Charleston
4-DAY Charleston, South Carolina ITINERARY
Charleston, the South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water, per Google.
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To read about My Travels, click here.
Must do, must see, must try:
RAINBOW ROW
Probably the most photographed place on Earth. Make sure to get yours too!
FOOD MUST: BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
Goodbye diet, hello biscuits!
CHEERS MUST:
MINT JULEP
This drink belongs to SC and tastes like southern hospitality. Cheers.
The Perfect 4-Day Charleston Itinerary
CLIMATE
Mid-April which can be rainy and cold, ideally go between March and June. Check the weather and pack everything from flip-flops and rain-boots to light tops to sweaters.
TRANSPORTATION
Charleston is walk-able, but you'll want to Lyft to the outskirts. Don't rent a car, it's too expensive paying for parking and not worth it. Streets are cobblestone so be aware.
ENVIRONMENT
Language is English
Currency: US Dollar
LIFESTYLE
Great city for a sweet weekend away with a love or friends, birthday celebration or long weekend away. A lot of day time activities and night.
Charleston attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Besides the historical significance, Charleston offers some great attractions, beautiful landscapes and elegant architecture.
Charleston was the number one place that I wanted to visit in the USA, and it did not disappoint. There is so much to see and do - from learning the history of the Battery to the painted houses known as 'Rainbow Row', to trying not to trip down the cobblestone roads; eating everything in sight and then some, this city is truly amazing. The city is bustling with new and old life, and you'll love every minute of it.
Day one
Evening flight, land and check-in at the hotel, walk around the town and take it all in
7 PM Dinner: FIG ($$$, American), order the fish stew and don’t forget to save room for dessert
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Make reservations months in advance, this place is busy because it is so yummy
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Dinner options: 167 Raw ($$, Seafood); Swig & Swine ($$, BBQ)
Head out for drinks by walking along the market, many bars to hop into including 5Church ($$, Bar), order yourself a Mint Julep
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Look up at 5Church, Art of War is written on the ceiling​
Day Two
7 AM breakfast at Starbucks on King’s Street
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Even if you don’t want coffee, check it out. It used to be an old bank and the vault door is still there.
8 AM – Walking Tour & Nathaniel Russell House; time spent is 2 hours, $20 USD
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Sights: how cotton came to SC, slavery, the Pink House, Dock Street Theatre, churches, gravestones and why some have bedroom headboards, statues, Patriot movie highlights, gardens, stepping-stones, Battery, waterfront, and more
Break at Bakehouse Charleston ($, Coffee & Tea) – try the mint lemonade!​
12 PM lunch at Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar ($$, Seafood), try the shrimp and grits
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Read the history of the ships on the menu; this place is fasinating
2 PM – Shopping on King’s Street
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The Riviera Theater from The Notebook, can you lay in the street too?
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Other day options: Plantation Tour - Magnolia, McLeod or Middleton Place
Snack: Peace Pie ($, Dessert) for an ice cream pie sandwich
7 PM dinner at Husk Restaurant ($$$, American)
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Very popular, make reservations in advance
10 PM – Ghost Tour - On Death & Depravity: The Tour; time spent 1.5 hours, $30 USD
Day Three
9 AM Breakfast: The Macintosh ($$$, American Farm-to-Table)
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Try the Bone Marrow Bread Pudding
10:30 AM – Charleston Farmers Market (Saturday only)
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The street performers are the best. Flipping around and over the crowd. Keep your eyes out for them.
Self-Guided Tour of the College of Charleston campus (also featured in the Notebook)
Noon Lunch: Poogan’s Porch ($$, Traditional Southern cooking)
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Hands down, the best meal in Charleston
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Complimentary biscuits are served and they melt in your mouth, eat them all!
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or Butcher & Bee ($$, Middle Eastern/American); Cru Cafe ($$, American)
2 PM – Nathaniel Russell House tour; time spent is 1 hour, $12 USD
Shopping in The Market​
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Some of the vendors sell the same items, so keep you eye out for a great price!​
7 PM Dinner: Magnolias ($$$, Southern Style)
Drinks: The Rooftop Bar at Vendue ($$, American Lounge)
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Bar Crawl at Proof ($$, American Lounge), ​The Belmont ($$, Cocktail Lounge), The Darling ($$, Cocktail bar) and Prohibition ($$, Cocktail bar)
Day Four
8 AM Breakfast: Last day for Starbucks
9 AM – Old South Carriage Company; time spent 1-2 hours, $26 USD
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History lesson of everything Charleston, songs and old tales as we cozy up on this horse-drawn carriage
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Favorite part of the trip. Thank you Bob the horse!
Afternoon flight. Pack up and check out.
​Goodbye Charleston. Head home.​​​
Travel a GO-Go
Use the Google map on the left to get a lay of the land and see all the fun spots that you'll visit. Download the free PDF by clicking the icon below to have this itinerary at your finger-tips.
How to Use the Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner to view the layers (days, points of interest, route).
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If you click the star, this map will be added to your Google Map account. To view, open your Google Maps, click the menu button "Your Places", select the map and it will open.
MY TRAVELS
Charleston attracted me, and my 8 friends for the most ideal friends-getaway much needed vacation. This city is relaxing, easy to navigate and has a chill atmosphere to it. All you have to do is sit back and listen to the history lesson. You do feel like your stepping back into time with the old houses - which have to be preserved but you can live in them - to tasty food like mom made it - especially the biscuits.
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The Slave Market was a highlight to visit. Learning the history here and also walking the halls of the market, which is now a farmers/artist market. So much beautiful to behold now and I don't want to give anything away, but the 'Slave Market' is not exactly what you think it is.
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Favorite part was the carriage ride. The leader sang Charleston songs, explained where hush-puppies came from, and showed us everything about Charleston that we wanted to see and know. Tip, don't be the person directly behind the horse but also don't be in the very last row - bump bump. My regret is that we didn't make it out to a plantation; unfortunately weather was not on my side for this trip. But this provides an excuse to return.
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This location was great for friends; its broad enough for everyone to do their own thing but also stay close. There is a lot to do and see, so if you can add on some time then do it.
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Hush puppies and more, safe travels,
Itinerary Traveler
