If you only have 24 hours in Charleston, we need to be honest: You cannot see everything. The “Holy City” is dense, historic, and (let’s be real) often humid.
But you can experience the best of it if you skip the tourist traps and focus on the high-quality history. Weāve curated this itinerary to help you navigate the cobblestones like a pro.
Logistics: Parking & The “Heat Stategy”
Driving in downtown Charleston is tricky. The streets were laid out in the 1600s for horses, not SUVs.
Where to Park:
Charleston Visitor Center Garage (63 Mary Street).
- Why: It is the safest bet for a full day.
- Cost: (as of Dec. 2025) $1 per 20 minutes (Daily Max $24).
- Insider Tip: If you arrive after 3 PM, there is often a flat rate of $7, but for a full day trip, plan on the daily max.
- Alternative: Cumberland Street Garage (84 Cumberland St) is closer to the Market, but fills up faster.
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Getting Around:
The DASH Trolley: It stands for “Downtown Area Shuttle.” Itās free and air-conditioned.
- Route 211 (Green Line): Takes you to the waterfront and King Street shopping, the market and Broad Street. This is the main line that you’ll use.
- Route 210 (Orange Line): Connects the College of Charleston and Aquarium.
- Additional info on Getting Around Charleston
Parking Garage Map
Free Trolley Map
Morning: The “Luck of the Draw” Carriage Tour
A carriage tour is the classic Charleston intro. But here is the secret most visitors don’t know: You don’t pick your route.
- How it Works: To prevent congestion, the city uses a lottery system. When your carriage departs, the driver draws a colored ball from a machine at the city gate. That color determines your zone (e.g., The Battery, Residential, or Ansonborough).
- Why itās still worth it: Every zone is historic. You might see the grim old jail, the rainbow-colored houses, or the incredible churches. The guides are licensed pros who know the stories regardless of the route.
- Experience Tip: Go early (9:00 AM or 10:00 AM). The horses are fresh, the pavement is cooler, and the streets are quieter.
Lunch: Near the City Market
The City Market area can be a tourist trap if you aren’t careful. Skip the chains and the people handing out flyers, and head to these local favorites just steps away.
Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.):
- The Vibe: This is the spot that locals take their friends to when they want “Charleston” food without the stuffiness. Itās elevated Southern cuisine with a lively open kitchen.
- Must Order: The Shrimp & Grits here is legendaryāmade with country ham and tomato gravy.
- Pro Tip: It is very popular, so grab a reservation a few days in advance if you can.
Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar:
- The Vibe: An Italian bistro that feels like a European corner cafĆ©. Itās famous for desserts, but their lunch game is strong.
- The Menu: They serve excellent gourmet sandwiches and personal pizzas.
- The Twist: If itās been a hot day, this is the place to order a “Drunken Milkshake” (alcohol-infused) or a massive slice of cake to power you through the afternoon.
Brown Dog Deli:
- The Vibe: If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, this is your savior. Itās a 1980s rock-n-roll themed deli with high-quality ingredients.
- The Food: This isn’t Subway. We’re talking house-smoked meats and local artisan breads.
- Favorite: The “Apple Butter Jeans” sandwich (brie, ham, turkey, apples) sounds weird but tastes incredible.
Afternoon: The Market & The Water
City Market Shopping (Buyer Beware)
- What to Buy: Sweetgrass Baskets. These are hand-woven by local Gullah artisans using a technique passed down from West Africa for 300 years.
- Trust Tip: Real sweetgrass baskets are expensive because they take days to make. If you see a “cheap” one, itās likely a mass-produced fake made of pine needles. Look for the “Certified Authentic” seal or talk to the weaver directly.
Waterfront Park
- The Icon: The Pineapple Fountain. It represents hospitality.
- Experience: Don’t just look at itātake your shoes off. Wading in the fountain is allowed and encouraged, especially on a hot July afternoon.
- The View: Walk out onto the pier to see Fort Sumter in the distance.
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Getting on the Water: Two Main Ways to Cruise
Both of these tours depart from the same general area (Liberty Square or the Maritime Center), but they offer very different perspectives.
Fort Sumter Tours (The Historic Expedition)
- The Experience: This is the only tour that actually
- Time Commitment: Allow about 2.5 hours. The cruise is roughly 30 minutes each way, giving you an hour on the ground to explore the ruins and the museum.
- Know Before You Go: Because this is a federal site, it operates with airport-style security. Youāll go through a screening before boarding.
- Why itās special: There is a specific gravity to standing on the old brick casemates. It gives you a chilling, tangible perspective on how close the war actually was to the homes downtown.
- More info – Fort Sumter Tours
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Charleston Harbor Tours (The Scenic Panorama)
The Experience: This is a 90-minute, fully narrated
- The Highlights: You get up-close views of the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier andāa guest favoriteācruising directly under the massive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Seeing the engineering from below is awe-inspiring.
- The “Nature” Factor: While nature is never guaranteed, this open-water cruise is your best chance for spotting Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, which often play in the boat’s wake.
- Why itās special: Itās relaxed and comprehensive. You can grab a drink from the snack bar, sit back in the shade, and hear the full history of the pirates, the port, and the architecture without the walking required at the fort.*
- Mobile Magic: All of the tours listed are included with a Charleston TourPass. Use the app to make reservations for your carriage or boat tours instantly.
- More info – the Harbor Tour
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Sunset: Rooftop or Rainbow Row
End your day with a view.
Rainbow Row: The stretch of 13 colorful pastel houses on East Bay Street. The best light for photos is the “Golden Hour” right before sunset.
Rooftop Drink:
Charleston has a height restriction on buildings, so rooftop bars offer incredible views of the steeples.
- The Vendue: The “Art Hotel” has a lively rooftop bar with great views of the harbor.
- The Pavilion Bar: A bit more upscale, right near the market.
- Citrus Club at the Dewberry: Elevated experience with fantastic drinks and a fun vibe.
Tour Smarter with TourPass
You can buy tickets individually, but lines in the heat
are no fun.
- TourPass Charleston includes full admission to the Carriage Tours, Nathaniel Russell, Aiken-Rhett, Harbor Tours, and 40+ other top sites.
- Peace of Mind: We offer a 30-day refund policy on unused passes.
- Check TourPass Pricing & Availability Here
Top Recommend Charleston Restaurants + Breweries
Charleston Restaurants
You’ve gotta eat so it may as well be good! Charleston has some amazing places to eat. We are not in a position to recommend a bunch of great food places but here are a few of our favorites:Ā
Charleston Restaurant Map
Charleston Breweries
Charleston is home to some amazing breweries. Here’s a sampling of a few…there are 40 or so breweries in the area.
Charleston Brewery Map
Charleston Area Beaches
Maybe you want to just checkout the amazing beaches around Charleston. If so, see what beach is where and what we recommend.
- Folly Beach – our favorite beach that really has it all. A great pier, restaurants and bars. This is known as the more laid-back beach with a surfer vibe.
- Sullivans Island – we don’t recommend this beach since there isn’t readily available public parking or restrooms for use. You must find a parking spot on residential streets which is limited…we feel on purpose to keep people away :) There are some good restaurants and bars in this area however.
- Isle of Palms Beach – family friendly with fairly ample parking. We recommend parking at the Charleston County parks lot. There are a few great restaurants and bars along with public restrooms which is nice.
- Further reading – The Ultimate Charleston Beach Guide
