One Day in Charleston, SC
If you only have one day in Charleston, SC, what should you see?
Although we would never recommend anyone to only budget one day to visit our beautiful city, we understand that not everyone has all the time in the world to soak in the Holy City.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the must-see sites if you have only 24 hours in Charleston.
We also have a few tips on how to maximize your time and ideas on how to narrow down your itinerary.
Tips for Spending One Day in Charleston, SC
Take a Walking Tour
One of the best ways to make the most of your visit to the Holy City is by taking a walking tour — especially if you have limited time.
On our Charleston History Tour, we visit most of the major sites Downtown, including Rainbow Row, the French Quarter, the French Huguenot Church, and the Old Exchange Building.
We also will see views of the harbor from White Point Gardens.
Our Alleys and Hidden Passages Tour will take you past many of the same sites as on the history tour, but you’ll also get a chance to see these places from an unusual angle: the alleys used by both high society and Charleston’s working classes.
Both tours will give you a great overview of the city, but the first is for visitors who want Charleston’s “greatest hits”, while the second is for those who are interested in some of the “off the beaten path” sites as well.
Prioritize Meals
Don’t forget to eat while you’re in Charleston! This city is known for its culinary history, so you’ll want to “ingest” as much as you can.
If none of the food stops on the below itinerary strike your fancy, check out our Charleston self-guided food tour for some more inspiration.
Take a Boat Ride
One of the best ways to see Charleston is by boat, and you can learn a lot about its history just from its waterways.
The Charleston Water Taxi is a great way to get around. Or, if you want to relax a little, you could always book a sunset boat tour for a chance to get off your feet and enjoy the view.
Make a List of Must-See Sites
If they only have one day in Charleston, every traveler has a different idea of what they want to see and do.
Make a Charleston activity wish list to discover what sites you really don’t want to miss.
Will you be able to do everything on your list? Maybe… maybe not.
Skip Lengthy Activities
You may also want to forgo lengthy activities that will eat up most of your day.
Since you only have one day in Charleston, you won’t want to visit these sites, as they’re pretty much all you’ll be able to do:
- Fort Sumter and Patriots Point
- Plantation Tours
- Sullivan’s Island & Shem Creek
But if one of these activities is your one must-do on your list, of course, you should spend the day doing just that!
One Day in Charleston Itinerary
If you only have one day in Charleston and you want to see some of the most iconic sites in the Holy City, we have an itinerary that will help you check those boxes off your list!
Of course, if these sites aren’t for you, we can help you customize your day with our self-guided tours of Charleston, a list of seven tours, including an architecture tour, French Quarter tour, and history tour.
But if you want some ideas on where to go if you only have one day, read on.
Stop 1: Breakfast at Millers All Day
You’re going to want to fuel up for your day in Charleston, and what better way to do so than at a restaurant that specializes in all-day breakfast?
Grab a coffee and an avocado toast or a fried chicken biscuit to keep you full until lunchtime.
This restaurant sources local produce and specializes in Lowcountry classic dishes.
Stop 2: Historic Charleston Market
This market dates back to the late 18th century and features local artisans, restaurants, and more.
If you don’t want to grab breakfast at the first stop, you could always pick up a coffee and some biscuits to snack on as you stroll through the stalls.
Just some of the souvenirs you can pick up here include sweetgrass baskets, Gullah artwork, and Old Whaling Co bath and body products.
Stop 3: King Street
One of the most storied streets in all of Charleston is King Street.
This main thoroughfare runs down the center of Downtown and is home to many of the city’s famous shops and sites.
Just a few of the sites include:
- Patrick O’Donnell House
- Riviera Theatre
- Charleston Place Hotel
- Blue Bicycle Books
- George C. Birlant & Co. Antiques
Stop 4: Lunch at Magnolia’s Restaurant
Magnolia’s Restaurant offers typical Lowcountry fare.
If you only have one day in Charleston, enjoy lunch here to get a sampling of:
- She-crab soup
- Fried green tomatoes
- Shrimp and grits
- Crabcakes
- Oysters
Stop 5: Rainbow Row
After lunch, wander down to Rainbow Row, located between 79 and 107 East Bay Street.
Though these colorful homes look like they were designed to be painted in such brilliant hues, they were first painted their pastel colors in the 1930s to help revitalize the neighborhood.
This is also one of the most photographed, iconic areas in all of Charleston. If this is your first time here, you won’t want to miss it.
Stop 6: Waterfront Park
On your walk back up north, don’t forget to stop at Waterfront Park.
This pleasant park is one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces and is home to the Pineapple Fountain, which represents the hospitality of the Holy City.
From here, you’ll also get some stunning views of the Charleston Harbor and Patriots Point.
Stop 7: Charleston Water Taxi or Charleston Carriage Tour
The Charleston Water Taxi operates from 9:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. daily.
This affordable ferry will take you from Waterfront Park to the Wharf, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, and the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina.
Charleston Carriage Ride
End your day with a carriage ride of Downtown Charleston — it’s one of the most iconic ways to see the city and only lasts one hour.
Our partner, Carolina Polo & Carriage, offers both public and private carriage tours.
Stop 8: Dinner at Planters Inn
Once you’ve completed an entire loop on the water taxi or carriage ride, walk over to Planters Inn for dinner.
This historic restaurant is where Planters Punch was supposedly invented. Home to the Peninsula Grill, you can dine on Lowcountry fare here, including oysters, she-crab soup, Charleston rack of lamb and their iconic Coconut Cake!