Charleston, South Carolina is a wonderful destination for your next vacation. Whether you are able to take several days off of work to go to Charleston or not, the city is worth a visit, even if it is just for one day. I was only able to be in Charleston for one day, but I did plenty of research to see what the popular sights are in the historic city and determine what I could pack into one day. Keep reading to see my one-day itinerary for Charleston, South Carolina.

Walk Along the Battery

The Battery is a defensive wall along the water that played a role in wars throughout American history. This wall is lined with beautiful historic mansions. A peaceful walk here is a good way to start your morning. Outside of the history and beauty, The Battery is known for the White Point Garden.

Take Pictures at Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row consists of a stretch of pastel-colored Antebellum homes. You can walk up and down the stretch of thirteen homes and read the plaques that inform the guests of the history of these buildings. The background of the colorful houses has become a popular place to take pictures.

Find a Cute Coffee Shop

Charleston has numerous cute coffee shops. The coffee shop I chose was Harken Cafe and Bakery. Harken is the cutest coffee shop I have ever visited. My iced latte was delicious. Also, I ordered a “Butter Me Up” breakfast sandwich, which was a lot bigger than I was expecting, and it was so good!

Head to Charleston City Market

Next, head to the City Market. The City Market is where local vendors sell souvenirs. It is located in a large historic building and has become a very popular tourist attraction. The City Market is open daily from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Check out their website for more information.

Spend Time at Cypress Gardens

Then, I recommend going to Cypress Gardens. Cypress Gardens is an iconic nature park that has canoe rides among beautiful Cypress trees, trails for hiking, a swamparium to see reptiles and fish, a butterfly house, and a building to learn about the history of the park. This venue is so iconic, because several scenes in movies and television shows have been filmed here. Some of the most famous include part of season two of Outer Banks and part of the movie, The Notebook. If you have seen The Notebook, you remember the canoe scene… You can take a little boat around the same route that Noah and Allie went on in the movie!

For more information, read my blog post that focuses just on Cypress Gardens.

Go to Shem Creek Park or Sullivan’s Island for Sunset

Shem Creek Park and Sullivan’s Island are two good spots to drive to for dinner and to catch a sunset. There are plenty of waterfront restaurants to choose from if you want to watch the sunset during your meal. It is a great way to end the day!

Conclusion

Charleston, South Carolina has become a popular vacation spot for obvious reasons. This city has plenty to offer its guests no matter how many days you are able to stay for. I hope you make it here and have fun exploring the beautiful historic town.

Thanks for stopping by! To find my other blog posts, head to the destinations tab on my website. Cheers to exploring new cities and making connections around the world!