3 Day Charleston Itinerary: The Ultimate Adventure Guide

Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in The United States. It has so much to offer such as being on the coast, having amazing weather, a rich history, and southern charm. This makes Charleston one of the most popular travel destinations in the country. There is so much to do and see in Charleston that it can be overwhelming. With my 3 day Charleston itinerary, you will hit all the best locations and get the most out of your trip.

It is easy to get lost in the beauty of the antebellum houses, cobblestone streets, and the mystique of all the history in Charleston. Charleston has so much to offer from history, beaches, shopping, and food. Come hungry because Charleston is one of the culinary hot spots in the country.

With so many options for things to do and see in Charleston, what is the best way to get the best experience? With my 3 day Charleston itinerary, I will give you the best experience of Charleston. It will also get you to all the significant parts during your visit.

Fly into Charleston

Once you arrive at Charleston International Airport, you will need to get your bags and a ride to your hotel. The airport is pretty tiny, so getting around in it is easy. The baggage claim area is not that big and you get your bags quickly.

Unless you are renting a car or having someone pick you up, the best way to get to your hotel is by using rideshare. Charleston International Airport has a dedicated area for picking up passengers. The trip downtown takes about 15-20 min and is not too expensive.

Check into hotel

I am recommending staying in a great hotel called, Indigo Inn. It is in a perfect location in downtown Charleston right in the heart of the historic district. Your hotel is within walking distance of just about everything and a block from the Charleston City Market.

If you want to check out some other locations and deals around Charleston, check out my Charleston Hotel post.

Where to Stay in Charleston SC: Best Hotels and Locations

Have a Great Dinner

No trip to Charleston is complete unless you have some fantastic seafood. Hank’s Seafood Restaurant has been voted the best seafood restaurant in Charleston for 20 consecutive years. And the best part? It is right around the corner from your restaurant.

After Dinner Activity

Once dinner is over, it is time to grab a couple of drinks at a rooftop bar. One of the many things that make Charleston unique and special is that no high-rise buildings exist. There is a city ordinance that states that a building cannot be higher than the St. Phillips steeple. The Holy City likes to keep its skyline intact with the church steeples.

There are two really great spots that I recommend to have a drink and enjoy the view. In fact, if you have enough time, try them both.

The first one is the Pavilion Rooftop Bar. You will find this about 2 blocks away from Hank’s Seafood Restaurant on the corner of S. Market St. and E. Bay St.

The second one is The Rooftop at the Vendue. You can find this location on Vendue Range. When you leave the Pavilion Rooftop Bar turn right and walk down two blocks then take a left. The entrance is The Vendue Hotel.

This is a perfect way to relax after a day of traveling to Charleston. It is good to slow down and take in the atmosphere of where you are. Charleston is a gem and tomorrow you will start exploring it.

Now it is time to head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. For tomorrow there is going to be a lot of walking.

Day 1 of 3 Day Charleston Itinerary

Welcome to day 1 of your 3 day Charleston Itinerary. This is your first full day in Charleston. To begin your adventure, make sure to wear comfortable shoes because there going to be a lot of walking today. Today is a day of enjoying all that Charleston’s downtown has to offer. Let’s get started by having a great breakfast.

Breakfast

For breakfast, you are going to Millers All Day. It is one of the best breakfast places in Charleston. Millers All Day is located on King St. It is basically on the corner of King St. and Broad St.

You will want to call ahead and make reservations about 3 weeks to a month before your trip. That way you will make sure that you can get in at a decent time. When arriving, you will notice a long line of people waiting to get in when you get there.

Get a classic southern breakfast food like Biscuits & Gravy or the Millers Plate. Now that breakfast is over, it is time to walk it all off and see Charleston.

Walk The City of Charleston

It is time to explore the beautiful historic city of Charleston. When leaving Millers All Day, take a left and cross over Broad St and stay on King Street heading towards the water. Enjoy all the beautiful houses that you pass while walking and you will finally run into White Point Garden which is a park.

White Point Garden and The Battery

White Point Garden, also known as Oyster Point is a city park at the end of the peninsula. This spot has many historic events that took place. The pirate Stede Bonnet was hanged with his pirates and the grounds were used as a defense during the Civil War.

Today, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers come together to form Charleston Harbor, you will find a peaceful park. Take time to walk around taking in all the statues, and breeze off the water.

After checking out White Point Garden, cross the street to the water’s edge and you will find yourself on The Battery.

The Battery was built to help protect Charleston from rising waters during hurricanes. Today, you can walk it while seeing some of the most amazing southern homes. You will want to walk back towards the downtown area on the Battery with the water to your right on East Bay St.

As you are walking towards the downtown area, you will notice the amazing houses on your left. Take time to take some photos. The Battery is one of the most beautiful places in Charleston.

Rainbow Row

As you are walking down East Bay St, you will notice a bunch of pastel-colored houses. This is the famous Rainbow Row. Rainbow Row is one of the picturesque spots in Charleston.

Don’t be surprised if you see wedding parties taking pictures here. The unique pastel color houses make the perfect background for all your memorable photos.

Rainbow Row is located between 83-107 East Bay St. It took its look in 1931 when Dorthy Porcher Legge and her husband purchased a house and painted it pastel pink. Soon the neighbors followed and painted theirs around its pastel colors.

Once you get to the corner of E. Bay St. and Broad St., you will notice the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. This is where South Carolina ratified The Declaration of Independence. It was also used as a dungeon for The Revolutionary War and Civil War. When done, take a left and start walking down Broad St.

Broad Street

As you are walking up Broad St., you will notice lots of galleries on the storefronts. Take a few moments to walk into any of them that are open. After which, you will find yourself on the corner of Broad St. and Meeting St.

You will notice 4 major buildings on each of the corners. Local Charlestonians call this area The 4 corners of Law. Starting on your left is St. Michael’s Church (which George Washington himself sat in for a service. Across the street from there is the Post Office. In front of you is the old Court House. And right beside you on your right is City Hall.

After checking out this area, backtrack just a little bit into the small park right by City Hall. You are now in Washington Square Park, named after the first President of The United States. This is one of the first public parks in Charleston.

Now head through the open gate to a cobblestone street and you will find yourself on Chalmers Street.

Chalmers Street

Chalmers St is one of the few remaining cobblestone streets left in Charleston. The road is not long at only 2 blocks. This is one of the oldest streets in Charleston.

When you get to the street from the park, take a right and start to walk down it. Make sure your camera is ready because photos on this street are amazing.

While walking, you will notice a building on your left, The Old Slave Mart. The Old Slave Marts is one of the places where slaves were sold and traded in Charleston. Yes, it is dark but it is history. The Old Slave Mart is run by descendants of slaves today and they take pride in educating the history of slavery in Charleston.

*Bonus Section* After you are done here, keep walking on Chalmers St to the end and take a left on State St. Go one block and take a left on Queen St. Go about halfway up the block and you will see an alley on your right. This is Philadelphia Alley, also known as Duelers Alley. This is a spot where duels would take place in Charleston.

After checking out Philadelphia Alley, go back to where you went in. Take a right on Queen St. making it to the corner of Queen St. and Church St.

Church Street

On this corner to your left, you will notice a pink church. This is the French Huguenot Church. It is the only independent Huguenot church in The United States. The congregation can trace its origins back to the 1680s.

Across the road is the Dock Street Theater. Dock Street Theater is the oldest and first theater in the colonies. Plays are still taking place here.

If you are standing at the same corner as you walked up, to your right is St. Phillips Church. St. Phillips Church is arguably the most recognizable church in Charleston. The church opened in 1835 and has one of the most iconic steeples in Charleston. Notice the graveyards on both sides of the street as well. There are a few founding fathers buried here.

Continue to walk down Church St. and you will run into The Charleston City Market. You will go through this in a little bit but now it is time to grab some lunch.

Lunch

This is a good spot to stop for lunch on the first day of your 3 day Charleston itinerary trip. There are many choices to choose from on The Market.

If you are making this trip on a Saturday or Sunday, you will enjoy brunch at Church and Union. This restaurant is an old church that has been renovated into a restaurant.

The Charleston City Market

After lunch at Church and Union, take a right and walk up Market St. There are shops on your right and the brick market on your left. Take this until you reach Meeting St. On your left is a gold and terracotta-colored building that is the Daughters of the Confederacy. Between the stairs is where The Charleston City Market starts.

This is the heart of the tourist area of Charleston and probably the most popular spot. You will notice that The Charleston City Market is full of snacks, drinks, knick-knacks, handmade seagrass artwork, and much more.

This market has been used as the city market since 1692. At one time, it was used as the city center for middle and lower-class residents to gather to play games and drink.

Once you reach the end of The Charleston City Market, take a right on E. Bay St. and walk two blocks to Queen St. Take a left on Vendue Range and walk to the end to where you see the large fountain.

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

There will more than likely be a lot of kids playing in the large fountain at the start of Joe Riley Waterfront Park. Joe Riley Waterfront Park is one of the most picturesque places in Charleston.

At this park, you are able to walk out to the water or take a seat in the shade. Make sure to visit the famous Pineapple Fountain. Getting a picture taken in front of the Pineapple Fountain is a staple when visiting Charleston.

After you take your picture and enjoy the park, it is time to take a rideshare to the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center.

Tour Fort Sumter

Take some time to tour the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center after you sign up for a tour of Fort Sumter. Inside you will learn many fascinating facts about Fort Sumter.

You will get on a ferry boat that will take you out to the small island of Fort Sumter. If you go during the summer, there is a great chance that you will see dolphins swimming along the ferry. The short ferry ride is a great ride through Charleston Harbor and an amazing way to see the city.

Once you are at Fort Sumter, enjoy the guided tour by a park Ranger. They are really great at giving the full history of the significant fort. It is amazing to stand on the same grounds where the first battle of The Civil War took place. This one, singular spot changed The United States of America for all of history.

Once you get back to the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, it is time to head back to your hotel. I hope that you have built up an appetite because it is time to get ready for dinner.

Dinner at a Restaurant

For dinner, I recommend that you head to Magnolias. Magnolias is located on E. Bay St. in the heart of downtown Charleston. You actually walked by it earlier.

Magnolias is the perfect place to go for true Southern cuisine. It is a restaurant that is based completely around the true low country, southern, Charleston food.

I highly recommend calling ahead about a month to make reservations. This way, you will make sure to get a table for Magnolias.

Once dinner is over, it is time to end the night with a different way of having fun. Let’s go on a ghost tour.

Finish The Night With A Ghost Tour

You are in one of the most haunted cities in The United States of America and it is time to take advantage of that. Charleston has many great tours to do on.

I am recommending a great one by Bulldog Tours. It is the Charleston Ghost and Graveyard Nighttime Guided Walking Tour. This tour will take you through dark corridors in the historic district to many of the haunted graveyards.

Once the tour is over, it is time to head back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow you are going to be walking again but this time it is going to be spent touring plantations.

What a perfect way to end the first night and day of your 3 day Charleston itinerary.

Day 2 of 3 Day Charleston Itinerary

Welcome to day 2 of your 3 day Charleston itinerary. Today is going to be a great day of exploring some of the most beautiful places in Charleston.

When most people think of the South, plantations are one of the first things that come to mind. Large open areas with huge oak trees and Spanish moss. The plantations in Charleston are absolutely breathtaking.

Charleston’s plantations know that it comes with a dark history. All the plantations have tackled this head-on and created amazing educational tools to properly teach about slavery in the South.

Each plantation will take about 2 hours to fully explore.

Let’s get this day started with a great breakfast.

Breakfast

You will want to get a rideshare and head up Meeting St. to Big Bad Breakfast. This place has amazing food and the restaurant is completely designed just for breakfast. You do not need a reservation for this place, but recommend calling ahead to get on the waitlist to save some time.

After breakfast, it is time to take a rideshare out to your first plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is just off Ashley River Rd in the West Ashley area of Charleston. This plantation is the most visited plantation in Charleston.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was established in 1676 by Thomas Drayton and his wife, Ann. The plantation was originally a rice plantation. The African American Slaves that were used to work the rice fields helped start and spread the Gullah culture in The Low Country.

It wasn’t until the 1840s that the plantation was transformed into the gardens that make it famous today. Reverend John Grimke-Drayton inherited the plantation and created the romantic gardens for his wife, Julia.

After the tours and walking the gardens here, it is time to head basically next door to the next plantation, Drayton Hall.

Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall is not like the other plantations in Charleston. This is mainly about the plantation house. The grounds are beautiful, but the centerpiece of Drayton Hall is Drayton Hall itself.

Drayton Hall was built for John Drayton Sr by his grandson knowing that he would not inherit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It was built between the years 1747 and 1752. The plantation house sits on 630 acres of beautiful land.

You will tour the house and learn about the history of the plantation from a tour guide. The house went through 7 generations of Draytons before it was taken over by The Drayton Hall Preservations Trust.

For the next plantation, you are going to head to the opposite side of town Mount Pleasant. But, before you get there, you are stopping for a great lunch on the water.

Lunch At Red’s Ice House or Saltwater Cowboys

Head out to Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant for your lunch. There are two places that I highly recommend for lunch, Red’s Ice House and Saltwater Cowboys.

These two restaurants are on the same side of Shem Creek, so they are easy to walk between. Shem Creek is a tidal creek where you will see shrimp boats, kayakers, boaters, and dolphins. These two places are the perfect spot to have a great lunch with a perfect drink on a warm day.

Now that lunch is over, it is time to get a rideshare and head over to Boone Hall Plantation.

Boone Hall Plantation

Boone Hall Plantation is one of the most beautiful places in Charleston. It sits on 738 acres and is still a working plantation. Boone Hall Plantation is one of America’s oldest plantations.

John Boone received Boone Hall Plantation as a wedding gift in 1681 from his father-in-law. John Boone and his wife are ancestors of 2 future Founding Fathers, Edward Rutledge, and John Rutledge.

The iconic oak trees were planted in 1742 that create the beautiful, classic southern plantation look. At the plantation, you are able to tour the house and old slave houses, listen to a Gullah presentation, and much more.

Oh and if you are wondering, this is the plantation where The Notebook and North and South were filmed at.

After Boone Hall Plantation, it is time to head back to your hotel and get ready for dinner.

Dinner

It is time to head to dinner and with visiting Charleston, you have to have oysters. A perfect place to go is Leon’s Oyster Bar. Leon’s Oyster Bar was named one of the best new restaurants in America by Eater. It was also named the best restaurant in the south by Southern Living.

They do take walk-ins but it is best to call ahead and make a reservation. You will find Leon’s Oyster Bar on King St.

After dinner, you can have an open night. Either head back to your hotel to relax, or take a late-night stroll throughout the city. Don’t worry, downtown Charleston is a very safe place to walk through at night.

What a great second day on your 3 day Charleston itinerary. Tomorrow you hit the beach!

Day 3 of 3 Day Charleston Itinerary

Welcome to day 3 of your 3 day Charleston itinerary. Today is going to be a bit more relaxing. Today, you will find yourself finally hitting the beach and dipping your toes in the ocean.

There is nothing better than having your feet in the sand and feeling the waves against your legs. Also getting sun-kissed on your skin and feeling the salt in the air.

Along with the beach, you will see something off of the beaten path, and get in some shopping.

Let’s get this day going with a great breakfast.

Breakfast at Mercantile and Mash

You will start out this morning eating a great breakfast at Mercantile and Mash. This is a light breakfast so you don’t get too tired in the sun. Mercantile and Mash is a restaurant that is in an old cigar factory.

After you have eaten breakfast, it is time to get a rideshare and head to Folly Beach.

Folly Beach

As you drive into Folly Beach, you will notice that this place is a beach town. There are plenty of shops and restaurants on the main roads. Most people are walking around in their bathing suits and towels.

You will most likely get dropped off at the main entrance where the new Folly Beach Pier is. The pier opened the day after Christmas in 2022. Folly Beach is one of the best beaches to visit in South Carolina.

While soaking up the sun, take a walk east, with the water on your right side, and head to Morris Island Lighthouse. This historic lighthouse sits out in the water and you can only reach it by boat.

You will find that there is plenty to do around the beach area. It won’t take you long to figure out why people love Folly Beach so much.

After catching waves all morning and soaking up the sun, it is time to go and have lunch at a local favorite. Let’s hope that you are hungry because it is time to eat.

Lunch at Rita’s Seaside Grill

Right on the main stretch of Folly Beach Rd, you will find Rita’s Seaside Grill. You will have many options to try at Rita’s Seaside Grill. Rita’s Seaside Grill is a classic American restaurant with amazing seafood. You are close enough to the ocean to still feel the breeze as you enjoy your lunch.

Once lunch is over, it is time to hop back into a car and head to see the Angel Oak Tree. I highly recommend that you call ahead during lunch to reserve a Charleston Green Taxi to pick you up. Getting a rideshare at Folly Beach is not the easiest thing to do.

Angel Oak Tree

Visiting the Angel Oak Tree is one of the best things to do. I know you are thinking, this is just a tree. Trust me though, this is something you want to see in person. Visiting the Angel Oak Tree will only take about 30 minutes of your time.

The Angel Oak Tree is a Southern live oak tree that is estimated to be between 400-500 years old. This makes it the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi River.

You will notice the sheer size of the tree once you see it in person. It is so massive that the limbs go into the ground and come up again. Take a little bit of time to take it all in and snap a lot of photos.

Now it is time to head to King Street and get some much-needed shopping done.

Shopping on King Street

I suggest that you get dropped off back at the historical Charleston City Market. Having a car stop right on King Street is not the easiest thing to do. Once you are at the market, head to the front of it at the Daughters of Confederacy building again. Keep walking one block on Market St. and you will reach King St.

You can go in any direction for great shopping, but I suggest taking a right on King St. and Market St. This will get you to some of the more popular and favorite stores that King St has to offer.

Take every minute that you can and spend as much time in each store to find the perfect gift for someone.

After your shopping excursion, it is time to get some drinks and dinner.

Pub Tour and Dinner

I suggest that you take part in a haunted pub crawl. This is a fun way to get a few drinks and some food in the historic district of Charleston. The tour starts nightly at 8 pm and lasts for 2 hours.

This Haunted Pub Crawl by Ghost City Tours is for mature audiences. It will take you from haunted brothers to murderous pirates. You will enjoy all the drinks that you get during this fun and exciting haunted pub tour. Make sure to purchase your tickets here for the fun.

Make sure to keep track of your favorite pub. That way you can go back for a great meal at your favorite pub. That way you can stay and enjoy the place a little longer.

Once dinner is over, you will want to take a stroll that you will really like to enjoy the town one last time.

Stroll The Battery At Night

Make your way back to where you almost started this 3 day Charleston itinerary at The Battery. There is nothing like walking The Battery at night, under the moon, on the waterfront.

Enjoy the views as you look out over the water while you are walking. This is one of the most peaceful walks in the Holy City. Trust me, there is nothing quite like it. It is a great place to reflect on your trip and life.

After the stroll, it will be good to get back to your hotel before your day of travel tomorrow. If you don’t have a flight until later, there are a couple more things that you can do tomorrow yet.

Day of Departure from Charleston

Well, the day has finally come. Your departure day on your 3 day Charleston itinerary. I hope that you fell in love with the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, and will visit again.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight, let’s get some breakfast or lunch before you drive to the airport.

Breakfast or Lunch

Now depending on what time it is, there is a couple of options for food.

If you are able to have breakfast, a great spot to get one last true Charleston breakfast is Virginia’s On King. Virginia’s On King is a sophisticated Southern restaurant that brings Southern Lowcountry cooking to your table.

If you woke up a little later and looking to do lunch, it is time to have some Carolina BBQ. Carolina BBQ is pulled pork. There are two amazing choices to definitely try in Charleston.

Try Lewis Barbecue or Rodney Scott’s BBQ. Both are amazing locations and will give you a perfect BBQ dish that will not disappoint. Each of these places will give you a BBQ that is delicious to taste.

If Time Permits, A Horse and Carriage Tour

If you have enough time because your flight doesn’t leave until the evening or early in the night, take one last tour. While walking around, I am sure you noticed the horse and carriage tours.

Take advantage of your time and get a chance to see historic Charleston one last time. I recommend using Palmetto Carriage Tours for your tour. It is included with your Charleston Tour Pass which you can purchase in this post to save the most money.

Now it is time to head back to the airport and say goodbye to Charleston. Don’t worry, you will be back to visit the historic city again.

Head Back to the Airport

Head back to the hotel and grab your bags. Get your rideshare and head back to the airport. I would give you about an hour to an hour and a half at this airport. That way you can cover all that needs to happen for pre-board and not be waiting around too long.

Get Your Charleston Tour Pass Today to Save Money

As you can see, Charleston has a lot to offer on a long weekend away. The best way to make sure you get to see everything at a great price is to purchase the Charleston Tour Pass. You are able to see almost everything that we talked about at a great value with this pass. Do not miss this opportunity to save money on seeing Charleston. This is the best for your 3 day Charleston itinerary.

Have Your Bags Picked Up While You Explore With Charleston Bag Valet

Don’t want to haul your luggage all around Charleston while waiting for your flight to leave or for your hotel to be ready? Good News! Charleston Bag Valet will help you out with that. As they say, you explore, they store.

Charleston Bag Valet will pick up your bags curbside anywhere in Charleston and secure each item with a customizable tamper-proof lock. They will store your bags in an insured and secured climate-controlled environment while you explore. When you are ready, they will deliver your bags to you where you want them and when you want them. You can even have them delivered to the airport for your ease.

Where to Stay in Charleston

Charleston has many great hotel options to stay in while visiting. If the Indigo Inn doesn’t work for you, you can find a great one close to the same area to book.

You are able to find great hotels from boutiques to ones with amazing dining options. You will find the perfect room for all that you need.

To find the perfect hotel for you and your location, check out my post below.

Where to Stay in Charleston SC: Best Hotels and Locations

A Few Tips for Visiting Charleston

Here are a few tips for visiting Charleston on your 3 day itinerary that is good to know ahead of time.

• For restaurants in Charleston, you will want to call ahead of your trip and make reservations. Most of the restaurants require it or will want you to request a table ahead of time. Some you are able to just walk in but it is better to call ahead to make sure.
• Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress that one enough. The streets of Charleston are old and have cobblestone. Wearing comfortable shoes will save your vacation.
• If you are visiting between June and September, expect it to be hot. Charleston is in the south and experiences true southern summers. You can expect temperatures around 100 with almost 100% humidity. Have plenty of water with you if you are not used to those types of summers. You will be outside a lot in Charleston.
• You will see many teenagers trying to sell you sweetgrass roses all over the historic district. Don’t feel obligated to purchase from them.
• Walking around downtown Charleston is pretty safe. You do not need to worry about anything happening to you in the historic district.

Getting Around During Your 3 Day Charleston Itinerary

Charleston is an easy city to get around. There are plenty of options for getting around.

• Walking – Charleston is a very walkable city, especially the entire downtown area. The peninsula is not too large, so walking is easy.
• Rideshare – Rideshare is a major part of Charleston with lots of rides available.
• Taxis – Charleston has plenty of taxi options available including Charleston Green Taxi.
• Rickshaw – Downtown Charleston will have a lot of rickshaws available to use. They will get you to just about everywhere in the downtown Charleston area.
• Bikes – The city of Charleston also has invested in bikes that you can rent around the city. It is a great way to get around.

3 Day Charleston Itinerary: In Conclusion

As you can see, Charleston has a lot to offer. There is so much to see and do that it is hard to get it all done. I hope that this itinerary will make it easier for you. If you do not get to everything, do not worry. You will come back, everyone does.

I hope that you enjoyed this 3 day Charleston itinerary and found it very useful for your vacation. If you have not gone on vacation yet, use this to create your very own Charleston story.

• Make sure you book your flights
  • Find a great flight at a great price through Booking.com They have many options for Flights, Cars, Hotels, and more! Make sure to book your trip today!
• Pick up your travel items
  • Head over to Amazon.com to get your needed travel items. Pick up the travel backpack that I use for my travels or my post about what to bring for a day hike. Take a look at the items to bring along in a 2-3 day backpacking trip with my post What To Pack In Your Hiking Backpack. Use this or pick up more items that you will need.
• Helping The Traveling Drifter
  • By purchasing from the provided links, a small commission is earned to help keep the website running. I thank you for your support and for following the website.