Head halfway down the South Carolina coast and you will find the thriving historical city of Charleston. Nicknamed the “Holy City” for its historical tolerance for all religions and its numerous historic churches, Charleston's cityscape today is still dotted with steeples that serve as a reminder of this city’s history. Founded in 1670, Charleston was first known as Charles Town and was named after King Charles II. Throughout the past 350 years, the city has seen periods of great wealth and prosperity as well as times of great poverty. Two major wars were fought within the city, which were followed by occupations of invading armies. Charleston has endured fights with pirates, hurricanes, floods, and catastrophic fires and earthquakes. However, Charleston has capitalized on its rich history and has developed world renowned restaurants and attractions that make it well worth a visit. You can enjoy the city’s nightlife, museums and historical houses, unwind from work at one of the many festivals or sporting events that occur all throughout the year. There are plenty of things to see and do during your days off. Furthermore, with numerous housing options - in and around downtown Charleston - and easy access to local hospitals and South Carolina’s only comprehensive academic medical center, Charleston should be at the very top of your list for travel nursing locations.
Food Experiences
Given Charleston’s history with rice plantations, West African slaves, and the Gullah culinary tradition, it is no surprise that soul food plays an essential role in the city’s modern culinary landscape. Some of the most popular dishes in Charleston today, such as okra soup, fried pork chops, collard greens, lime beans and ham, and cornbread, are soul food. These dishes are your best living link to the region’s past, and you’ll find them at the city’s many lowcountry soul food restaurants. For authentic Charleston-area soul food, it’s hard to beat Bertha’s Kitchen (opens in new tab) in North Charleston. Established in 1979, this cash only restaurant does not disappoint with it’s fried chicken plate served with red rice, mac and cheese, pork-flecked cabbage, cornbread, and sweet tea. If you’re looking for something closer to downtown, then head on over to Martha Lou’s Kitchen (opens in new tab). This Charleston institution has been praised by the New York Times, The Travel Channel and even Martha Stewart for its homemade fried chicken, bread pudding, and baked macaroni.
If you are in the mood to treat yourself and experience some fine dining, Husk (opens in new tab) and FIG (opens in new tab) offer the best that Charleston has to offer. Centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk transforms the essence of Southern food. Executive chef, Travis Grimes, crafts the menu to showcase local ingredients and cuisine and if it doesn’t come from the South then it will not be seen on any of the plates. This modern approach results in playful dishes such as Carolina Gold Crab Rice, South Carolina Shrimp and Choppee Okra Stew with Carolina Gold Rice and Flowering Basil, and Kentuckyaki Glazed Pig’s Ear Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Vinegar Cucumber and Red Onion. If the wait is too long at Husk, then walk up three blocks to FIG. An acronym for ‘Food is Good’, FIG delivers on their promise. The rotating menu highlights seasonal dishes, such as a local rudderfish crudo rice bowl loaded with roe and watermelon radish, and timeless standbys like a tagliolini cacio e pepe buried beneath a flurry of parm. Get whatever fish is fresh that day, be it flounder or snapper, crusted in mustard and topped with a bone-marrow salsa verde. It is important to get a reservation for Husk or FIG beforehand, otherwise you might be waiting for a couple hours.
If you are in a hurry and need something quick, then pay a visit to Persimmons Cafe (opens in new tab). Located inside a laundromat on Calhoun Street, this quaint cafe has been a Charleston staple since 2013. With a wide variety of healthy gourmet sandwiches and wraps, freshly made soups and curry, and hand-spun custards, it might be a bit overwhelming to figure out what to get. Do not fret though, because you will not be disappointed with their Adult Grilled Cheese - a grilled cheese sandwich with prosciutto, granny smith apple, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar on a toasted sourdough bread - paired with their nutella and burnt marshmallow custard or vanilla lemonade.
Must See Attractions in Charleston
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (opens in new tab)/ Cooper River Bridge Run
If heights do not scare you, then set aside a few hours to walk or bike across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Locally known as the Ravenel Bridge or the Cooper River Bridge, this cable-stayed bridge goes across the Cooper River and connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant.
As the third longest among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere, the Ravenel Bridge is an engineering marvel. Designed to withstand shipping accidents and the natural disasters that have plagued Charleston's history, the Ravenel Bridge is designed to endure wind gusts in excess of 300 mph, earthquakes up to a 7.4 on the Richter scale, and has one-acre rock islands on each tower to protect against errant ships. In addition to the eight 12-foot traffic lanes, there is also a 12-foot bicycle and pedestrian path along the south edge of the bridge overlooking Charleston Harbor. For those that run, test your speed with the Cooper River Bridge Run (opens in new tab) 10K that takes place across the bridge every year. As the third largest 10K race in the United States, this race starts in Mount Pleasant and ends at Marion Square in downtown Charleston.
Charleston Museum
As America's first museum, the Charleston Museum has an outstanding collection of historic artifacts, natural history, and decorative arts that showcase Charleston and the Lowcountry. Whether you have an interest in early southern culture, decorative arts, historic weapons or military history, the Charleston Museum has something for everyone. Among their artifacts is the only known fossil of the extinct Pelagornis sandersi, which is the largest flying bird ever discovered. Furthermore, the museum owns and operates two historic house museums: the Heyward-Washington House (opens in new tab) and the Joseph Manigault House (opens in new tab). The Heyward-Washington House is a late 18th-century house owned by Revolutionary patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward, Jr. This house is perhaps best known as the place that President George Washington stayed during his 1792 visit to Charleston. The Joseph Manigault House is a Federal-style home decorated with American, English and French furnishings of the early 19th century.
South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is located downtown on the historic Charleston Harbor. Home to more than ten thousand plants and animals (such as the North American river otters, loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, owls, lined seahorses, jellyfish, pufferfish, and many many more.) Be sure to spend some time and check out the largest exhibit in the aquarium, the GReat Ocean Tank. As the deepest tank in North America, this exhibit spans three floors and contains over 700 different animals. Don’t forget to explore their most recent permanent exhibit, the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery. Opened in May 2017, this exhibit allows visitors to experience the real-life rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles.
Sports Leagues in Charleston
Although Charleston does not have any major league sports franchises, there is still a lot to offer for any sports enthusiast.
Many professional teams have a minor league presence in Charleston. The Charleston Riverdogs (opens in new tab) minor league baseball team, a New York Yankees affiliate, plays at the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in downtown Charleston and the Charleston Stingrays (opens in new tab) minor league ice hockey team, a Washington Capitals affiliate, plays at the Charleston Coliseum.
The city is also home to one of the oldest continuously operating professional soccer clubs in the United States, the Charleston Battery (opens in new tab). The Battery are a lower division soccer club and one of the most successful clubs in the history of the unofficial Southern Derby competition. Prior to 2020, the Battery played its home games at the MUSC Health Stadium on Daniel Island. However, currently they play at Patriots Point Soccer Complex (opens in new tab)that’s just across the river from downtown Charleston.
Any list of Charleston sports options would not be complete without mentioning the three big college teams nearby - College of Charleston’s Cougars, The Citadel’s Bulldogs, and Charleston Southern University’s Buccaneers. Located downtown are College of Charleston and The Citadel. While College of Charleston (opens in new tab) does not have a football team, it does have highly successful men’s and women’s basketball, co-ed sailing, women's volleyball, and men's baseball. The Military College of South Carolina, commonly known simply as The Citadel (opens in new tab), has a successful football, baseball, and wrestling team. Charleston Southern University (opens in new tab)on the other hand, is located in North Charleston and has the smallest program. All three of these schools compete with other universities from across the country in NCAA Division I.
Nightlife in Charleston
Explore Charleston once the sun goes down and you’ll quickly find out that it is worth getting to know at night just as it is during its sunnier hours. The Holy City is one of variety, with its walkable streets lined with excellent late night restaurants and bars, dancing, and live music, makes it suitable for every level of nightlife plans. Most Charleston bars are centered around the Market Street and Upper King Street areas, though there are a handful that fall just outside of these popular hangouts too.
The Rooftop
The Rooftop at Vendue offers tasty specialty cocktails and classy bar service with an unforgettable view of the Charleston Harbor and East Bay Street architecture. Marketed as "Charleston’s Art Hotel," everything from the tile floors to the artwork on the wall is impeccably decorated. As a favorite spot for locals, this rooftop bar provides a stunning introduction to Charleston's classic beauty, top-notch hospitality and cultivated art community. Expect a full house on weeknights, especially if the weather is ideal for outdoor dining and drinking. Furthermore, since The Rooftop is open until midnight, it is smart to start your evening off here so that you can experience an incredible sunset view of the Harbor before making your way to another bar.
Dudley’s on Ann
While Charleston only has one gay bar, it is one that you won't want to miss. In fact, in 2019 Dudley's was named one of the top 50 gay bars in the country. On the weekends, expect to see everyone dancing and sipping on one-of-a-kind cocktails. However, during the week you can expect to see drag shows, karaoke, and daily happy hour specials, to name a few. Open seven days a week, Dudley's is located in the popular King Street district.
The Alley
If you need a break from the nightclub environment, then spend a night or two at The Alley. Best known as Charleston's only downtown bowling alley, this retro-style bowling hotspot has everything you need for a fun adult game night. If you get hungry while bowling, then you can not go wrong with any of their wide selection of craft burgers, sandwiches, or wings that come in six different flavors. Local tip - try the honey habanero, it will rock your world. They also provide cold local beers on tap that can be delivered lane-side. In addition to bowling, The Alley has an array of arcade games to keep you occupied while waiting for your turn at the lanes. The Alley is a sports bar in every sense of the term, which is why you'll see every major college and pro game on the TV screens. Drink and play while you watch at The Alley.
Explore Charleston’s Outdoor Attractions
Spending some quality time outdoors is a great way to destress from the demands of being a travel nurse. Charleston offers numerous outdoor activities for your leisure. If a relaxing day at the beach is what you crave, then have you come to the right place because Charleston is within driving distance to a handful of beautiful beaches: Folly Beach, Kiawah, Sullivan’s, Isle of Palms, and Seabrook. One of those beaches, and the one locally known as the best, is Sullivan’s Island. Just a 15-minute commute from downtown, few beaches in the world bear the weight of history more than Sullivan’s Island. This island served as an entry point into North America for nearly 200,000 enslaved Africans in the 18th and 19th century and then became an integral location for the defense of Charleston during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Today, day-trippers come to this beach to explore its history and to relax in the sun. As one of only a few beaches in the state where accretion is outpacing erosion, Sullivan’s Island offers an offshore sandbar that blocks strong waves and allows for peaceful swimming. Don’t forget to spend some time off the beach and explore the restaurant district on the island. Unlike other beaches around Charleston, Sullivan’s Island does not charge for parking.
If a day at the beach is not for you, then there are still plenty of other outdoor attractions to explore in downtown Charleston. Located in Marion Square, every Saturday from late April to the beginning of October, you will find the Charleston Farmers Market (opens in new tab). As Charleston’s largest and most crowded farmers market, this market has it all and more. You’ll find everything from seasonal veggies and freshly squeezed juices to hand-painted pillows, locally made soaps, and mermaid mosaics. Make a point to stop by Blue Pearl Farms for the various flavors of local honey and chipotle blueberry compote.
Once you’ve finished with the farmers market, walk on down to the Battery (opens in new tab)and Rainbow Row (opens in new tab). The Battery is a defensive seawall landmark and promenade at the eastern most tip of the peninsula. Today, the Battery is a public park and a perfect spot to lay in a hammock and enjoy the breeze off the water. On your way to the Battery, you will pass Rainbow Row. Rainbow Row is the name for a series of thirteen colorful historic houses along East Bay Street. These houses are the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States and the name Rainbow Row was coined after the pastel colors they were painted after they were restored in the 1930s and 1940s. It is a popular tourist attraction and is considered one of the most photographed parts of Charleston.
Looking for something more educational? Head on over to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site (opens in new tab)in West Ashley. This site was opened in 1970 to preserve the original site of the first permanent English settlement in Carolina and to commemorate South Carolina's tricentennial. It is suggested that visitors begin with the 12-room, interactive museum in the Visitors Center that includes a “digital dig”. Then take a self-guided history tour outside. While outside, make sure to visit the Adventure, Charleston's only 17th century replica sailing ship, and the authentic experimental crop garden. You will be sure to find archaeologists on site continuing excavating sections of the 664-acre site. Before you leave, make sure to stop by the Animal Forest natural habitat zoo and 80 acres of gardens.
Housing for Travel Nurses in Charleston
As the largest city in South Carolina, Charleston offers plenty of travel nurse jobs... but after those jobs are filled, now it’s time to dig into travel nurse housing options as well! Whether you are in the market for a single room with shared common spaces or you are looking for a full house or apartment to yourself, you will be able to find the right space to fit your needs and your budget. Here is a quick look at some available properties from Furnished Finder (opens in new tab) / Travel Nurse Housing (opens in new tab):
Property Near Hospitals
Looking for a property that is within walking distance of all the restaurants and hospitals that downtown Charleston has to offer? This one bedroom property is fully furnished and includes a long list of amenities. A 10 minute walk to the Historical Charleston City Market and steps away from King Street, this unit is surrounded by wonderful cafes, restaurants, and bars. The home allows in plenty of natural light and includes high speed internet, washer and dryer and a fenced in terraced patio with table and chairs for enjoying the wonderful Charleston weather. Perhaps best of all, it is located less than a mile away from the three major hospitals in Charleston: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) (opens in new tab), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (opens in new tab), and Roper Hospital (opens in new tab).
Perfect City + Beach Location
If you want to save as much money as possible during your time as a travel nurse, believe it or not there are some more economical housing choices in Charleston that still offer a long list of amenities and close proximity to work. This room rental is just one example of a more affordable option. It includes 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and a plethora of living space. This property is an 8 minute drive to Downtown Charleston and a 12 minute drive to Folly Beach. In a very quiet neighborhood of James Island, you are within walking distance to a grocery store, gym, coffee shop and restaurants. While you won’t be within walking distance of hospitals, you will be just a short drive away from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) (opens in new tab), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (opens in new tab), Bon Secours St. Francis (opens in new tab), and Roper Hospital (opens in new tab). It is the perfect option for anyone looking for a quiet place to relax after a long day at work while still remaining close to all the city has to offer.
Townhouse on Colonial Lake
This beautiful 2 bedroom, two story townhouse on Colonial Lake offers both exceptional location and amenities. You can enjoy this fully furnished amenities and a modern interior decor that is cool and airy. The townhouse allows in plenty of natural light and includes ample extra closet space, a gated back porch, high speed internet, and washer and dryer. Right across the street you will have access to public tennis courts and a running/walking path at Colonial Lake. Perhaps best of all, this spacious townhouse is just down the street from three major hospitals (Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) (opens in new tab), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (opens in new tab) and Roper Hospital (opens in new tab)) and is a short drive to two other hospitals (Bon Secours St. Francis (opens in new tab) and Trident Medical Center (opens in new tab)).