As the greek philosopher Aristotle once said, and I quote, “pics or it didn’t happen.”
When you’re on vacation, it’s your god-given right to photoshoot and over post to Instagram. I, for one, wholeheartedly support this Gen Z/Millennial ideal because I am incredibly egotistical. Believe it or not, I just recently purchased a tripod off Amazon that allows me to take photos of myself, but that’s a story for another day.
Let me be the first to welcome you to the Holy City! Everything here is pretty much Instagram-able but I’ve listed the important pics + places below, a.k.a. the locations our local bloggers abuse. This post could also double as a guide to sightseeing Charleston, but for SEO purposes and because that’s no fun, I opted to make it Social Media focused.
I hope your low-country visit is filled with aesthetic pics and hella likes. 😉
The Bridge
Drive your car to the Mt. Pleasant side of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown so that you can get some en route pics. You’ll want to be in the far right lane for optimal window views. For those of you that are team #doitforthegram, park yourself near patriots point and climb aboard for some windy bridge views.
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
The Beach
You should definitely go to the beach regardless of Instagram, but it’s obviously an ideal location for making that one girl you hate from your high school jealous. Luckily, we’ve got options. Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and Folly Beach are all within a 30-minute drive (unless there’s traffic.) Pro tip: sunset on the beach with a pizza. Hello influencer! Hello brand deals!
Isle of Palms The Pier at Folly Beach Station 18 at Sullivan’s Island Folly Beach The Washout at Folly Beach Isle of Palm near Ocean and 7 Street Taco Boy at Folly Beach
White Point Garden
These vibes kind of remind me of Beverly Hills. If you happen to drive a Porsche, this would be the perfect spot for a photo of you standing in front of it in the middle of the street. Traffic laws, smaffic laws.
White Point Garden White Point Garden
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Tell your boyfriend that this is where he needs to propose to you, even if you’ve only been dating for a couple months. This won’t scare him away, it’ll let him know that you have incredible taste.

Historic Downtown Charleston
Go for a walk legit anywhere South of Broad Street, and for the love of god, please don’t take a carriage ride. There are a whole lot of politics involved in the horse rides, and we don’t want anything to take away from your fire gram. Sticking to your feet or renting a Holy Spokes bike keeps the attention on YOU.
Exact Location Unknown Exact Location Unknown Chalmers Street Chalmers Street
Waterfront Park
Your photo likely won’t be as cool as mine because there’s SNOW in my photo. It’s still pretty when it’s not frozen . . . but just not as pretty as when it is.

The American Theatre on King Street
Noah picked up Allie outside this theatre, and now for a downpayment of $100 you can publicly confess your love to your 5′ 8″ fiancé on its marquee. (I totally made that number up, but it’s definitely gotta cost a pretty penny.)

The Angel Oak Tree
This betch is 400-years old, no, seriously. You’ll have to hike to John’s Island to see this massive oak, but the way the sun peeks through the branches makes you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie, so it’s well worth it.
The Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island The Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island
College of Charleston Campus
If you’re visiting during the school year you can expect a swarm of backpacked-young-adults to be meandering around, which is how you’ll know that you’re in the right place. We don’t care, we’ll just go around you. We’ve been where you are, and now we pass the photo shoot baton. Feel free to stop and click that camera. You know you wanna.
The Cistern at College of Charleston Cougar Mall at College of Charleston
The Charleston Marina
Make a friend with a boat. Get on said boat. Brag about being on boat.

The Battery
Luckily this is right by White Point Garden so you’ll easily be able to kill two birds with one stone. Parking is free along The Battery so drive on up and enjoy the sunset. Best part is that you can play music out of your car while you snap pics of your gals in front of the sunset.
The Battery The Battery
Shem Creek
First off, go to Saltwater Cowboys, get the trash can nachos, and boomerang it. Only then will you be satisfied with your experience in Chucktown. Shem Creek is one of the few places in this city that you can actually eat on the water, and it’s an absolute must do if you ask me (you didn’t, but still). Dolphins frequently make appearances in this creek and idk how much better your content could get than that.

Rooftop Bar
We have a plethora of rooftop bars, The Vendue, The Watch, The Dewberry, The Bennett Hotel, etc. Because this city has a fantastic law that makes it illegal for buildings to be sky scrapers, your view is usually good no matter where you are. All those steeples and that big ole bridge make for a pwetty Instagram story backdrop.
Exact Location Unknown The Vendue Rooftop Bar
Rainbow Row
Your favorite influencer has been here, and so can you! Not much else to it. It sounds a lot like that race track in Mario Cart, but it’s slightly different.

Colonial Lake
I’m about to overshare, but this is my favorite public cry spot in all of Charleston. Everyone (and their dog) enjoys a walk around Colonial lake. If you’re crying here after a stressful day, someone’s bound to let you pet their dog. It’s also good for exercise but you’re on vacation, so that’s not important.

If you happen to visit any of these locations during your trip to Charleston, please tag me (@scoutsjourney_) in your pic so I can comment some heart eyes. ❤