A Survival Guide for Two Days in Charleson

Traveling domestically is not something I have a ton of experience in, but I have absolutely loved getting to travel to different regions of the United States! In July of 2026, my friend and I went to Charleston, South Carolina, and braved the extreme heat, humidity, and thunderstorms to get a taste of the region. Check out my survival guide for two days in Charleston!

Day One: The Highlights

If you book a trip to Charleston, there are several areas you just can’t miss! To start your day, make your way to Little Palm for brunch or breakfast. This restaurant is SO picturesque and adorable, it was a great experience (+ some DELICIOUS avocado toast). After filling up on food + caffeine, make your way to King Street for some shopping! As a book fanatic myself, I personally fell in love with all the quaint bookstores (especially Sweeter than Fiction!). There are also adorable boutiques and sweet treat stores up and down King Street. From King Street, you can easily make your way to the French Quarter and Rainbow Row. If you are a seafood lover, you simply have to try Fleet Landing on the pier for some great flavors + views. After refueling (+ cooling down if you visit in the summer!), grab a sweet treat and make your way to Rainbow Row. There are more shopping and aesthetic photo opportunities there. On your way, check out the Pineapple Fountain! By now, you probably need a little rest before dinner at The Rooftop at the Vendue and catching the sunset at the Battery!

Day Two: Cypress Gardens + Sunset Harbor Boat Tour

This is another long but fulfilling day in South Carolina! If you leave early enough in the morning, you can reach the Cypress Gardens before the heat and rush of tourists. You can buy tickets in advance or on site for only $10! Once you get there and park (free!), you need to SPRINT to the souvenir store to add your name to the boat list. We were SHOCKED that it was completely free to take a self-guided tour through the marshlands. This is an absolute non-negotiable must do if you visit the gardens – it’s the highlight of visiting and you can live out your Notebook fantasies (lol). You can also walk around the marshlands and see other interactive sights at the gardens. This was a real highlight of our time in Charleston, and I would recommend it to anyone! After spending your morning at the gardens, have lunch at Bahama Breeze before getting some down time. Then find your way downtown for dinner and catch Charleston Harbor History Sunset Boat Cruise. The sunset cruise was a beautiful end to our time in Charleston.

Charleston was a pleasant surprise, and we really enjoyed a quick weekend getaway exploring South Carolina! There are a few things that saved us on this trip – drinking lots of water, wearing sunscreen and bug spray, and listening to our bodies when we needed some rest or food. The heat and humidity in July are BRUTAL, but if the dead of summer is also the only time you are able to go, there are definitely ways to make it work! Safe travels + enjoy your time in Charleston!