Charleston Itineraries
24 Hours in Charleston
1 day to discover the best of the Holy City
24 Hours in Charleston
GET YOUR BEARINGS
Welcome to Charleston, America's #1 destination as voted by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler! Your next 24 hours will be filled with award-winning (and mouth watering) cuisine, remarkable historic sites, warm Southern hospitality and more. Get ready to #ExploreCharleston!
12 PM
It's time to check in. Experience old-world charm at The Dewberry or unpack your bags at The Restoration, a beautifully restored boutique property complete with a rooftop bar. Check in to Charleston Place, a gathering point for local society, or book your stay at Hotel Bennett, the South's grandest new luxury hotel (coming soon!). Click below to take our quiz and find out which Holy City hotel fits your vibe best.
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1 PM
Dive in to your first taste of Charleston at Rodney Scott's BBQ. Scott is an acclaimed pitmaster and 2018 James Beard Foundation award winner, and his signature Hemingway-based whole hog barbecue is loved by locals and visitors alike. If you prefer seafood to BBQ, head to Leon's Oyster Shop. Housed in a refurbished garage, Leon's provides a laid-back, casual atmosphere. Try the Chargrilled Oysters with parsley and parmesan or the Fried Chicken Sandwich.
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2 PM
It's time to see the sites! How do you prefer to explore? Discover hidden alleyways and the stories behind them on a historic walking tour; rent a bicycle and peddle your way through the Holy City streets; or hear hundreds of years of history set against the sound of hoofbeats on a carriage tour. Click below to take our quiz and discover your ideal guided Charleston tour.
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SHOP, SIP + STROLL
Spend the afternoon browsing the shops for your favorite local designs before delighting in a Holy City skyline view and exploring some of the Lowcountry's best photo-op spots!
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3 PM
With an eclectic mix of local boutiques, luxury retailers, art galleries and independent artisans and clothiers, Charleston offers something special for everyone. Head to the historic Charleston City Market for treasured souvenirs (such as beautiful sweetgrass baskets) or make your way to the iconic King Street and pop into Croghan's Jewel Box, Ben Silver, M. Dumas & Sons, Hampden Clothing and Blue Bicycle Books to name a few.
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5 PM
Revel in the sweeping views of Charleston with a specialty cocktail in hand. The Cocktail Club, Uptown Social, STARS, The Rooftop at The Vendue and The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits are just a few of our favorite spots to sip and savor. Click below to explore our rooftop bar round up for more!
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7 PM
Enjoy a post-cocktail, pre-dinner stroll along The Battery. Lined with stately, antebellum homes on one side and Charleston Harbor on the other, this photo-worthy promenade is a can't-miss. From there, stroll past Charleston's beloved Rainbow Row toward Waterfront Park. For more spots to stroll to, click below to discover the most photographed sites in Charleston!
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SAVOR THE FLAVORS
Cuisine is the heart and soul of Charleston, and if you're hungry for a mix of inventive and traditional, farm-fresh and just-caught, you've come to the right place.
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8 PM: FINE DINING
White tablecloths, impeccable Southern hospitality and memorable meals await you at Charleston's fine dining restaurants. Make your reservation at Charleston Grill, FIG, Halls Chophouse or The Ordinary for an evening you won't soon forget.
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8 PM: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Want to taste test the hottest and newest restaurants on the scene? Tempest was recently named "Best New Restaurant” in the country by USA Today 10Best and features sustainable South Atlantic seafood with a seasonal menu curated by Top Chef Alumnus Chef Jamie Lynch and Chef Adam Hodgson.
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8 PM: DINNER WITH A SIDE OF SUNSET
Some would say Charleston tastes as good as it looks, and we're sharing scenic supper spots that provide the opportunity to savor both the local cuisine and the Lowcountry's unparalleled beauty simultaneously. Click below to discover 10 restaurants with amazing sunset views in Charleston, including Islander 71, Fleet Landing, Tavern & Table and Charleston Harbor Fish House.
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MORNING
Cross an iconic Charleston brunch dish off your bucket list before sinking your toes in the soft sand or exploring one of the oldest gardens in America. We hate to see you go so soon, but we can't wait to welcome you back, friend!
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9 AM
From pillowy buttermilk biscuits and gravy to sweet and savory chicken and waffles, Charleston is home to some of the most mouth-watering breakfast dishes in America. Fuel up for the day with these two palate-pleasing plates at Poogan's Porch or savor your favorite Southern comfort foods and family recipes at Virginia's on King.
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10 AM
Traveler's choice! Option 1: Explore one of Charleston's five beautiful barrier islands. Build sandcastles, surf the waves, fish from the pier and dip your toes into the water. Head out on a kayak to catch sight of pelicans soaring and dolphins breaching near the shore. Option 2: Learn more about Charleston's deep-rooted history at one of the area's plantations, including Boone Hall, Middleton Place (home to America's oldest landscaped gardens) and Magnolia Plantation & Gardens (home to the oldest public gardens in America).
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12 PM
If you still have some time before saying "so long," stop in Butcher & Bee, a farm-to-table eatery that offers a rotating menu of inventive cuisine utilizing Lowcountry produce. If that's not enough enticement already, Leonardo DiCaprio has also been spotted dining at this local gem... and if it's good enough for Leo, it's definitely good enough for us! Short on time and need to hit the road? Pop into The Daily, Butcher & Bee's sister marketplace, for a cold pressed juice or refreshing smoothie and a freshly made sandwich or salad to-go!
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