24 Hours in Charleston: Perfect One Day Itinerary
Charleston South Carolina is one of my favorite cities in the United States. I spent 24 hours in Charleston on my recent East Coast road trip and instantly fell in love with the architecture, charm, and culture.
Charleston is known for the colorful buildings, tasty southern food, and a vibrant nightlife scene. It is a great destination for girl’s trips, bachelorette parties or a romantic getaway.
Although 24 hours in Charleston is not enough time to see it all, this guide will help you plan a quick trip to Charleston including what to do, where to stay and other great tips.
Some links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products and services I personally use and believe in. Thanks for your support!
What to do in Charleston in One Day
There are many fantastic activities in and around Charleston. With only 24 hours in Charleston, focus on the following activities.
Later in this itinerary are some options for trip extensions if you have more time. The essence of activities in Charleston are absorbing history and admiring the beauty of the city.
Morning: Tour Boone Plantation
To start your 24 hours in Charleston, head an hour out of town to the Boone Hall Plantation. Boone Hall is a plantation founded in 1681 with a history of slavery.
Visit Boone Hall to learn about the history of slavery in the United States and hear about the past of the American south.
Plan to spend 2-3 hours at Boone Hall. During this time, explore the grounds and house. Take advantage of the complimentary presentations such as the farm wagon tour, slave quarters tour and stable visit.
Late Morning: Take a Carriage Tour of Charleston
One of the best ways to see Charleston in one day is to take a carriage tour of the historic district. The horse drawn carriage will tour the entire historic district in approximately one hour.
This is a great way to see many sights and learn about the city from your guide.
Afternoon: Visit the Pineapple Fountain
Throughout Charleston, you will notice pineapple art, décor, and souvenirs. Pineapples are viewed as a sign of hospitality.
Charleston adopted this symbol when sailors would place a pineapple outside their door to mark a safe return.
A large nod to the pineapple symbol is the pineapple fountain in Charleston waterfront park. Walk through the park and take a couple photos with the fountain.
Note, this is a popular site so you may have to wait in a short line for a picture.
Late Afternoon: Shop the Charleston City Market
In the middle of Charleston, the city market covers multiple blocks. The covered buildings are full of local vendors selling food, crafts, jewelry, souvenirs and more.
Start at one end of the market and shop your way down the street.
Golden Hour: Take Photos at Rainbow Row
As mentioned above, a major aspect of visiting Charleston is soaking in the unique and colorful architecture.
This style is the most vibrant on the Rainbow Row. This street is lined with pastel colored homes that make a great photo backdrop.
Early evening: Peruse Upper King Street
King Street is a great starting point to explore Charleston. It is the major area of downtown with shopping and restaurants. Spend an hour or so learning about Charleston and the city’s culture.
Where to Stay in Charleston SC
There are many luxurious boutique hotels in Charleston. Since it is a walkable city, I recommend getting a hotel in the center of downtown to avoid ever needing to use a car. The below hotels are my favorite options for luxury in Charleston.
Hotel Bennett
Hotel Bennett is a chic, modern hotel located in the historical district of Charleston. The highlight of Hotel Bennet is the luxurious rooftop pool with 360 views of downtown.
This hotel has three restaurants including the iconic Camellias champagne bar.
For an extra special experience, book a room or suite with King’s club Access. This includes dedicated concierge, lounge access and special amenities.
Charleston Place
For a more historic option, stay at Charleston Place, a Belmond hotel. The rooms, common areas and indoor pool perfectly mirror the charming architecture of downtown.
The hotel has five restaurants onsite for easy access.
The moto of the hotel is “where Southern charm meets timeless elegance”. The entire property lives up to this phrase with southern hospitality, incredible furnishings, and luxury in every element.
Best Restaurants in Charleston
There are many amazing restaurants in Charleston. With only one day, the below restaurants cannot be missed. They hit the highlights of South Carolina cuisine with barbecue and classic southern fare.
Lewis BBQ
Lewis BBQ is some of the best I have had anywhere in the world. This restaurant is located 10 minutes from downtown and has a large indoor and outdoor seating area. All orders are taken out at the counter and served immediately after.
I recommend getting the signature brisket, corn casserole and mac and cheese. Say yes to the complimentary pickles and try each of the homemade barbecue sauces.
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Leon’s is great for a casual dinner and drinks. The mechanic garage turned restaurant has a unique atmosphere and fantastic food.
Order the char-grilled oysters, chicken sandwich and shrimp roll. Also try the frozen gin and tonic or some of the local beers on tap.
Rooftop Bars
Charleston has many great rooftop bars for drinks or happy hour. Arrive before sunset to catch amazing views of the city. Some great rooftop bars in Charleston are the Rooftop at Vendue, Eleve, and The Pavilion Bar.
Other Activities in Charleston
If you have more than 24 hours in Charleston, the below activities are a great trip extension.
Magnolia Plantation: In addition to Boone Hall, Magnolia Plantation is another great historical site to visit near Charleston. A highlight of Magnolia is the beautiful garden.
Folly Beach: Folly beach is 30 minutes from Charleston and is a great sunny-day trip.
Isle of Palms: Also 30 minute from Charleston, Isle of Palms is a great beachy daytrip or place to day for a couple days.
Day Trip to Savannah: Savannah is two hours south of Charleston and is often paired during a long weekend trip. I recommend splitting your vacation evenly between these two amazing southern cities.
How to Get to Charleston
Flying: The easiest way to get to Charleston from any other part of the country is typically by air. There are several airports located within a short distance of Charleston.
The airports closest to the city is Charleston International Airport (CHS). You can also fly into one of the major regional hubs such as Charlotte (CLT), Columbia (CAE) or Savannah (SAV).
Driving: If you prefer to drive, there are several options for getting to Charleston from anywhere else in the US. The closest interstate highways that lead into town are I-26 and I-95.
The I-26 will take you from Asheville, North Carolina and points westward all the way into downtown Charleston, while I-95 will take you from Florida up through Georgia and South Carolina before exiting onto Highway 17 near Mount Pleasant.
Public Transportation: You can also come by train or bus if you don’t want to drive or fly. Amtrak runs several routes through South Carolina that make stops in cities near Charleston.
Additionally, Greyhound has multiple stations throughout South Carolina that offer daily service to Charleston as well.
Quick Facts About Charleston
Currency: US Dollars ($)
Language: English
Tipping:18-20% for dining, bars, tours, and taxis
Summary of 24 Hours in Charleston SC
Although there are many other great activities to do in Charleston, this guide to 24 hours in Charleston will hit the highlights.
During your 24 hours in Charleston, you will visit a plantation, explore downtown Charleston, shop the local market, and hit some great photo opportunities.
Additionally, you will taste some of the best food and drinks the city has to offer.
Related Posts:
- One Day In Savannah Georgia: What You Must See In Savannah
- One Week East Coast USA Itinerary: Road Trip From DC
- 24 Hours In Washington DC: Complete Guide To DC In One Day
- One Day In Miami Florida – The Top Things To Do And See
- How To Visit Disney World In Two Days
Pin for Later:
