explore it yourself:
The journey:
We traveled in from Savannah, Georgia, which is the perfect starting point for a Lowcountry road trip. (Savannah guide to come!) The drive from Savannah to Charleston is a scenic and straightforward journey, typically taking about 2 hours (covering approximately 108 miles). Most of the drive follows US-17, taking you through beautiful marshlands and over the Savannah River.
Morning: A charming stroll through historic downtown
We arrived in Charleston around 10am, but you can definitely start this itinerary earlier. While we found convenient parking at the Midtown Garage (next to the Hyatt House), rest assured there are numerous other parking garages readily available downtown.
To truly soak in the ambiance, we opted for a (self-guided) walking tour, covering just under 5 miles and encompassing many of Charleston’s main attractions. See below for the map and list of what to look out for!
Our scenic loop included:
- The American Theater: A historic landmark, perfect for a quick photo opportunity.
- King Street: Prepare to be charmed by the array of cute boutiques, antique shops, and local businesses. Take a quick coffee pitstop, by turning right onto Cannon Street to stop at Babas on Cannon!
- Hotel Bennett: Stop here to admire the grand architecture and the neighboring St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Between the church’s historic facade and the “instagram-worthy” flower cart often found in front of the hotel, it is one of the most picturesque corners in the city.
- College of Charleston: It’s hard to imagine a more inspiring place to study, the campus is surrounded by stunning historic residences. Walking through, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set rather than a college campus.
- The Battery: Breathtaking waterfront views, historic homes, and the iconic cannons. Keep your eye out for dolphins!
- Rainbow Row: Famous for its pastel-colored historic homes, this iconic street is a must-see for photographers.
- The Pineapple Fountain: We sat here for a moment to enjoy some shade. A great spot to stop and take a photo!
- Charleston City Market: An open-air market, a fun place to pick up a locally crafted item. If you’re brave, give boiled peanuts a try! (Although we’re huge peanut fans, we couldn’t get behind these).
We concluded our downtown exploration at the exclusive Citrus Club, where we savored delicious cocktails on the rooftop, enjoying sprawling panoramic views of Charleston and the sparkling ocean. Just a heads-up: this spot is definitely more upscale, so you might want to pre-plan a nicer outfit (nothing too formal, but also not too casual).
Afternoon: Coastal charm in mount pleasant & sullivan's island
From downtown, we retrieved our car and ventured across the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant. Our first stop was Saltwater Cowboys for a late lunch. The atmosphere was vibrant with live music, and we watched boats glide along the bustling canal, even spotting playful dolphins! It was clear that this was the “it” spot, as it was crammed with young people.
After, we drove a short distance to Sullivan’s Island. Here, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the beautiful beach and explored the main street, popping into several charming souvenir shops.
We had originally hoped to dine at The Obstinate Daughter, a highly-rated restaurant right off the beach, but our late lunch had us quite full. Instead, we opted for a sweet treat at Republic Ice Cream, a perfect end to our coastal adventure.
evening: Downtown comfort & nightlife options
As the sun began to set, we headed back into downtown Charleston to check into our hotel, The Holiday Inn Express. It offered a fantastic balance of comfort and value, a great “bang for your buck” option!
Though we were quite tired from our eventful day and opted for an early night, the downtown Charleston scene certainly looked inviting. For those seeking nightlife, here are some popular bar options we discovered during our research:
- Uptown Social
- Silver Dollar
- Frontier Lounge
- Henry’s Restaurant
final thoughts:
Overall Rating: 5/5
Would I go again? FOR SURE!! Parker and I wanted to move here during/after visiting.
Favorite moment:
Bailey’s favorite: I loved the walk that we did. It was such a great way to really soak in the Charleston charm. I have been to both New Orleans and Savannah and it feels like a cleaner, prettier version of each.
Parker’s favorite: Salt Water Cowboy, the vibes were great, the food was great, the drinks were great, the weather was great.
Any surprises? How close it was to a beautiful beach, it only took us about 20 minutes to get to Sullivans Island; note that this would probably be longer during other times of the year.
Charleston truly offers something for everyone, from its historic streets to its beautiful beaches and vibrant culinary scene. We hope this itinerary helps you plan your own perfect day trip in this incredible city!