Quick Summary:

  • Charleston is widely regarded as one of the best cities in South Carolina, but if you're planning to be here for more than a couple of days, you might want to consider taking a day trip or two.
  • The city is surrounded by incredible destinations for visitors of all ages, including peaceful barrier islands, beaches, historic homes, and little-known towns and villages overflowing with antebellum mansions and Southern hospitality.
  • Whether you're looking to escape into nature, learn about the area's history, or simply trade one city for another, here are the best day trips to take from Charleston.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Beaufort ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beaufort | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

2. Bee City ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bee City | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© peter/stock.adobe.com

3. Bluffton

Bluffton | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Rosemarie/stock.adobe.com

4. Botany Bay Heritage Preserve-Wildlife Management Area

Category: Activities
Botany Bay Heritage Preserve-Wildlife Management Area | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Michael/stock.adobe.com

5. Brookgreen Gardens

Category: Activities
Brookgreen Gardens | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Craig Zerbe/stock.adobe.com

6. Columbia Museum of Art

Category: Museums & Culture
Columbia Museum of Art | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Columbia Museum of Art

7. Edisto Island

Romantic Islands
Edisto Island | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Martina/stock.adobe.com

8. Elloree

Elloree | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Peter Kim/stock.adobe.com

9. Francis Beidler Audubon Forest

Category: Activities
Francis Beidler Audubon Forest | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Gerry/stock.adobe.com

10. Georgetown

Georgetown | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Joe/stock.adobe.com

11. Givhans Ferry State Park

Category: Activities
Givhans Ferry State Park | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© naftizin/stock.adobe.com

12. Great Swamp Sanctuary

Great Swamp Sanctuary | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Syda Productions/stock.adobe.com

13. Hampton Plantation State Historic Site

Category: Attractions
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Steve Byland/stock.adobe.com

14. Hilton Head Island

Romantic Islands
Hilton Head Island | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Margaret/stock.adobe.com

15. Huntington Beach State Park

Category: Activities
Huntington Beach State Park | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Maryna/stock.adobe.com

16. Kiawah Island

Romantic Islands
Kiawah Island | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Jeff/stock.adobe.com

17. McClellanville

McClellanville | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Raymond B. Summers/stock.adobe.com

18. Mepkin Abbey

Mepkin Abbey | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Mepkin Abbey

19. Edisto Island National Scenic Byway

Romantic Islands
Edisto Island National Scenic Byway | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Martina/stock.adobe.com

20. Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

Category: Activities
Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© Tomasz Zajda/stock.adobe.com

21. Port Royal

Port Royal | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© dmsphoto/stock.adobe.com

22. Serpentarium

Serpentarium | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© John/stock.adobe.com

23. St. Helena Island

Romantic Islands
St. Helena Island | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

24. Wadmalaw Island

Romantic Islands
Wadmalaw Island | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© ThierryDehove/stock.adobe.com

25. Walterboro

Walterboro | Day Trips from Charleston, SC
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

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