Connected with Kevin 6 months before our trip and the most important thing I can say is Kevin listens to what you want to get out of your trip. Our group of 3 had a main focus on the history of Charleston and Savannah and Kevin delivered. But he knew that we would also need a break and worked in tours that highlighted the charm and feel for each city including a late night stroll with him. His restaurant bookings were so helpful when you travel, finding good places to eat that have a table can be very challenging. To not have to think about where I'm going each night was a blessing. I can't recommend enough having him plan your visit to what you love to do most when you travel. read more

If you want to find the secret soul of Charleston, experience the city in a unique way escape the usual tourist traps, do NOT even consider going without Kevin the true Charleston guru. He is a passionate and seasoned personal concierge who will hold your hand from start to finish and even check in with you once you land back in your hometown. From the minute I opened Kevin's website I just had an amazing feeling. I knew right away that Kevin would help us plan the BEST and least cookie cutter trip and experience for our family. There is so much information online about Charleston. And whilst it's exciting to research a new city, it's easy to get overwhelmed and end up with all the standard tourist traps. Enter Kevin McQuade--he just get it from the start. Within minutes we connected over the phone. He has an uncanny sense of what you'll like and dislike and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about creating next level SC experiences. Over the phone Kevin was so caring, asked the right questions and keenly listened as he got to know OUR family! It was clear that seeing Charleston from an insider's point of view would give us a very different and off-the-beaten path experience, as opposed to the run of the mill Charleston trip. That's exactly what we wanted! Kevin really took his time to gather tons of information, made amazing suggestions for tours, experiences and restaurants in real time and then went off to do his magic. He makes all the calls and books all of your tours, meals etc. This took all the pressure off and all we had to do was pack and show up! Kevin came back to us with the most unbelievable itinerary. I could not get over the level of detail - all the information for anywhere we were going, interesting fact, travel time, what time to leave our hotel, tips and tricks for each destination, dress codes, things to think about ahead of time, must picks for each menu and so much more. He took all the guess work out and this made for such an enjoyable and smooth trip. All of Kevin's suggested and booked was beyond incredible and we ALL loved everything we did. Everything we did became the new highlight! There was some unexpected rain D]during our stay and Kevin immediately got on to things and helped us do a quick pivot to make the necessary adjustments. My two teens remained engaged, excited and involved throughout and really loved Charleston because of the itinerary and how we spent our time there. In fact, they were sad to leave and can't wait to return. The restaurants selected were next level, with each meal better than the next. Kevin made sure all our lunches and dinners were booked and each provided a totally different and unique cuisine and vibe! We could not get over the food, the service and overall culinary experiences we were having - this from a huge foodie! The food itself was a highlight, not one I was necessarily expecting. We did two walking tours - one with Kevin who showed us beautiful Charleston at night - there is nothing like it and was blow your mind incredible - and another with the fabulous storyteller and super cool and fun Ed Macy that we did during the day was just incredible. We were so excited and filled with gratitude throughout every step that we took in Charleston. We just wanted more and more and could not get enough. Another highlight was the Middleton Place Plantation - one we would never have chosen on our own. It was one of the most sublime experiences including a most exquisite dinner which was all glass enclosed and had the most magnificent views of the garden and the plantation. The history, the beauty, the vastness, it was truly surreal. We stayed in an amazing hotel The Dewberry, which was brilliantly located in downtown Charleston, right by King Street, which is filled with amazing shopping, stores, restaurants, bars, coffee, houses, you name it. But Kevin takes the guessing out and tells you which is the best place to go for coffee, ice cream or even where to get the famous coconut layered cake etc. he'll make suggestions that you NOT read anywhere and would only know about from a local. What I loved so much about working with Kevin aside from everything, was that he held our hand from start to finish and communicated with us throughout our trip. He checked in on us, was keen to hear how things were going, and was available for any questions that we had along the way. I have never been on a vacation and had such a personal concierge service at my fingertips. Kevin is such an authentic, warm, personable, funny, open and just all-around really really great guy who is trustworthy and really loves and cares about his job and is so passionate about planning and creating a perfect trip for you and your family. There really is NO other way to visit Charleston. BEST money if the trip you'll spend! It will literally be a game changer. Your trip will not be the same unless you work directly with Kevin - the Charleston guru! read more

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I recently had the absolute pleasure of working with Kevin, our Charleston Concierge for my dad's 70th birthday trip, and I can't recommend him enough! We had a "large group" of five adults ranging from ages 36-70, and Kevin made the entire experience seamless, fun, and truly unforgettable. From the very start, Kevin took the time to tailor our trip to our needs, ensuring every moment was special. The food experiences were unreal--The Charleston's culinary scene, curated by Kevin, was hands down one of the most unique and delicious adventures I've ever had, and I wine and dine for a living, so not always easy to impress. We dined at places I wouldn't have even known to ask about, each one more impressive than the last, with a suggested "must haves" list at every destination (items we may have otherwise overlooked) ! As someone who usually avoids tours, I was blown away by how great the ones Kevin arranged were. They were so engaging, insightful, and fun, I ended up looking forward to them every day, especially the private evening tour he hosts himself. We got to see the best of Charleston, with stories and history I'd never have learned on my own yet kept me engaged throughout. If you're planning a trip to Charleston--especially for a special occasion like ours--do yourself a favor and hire Kevin. His attention to detail, insider knowledge, and commitment to making our trip literally perfect were unmatched. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. 10/10 recommend! read more

Charleston Trip Planning If you've never been to Charleston and are planning a trip then I would highly recommend you contact Kevin McQuade. Prior to our trip we spent an hour and 15 minutes on the phone with him, money well spent, so that he could customized our experience to ensure that we had an amazing time. He met with us on our first night in town to take us on an evening tour which I highly recommend, and you could tell right away that he was the real deal, as his intimate knowledge of Charleston, combined with his passion and enthusiasm provided for a great start to the trip, and for a wonderful evening. He even secured reservations for us at several prime restaurants. We loved everything we ate and did in Charleston. We went on a historic walking tour, took a small boat tour of a lighthouse, visited a plantation, and topped it off with a culinary tour with Forrest Parker, who prepared a 3 course meal for us, which was the highlight of our trip. We did find some gems on our own and highly recommend them. The Griffin for Amazing fish and chips and ambiance Baker's Bar, located at 6 Windermere Blvd near the TCBY, for pretty good Pizza, considering I live in NY Kevin-Thank you so much for showing us the secret side of Charleston, giving us a trip we could never have planned on our own! read more

Kevin's intimate knowledge of Charleston and surrounds, combined with his passion for welcoming guests with knowledge, tips and enthusiasm provided us with a wonderous long weekend. He customized our experience to ensure that both our west coast guests and my Charleston family all enjoyed our time here together. Talk about a tourist in my own city! After living here for 20 years, I'm very familiar with this town, yet he took us deep into places I'd never noticed. My hosting work was cut to nothing. With his connections, Kevin secured reservations for us at the prime restaurants. Our guests were delighted and all of us were enchanted. Thank you Kevin for a stellar Charleston Secret experience! Bambi Magraw read more

By far the best way to see and experience Charleston is through the highly polished and experienced lens of Kevin McQuade. I researched him on the web and contacted him about a special surprise birthday trip for my wife that involved bringing in all of our 6 children from all around the country. Kevin was a complete stranger to me and I was just going off of his website and web reviews (of which I am always suspicious) as I searched for some help in getting this trip put together. Kevin interviewed me carefully and thoroughly to gain a deep understanding of who we are, what I wanted out of the trip, the group's food tastes, activity levels, budget issues and the like, and then put together a perfect trip that far exceeded my expectations. From the restaurants, to the walking tours, to the boat excursions (lighthouse and barrier islands) to hotels and beyond (photographer, jeweler), Kevin put together an itinerary that was off the charts and perfect for the occasion. While I knew Charleston pretty well and had travelled there with my wife several times, the trip that Kevin planned was nothing like what I would have put together on my own, and FAR superior. Kevin is an insider, and what you get from him is an experienced and knowledgeable insider's glimpse into a way of enjoying the city that you will not get anywhere else. I was a little leery of paying Kevin upfront for his services because this was literally a shot in the dark. But now that the trip is over (a week ago from this posting), I would happily pay his fee (and more) for the effort, care, follow up and sincere service that Kevin demonstrated throughout this process (I contacted him months ago). I rarely write reviews, let alone lengthy reviews, for these kinds of things, but I wanted mine to serve (hopefully) as a helpful reference to others who might be looking to set up a trip to Charleston. Kevin is one-stop shopping, and you will not be disappointed. (And no, I am not a family member, friend, or business partner of Kevin's; just a very appreciative customer who wants to get the word out). read more

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Using Kevin McQuade to plan our Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah trip made for the best travel experience we've had in a very long time. We loved each location, activity and restaurant that Kevin recommended. This was money well spent to be able to experience these locations that Kevin knows so well. We highly recommend reaching out to Kevin and let him plan a trip that is personalized just for you! read more

We have worked with Kevin on 2 occasions - our first trip had to be cancelled because of illness and he was quick and gracious to cancel all of our reservations. A true professional. We just returned from our successsul trip to Charleston and EVERY recommendation he made was spot on. We are true foodies so the restaurant recommendations and reservations he made for both lunch and dinner excursions were fabulous and the food was outstanding! Keven also set us up on 3 tours - Charleston, Beaufort and the Lighthouse boat trip and all 3 were great and the tour guides outstanding. Couldn't recommend Kevin more highly and there is NO question our trip would have have been the same without his help. Best money you could spend to have a 5 star experience in Charleston. A delightful city to experience. read more

Amazing. No other word! I need to preface this review by stating I am someone that LOVES to trip and tour plan. I am quite good at it! I had sketched a trip to Charleston for my husband as he had an interest in visiting the south. I could not get myself excited for the trip for some reason. I have seen photos of Charleston and had it in my mind a certain way yet I didn't feel what I had created matched my vision. I found Kevin online and he described himself as a master trip planner, much the same way I am for Disneyworld. I figured if Kevin was 1/2 as detailed as me, we could be onto something. I had met my match! 5 minutes into the conversation I realized THIS is what was missing from a superior trip - KEVIN! His knowledge and style of questioning helped him hone in on exactly the type of local experiences my family loved. He managed to take all 3 of my families' interests and blend it into one trip we all just LOVED. He had us on a whirlwind tour of Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston. His incredible knowledge had us at the best restaurants such as FIG -where even my hotel staff questioned HOW DID WE MANAGE THAT RESERVATION? Provided the best guides for the best private tours and had me going outside my comfort zone and experiencing private guided kayak and boat tours and walking tours. All selected based on our interests and personalities. It simply isn't enough to read trip advisor and think you found the best tour company to tour you - you need the best guide at that company and trust me, Kevin knows who they all are! What really set Kevin apart from ANY trip planner was his downright determination to provide an A plus experience. He takes it personal if something is amiss in your plan or YOUR enthusiasm. He is beyond dedicated and an amazingly patient man. I had many "suggestions" along the way on what I thought we should do. Kevin politely steered me in other directions and I am so grateful he did. The cherry on the sundae is the private night tour he took us on in Charleston. Peeking in alleys at gardens and yards in the dead of night with no one around - THAT is the Charleston that was completely missing from my original trip sketch I did. It was quaint, charming and EXACTLY what your mind thinks of when you think Charleston. I will assure you though if you don't go with Kevin you will be in the busy tourist trap area doing all the tourist stuff and thinking to yourself this looks NOTHING like the picture I had in my head of Charleston. KEVIN IS A GEM! HIS SERVICE IS FANTASTIC! It is the ONLY way to see Charleston. Trust me! If you want a week full of the RIGHT tours, the RIGHT restaurants, the RIGHT activities and a detailed itinerary of your day - look not further. read more

Kevin McQuade has the heart of an extraordinary Concierge. Sixteen years ago we watched him perform acts of kindness that we never forgot. When an opportunity came for an April 2023 trip to Charleston on short notice, we turned to Kevin and asked if he would recommend all new activities and restaurants since we were bound to go back to all the same places. Kevin optimized everything we did: perfectly timing our seven days and nights in Charleston and Buford and finding the best tours, boat trips, culinary adventures and making advance reservations that made travel a breeze. He leaves nothing to chance. We have never seen his kind of dedication before and may never again. Kevin continues to improve his services with personal experience and feedback from travelers. Everything you read about him is true. His expertise and enthusiasm are second to none. We can't thank him enough for making this one of our favorite vacations. Susan and Doug read more

Y'all, this was SO money well spent. Kevin is incredibly knowledgeable. We had an hour long phone call with him initially so he could learn about us- our likes and dislikes- to cater experiences and restaurants personally to us. Our final itinerary fit us perfectly. We loved absolutely everything we ate and did, making for a great first visit to Charleston. We ended up going on a historic walking tour (with a fantastic tour guide compared to others we have had in different cities), a boat charter, visiting a plantation, and biking through the residential district. And the food! Well, never have I eaten so well in just a few days... every meal was incredible and he arranged all the reservations to fit our schedule. Several places we went were even surprised to know we were tourists; they are favorites with the locals. Kevin- Thanks so much for showing us the secret side of Charleston, giving us a perfect, romantic trip we could have never planned ourselves! read more

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Kevin McQuade was highly-recommended to me by a friend and I'd 10/10 recommend his services to anyone looking to experience Charleston's charm and hidden gems. Kevin scheduled a call with my travel group to understand our interests, travel goals and budget; then, planned our personalized trip for us. He booked us on a kayaking trip, lighthouse tour and culinary tour - each were incredible and exactly what we were hoping to do. The highlight was the tour Kevin, himself, lead through the historical district at night. The highlights were the IMMACULATE restaurant reservations and menu suggestions. Each meal was better than the last! read more

Oh my goodness! What an experience! I came to Charleston for a conference and I have to admit, my mind was mainly on the conference during my trip preparation rather than the city. I'm so glad my friend rescued me from the hotel and got me to embark on a journey I never thought I would ever go on. We saw Charleston through Kevin's eyes and I got to experience all the history, charm, beauty and mystery that this town offered. We saw the inside of beautiful churches, walked around historic streets and alley ways, and experienced delicious and amazing food. To top it all off, we went on a private night tour with the one and only Kevin as our tour guide. I thought Charleston was beautiful during the daytime but the night time experience was something truly to be treasured. It felt like the city was open only to us and we reveled in it. If you really want to see Charleston for what it truly is, contact Kevin. You'll thank me later. read more

I have been a fan of Kevin McQuade for over a decade. I once wrote a review on him saying: "Condé Naste Traveler states that a seasoned Concierge is: better connected than the internet, faster than a T3 line, and able to book the unbookable in a single call. When they wrote that, I know they were thinking of Kevin McQuade." But as I have traveled around the world, I have not found one concierge that is as passionate about his subject matter and providing that WOW factor (every time) as Kevin applies to every trip planned. And I was so thrilled when he decided to help more travelers by launching Secret Charleston. Because that is exactly what he delivers...a Charleston that even some Charlestonian's miss. Let me tell you, I am originally from Charleston. I am a control freak, a hard core foodie and I am hard to impress. But... I am always impressed by the thought of every detail he provides. He has created his own maps and guides. He not only suggests restaurants, but also tells you what dishes the restaurant is known for. He is a master at his craft, an expert on Charleston and within a phone call, he becomes a great friend who gets to know what you like and dislike so he can create a trip that is as unique as you are. I have used his services several times over the years and we have always had a superb time, whether it be with friends or just with my husband. This time, I was meeting a client in Charleston in early February...the weather was superb...we so lucked out. We biked around Charleston using one of his maps. It took us through neighborhoods, churches, graveyards, and alleys. We ate like kings! Kevin knows I am a big foodie, so he made sure I got into a couple of my favorite restaurants as well as a couple of new trendy ones that I hadn't yet heard of. All were delicious! My client was so impressed. I looked like a rock star because I had Kevin plan the perfect itinerary. If you want to truly dive into Charleston, escape the touristy bits and discover the charm, have Kevin plan your whole trip. Even though I am a control freak, I let Kevin have full reins when I come back to Charleston. And he never disappoints. read more

We recently took a trip to Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston. It would have been a very nice trip if we had planned it on our own, but with Kevin's invaluable assistance, it was a great trip! We absolutely recommend Kevin. His knowledge of the area, things to do and great restaurants was simply amazing and his enthusiasm was contagious. He happily spent many hours on the phone getting to know our interests and likes, and quickly put together a very detailed itinerary for us. The tour guides he recommended were exceptional. We enjoyed the activities he suggested, which took us off the usual tourist circuit. And the restaurants far exceeded our expectations! We are so happy that we were able to work with Kevin, and we highly recommend that you do the same! read more

Kevin, it was so relaxing and exciting to just sit back and have you plan our trip. After our intial interviewing phone call, we could not wait to see what you came up with and could not wait to experience ALL of it! Our most appreciated experience, in all of our trip, was that we were able to mingle with the locals and get to the heart of Charleston, thru locals and locations, which added meaning and heart to our trip. We can honestly say it was above and beyond what we expected and look forward to experiencing our next trip with you! You are absolutely incredible at what you do, you put your heart and soul into it, and it is very evident. You have a gift for this sort of thing. It's so nice to see how much you LOVE what you do, it certainly reflects in your end product for us. Our night tour of the city was absolutely magical! The water fountains, lights, tiny pathways, and gas lamps made our experience simply whimsical! Peeking into back and side yards, capturing night shots in special nooks and crannies, listening to you explain what we saw and felt, all of it was truly one of the highlights of our trip and our trip would not have been the same without it!!! We are so disappointed that we did not get a selfie of the 3 of us!!!! So we have to make sure we do it on our next trip!! We could not have had this experience on our own without your help in planning it. THANK YOU for an incredible experience! read more

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Kevin McQuade of Secret Charleston planned an exceptional vacation for us and is worth every cent of his very fair fee. Our trip covered 8 days, divided among Charleston, Beaufort, and Savannah. Kevin began with a phone interview to identify what we hoped to get out of our trip, preferred activities and experiences, food preferences, and so forth. He set up reservations for fantastic walking tours, two different kayak trips -- as different as night and day, fabulous restaurants, and great less-traveled places to stop on our drive between Charleston and Savannah. He included a night guided tour of Charleston that for me was one of the highlights of the trip as he not only could take me to interesting sites but he was well versed in wonderful 'photo ops' that I enjoyed as a photographer. He has wonderful personal maps that he shared for us to use when we were on our own as well. My feeling as I look back on our trip is that because of his guidance, we raised this vacation to a level that we would not have been able to do on our own. We avoided 'tourist traps' while eating at some of the best restaurants these areas had to offer (he even listed recommendations for what to order - and was right on target for each one!). We had more than enough activities to choose amongst, and for those tours we took, we had guides that were exceptionally high quality. Kevin is a terrific resource and I highly recommend his services. read more

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We only had 2 1/2 days and Kevin filled them masterfully! This is the second time we have used his services and he didn't disappoint. Kevin spends considerable time finding out what your interests are then maps out an experience you won't forget. He truly is interested in making sure you have a great adventure. For us that meant off the beaten paths finds, connecting with the locals and good food! Kevin set us up in a wonderful B&B and sent us to fabulous restaurants even the Lyft driver didn't know about. YUM! There is so much to see and do in Charleston. So many choices so little time. We would not have had the experience We did without a Kevin's help. Thank you!!!!! Connie read more

We used Kevin to plan a long weekend celebrating our anniversary. We had an amazing time, and we loved all the unique activities and restaurant suggestions Kevin planned for us. It was a breeze to just turn over the planning to a professional. We ate at delicious places that weren't tourist traps and did a variety of activities - historical tour of Charleston, eco-tour of Folly River, a plantation visit, and nighttime tour of some of Charleston's most historic and beautiful neighborhoods. Kevin's enthusiasm is unparalleled. I highly recommend him and would definitely use him again should we visit Charleston in the future. read more

I was absolutely blown away by Kevin's enthusiasm and knowledge of Charleston! Our only regret is that we didn't take his tour at the beginning of our trip because he gives a totally different perspective of the city that one wouldn't have otherwise. My parents were already pretty excited about his tour beforehand, but I wasn't sure what to expect (I'm 22). So, I was super surprised about how enjoyable it was! I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to go beyond typical tourist activities. read more

Don't come to Charleston without consulting with Kevin first! The easiest trip planning I've ever done, Kevin spoke with us, understood our interests, and did not miss with a single recommendation. Many of these weren't even on the top guides of the city. Thanks Kevin! read more

Wow!!! If you are considering using Kevin McQuade to help plan your trip to Charleston etc. don't think twice...he truly is amazing at what he can do to make your trip one of the most memorable, authentic, travel experiences you could find. Sure he can recommend restaurants and they were all fantastic and yes he truly knows the best local guides but this guy actually got us a private performance with Hallelujah Singers in Beaufort that will likely be one of the best awe inspiring evenings my friends and I will ever experience. These amazing Gullah singers served up a home cooked best ever authentic Gullah dinner for us as if the singing wasn't enough!!! Kevin McQuade if you are reading this you are amazing!!! This wasn't a fluke second time I have used Kevin for travel in the Charleston and surrounding areas. Both trips entirely different...and both trips unforgettable! read more

We really enjoyed our tour of Charleston in the beginning. Kevin is very knowledgeable and shares a lot of information. My only problem was when I asked a question, he answered with a very condescending attitude and it sort of ruined the rest of the tour for me. I've done a lot of tours in a lot of cities and this was the first time I felt that the tour guide didn't really enjoy what he was doing. read more

I must be honest and say that I have not personally patronized this new business, but I am familiar with Mr. McQuade from a previous visit to Charleston in 2008 with my daughter, when we stayed at a hotel (the Holiday Inn, I believe, which may no longer exist) for which he was the concierge, and during that visit he impressed me greatly. He made recommendations for attractions and restaurants to us that were excellent, and he even took us one evening on a walking tour of the city, for which he refused payment, even a tip. He greatly enhanced our enjoyment of the city, and I have no doubt that now that he has his own business, he is doing the same for his customers. He is a first-class person, both exceptionally competent and a genuinely nice guy, and although my information about him is almost 11 years old, I was so happy with him that I would not hesitate to recommend him to anybody visiting Charleston who wants to get a really good understanding of the city. read more