As the Lowcountry’s signature heat and humidity melt into the horizon, Charleston comes alive again, and everyone comes out to play. It doesn’t matter how many times you might have traveled here previously. With the historic city’s pack of new spaces to eat, drink, and explore, you’re promised a brand-new experience. Here’s what’s new in Charleston in fall 2024.

New destination dining

Vibes are back at dinner tables in downtown Charleston. At these new restaurants, you’ll find moody dining rooms, gorgeous plates, bright colors and flavors, music, and a welcome temporary suspension from reality.

Hospitality industry veteran and wine pro Kellie Holmes has seen Charleston through many dining phases. Of this current vibe shift, she says, “Many new places are experience-driven from the moment you walk through the door, like a new element of fine but not fussy elevated dining. There’s attention to every detail.”

Grab reservations at the Archer, the younger, edgier sister to neighborhood fixture Berkeley’s, XO Brasserie for Cantonese and Sichuan-influenced cuisine in the North Morrison district, and Costa for a taste of that Mediterranean trip that you may or may not have taken this summer. Also, don’t miss Marbled & Fin, a swanky steakhouse from the folks behind Charleston staples Husk and the now-shuttered but beloved McCrady’s.

Pop-ups galore

For a hearty dose of joy and a glimpse into the life of locals, get looped in with this collection of pop-ups. Instagram is your best bet for staying in the know and on the scene.

Set inside the garden at Estadio is Bar Estrella, where fine champagne is paired with potato chips from countries across the globe. Merci, a European-inspired bistro that has amassed a following, continues to take up residence inside neighborhood bars like Babas and Graft before its brick-and-mortar opening this fall. A delightful experience awaits at Dinner at Kiki’s, a series hosted by sommelier Kirsten Bhattacharyya and Michael “Chef Rod” Rodriguez. To date, they’ve thrown family-style dinner parties in backyards, at the pool of a historic South of Broad home, and inside an art gallery. The events are created to feel like “summer camp with insanely good, unfussy food and wine,” says Bhattacharyya, so you might leave dinner with a new set of friends.

Lodgings with a new lease on life

The Charleston Place, credited with revitalizing downtown Charleston in the late 1980s, is in the midst of a $150 million renovation under the direction of Jungsoo Kim of Atelier Kim. As this iconic King Street fixture enters its next phase with a luxurious makeover, the property’s historic integrity and architecture will remain intact. With more than 400 rooms, the Charleston Place is the biggest hotel in Charleston, and it also has indulgent amenities, including a rooftop pool and spa; one of downtown’s most prized restaurants, the Charleston Grill; and an optimal location for prime shopping, dining, and entertainment.

If you’re angling for a longer visit, settle into Townhouse, an upscale apartment and a complement to the boutique hotel the Pinch. A block from Marion Square, this lodging option high above King Street is meant to feel like home, with a separate living area, a balcony, and a full kitchen. But why cook, when James Beard Award–winning chef Jason Stanhope can do it for you, mere feet away at his new Lowland Tavern and the oyster bar the Quinte.

Book a stay at the Dunlin on Kiawah River, and you may stay forever. This Auberge resort is a pleasant swerve from bed-and-breakfasts and higher-rise hotels on the peninsula. The 2,000-acre resort has plenty of waterfront to explore, with nature experiences that include marsh-side hiking, full-moon paddles, and cast-net fishing and crabbing instruction. There are 72 cottage-style rooms and suites designed by Amanda Lindroth, which helps explain why the luxury resort is touted as “an eternal Southern summer home.” (A spa, a pool, and multiple restaurants don’t hurt, either.) For a few days, you can experience life on Sea Island—in all its lush glory.

Ever more shopping options

King Street has long been the premier thoroughfare for shopping in Charleston, and in these postpandemic years, its storefront offerings have only strengthened. But hop off the beaten path, and you’ll find fabulous boutiques that showcase the creativity of local artists, makers, and designers.

“Charleston has such a rich history of craft, culture, and art,” says Emily Hill, cofounder of AL&EM, who is poised to open a new shop this fall. “Showcasing that in a smaller, intimate setting is an experience you can’t always have in bigger cities or on the dot-coms,” she adds.

For boutique shopping at its best, there’s Wentworth, a stunning shop of curiosities curated by acclaimed event designer Gregory Blake Sams; Nette, a women’s clothing shop in a long-abandoned block in the Wagener Terrace neighborhood; and established favorite Goldbug Collection, a jewelry shop from two sisters who are fourth-generation jewelers. Grab hold of their most iconic design, a golden tribute to Charleston’s unofficial mascot, the palmetto bug.

And what’s old is new again at Holy City Vintage Market, which takes up residence at the Royal American once a quarter. Here, you’ll find a blend of clothing, home goods, and vinyl—all while sipping a cold beverage.

A packed season of art, music, and culture

Considering the compactness of its downtown, Charleston is full of art and culture. Its galleries and museums are appealing visits any day, but this fall offers can’t-miss exhibitions and events. At the Halsey Institute at the College of Charleston, where admission is always free, there’s As Any Means Are Necessary by New Orleans–born-and-raised artist Demond Melancon, known for his intricate beadwork. (The show runs through December 7.) The buzziest gallery in town, Hed Hi Studio, will illuminate its white walls with The Snippy Show, a one-night-only exhibit (December 7) featuring collaborative collages by local artist Isabel Bornstein and her mother, Laura Lee Robinson. For a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary Southern art, check out the Gibbes Museum, which through January 12 is displaying works by the 15 recipients of its prestigious 1858 Prize.

Want to have a few laughs? Stop by Wit’s End, a new comedy club and lounge in North Charleston that has quickly become a hot destination for touring stand-ups. Music fans who want to catch a local independent act should follow organizers Sugarcube and Extra Chill, groups that have their finger on the pulse of Charleston’s burgeoning scene.

It should come as little surprise that Charleston is a literary hub. Young adult readers will rejoice in YALLFest (November 15–16), a gathering that grants access to some of the category’s hottest authors—V. E. Schwab, Abigail Hing Wen—at book signings, panels, and special events. The Charleston Literary Festival (November 1–10), meanwhile, is in its eighth year and is more impressive than ever, with readings and discussions featuring writers ranging from poet Nikki Giovanni to neuroscientist Charan Ranganath.

Looking for something a little more off the wall? Snatch a ticket to Kulture Klash, a beloved event among local creative types that returns this November 16 nearly a decade after its last installment. Set inside the Old Navy Yard in North Charleston, the party bursts with visual and interactive artworks, live music, dance, and more.