, I think Charleston, SC bachelorette parties for groups of any age. Charleston is an awesome destination for a bachelorette in your 30s.
Where to Stay for a Charleston Bachelorette in Your 30s
Charleston offers an unlimited supply of places to stay depending on what you want to do during your time there. We knew we were only planning on spending one night downtown so we opted to stay in Mount Pleasant so we would be close to Isle of Palms for a beach day. Plus, I was pregnant so I was happy to drive everyone around all weekend.
I think house rentals are the way to go over staying at a hotel for bachelorette parties and girls weekends. It is so nice having a place for everyone to hang out together and not having to pop into each other’s hotel rooms. That being said, it can be a lot harder to find house rentals for large parties downtown if you want to be in the center of everything. Hotels might be your best bet if you want to stay within a short walking distance to everything.
If you’re looking to stay at the beach, Sullivan’s Island is my personal favorite. Followed by Isle of Palms and then Folly Beach.
Dining Options for a Charleston Bachelorette Party in Your 30s
Since we were staying in Mt. Pleasant we opted for one dinner in Mt. Pleasant and one dinner downtown. If you have a big group, I recommend making reservations in advance since Charleston is a popular destination.
Post House
We opted for dinner at Post House in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant. It has been renovated in the last few years and is such a neat space. There are so many delicious options on the menu. We opted to start with the Anson Mills Cornbread and the Roasted Cauliflower and Avocado Salad. Several of our party thought the cornbread was the best we’ve ever had. As for the salad, I do not always love raw cauliflower but I could eat that salad everyday.
For the main course I opted for the Paccheri Nero which is a pasta dish with shrimp. It was really good, not too heavy. Other girls in our group enjoyed the market fish and the butterbean burger. They also have daily specials. They do not have official mocktails on the menu but the bartender whipped up one for me so be sure to ask if you’re interested!
Felix
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine is a hot new restaurant downtown in an area called Upper King. As mentioned in the name, they are known for their fun cocktails. Lucky for me, they also offered some fun mocktails.
We started with the Brussel sprouts which were so delicious. We had a group of six and needed two orders for our table as it is a small serving. For my main course I got the wild mushroom pasta. It was really good but it is in a cheese sauce so it was a little heavy.
The Co-op
We grabbed lunch at The Co-op on Isle of Palms before heading to the beach on Saturday. They have delicious sandwiches and several different flavors of frose. It was very busy though. As we were leaving, they said it was a 30 minute wait on food so I recommend ordering online if you’re in a hurry. In addition to Isle of Palms, they also have locations downtown and on Sullivan’s Island.
Things to Do on a Charleston Bachelorette Party in Your 30s
My friends always like to have some downtime for catching up on bachelorette trips which is why it is so nice having a house. We spent most of the first day just hanging out at the house talking. Obviously if you’re from out of town, you might want to get out and about. I recommend drinks somewhere on Shem Creek like Red’s or downtown at Island Cabana Bar.
As long as the weather cooperates, a beach day is a great way to spend a day at a Charleston, SC bachelorette party. Another great option is chartering a boat. We opted not to rent a boat due to me being in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is typically against recommendations at this point. Several of us were within driving distance and the house where we stayed had beach gear, making it easy. However, if you’re traveling via plane and not staying in a house with beach gear, a boat is probably an easier way to spend a beautiful day. Here is an idea for a boat tour.
Charleston, SC Area Beaches
Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island is my personal favorite Charleston area beach. There are a number of restaurants for you to enjoy after a beach day. Parking can be tricky, watch the signs to avoid a ticket and make sure all 4 tires are off the road.
Isle of Palms
We were staying closest to Isle of Palms, otherwise known as IOP. So it was the easiest beach for us to visit for the day. It is also beautiful, with lots of restaurant options. As I mentioned earlier, we stopped by the Co-op to grab sandwiches before heading out to the beach for the day. We were very lucky a friend’s parents live on IOP and we were able to load up their golf cart and ride to the beach. Otherwise parking can be tricky. Watch the signs to avoid a ticket.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach is another great option if it is closest to where you are staying. I will say, it has been years since I have been to Folly. That was the place to go when we were in college so we’ve stayed away from it in the years since we graduated. However, there are lots of restaurant options and it is a very nice beach.
Late Night Options for a Charleston Bachelorette in your 30s
Most of my friends are mid-30s so we did not want a busy bar scene. We went to Little Palm for cocktails and mocktails after dinner downtown.
I have not been to Henry’s in years but they are known for their live music and my friends and I always had a great time when we went there.
Charleston is a popular bachelorette destination and there is something out there for everyone.
If you are looking for a wider variety of dining options, check out this post on family friendly Charleston restaurants.
