One day in Charleston SC is TOUGH if you’ve never been there before. Charleston is one of my favorite cities, and I’ve taken 3 different trips there. It’s the perfect combination of historic, walkable, foodie, outdoors, and it’s just plain beautiful. There’s something for everyone from the beach to the shops to the museums. I would highly recommend a week-long trip here. That said, here’s what I would recommend for a day trip to Charleston SC.
I won’t make any specific recommendations on food in this post, because there are a hundred amazing restaurants to choose from for just one day in Charleston SC. Personally, I think the best way to choose is to decide what you want to eat and then ask a local for recommendations on that. You don’t have a week to eat all the amazing southern food, so you might have to choose between fried green tomatoes, shrimp & grits, and something topped with pimento cheese. No matter what you pick to eat in Charleston SC, I’m sure it will be delicious.
For this one day in Charleston SC itinerary, we’ll focus on what to do and help you narrow down the best way to spend your day in this beautiful and historic city.
Historic Carriage Ride
One of the best things to do in Charleston is a carriage ride through the historic district. I’ve done one on every trip to Charleston and it’s always been a highlight. It’s the best way to get an overview of the entire historic district in just an hour.
Historic Charleston City Market
After your carriage tour, walk to the Historic Charleston City Market, which runs down Market Street from Meeting Street to East Bay Street. You can start at either end, but don’t miss the architecture of the Museum at Market Hall on Meeting Street and the United States Custom House on the East Bay end.
Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain
Less than a 10 minute walk south from the Charleston market, you’ll find Waterfront Park and the iconic Pineapple Fountain. You’ll also pass several of the best restaurants in Charleston SC, including High Cotton and Magnolias on East Bay Street and Fleet Landing on Concord Street. After enjoying the park and taking a few photos, you can continue south.
Rainbow Row
You may have already seen Rainbow Row on your carriage tour, but if you haven’t, walking this street is one of the most popular things to do in Charleston SC. Rainbow Row’s colorful homes are located on East Bay Street, from East Elliot Street to South Adgers Wharf.
The Battery
After continuing south another few blocks, East Bay Street will open up to the water and become East Battery. Enjoy strolling along the seawall and gazing at beautiful mansions. You might even see the Fort Sumpter ferry going by. If you walk all the way to the end, wander through White Point Garden as well.
As you return from the waterfront, I’d recommend walking up Meeting Street for a look at another street of gorgeous historic homes. Assuming you return to your car close to the carriage tour, your loop will be just under 2.5 miles, so stop at the City Market again to grab a sweet treat.
Dinner
Finish off your day trip to Charleston SC with a fabulous meal at the restaurant that appealed to you the most. You’ll find a list of popular Charleston restaurants as well as additional information about all the stops in this itinerary in our What To Do in Charleston post.
That wraps up our best tips and tricks for things to do in Charleston SC for a one day trip. We hope you have a fantastic time and if you have more time to explore, check out our other posts designed for longer trips.
Tips for One Day in Charleston
If you are able to stay overnight, you’ll be able to maximize your time in Charleston. Choosing a hotel or Charleston bed and breakfast in the middle of the historic district will make it easier to walk everywhere. If you drive to multiple spots around downtown Charleston, you’ll end up racking up quite a bit in parking fees.
We think the best time to visit Charleston is in the spring. When everything is flowering, Charleston looks as pretty as a postcard. We’ve visited twice in the spring and it’s lovely to see everything in bloom and enjoy the mild weather.
If you visit in the summer months, prepare for the heat. It’s very hot and humid in Charleston and you probably won’t feel much of a breeze unless you’re right on the water. That said, we’ve visited Charleston in the summer and still enjoyed ourselves. We just tried to minimize our time outside, especially in the middle of the day.
See more of our Charleston Series:
What To Do In Charleston
Charleston 1 Day Itinerary
Charleston 3 Day Itinerary
What To Do In Charleston With Kids
Babymoon in Charleston
Girls Trip to Charleston
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