How to Spend One Perfect Day in Charleston, SC (+Free Printable Itinerary)
Want to see the best of Charleston, SC in just one day? This Charleston day trip itinerary covers must-see attractions and top things to do even if you only have one day to spare! Plus download the FREE printable itinerary to take with you on your trip.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Last month, I took a day trip to Charleston with my mom and it was such a fun little getaway!
My mom and I had been talking about visiting Charleston every winter for the past three years. Tired of the snowy, icy 10-degree weather, we finally took the plunge and decided to fly to Charleston this February!
Although you can easily spend several days in Charleston, it’s definitely possible to see the major highlights and top attractions even if you only have one day to spend in Charleston.
It is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, girls trip, or even a solo adventure! Even if you are on a tight budget, there are many free and affordable things to do around the city.
In this post, I’m sharing our exact itinerary that helped see the best of Charleston with only 1 day to spare. You’re going to learn how to spend one day in Charleston and I even created a FREE printable itinerary that you can take with you or use on your phone!
I tried to keep this itinerary geographically clustered to decrease walking/transportation times as much as possible. I’ve also included the approximate price range per person for each activity on this itinerary, but keep in mind that prices may vary and additional costs or upgrades may apply.
If you’re visiting for a few days, consider taking a day trip from Charleston to Savannah! We actually ended up doing this last-minute road trip the day before we flew out, and it was well worth it!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
📸 Most Iconic Photo-Op: Rainbow Row houses
Take a guided bus tour through the must-visit spots (4.9/5 ⭐️) →
🌊 Must-Visit: Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain
🎟️ Must-Do: Horse-carriage tour through Charleston
Book a 1-hour horse carriage tour starting at $45/person! (4.8/5 ⭐️) →
🥘 What to Eat: Fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, she-crab soup, hush puppies
Take a 2.5 hour food tour to sample some of the best dishes in Charleston! (4.7/5 ⭐️) →
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Download the Free 1-Day Charleston Itinerary
Get a free PDF version of the Charleston 1-Day Itinerary for easy printing and use on mobile devices!
The PDF contains both a color copy as well as a black & white copy that is printer-friendly!
You can of course use the itinerary as-is or use it to get ideas to create your own itinerary!
Disclaimer: This itinerary is for informational purposes only. Sprinkle of Wanderlust cannot be held liable for any loss, injury, inconvenience, or expenses incurred as a result of the use of the information provided. Travelers are responsible for their own safety, health precautions, and decisions while traveling.
While I try my best to keep the itineraries updated and accurate, travel details including transportation, accommodations, attractions, prices, and availability are subject to change without notice.
I recommend that you verify the most up-to-date information before you travel especially regarding timings, availability, safety guidelines, entry requirements, and local regulations.
Watch the Video!
Map of Charleston
Here is an interactive map of Charleston. All of the places mentioned in this post are labeled conveniently for you. As you can see, all of the major attractions in Charleston are located fairly close together!
Getting Around Charleston
Horse carriage rides outside Charleston City Market
Getting Around by Walking
If you’re spending just one day in Charleston, I recommend walking around the city to make the most of your day. Charleston is a very walkable city and as you can see in the map above, everything is fairly close together.
My mom is not the biggest walker, but even she didn’t mind walking through all our stops in the city! There’s also a guided walking tour available with a professional tour guide who will take you to the top spots and share its history. It has 4.9/5 ⭐️ on Viator from over 6,000 reviews!
Charleston is also very bike-friendly if you prefer getting around on wheels.
Getting Around by Horse Carriage
We didn’t get a chance to do this, but it’s definitely on my list for our next visit to Charleston!
One of the most unique experiences in Charleston is taking a horse-drawn carriage tour through the cobblestone streets. You’ll feel like you’re back in the olden times, and you’ll get to learn about the city’s history too. 🎟️ Book a 1-hour horse carriage tour →
Getting Around by Bus
Charleston has a free DASH shuttle bus (mentioned below), which goes through the main parts of downtown Charleston. If you need to get to other parts of Charleston that isn’t served by the free shuttle, you can use the CARTA buses (that require payment) to get around.
Getting Around by Car
If you’re driving into Charleston, you can park in one of many garages located throughout the city. We parked our rental car in the Cumberland Street parking garage located in the heart of downtown Charleston, which is close to many attractions. It was very clean, safe, and affordable!
Top-Rated Charleston Tours
Here are some top-rated tours if you’re super short on time, want to see the best of Charleston, and get around efficiently. Most of them are honestly quite affordable too! These tours are also perfect for those traveling with kids.
Morning: Coffee & Historic Strolls
📍Breakfast at the Black Door Cafe ($5-15)
Start the morning off with a fresh cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at the Black Door Cafe. They make delicious espresso drinks here!
This coffee shop is located inside Mills House Charleston, a beautiful and picturesque hotel located in the heart of Charleston. It’s that pink building in the picture above!
You can wander around their gorgeous lobby or sit by the fountain on their outdoor patio. They also have a ton of cozy spots where you can sit, relax, & sip on your coffee.
📍Explore Washington Square (free)
Now that you’re energized, take a short walk down to Washington Square. It’s a peaceful spot with greenery, lots of benches, and statues & plaques that showcase Charleston’s past. We stopped here to enjoy our coffee, walk around the monuments, and take some photos.
I also think this is a great spot to read a book or take a little break!
📍Rainbow Row (free)
A few blocks from Washington Square lies the famous Rainbow Row. This is one of the city’s most iconic attractions and is a must-see on your day trip to Charleston! If you Google Charleston, you’ll definitely find this in the first few pictures that pop up.
Rainbow Row is a series of pastel houses along East Bay Street that date back to the 18th century. These cute, quaint homes are picture-perfect and rank among the most photographed spots in the city!
📍Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain (free)
Once you’re done snapping photos, make your way to Waterfront Park where you’ll find the iconic Pineapple Fountain! It’s a pineapple-shaped fountain that is another famous photo spot in Charleston.
You can sit and relax by the fountain or take a walk along the tree-lined pathways of Waterfront Park. The park is right next to Cooper River. You get beautiful views of the harbor and can watch the sailboats from the waterfront promenade.
Mid-Day: Southern Bites & Local Markets
📍Biscuits from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit ($5-20)
Even if you only have one day in Charleston, you can’t miss out on eating a biscuit! Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is a local favorite, featuring biscuits (of course!) and other Southern comfort food. Their signature biscuits come in a variety of traditional and seasonal flavors.
They have two locations – one in the Charleston City Market and another on King Street. We visited their counter inside City Market, which is smaller than their storefront location on King Street. However, the biscuits were still warm, flaky, and very fresh!
🍗 If you’re a foodie, you have to check out this walking food tour!
Take a 2.5 hour food tour to sample some of the best dishes in Charleston! →
(rated 4.7/5 ⭐️ from 1,200 reviews on Viator)
📍Explore Charleston City Market (free to visit)
After enjoying your mid-morning snack, head to Charleston City Market, which is one of the oldest public markets in the country! The market is free to visit, but of course getting a souvenir will cost money.
You’ll find many local vendors selling handmade woven baskets, local gourmet treats, jewelry, and more. It’s a great place to stock up on souvenirs to take back home with you!
📍Ride the DASH Shuttle (free)
Charleston is one of the few cities I’ve been to that offers public transportation for absolutely free! It’s a great way to get around the city and save a good chunk of change.
The free shuttle bus system is called DASH and has 3 routes that cover the majority of downtown Charleston. Just make sure that you take one of the DASH shuttle routes and not one of the other CARTA buses, which do cost money.
We took the DASH shuttle to King Street but you can also use it to get to Rainbow Row, the Waterfront Park, the aquarium, and many other points of interest.
The only downside is that traffic can slow the bus down and it may take you longer to get to your destination.
🚌 Take a guided bus tour of Charleston →
The DASH shuttle does take some time, so if you’re on a time crunch, consider taking a guided bus tour to see the best spots in Charleston and learn about its history.
(rated 4.9/5 ⭐️ from 1,300 reviews on Viator)
Afternoon: Historic Homes & Scenic Walks
📍Stroll Down King Street (free)
King Street is a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The buildings here are picture-perfect, similar to the ones on Rainbow Row! It is divided into three sections—Lower King for antiques, Middle King for fashion, and Upper King for nightlife & dining.
But while Rainbow Row is more quiet, we found King Street to be more bustling and more of a commercial/retail area. This is also where we ate lunch, which is next on the agenda!
📍Lunch at A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack ($10-25)
If you’re searching for a delicious yet affordable lunch spot that serves Southern delicacies, check out this hidden gem! A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack is located in the heart of King Street. We just happened to walk past and decided to eat here on a whim and let me tell you – it did not disappoint!
I’m not much of a seafood fan, so I just stuck with fried chicken sandwich and fries which (as you can tell by the picture) was delish. My mom had the she-crab soup and a fish sandwich which she really enjoyed too!
They also serve a lot of other seafood delicacies like fried shrimp and local oysters for a very reasonable price. We sat on their outdoor patio, which overlooks King Street. A nice way to people watch while you enjoy your meal!
📍South of Broad (free)
Once you’ve enjoyed your lunch, it’s time to take a walk down King Street (towards White Point Garden). As you keep walking, you will eventually hit its intersection the intersection of King Street & Broad Street.
South of Broad – located…well, south of Broad Street – is one of Charleston’s most historic neighborhoods. It’s known for its grand antebellum mansions, lush gardens, and charming cobblestone streets.
I couldn’t stop taking pictures as we walked down here! I love old buildings, so this was such a treat for me. Many of the homes and buildings here were originally made in the 1700-1800s and they’re so well preserved!
I also loved that they had informational boards located outside many of the homes where to learn more about the history and story behind each home. You can also take a guided walking tour to learn even more about the area from a local!
Evening: Sunset Views & Sweet Treats
📍White Point Garden (free)
As you keep walking down King Street, you’ll hit the southern tip of Charleston which is home to White Point Garden.
Try to get here an hour before sunset so you can admire the massive oak trees, cannons, statues, and large gazebo at the center of the park. You’ll also get views of the Charleston Harbor from here. It’s the perfect place to relax, catch the sea breeze, and watch the boats go by.
Make sure to watch sunset here before you head back home! Sunset at White Point Garden is beautiful and the photos come out frame-worthy. You can also take a 1.5 hour sunset cruise along the Charleston Harbor and pass by Fort Sumter and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge along the way.
📍Dinner & Dessert at Carmella’s ($10-20)
As you walk back towards downtown Charleston, stop by Carmella’s Café & Dessert Bar for dinner, drinks, and dessert.
You’ll find a bit of everything in this Italian-themed cafe – sandwiches, desserts, gelato, espresso drinks, and even cocktails! The cafe has a nice outdoor seating area that’s right along the main street.
But don’t worry – if this doesn’t strike your fancy, there’s many other restaurants around the area if you’re in the mood for something else
Prefer a video version of this itinerary?
Download the Free 1-Day Charleston Itinerary
Get a free PDF version of the Charleston 1-Day Itinerary for easy printing and use on mobile devices!
The PDF contains both a color copy as well as a black & white copy that is printer-friendly!
I hope this itinerary gave you inspiration to plan your day trip to Charleston! As you can see, there is plenty of fun stuff you can do with just one day in this beautiful city!
I’d love to hear how your trip went and if you checked out any of the spots on this list. Let me know by sending me a message here!
📓 Here are all of my FREE printable itineraries!
✅ Don’t leave home without these packing lists!
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