When choosing a top destination for those seeking the comfort and charm of southern hospitality, you have to pick Charleston. It has an extensive history as one of the oldest cities in the United States and its continuous preservation efforts have made it a place for all types of travelers. You can be a foodie here to experience the cuisine, an American history buff for the museums, a bachelor or bachelorette party here for the nightlife, or just a random adventurer looking for a new city to see. It can all be found here.

During a 3-day trip to Charleston, I was able to see most of the top attractions the city had to offer without feeling like I was being rushed to see every single thing. These are my recommendations on how to spend your time in Charleston but there is always more you can see and do here.

Day 1

Charleston City Market

Located in the heart of downtown for over 200 years, these several historic city blocks represent what Charleston is all about as a cultural hub. It’s one of the most popular landmarks for visitors and locals and a perfect start to your first day here.

The open air and enclosed market is a singular path of local vendors selling a wide array of handmade crafts, home decor, t-shirts and cap souvenirs, locally sourced jams and spices, and other southern specialties.

On either side of the street are restaurants serving the Lowcountry cuisine of seafood, rice, and smoked meats that showcase the bold flavors of South Carolina’s coastal regions.

You’ll forget the time as you find yourself walking up and down the cobblestone streets. Horse-drawn carriage tours are frequently passing by, so you can alternatively jump on for a guide to give you a quick history lesson of the block.

It’s the perfect place to start your trip and should be used as a starting location as you explore the rest of the downtown area.

Rainbow Row

Here is just a simple row of Georgian-style houses on East Bay Street, close to Waterfront Park, so you can easily walk by it on your way to this next part of town. They are selling you on the pastel colors and architecutre so it becomes an iconic landmark of the city’s colorful charm.

You will probably have seen more colorful houses and neighborhoods on your travels, but this is still the best for Charleston. It’s one of the city’s most photographed locations, so you may want to come early to avoid the crowds but it’s difficult to get a decent picture with the large trees and parked cars. So don’t feel pressured to go if it does not seem worth it to you.

Waterfront Park

A much beloved spot in Charleston, this well-kept park along the Cooper River is a great place for a stroll and to take a break from the historic city streets and crowds. With plenty of tiny benches scattered along the pathway you can take a short break and just enjoy scenic views of the harbor and water.

The fountain represents the welcoming southern hospitality you’re expected to find here while the pineapple was a status symbol for the wealthy as well during the early periods of American History, probably as it was very expensive to transport. It’s a go to spot for tourists and locals to photograph as another iconic location. Before you head home, stay into the evening so you can see the sunset as the wide spaces make Waterfront Park a great viewing place.

Day 2

Charleston Museum

Officially recognized as America’s first museum, the history and culture of Charleston is deep and comprehensive here. Start with the natural history gallery where you can see the wildlife fossils of species that originated in South Carolina before colonization, such as mammoth sloths and giant crocodiles.

Then, make your way to the Lowcountry History Hall, where they show the early beginnings of Charleston, from the interactions with the native inhabitants to the cultivation of the region by both colonists and enslaved. How the culture and market conditions of the time turned Charleston into the richest city in the colonies.

The following larger hall focuses on the timeline of the American Revolution. It starts from the initial protests to the signatories of the South Carolina party for the Declaration of Independence to the skirmishes and major battles of the American and British forces in the South Carolina area with portraits and short biographies of the influential figures during this period.

You want to take your time and not rush through the museum, which will take a minimum of 2-3 hours if you are carefully reading each of the exhibits in order. It is a lot of information to take in but well worth learning a bit of this history.

Old Slave Mart Museum

History isn’t always positive but is important to learn. As a strong supporter of the transatlantic slave trade in the U.S., you can find in Charleston this former auction house now turned museum and learn about the city’s involvement in the slave trade through documents, artifacts, and firsthand accounts from individuals whose lives were completely changed by this.

It’s a small museum compared to others, with only two floors and self-guided, so you only need to spend a short time here, but don’t let this sobering lesson distract you from still enjoying the city.

The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

Another integral location to the history of Charleston and America, it’s hard to imagine that this place was right next to the water as a trade center and gathering of individuals for Revolutionary politics. What you are here for is the underground dungeon where infamous pirates and future patriots were imprisoned.

The tour from the period-dressed guides is a must. They go into the detail of the history of the building and you have the former animatronic figures to give it a little imagination with the storytelling. It’s a nice change of pace from just reading the exhibits, but it’s short and sweet before the next tour comes in. Or simply go at your own pace through the building. You can allot yourself an hour at most for this location.

Note: You can purchase a two for one ticket that lets you have entry to both the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon and the Old Slave Market Museum. Ask the front desk at either location for this option.

Fort Sumter National Monument

Take a ferry across the water in Charleston Harbor to reach Fort Sumter, where the Civil War officially started. The fort has been partially restored with cannons, fortified walls, and ramparts. It’s a must for those interested in American History or simply want to take a break from the city for an hour or two.

Guided tours are offered by enthusiastic National Park Service Rangers. They will take you through the museum exhibits that give a detailed history of the construction of the fort, key military personnel who were involved in the lead up to the first shots being fired, significant events during the Civil War, and what happened once it was over.

After that, it’s nothing but free time until the ferry leaves. You can keep walking the grounds or go up the stairs and enjoy scenic views of the coastline before heading back to the mainland.

Day 3

Charleston Tea Garden (Formerly Plantation)

Outside of Charleston, this is worth taking an hour or two out of your day to visit the only tea plantation in the United States. It’s another place for nature lovers to see endless fields of tea leaves through a trolley tour of the grounds and then onto the factory floor to see how they are harvested and processed into the tiny little baggies. Have a tea tasting at the end with some complimentary samples. It’s quick, easy, and just a unique activity you can only find here.

Mcleod Plantation

Another historic site that focuses on the stories and history of the African-American enslaved and not the southern owners who prospered at the time, from pre to post Civil War.

You can choose to have a guided tour or walk the plantation grounds on your own. We would suggest the guided tour as these experts really give you a detailed chronology of the plantation. They will explain historic structures including the plantation house, but what they want you to be aware of and see is the slave quarters and devastating living conditions.

For nature lovers, there is a pathway that leads from where the original entrance to the plantation was up to the house lined with oak trees on either side. This was a common theme as you will see at other plantations as well. You can also walk around the rest of the grounds of marshland and landscapes of the Lowcountry.

Historic Charles Town Landing

Before relocating to the area that would become Charleston, the colony was originally founded and built in another part of South Carolina, miles away. It’s historical significance has now made it a state park and historic site. The place mixes nature, history, and family-friendly activities.

First, start at the interactive museum that is within the building entrance. It’s a fun way to learn the history from its beginnings in England to the Caribbean and on to South Carolina. It gives detailed exhibits on meeting the Native Americans, how the colony was built, growing and harvesting food during this time period, and key individuals who made the voyage and prospered here.

From there, take the self-guided history trail or walk the path you feel like taking and just explore. You can also rent a bicycle or bring your own. There are miles of trails through the acres of property that will take you to where the original settlements were built, the reconstructed fortifications, gardens, lined oak trees, and a natural habitat zoo. They even have a 17th-century replica ship on the water that you can board and see the voyage’s living conditions.

Boone Plantation

A still working plantation, every person who has visited before usually recommends visiting the Boone Plantation.

Once you pass the entrance, there is the long mile driveway of planted oak trees covered in Spanish moss that lead up to the plantation mansion and adjacent buildings. Known as the “Avenue of Oaks”, it’s a perfect spot for a photograph and you can walk up and down the property, just don’t play with the moss or trees, otherwise you will get bug bites.

The inside of the mansion has furnishings of various periods, mixed and matched. You can only take a guided tour of the first floor if you want to learn about the history of the families who lived here, but to be honest, you can skip it. Simply walk the grounds and gardens instead.

On the left side are the original slave cabins of the plantation. Walk inside the small home and see that each has a tiny exhibit of audio and visual presentations to show the lives of the enslaved on the plantation and in South Carolina.

One of the educational experiences you can have is a live presentation on the Gullah culture, part of the enslaved African-American culture. The presenter (who will also be a current descendant) will describe the history and spiritual heritage as it pertains to their impact on South Carolina and the Boone Plantation.

The open-air tractor tour will take you to the back of the Lowcountry property where the farming is still active. Here you can see the different fruits and vegetables being grown, the undeveloped marshlands, and the maintained garden spaces. The guide will explain the old farming techniques when it was still slave operated to the modern practices today. You can also have the chance to see the wildlife, such as alligators along the water and herons inside the trees as you take the path around the back and up again through the Avenue of Oaks.

Check the online calendar as they have special events throughout the year on the property. If you go, you will need at least a half-day because you have to head 30-45 minutes outside the city, and want enough time to experience all the plantation has to offer.

Best Time to Visit Charleston

The best time to come is in the springtime. Charleston is just fantastic! Between March and May, the weather is mild. There is plenty of sunshine, little to no humidity as compared to the summer, and less crowds as summer is the peak of the tourist season here.

I went during the end of March, and I did not feel like I was being rushed, or saw big crowds and long lines for attractions and restaurants. Sometimes the streets were empty by the end of the day. I walked everywhere because the weather was so nice and cool even with the sun out. It makes me want to visit more of the south during this time of the year.

Charleston will end up giving you a lot of unforgettable memories and some once in a lifetime experiences. It’s going to open you up to visiting more cities around the south and experiencing the southern charm and blend of past and present in the rich history that makes up this part of the United States.