Charleston area guide: beaches, downtown and day trips from our homes
Sixty-two places we checked one by one, each with the drive from the nearest of our three homes. Pick a side of the harbor, then a category.
Three beaches, three drives
Sullivan’s Island
A barrier island at the mouth of the harbor with numbered public beach paths. Park in the right of way with all four tires off the pavement. No alcohol, glass or fireworks on the beach.
1
Park Circle Charmer
22 min
2
Retreat Under the Oaks
8 min
3
Trendy Townhome
12 min
Beach info
Isle of Palms County Park
A county beach park with boardwalks, accessible ramps, seasonal lifeguards, beach rentals and a playground.
1
Park Circle Charmer
24 min
2
Retreat Under the Oaks
12 min
3
Trendy Townhome
15 min
Beach info
Folly Beach
The surf town south of the city, with a 1,049-foot county fishing pier and a county beach park at the west end.
1
Park Circle Charmer
35 min
2
Retreat Under the Oaks
34 min
3
Trendy Townhome
30 min
Beach info
Downtown Charleston
The City Market is 13 minutes from the Trendy Townhome, 16 from Under the Oaks and 17 from the Park Circle Charmer. Parking downtown fills up on weekends, and rideshares are easy to get.
Charleston City Market
Historic market sheds on Market Street. The Night Market runs Friday and Saturday evenings, March to December.
Rainbow Row and the Battery
Pastel houses on East Bay Street and the seawall promenade at the tip of the peninsula.
Waterfront Park
Eight acres on the Cooper River with the Pineapple Fountain and swings on the pier.
King Street
Downtown’s main shopping street, from antiques at the south end to restaurants on Upper King.
Fort Sumter
Reachable only by ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point. Allow about 2¼ hours.
South Carolina Aquarium
On the Cooper River, next to the Liberty Square ferry dock.
Day trips worth the drive
26 to 37 min
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Gardens on the Ashley River.
30 to 42 min
Middleton Place. A National Historic Landmark with gardens begun after 1741.
31 to 34 min
Angel Oak. A live oak the City estimates at 300 to 400 years old. Free entry.
48 to 52 min
Charleston Tea Garden. A working tea farm on Wadmalaw Island with a free factory tour.
16 to 24 min
Boone Hall Plantation. Founded in 1681. Its avenue of oaks was planted in 1743.
23 to 27 min
James Island County Park. Home of the Holiday Festival of Lights, mid-November to December 31.
about 2h 30m
Savannah, Georgia. About two and a half hours down I-95.
about 2h 30m
Hilton Head Island. Beaches and golf, about two and a half hours away.
about 2h 10m
Myrtle Beach. The Grand Strand, a little over two hours up US 17.
The Charleston year, event by event
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 12 to 14, 2027.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Boone Hall
February 28, 2027.
Charleston Wine + Food
March 3 to 7, 2027.
Credit One Charleston Open
WTA tennis on Daniel Island, March 27 to April 4, 2027.
Cooper River Bridge Run
The 10K over the Ravenel Bridge, Saturday April 3, 2027.
Blessing of the Fleet
Seafood festival at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, late April.
North Charleston Arts Fest
April 28 to May 2, 2027.
Spoleto Festival USA
Seventeen days of performing arts, late May into June.
Holiday Festival of Lights
James Island County Park, November 13 to December 31, 2026.
Park Circle Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
December 4 and 5, 2026.
Dates from each event’s official site where posted. Confirm before you book around an event.
Getting here
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is 10 minutes from the Park Circle Charmer and 23 from the Mount Pleasant homes. Driving times below are OSRM estimates without traffic, so allow 10 to 20 percent more on long trips.
Park Circle
Under the Oaks
Townhome
Columbia, SC
2h 02m
2h 15m
2h 16m
Myrtle Beach, SC
2h 17m
2h 06m
2h 08m
Savannah, GA
2h 24m
2h 34m
2h 31m
Hilton Head Island, SC
2h 23m
2h 34m
2h 30m
Charlotte, NC
3h 50m
4h 03m
4h 04m
Greenville, SC
3h 51m
4h 04m
4h 04m
Jacksonville, FL
4h 41m
4h 52m
4h 49m
Raleigh, NC
5h 05m
5h 18m
5h 19m
Atlanta, GA
5h 41m
5h 54m
5h 55m