3 Perfect Days In Charleston SC 2025
If you’re hoping to spend 3 perfect days in Charleston SC then look no further. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for a 3 day trip to Charleston SC, one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the whole of America.
Charleston is famous for a whole host of wonderful things, including its rich history and absolutely stunning architecture. Many people dream of visiting this beautiful city and it was high on our bucket list when we decided to visit South Carolina. In fact, it was right at the top!
We fell head over heels for this big city’s small-town charm and can’t wait to visit again. There is something for everyone here, and we can’t wait to show you how we would spend 3 days in Charleston if we were heading here for a long weekend.
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3 Perfect Days In Charleston SC Quick Menu
- How to get to Charleston SC
- Where to stay on your 3 perfect days in Charleston
- What to book in advance
- What to pack for a weekend in Charleston
- Day 1 of your 3 perfect days in Charleston SC
- Day 2 of your 3 perfect days in Charleston SC
- Day 3 of your 3 perfect days in Charleston SC
- A weekend in Charleston with kids
- If you have more than 3 days in Charleston
How To Get To Charleston SC
If you have a car, or you’re able to rent a car, then driving is the easiest way to get to Charleston SC. Most hotels offer parking for a small cost, which is well worth it for the ease and security.
We’ve made sure that you don’t need to drive anywhere on your 3 days in Charleston, especially if you choose one of the centrally located hotels we’ve listed below, but there are a few attractions worth seeing just outside Charleston if you have the time which is detailed at the bottom of this post.
If you’re arriving by plane and don’t fancy hiring a car then it’s no big deal. Charleston International Airport is about 20 minutes taxi ride away from Charleston center, so grab a taxi or a hire car and you’re good to go!
This is one of the cheapest services we could find and will cost you under $40 – we would recommend booking in advance so that you don’t have to go in search of transport with all your luggage on arrival. With only 3 days in Charleston you’re going to want to make the most of every second!
Where To Stay On Your 3 Perfect Days In Charleston
Accommodation can make or break a short stay in a city like Charleston. With only three days here you’re going to want somewhere central, somewhere unique, and most importantly, somewhere you’ll get a really great night’s sleep!
We’ve got some good options for you below, but if you want to do your own research then we have had the most success with Booking.com, where there’s a huge range to suit all tastes and budgets.
Just make sure to check whether it’s within walking distance of Charleston’s main attractions so you don’t find yourself spending too much time travelling!
Top Tip: Book early check-in so that you can drop your luggage and freshen up before a full day of exploring!
The John Rutledge House Inn is probably the most unique place to stay in Charleston and will give you huge boasting rights when you return home! It’s exactly what the name suggests – the former home of John Rutledge.
Staying here is quite the claim to fame, so it’s a great option for a short stay in Charleston. It’s also beautiful and in perfect location. We can highly recommend a stay here! For more information and prices head here.
If you’re staying in Charleston then it would be a crime not to stay somewhere with the classic Charleston charm and history.
The mid-century inspired The Dewberry hotel or Hotel Bennett offer some of Charleston’s finest accommodation in a great central location, or take a look at Barksdale House Inn for something a little more modest but with no less style and character.
Check out the best hotels with balconies in Charleston for something extra special.
What To Book In Advance
With only a weekend break in Charleston SC you’ll want to make sure you’ve booked some of the highlights to avoid disappointment. Charleston is a popular place and the top tours sell out quickly, especially during the best times to visit Charleston!
Here are some of our real highlights.
See below for dinner reservation suggestions!
Top Tip: If you’re booking more than one attraction in Charleston then Charleston’s Tour Pass will save you money on A LOT of attractions so is well worth getting in advance.
What To Pack For A Weekend Away In Charleston
The last thing you want to be doing when you arrive in Charleston is to go hunting for that essential item that you’ve left behind! The great thing about Charleston is that you won’t need to pack for a range of scenarios.
The most important things to remember are a decent pair of walking shoes for city exploring, a nice outfit for all those meals and drinks out, and weather-appropriate clothes like sunglasses and a sun hat for the summer months and warm clothes for the winter.
If you’re packing for a last-minute weekend getaway then be careful to double-check you’ve got the real essentials like your phone and passport. If you do forget something you can’t live without then the town centre does have some convenient shops selling anything you might need.
Day 1 Of Your 3 Perfect Days In Charleston SC
In The Morning
11 a.m.: Once you’ve arrived in Charleston check in, drop off your bags, freshen up, and get straight out of there to explore what the streets of Charleston have to offer. Hopefully you’re itching to get going, but if you need a little pick me up after travelling then grab a coffee from one of Charleston’s many coffee shops.
Note: We’ve found this luggage drop service conveniently located in Charleston just in case you weren’t able to book early check in with your hotel.
12 p.m.: It’s lunch time! Head to Queen Street Grocery to pick up a take-away lunch. This charming cafe opened all the way back in 1922 and has been a little of everything over the years – from an Apothecary to a full-blown Grocery Store and now a trendy cafe. The signature crepes are incredible, or they make delicious hot-pressed sandwiches too. Take your picnic lunch to Colonial Lake park and take in the views as you eat.
From here you can walk to the nearby Battery and White Point Garden and explore some of Charleston’s historic past. The Antebellum homes are a pretty impressive sight and well worth a photo or three.
In The Afternoon
2 p.m.: If you’ve managed to book in advance then make this historic walking tour one of the first things you do in Charleston. It will take you to pre-and-post colonial homes, storefronts, churches, and public buildings while your knowledgeable guide recounts stories of Charleston’s successes, failures, and sometimes gory history.
One of the things Charleston is most famous for is it’s history, and this walking tour will help you get to know this city intimately. You’ll get a real feel for Charleston which will make the rest of your 3 days here even more perfect.
4 p.m.: Make Delaney Oyster House your next port of call and enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne with oysters and caviar – you are on holiday, right! And Charleston is famous for its oysters, so it would be a shame to miss out.
5 p.m.: Enjoy a late afternoon stroll along the Charleston Harbor and see the Pineapple Fountain. Then take a quick walk along one of the connecting cobblestone streets up to East Bay Street and you’ll come across Rainbow Row, one of Charleson’s most Instagram worthy sites. If this doesn’t take your fancy then why not visit one of Charleston’s many beautiful churches. Saint Michael’s is a favourite.
In The Evening
7 p.m.: Your 3 perfect days in Charleston SC just wouldn’t be complete without sampling the delicacies in some of this cities best restaurants! Husk is the restaurant that kicked off chef Sean Brock’s empire and it focuses on mostly Southern cuisine. It’s the perfect place to get a real taste of the area. The menu changes regularly but you can expect to enjoy dishes like deviled eggs with pickled okra and okra stew with Carolina gold rice.
8 p.m.: There’s plenty to do in Charleston in the evening and you don’t necessarily have to book in advance if you’re happy just going with the flow and enjoying the ambiance. For full details of a huge range of evening activities in Charleston head here!
Day 2 Of Your 3 Perfect Days In Charleston, SC
In The Morning
8 a.m.: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit serve a variety of piping hot award-winning biscuits, pimento cheese sandwiches, and a range of other delicious and locally inspired breakfast goodies, but you’ll want to be up and out early to beat the queues at this popular cafe!
9 a.m.: On a full stomach, take a leisurely stroll around Gibbes Art Museum for some morning culture. Gibbes is one of the oldest art museums in the United States and includes over four centuries of paintings, decorative works, sculptures, and other works from American artists like Angelica Kaufmann and Conrad Wise Chapman. It’s the perfect place to start the day.
11 a.m.: This was probably our top highlight from our time in Charleston so make sure you don’t miss out. Join a cruise along the historic Charleston Harbor aboard a replica 1920s-Bay-Steamer. Watch for dolphins on your way to Fort Sumter and learn more about why this place is such an important historic landmark.
In The Afternoon
1 p.m.: For lunch go to Rodney Scotts BBQ. Charleston is HUGE on BBQs and Rodney Scotts serve some of the best! They specialise in whole hog BBQs, using hardwood embers to impart a unique flavour to the meat – BBQs really are an art form here! Try to save room for Ella’s banana pudding which has rave reviews.
3 p.m.: Walk further down King Street to peruse Historic District’s boutique shops. You’ll find shops like Ro Sham Beaux selling stylish coastal home décor and Blue Bicycle Books, with its rabbit warren of rooms and rare, vintage finds. If you can find it nestled down an alleyway then take a look in The Commons, a tiny shop selling American-made homeware like hand-blown glass decorations and ceramics.
In The Evening
6.30 p.m.: On Friday and Saturday Charleston’s City Market is open in the evenings, so for something a little different head here then. The Charleston City Night Market showcases more than 100 talented artists and craftspeople. All vendors are 100% local with 100% locally-made items for sale. Any souvineers bought from here will be very unique indeed!
8 p.m.: FIG is the restaurant of choice in Charleston for many, but you’ll have to book this restaurant about a month in advance to stand any chance of getting a table. If you’ve been super organised then expect traditional low-country cuisine done to an extremely high standard. Just ask the waiting staff what you should have – they’ve all been specially trained to know what they’re talking about!
If you’re a little less on top of your life admin like me, then make your way to Chez Nous instead. In an off-the-beaten-path residential neighborhood, this tiny restaurant feels more like someone’s home in the south of France and it’s utterly charming. The menu changes every day (you can find it on Instagram) and you’ll have a choice of two starters, two mains, and two desserts, all delicious French cuisine in an intimate setting.
Don’t forget to check out our top picks for things to do in Charleston at night to extend the fun even further!
Day 3 Of Your 3 Perfect Days In Charleston SC
In The Morning
8 a.m.: It’s your final breakfast in Charleston SC so you’d better make it a good one! Millers All Day will not disappoint. I’m afraid you’ll want to be here early again as you can’t book and this place fills up super quick. But I promise it will be worth it! The banana break is INCREDIBLE!
10 a.m.: The tidal marshes around Charleston are teeming with Lowcountry biodiversity, so this morning we have something a little different planned for you. Head off on a kayaking trip around Charleston’s lowcountry. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of wildlife such as Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more as you paddle down Folly Creek en route to the tidal creeks that wrap around the Hammock Islands.
In The Afternoon
2 p.m.: Probably the most popular thing to do in Charleston and well worth saving until last is the famous horse and carriage rides. What better way to see such a romantic city than by horse drawn carriage, sitting next to your loved one (if you’re on a romantic getaway then take a look at the most romantic things to do in Charleston too).
In this private horse drawn carriage ride you’ll get to experience Charleston’s historic downtown district stopping beside all the famous sights, discover the history and architecture of the local buildings and learn about the people that make up the “Holy City”.
6 p.m.: I love a good scary story and Charleston’s ghost tour is full of them. See and hear the little-explored areas of Charleston as you delve into some gruesome historical stories. You can book this tour at 8 pm too if you’re visiting in the summer months and want to get the full scary experience in the dusk light.
8 p.m.: For your final dinner in Charleston SC head to The Ordinary for some extra-ordinary locally sourced seafood. The Ordinary is a Southern seafood hall and oyster bar located in an old bank in Charleston, SC. From the outside you’d never guess at the modern and friendly interior. The restaurant supports local fishermen and farmers so the food here is even more delicious.
10 p.m. End your 3 perfect days in Charleston at The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue. You’ll get the best views of Charleston Harbor and Waterfront Park lit up at night, along with a variety of snacks and drinks. Watching the world go by below is the perfect way to end your weekend in Charleston.
3 Perfect Days In Charleston SC With Kids
A lot of these activities are perfect to do with children of most ages, but there might be some things that aren’t appropriate for the younger ones. If you’re visiting as a family then take a look at some of the top things to do in Charleston with kids and swap out a few of the less suitable activities!
With A Little More Than 3 Perfect Days In Charleston
If you have longer to spend in and around Charleston SC, then as we mentioned earlier it may well be worth hiring a car. There are some stunning destinations just a short drive from the city that would be a shame to miss out on. Although it’s ore convenient to visit under your own steam, we’ve found some tours that will provide transport for you.
- Visit a plantation – our favourite was Magnolia Gardens, you can even take a night time tour!
- Check out the Charleston museum
- Learn about Shem Creek’s stunning wildlife and take a behind the scenes look at the shrimping industry
- Take a food tour and sample some of Charleston’s delicacies
- Stop at the Savannah Bee Company to taste some honey and buy yourself some goodies
And if you’re still keen to see more then we’ve put together 45 of our favourite things to do in Charleston SC, including some great options for nighttime activities and things for those that love the outdoors. 48 hours in Charleston really isn’t enough once you’ve seen the list, and we’re pretty sure you’ll be coming back for more soon!
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Wonderful article. As a native I learned a few things that I will be trying next visit home. As an aside when writing about BBQ it is a noun not a verb BBQ is a something Southerners don’t understand.
Hey, lovely to hear from you and I’m so pleased you found it useful. That’s interesting, I always believed BBQ could be a noun or a verb, ie, you can own a BBQ or you can BBQ fish for dinner. But my grammar isn’t always the best, I much prefer to write more as one would talk as I think it’s often easier to understand and more friendly in these posts!