A list of our favorite day trips from Charleston and nearby Southern destinations
Voted as “The Friendliest City in the U.S.” there are few reasons someone would want to leave the Palmetto State. In this blog, we’ve prepared a list of must-see day trips within driving distance from Charleston.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Firstly, with almost 3 million visitors annually, Hilton Head Island is both the dreamlike day trip any Lowcountry lover will enjoy. Hilton Head is known for sweeping golf courses and sandy beaches. Additionally, this island provides a family-friendly ambiance those accustomed southern hospitality will treasure.
Charlotte, NC
Only 3 hours outside of Charleston, this booming metropolis is home to the Levine Museum of the New South and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Charlotte is perfect for those day-trippers looking for a little action. It may be a slightly longer road trip, but it will definitely be worth the drive.
3.5 hour trip from Charleston
Beaufort, SC
Located on one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands, Beaufort, known for its historic antebellum homes, delicious southern cuisine, and sweeping waterfront parks makes an excellent day trip option from Charleston. Founded in 1711, Beaufort is a wealth of historic experiences in a small-town atmosphere.
1.5 hour trip from Charleston
Columbia, SC
Next, founded in 1786, Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, offers many interesting activities. Most notably, Columbia offers a myriad of attractions for example, Lake Murray, South Carolina State House, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, and the Columbia Museum of Art.
2 hour trip from Charleston
Savannah, GA
100 miles south of Charleston is Savannah, Georgia, home to millions of visitors each year. Filled with horse-drawn carriages, antebellum architecture, and cobblestones squares and parks, perfect for any traveller looking for a picturesque day trip from Charleston.
2 hour trip from Charleston
Myrtle Beach, SC
Located on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast is the ideal location for those wanting to bury their toes in the sand for the afternoon. Additionally, celebrity-designed golf courses, shopping, and boardwalk activities make Myrtle Beach an idyllic destination for visitors in search of chic relaxation.
2 hour trip from Charleston
Daufuskie Island, SC
Finally, approximately 5 miles long and almost 2.5 miles wife, Daufuskie Island can only be accessed by ferry. Furthermore, take a step back in history and experience an island stuck 100 years in the past. Complete with dirt roads, historic homes, and a church built 1818, visitors are sure to learn a lot here.
1.25 hour trip from Charleston
With so many fun and interesting places to visit, you may find yourself falling deeply in love with our little corner of the South. That’s precisely how Southern Hospitality works its magic. Do you have a favorite Charleston day trip? We’d love to hear about it!
For more information on The Restoration, or recommendations on fun activities in and around Charleston, check out our Happenings Page, or contact our Concierge directly at 843.518.5100.
