Today I want to bring you my travel itinerary for 3 days in Charleston, South Carolina. This historic city in the American South is known for its beautiful streets, great shopping, and world-class dining. From waterfront walks to visiting Fort Sumter, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Charleston. I can’t wait to show you the best of the Holy City.
3 Days in Charleston
My 3-day itinerary for Charleston is part of a larger trip I’m on in Georgia and South Carolina. My time here was preceded by 2 days in Savannah and 1 night in Hilton Head.
Given the trip has been great so far, I arrive in Charleston with high expectations. Everyone has told me it’s going to be my favorite of the three, and I’m excited to see if they’re right.
Day 1
After leaving Hilton Head Island in the morning, my boyfriend and I and make the 2-hour drive to Charleston.
We stop for a quick and delicious lunch at Ravenel Seafood on our way into the city, then head downtown ready to explore.
Charleston Hotel
Our 3 days in Charleston officially begin when we check into Hotel Bella Grace. My boyfriend chose it because it’s located right in the heart of the historic city center near the shops and restaurants on King Street.
We love our room and the hotel’s stylish atmosphere, and we’re excited for our stay (you can book a room here if you want to follow in our footsteps).
Sailing in Charleston
After getting settled into Hotel Bella Grace, we drive out to Charleston harbor. When we arrive, my boyfriend surprises me with a private afternoon sailing charter.
We board a boat in the marina and spend the next two hours taking in the city from the water. Our captain and mate tell us all about Charleston and its history as we go.
The wind is strong and the conditions are perfect for sailing. We can’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in South Carolina.
King Street
After sailing, we return to the city center and take a walk down King Street. This road is known for its shopping and restaurants, and we pop into a few to get our retail therapy fix and check out the city’s famous dining scene.
Charleston Historic District
From King Street we wander around the Charleston Historic District. This area on the peninsula between the Cooper River and the Ashley River is packed with heritage houses, many of which have plaques out front sharing the details of their history.
It’s amazing how some of the homes date all the way back to America’s colonial period. Many of the plaques list every owner, too.
We walk down narrow streets like Philadelphia Alley and I swoon over the Pink House in the French Quarter. It’s an early 18th-century tavern on Chalmers Street and it’s just adorable.
We spend so much time wandering around Tradd Street that it gets dark before we’re done. I’m in photography heaven, and I don’t want to leave.
Dinner
But the one thing I will leave for is food, and my boyfriend has promised me it’ll be worth it. He’s booked us a dinner reservation at Maison, a French bistro in Charleston.
With a modern-yet-intimate atmosphere, great service, and excellent food and wine, it proves to be a winner. It’s a great way to end our first day in the city.
Day 2
The next morning our 3 days in Charleston continue with a trip to the Charleston City Market. Dating back to the late 18th century, it’s one of the oldest public markets in the United States.
Spanning four city blocks, this place is big enough to do some serious shopping in. But we’re only partly here to browse. We’re really here for the food.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit has come highly recommended, and we tuck into fresh, fluffy numbers filled with everything from egg to pimento cheese. It’s a great way to start the day.
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
After breakfast our Charleston itinerary continues with a walk to Joe Riley Waterfront Park. This place is the home of the famous Pineapple Fountain. We admire its multi-tiered waterfalls before exploring the rest of the park.
French Quarter and Rainbow Row
Afterwards we make our way to the French Quarter, an area inside the old walled city named for the French Huguenots who once called it home.
We’re here to take in historic buildings like the Old Slave Mart Museum and admire the colorful houses on Rainbow Row.
South of Broad
We spend the rest of the morning walking around South of Broad. We revisit Tradd Street with its historic houses, and walk down to The Battery, White Point Garden, and Oyster Point.
Seeing the city on foot is a great way to take in all the heritage details and historic mansions.
Lunch in Charleston
When it’s lunch o’clock, we hop in a taxi and head up to Hannibal’s Kitchen. This place is known for Soul Food, and we tuck into heaping containers of crab rice. It’s a delicious way to set ourselves up for the next stop on our itinerary.
Aiken-Rhett House Museum
You can’t visit Charleston without touring a historic home (or so we were told), so our 3 days in Charleston continue with a trip to the 19th-century Aiken-Rhett House. We walk over to it from Hannibal’s Kitchen and purchase an audio-guide tour.
The extensive visit takes us out back to the former slave quarters, then into the house to see the interior rooms. They’ve survived virtually unaltered since 1858, and touring the complex is like stepping into a ghost’s home.
Charleston Historic District
After the tour we walk around and explore the Charleston Historic District again (we can’t get enough of the pretty streets here). We walk down side roads and alleys, taking in bright facades and heritage homes as we lose ourselves in the grid of colors.
Dinner
In the evening we have dinner right next to Hotel Bella Grace. The restaurant is called Delaney Oyster House and it’s all about seafood.
This place is uniquely situated in a historic home, and we’re seated at a table in one of the many intimate dining rooms. We order a dozen oysters and fresh fish, and it all goes down a treat.
Dessert on King Street
After dinner we walk down King Street to get dessert at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. It’s fun to take in the nightlife scene as we make our way there, and even more enjoyable to tuck into sweet treats when we arrive.
Day 3
The next morning our 3 days in Charleston continue with a quick breakfast at Saffron Restaurant & Bakery. This place has amazing biscuits, and they set us up well for the morning.
Fort Sumter
It’s a good thing, too, because we have a big morning ahead. We’ve booked tickets to visit Fort Sumter through GetYourGuide, and we’re excited to see the place where the Civil War started in 1861.
The tour starts with a visit to the museum before the boat leaves. It has lots of exhibits on the history of the fort and the Civil War. From there we board the ferry for the ride to the island stronghold in Charleston Harbor.
Around 30 minutes later, we reach Fort Sumter. We get to participate in the daily flag-raising ceremony before spending time exploring the fort and learning about its history. It’s amazing to be in a place that played such a pivotal role in our country’s past.
Lunch
The Fort Sumter tour and ferry ride lasts 2 hours, and we arrive back in Charleston in time for lunch.
But we’re not eating in Downtown Charleston. We’re heading out to Magnolia Plantation, and we’re stopping for food on the way. Lunch is at Taste of the Islands on Ashley River Road, where we enjoy everything from curry shrimp to jerk chicken.
Magnolia Plantation
After lunch our 3 days in Charleston continue with the short drive to Magnolia Plantation.
Founded in 1676, it’s one of the oldest plantations in the South. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s been named one of “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens” by Travel + Leisure magazine.
We buy tickets to tour the grounds and the swamp, and we spend the next couple hours walking through rhododendron groves, over arched footbridges, and past alligators (yes, alligators).
This place is home to the oldest public gardens in America, and there’s a real sense of history here, both dark and bright.
Carriage Ride in Charleston
Back in the city, my boyfriend has booked us on a private carriage ride through Charleston.
For the next hour we clip-clop through the streets as our guide tells us about the history of the city and points out sites of interest. From centuries-old churchyards to iconic buildings, we get a great overview as our horse pulls us along.
Dinner
After the ride our 3-day Charleston itinerary continues as we head to the Elliotborough neighborhood for dinner at Vern’s. We’re meeting local friends here, and we’re excited to share a meal at this American bistro with them.
The dining room is packed when we arrive. After a round of cocktails outside, we’re seated at a wooden table in the middle of the restaurant. Soon dish after dish of inventive small plates comes around, and we have ourselves a delicious local feast.
Cocktails
After dinner my boyfriend and I can’t resist one final adventure in Charleston. We head over to Last Saint, a bar on Meeting Street. It’s buzzing tonight, and we tuck into creative cocktails as the crowd comes and goes around us.
3 Days in Charleston
The next morning we check out of Hotel Bella Grace and get ready to say good-bye to Charleston. But we have one last place to go.
We walk across the street to Marion Square for the Saturday market. The Charleston Farmers Market has everything from fresh produce to art and prepared foods for sale, and we take it all in before heading to the airport.
It’s a great way to end our trip, and a fun farewell to the city. As we leave, we can’t believe how much we’ve seen and done in 3 days in Charleston.
It’s been an amazing itinerary, and I depart feeling like the people who told me this place would be my favorite were right. From the historic streets to the amazing food and cultural treasures, the Holy City is a truly special place.
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