Wondering how to spend one day in Charleston, SC? As a local, I’m sharing my ideal Charleston 1 day trip itinerary plus some of the must-see attractions.
Charleston is one of the top travel destinations in the USA and there are endless corners to explore in this historic city. You can’t possibly see it all in one day, but thankfully Charleston has many facets that appeal to different interests so you can find what suits your style best!
I’ve lived in Charleston for 30+ years, so you’ve come to the right place to learn about the must do’s and things to avoid to plan the best day trip to Charleston. As I began thinking about this Charleston itinerary, I thought about how I would spend my last day in Charleston. What would be my top things to see? What meals would I HAVE to have one more time?
In this guide, I will share the top things to do in Charleston and then share my ideal Charleston one day itinerary as a local.
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Top Things to Do in Charleston, SC in One Day
If you only have one day in Charleston, these are some of the top things to see and do in the Charleston area. These tours and attractions will help you see the beauty of Charleston while learning about its storied past.
1. Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is an open-air market that takes up an entire block from Meeting Street to East Bay Street. It is typically open from 10am to 6pm where local artisans sell handmade goods and products like the iconic Sweetgrass baskets which are the perfect souvenir!
You HAVE to stop into one of my favorite jewelry shops, Gold Creations, for Charleston-themed jewelry. They have things like rice beads, famous pineapple necklaces, and palm trees.
On both sides of the market you will find plenty of restaurants to grab a bite! Some of my favorite spots are Callie’s Biscuits for breakfast and Church & Union for dinner!
2. Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is a row of Georgian-style homes painted in – you guessed it – a pastel rainbow of colors. It’s one of those iconic, charming sites in Charleston that is an absolute must for any day trip to the city. Plus, it is the perfect place for a photo op!
As a local, I truly never tire of seeing it – it just brightens up your day!
3. The Battery
The Battery is a major landmark in Charleston. It’s a seawall and promenade that served as a defense artillery battery in the Civil War. It stretches around the Ashley and Cooper Rivers coming to a point at the Charleston Harbor. If you look straight out, you can see Fort Sumter which is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
When I went to school in downtown Charleston, we had to park on The Battery and walk to school every day. We were spoiled with some of the best sunrise views every morning!
4. Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is a stunning park overlooking the Cooper River toward Mount Pleasant. Enjoy a stroll here to see the famous Pineapple Fountain and take in the ocean views.
Plan to grab something to eat at Fleet Landing which is one of downtown Charleston’s only waterfront restaurants! It’s located right next to the park and actually serves fresh, local seafood.
5. Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall is one of the most popular Charleston plantations to visit and is still a working farm. You can tour the historic home, former slave cabins and of course see the farm itself. One of my favorite things to do is to watch the Gullah performance while you are there to understand more about the Gullah culture and its impact on the region.
My favorite part though is the stunning avenue of oaks that line the entry to the plantation – it is truly stunning!
6. Angel Oak
We love to visit this unbelievable oak tree on John’s Island. Depends who you ask, but everyone claims it is 500-1,000 years old! It is way more massive than it looks in photos. It is totally worth a visit to be in awe of this iconic tree.
7. Visit the Beaches
Charleston is known for its amazing coastal towns including Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. These beaches are always a great place to visit in any season whether for a day on the beach or to dine at the many great restaurants.
I grew up on Folly Beach and it is one of the best beaches to spend a day. My favorite island to dine on though is Sullivan’s!
8. Shop on King Street
King Street is one of the best streets for shopping in the United States. Be warned, you will spend some money here! There is a mix of local companies, art galleries, and national retailers. Grab a coffee and window shop as you explore Charleston. Some of my favorite local shops on King Street are Croghan’s Jewel Box, Lake Pajamas, Madison Mathews, Dumas, and Candlefish.
9. Ghost Tour
Ghost Tours are always fun for an evening activity in Charleston and kids love them, too. As the night grows dark, take a tour exploring Charleston’s mysterious side with fun ghost stories – maybe you’ll even spot one!
One Day in Charleston Itinerary
I’ve compiled all of my Charleston favorites in to this itinerary for how to spend one day in Charleston, SC. If you only have a day trip in Charleston, here are the things you absolutely must-do, according to someone born and raised here! You can expect a lot of great food and spectacular vistas from me 🙂
Wake Up Early to Catch Sunrise at The Battery
This morning, I would wake up early to catch sunrise along the battery. I went to grade school in downtown and we had to park on the Battery. We got to watch the sun come up every morning as we walked to school. I had no idea how lucky I was. You can’t miss this if you spend a day in Charleston!
Morning Walking Tour and Stroll through historic Charleston
From there, I would take a little walk around some of the most beautiful streets in historic Charleston. You wont want to miss a walk through White Point Gardens, down Church Street, and of course Tradd Street.
I would probably walk on my own, but if you want to hear the history and great stories then I highly recommend a historic Charleston walking tour through the french quarter and historic district. They are fantastic and I always love taking their tours – I learn something new every time! If you only have 1 day in Charleston, the tour will allow you to get a great overview of the history. Personally, I would skip the carriage tour and walk instead.
My Favorite Charleston Walking Tours that I’ve taken:
Get Breakfast from Callie’s Biscuits
Next, grab breakfast from Callie’s Biscuits. They have a location on the Market and King Street. The cinnamon biscuit is one of my absolute favorites! Look for King Bean coffee any where you go in town – it’s my fave and they make the blend at Callie’s. I like to order the cinnamon biscuits with honey butter!
In the afternoon, here’s whats on my schedule.
Stroll through Hampton Park
Before lunch, we are taking a walk around Hampton Park where something is always in bloom. This is one of the largest parks in Charleston tucked into a residential neighborhood. I lived by the park for many years and it’s one of my favorite places in the city – a true hidden GEM in Charleston!
You could visit a plantation, but they are all 30 minutes outside of downtown Charleston so it would take at least a 3 hours of your day. I personally would focus on downtown if only spending 1 day in Charleston.
What’s in Bloom by month in Charleston:
- January – March: Camellias, Azaelas and Wisteria
- April – June: Jasmine, Magnolia, Roses, Gardenia
- July – September: Hibiscus, Hydrangea
- November – December: Swamp Sunflower, Snapdragon, Ferns, Roses
Lunch at Leon’s Oyster Shop
If I only had 1 day in Charleston, lunch is at Leon’s Oyster Shop. It is the best causal lunch spot in Charleston and is always busy!
What I order: hushpuppies, a dozen oysters (bulls bay blades, if they have them!) and frozen rosé to start, then a fried oyster sandwich, siam salad, and finish off with soft serve ice cream with chocolate or rainbow sprinkles! My husband and I usually split this order.
Take a Boat Cruise in Charleston Harbor
One of the very best things to do in Charleston is to be on the water. The scenery is unrivaled, with views of the beach, marsh, stately homes on the battery, and iconic skyline dotted with church steeples. Take a sail on a luxury charter with refreshments available on board!
It’s best as a sunset activity and you can usually spot dolphins!
If you aren’t interested in the boat, I would head over to Sullivan’s Island for the afternoon, personally. Other great options to be near the water in Charleston:
- Sailing
- Kayaking or SUP
- Boat Cruise
- Fishing Charters
- Crabbing with Tia
If this isn’t for you, other top contenders to spend an afternoon in Charleston would be head over to Middleton Place (gorgeous landscaped gardens and Charleston plantation) or go shopping on King Street.
You can check out this post of all of my favorite things to do in CHS.
As the evening approaches, here is what is on my agenda for concluding this one perfect day in Charleston, SC.
Enjoy Happy Hour at Citrus Club
You can’t miss happy hour at the Citrus Club, the highest rooftop in Charleston. The views are spectacular and you can catch the sunset here. I love all of their cocktails or have a glass of champagne!
Grab Dinner is at Chez Nous
Chez Nous is one of my OG favorite restaurants in Charleston. It’s housed in a tiny, Charleston style home with intimate seating inside or on the patio. The lighting is dim and the gas lanterns are always sparkling! It is the ultimate charming, Charleston atmosphere.
Dinner is a new menu each day with only 2 options for appetizers, 2 for entree and 2 for dessert – just order one of everything. The menus is always handwritten every single day! It is truly one of the best dining experiences in Charleston.
Other contenders for my absolute favorite restaurants in Charleston (that are last meal worthy):
- The Ordinary
- Obstinate Daughter
- Sorelle
- Chubby Fish
Have Late Night drinks at The Belmont
The Belmont is one of my favorite spots for a cocktail and I don’t go there nearly enough. It’s simple, cozy, and has great drinks. Pro tip: it may not be on the menu, but ask if they can do a tiger paw cocktail!
Best Time to Visit Charleston
The best times to visit Charleston are in the Spring in April or May. The weather is usually in the higher 70ºF range and all of the best flowers are on display adding to the city’s charm. If you are planning a one day trip to Charleston SC, you can count on nice weather for your visit.
The Fall is also my favorite time to be in Charleston. It is just like spring weather-wise, but without the pollen! October and November in Charleston are ideal for fall weather as September still feels much like summer. It’s one of my favorite seasons in Charleston.
I would avoid the summer months if you want to explore downtown Charleston. It is SO hot and humid and not fun to walk around.
How to Get Around Charleston for One Day
If you are taking a day trip to Charleston, you’ll need to know how to get around.
Walk Around Charleston
Most of the city of Charleston is very walkable! If you’re driving, plan to park your car along The Battery and walk everywhere. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because the streets here are historic and it’s easy to trip on uneven sidewalks or cobblestones.
If you need go further distances, these are the best options in this historic city.
Bike Taxi and Pedicab
There are bike taxis or pedicabs all around Charleston! You will usually find them along the City Market or on King Street. It’s ideal to hop in one of these for places that might be a long walk like from Upper King Street to the Battery.
Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft are both readily available in downtown Charleston so you should have no trouble getting one quickly! This is the easiest way if you wanted to pop over to Shem Creek or Sullivan’s Island for a little while.
The Wrap Up: 1 Day in Charleston
And there you have it! All of my absolute favorite ways to spend 24 hours in Charleston, South Carolina as a Charlestonian. While there is so much to see, a day trip to Charleston is totally worth it to see a few highlights.
If you would like to learn more, be sure to see all of my Charleston local’s guides to plan your visit!
If you have any questions, I am always happy to talk to you about this city. Comment below to reach my inbox.
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BEST THINGS TO DO IN CHARLESTON
There are so many amazing things to do in Charleston, South Carolina. That’s why it is constantly voted the #1 city in the United States. From charming architecture and cobblestone streets, to water-based activities, to history, and a dynamic culinary scene, there is something for every type of traveler in Charleston, SC.
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