2 Days in Charleston: An epic budget itinerary

What was once a local town has grown into a global tourist destination in what feels like overnight. Charleston is not the once cheap-ish coastal town it once was and tourists have brought expensive hotels and restaurants to the once very local city. Recently, I spent a weekend enjoying the beautiful port town and found a way to still do it on a budget. Whether you’re on a weekend getaway or girls trip here’s how to spend 2 days in Charleston, guaranteed to give you a local perspective and save you a bit of money along the way, too.

Happy travels to South Carolina!

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Where to Stay in Charleston

Arrive in Charleston and make your way to one of the many hotel options in or near the old town. If you are arriving by plane, an Uber or Lyft will cost you around $25. Parking and car rentals are fairly expensive. Only rent a car if you will be enjoying more of the surrounding communities or else it will likely be cheaper to take a ride share as needed.

Hotels on a Budget (Under $150)

Not So Hostel
The Cedar House
Charleston Creekside

Staying on a Budget: Downtown Charleston is not the cheapest to stay in. Not so Hostel, located downtown, can be a great choice if you want to stay downtown in a private room but you will share a bathroom. Still, for less than $100 a night this can be a steal and worth it! Your other options are to drive into the city from the suburbs of Charleston. 

mid-Tier Hotels (under $250)

The Workshop
The Limited Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton

Splurge and Stay Here

The Restoration Charleston
The Charleston Place

Using Points in Charleston

One of the easiest ways to save on your hotel in Charleston is using points. The Hyatt Place and Hyatt House downtown are just 12,000 points a night. This is a great deal! You can transfer Chase points to Hyatt or use Hyatt points directly to book these hotel options.

>> Learn more about how to use points and miles to travel the world for nearly free!

2-Day Charleston Itinerary: Exploring Charleston on a Budget

Day 1: Local Markets, oysters, and Walking Tours

After getting settled in your hotel room, it’s time to start exploring Charleston. There is so much beauty in the architecture and scenery, so be sure to take it in. Start by familiarizing yourself with the old town streets and take a seat at the Waterfront Park to enjoy live music from locals and the famous Pineapple Fountain.

One of the best ways to explore Charleston is with a walking tour. Take a free walking tour and learn more about the history of Charleston. The Historic Charleston Walking Tour is offered daily at 9:30a. It’s well worth the time. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end.

Be sure to walk through the Charleton City Market, for a look at some of the products but be warned: it’s highly touristy, and not many local products nowadays.

After your walking tour, head to the Brown Dog Deli for a cheap, but tasty, lunch. The deli has a long list of sandwiches to choose from all of which are between $9 and $12 and absolutely huge portions. You could likely split one!

How to spend the afternoon in Charleston

For the afternoon it’s time to get out on the water! Take a historic harbor cruise and learn more about how Charleston became such an important port town for the United States. Or perhaps a dolphin cruise to get familiar with the incredible sea life of Charleston.

Want to DIY a water experience? Head out on the Charleston Water Taxi. The water taxi is $14 per person and is almost guaranteed to give you a free dolphin cruise. Since the water taxi can't land at the Waterfront Park at low tide, it's best to get on at Charleston Maritime Center. From there, you can take a ride down to Sullivan's Island for an afternoon drink at Sullivan's Fishcamp.

Important: Be sure to leave to return by 7:00p, when the last water taxi departs.

For dinner, try one of the many oyster bars around the city. We opted for The Darling Oyster Bar, which was a couple of blocks from our hotel and a mid-tier price for the oysters. (If you eat here, be sure to get the crab dip.)

Most oyster bars in Charleston will require a reservation to get a table. Book a couple of days in advance to ensure you’ll get your spot for the evening.

If you’re up for it consider taking the 8:30 or 10:30p pay-what-it’s-worth Ghost Tour after dinner. Charleston ghost tours are extremely popular and a great way to spend the evening, too!

Day 2: Historic Sites, Spanish Tapas, and Bourbon

Before heading out of town be sure to check out one of the many local coffee shops around Charleston. If you stay in Upper King, try Babas on Cannon, a highly popular coffee shop with locals.

Visiting on a Saturday? Do this! Be sure to start your Saturday at the local Charleston Farmer's Market. The park fills with local vendors selling handmade items, fresh fruits, veggies and shrimp, and some hot breakfast items, too. The market is open from 8a-2p April 9th - November 26th and features live music. Come and check out the booths and grab a crepe or biscuit for a quick breakfast.

After getting your coffee, take a car to the McLeod Plantation Historic Site. Unlike many of the other options, McLeod only discusses slavery through the eyes of the enslaved on the grounds and a guided tour is free with your entry. Plus, the plantation is half the price of the others that have, frankly, beautified the grounds and with it the issues of slavery.

In town, be sure to check out the Slave Mart Museum. It’s only $8, but if you go on the walking tour you’ll receive a password for half price! The museum is small but impactful and should only take you around 30 minutes to complete.

For the afternoon, make a reservation at High Wire Distillery and take a tour for just $10 of their facilities. The distillery has a great bar, perfect for a cocktail and rest. Nearby you can also find some small shops, including the History Channel’s American Pickers store.

Finish your evening with dinner at one of the most authentic Catalan Spain experiences in the States, Estadio. If you’re a fan of Spanish tapas this is a must! I loved the food and experience, which felt just like being back in Spain.

Things To do In Charleston

Charleston is a great place to visit anytime of the year with a lot of unique activities. And with incredible views of the bay with historic homes surrounding you it’s a place the oozes southern charm. Here are some of my favorite must-dos in Charleston to help you plan your itinerary.

Take a walking tour

Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to see Charleston. You’ll learn a lot about how Charleston’s historic past impacts the culture and history today and see some sights worth revisiting later on, too.

I recommend booking this historic walking tour. It’s $4 but you will be required to tip your guide at the end. The tour was great way to see Charleston and get some ideas of what to do with the rest of the time of our trip, too.

Get on the water with a sunset cruise

There’s nothing more Charleston than getting out on the water. And what’s better than getting on the water at sunset? Charleston has a lot of great sunset cruises, some including dinner, others as a private charter, and some great if you’re on a budget.

Join a food tour

Charleston is designed as a foodie haven. With southern classics, coastal seafood and biscuits galore you’ll find a lot of great options worth checking out. But with such a short trip try a food tour instead? This 3-hour historic food tour is less than $100 per person and the perfect way to try everything.

Visit Fort Sumter

Visiting Fort Sumter is pretty easy from Charleston. You can book your ticket and ferry ticket together with a company (like this one!) or do it yourself.

Stroll the Battery and Waterfront Park

Walk along the Battery and take in the amazing historic homes, monuments, and local fisherman. You can’t miss the famous Pineapple Fountain on your stroll either!

Learn about Charleston’s dark history at McLeod Plantation

There are many plantations you can visit in Charleston but McLeod Plantation is the only one I believe is worth visiting. The historic site recognizes the brutal role slavery played in the foundation of the United States and showcases the messaging only through the eyes of the enslaved. It’s a drive or quick Uber ride outside of town and well worth the visit.

Get Spooky on a ghost tour

If you’re into the spooky there are plenty of ghost tours you can choose from. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to spend an evening!

Visit the City Market or Saturday Farmer’s Market

I have to admit that I was pretty unimpressed with the City Market nowadays. What used to be a local market has turned into a lot of mass-produced goods. But it’s still worth walking through since you’ll be in the area. What’s a better way to spend your time is at the Saturday Farmer’s Market. There you’ll find a lot of local products you can take home with you.

Paddleboard or Kayak the Harbor

If you don’t want to do a boat tour you can still get on the water with a paddleboard or kayak tour. Not up for a tour? You can also rent paddleboards and kayaks and go on the water without a guide, too.

Learn more about local history at the Charleston Museum

Also known as America’s First Museum, the Charleston Museum is a great indoor activity. If you’re into early American history it’s certainly a place that should be on your list to visit.

More things to do in Charleston
- Visit the South Carolina Aquarium
- See the ships at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
- Check out the art at the Gibbs Museum
- Visit the Angel Oak