Charleston can be a very expensive city, but there are plenty of things to do that help make Charleston budget-friendly! This plan is filled with information for two days in Charleston on a budget, plus a few extra items that can be added or substituted.
Cheap Places to Stay in Charleston
Camping is typically the cheapest place for people to stay overnight somewhere, unless you find a great hotel deal. It becomes even cheaper if you have multiple people to split the cost (I usually do not)!
Campground in James Island County Park
I booked a primitive campsite at James Island County Park for my Charleston trip on a budget. The campsites do not have electricity and it’s a walk-in (park elsewhere, but under 10 minutes away), but they have more expensive options that have water, electric, or full hook ups if needed. There’s a camp store, ice, fire ring, and all the basics available.
This campground is a quick drive (less than 20 minutes) to Charleston proper, but it also boasts tons of recreational activities visitors can enjoy, like miles of walking and biking trails. There is also a climbing wall, seasonal water park, water activities like kayaking, playgrounds, and other rentals (some at any extra fee).
Oak Plantation Campground
Oak Plantation is another place to camp in Charleston. They do have full hook-ups, a trading post, and more; however, there is no tent or primitive camping, so only people with RVs can realistically utilize this site.
Hostel
Another option is the hostel NotSo Hostel in Charleston (near King Street, so ~2 miles from the Battery). I was not able to stay there on my two days in Charleston on a budget, but I love hostels and always try to find one wherever I go (I did not stay in a single “real hotel” when I traveled solo in Europe). Dorm beds are relatively inexpensive, but they do have private rooms for reasonable rates if you’d rather have that as well (I did read a few reviews about the number of bathrooms (too few) and noise, so look into their Annex location).
Day One: Two Days in Charleston on a Budget
Patriot’s Point
Patriot’s Point serves as a departure and return point for visitors to Fort Sumter as well as a museum complex itself. It was established in the 1970s to develop a naval and maritime museum with the USS Yorktown as its center, but it also boasts the USS Laffey, memorials, the only Vietnam Memorial Experience in the US, and more (the USS Clamagore, a submarine, was closed on my visit). I had to be talked into going, but I am glad I spent a day there even with just two days in Charleston.
Price: around $30 – paying for the whole Point is nearly the same price as just Fort Sumter, so I highly recommend making a day of the whole place. Plan to spend the day here – I arrived around 9am and explored the USS Laffey before the 10:30am Fort Sumter tour, had lunch (brought my own), and left between 6-6:30pm.
USS Laffey
The USS Laffey (DD-724) is a destroyer constructed in 1943 for use in World War II (and others after). She is known as “The Ship That Would Not Die” because of her survival during the D-Day invasion and battle of Okinawa (there was an assault by conventional bombers and the most unrelenting kamikaze air attack in history).
The destroyer is now docked in Charleston Harbor for visitors to experience. There are videos detailing its harrowing survival, a History Channel history video, and plenty of information to fully experience the history of this ship.
Plan to spend about an hour (could spend 30 minutes not reading or watching everything).
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, the battle that began the bloodiest war in US history. The history and sites seen on the island are vital reminders of everything the US was and is fighting for, and for most people, it is a must-visit place when visiting Charleston. There are two access points – Patriot’s Point and downtown Charleston from Liberty Square. Either way, visitors will need to take a ferry to see Fort Sumter.
I was pleasantly surprised by the National Park guide when we first arrived on the island after the narrated boat trip – I hope they all follow my guide’s layout.
They started with the basic and important historic points of the Civil War but quickly focused on the history of Black people, the Fort, and the war. For example, our guide emphasized how the fort was built (by hand by enslaved people) and showed us fingerprints in many bricks to exemplify the dreadful reality.
After the (optional but recommended) talk by the ranger, visitors have about an hour to roam the island and learn. Rangers are there for questions, and there are many written info boards. I personally like to read but also stand near enough to rangers to hear their answers to people’s questions – I often find their info more illuminating.
Most of my budget went to day 1 at Patriot’s Point near Charleston, as the second day was inexpensive/free (in terms of Charleston at least – it’s an expensive city). The good news is, there are a ton of things to do at Patriot’s Point, and you can easily spend all day exploring. The bad news is it’s on the expensive side if you just want to visit Fort Sumter – there’s actually a discount for bundling a ticket to see everything. You can choose to visit just Fort Sumter or everywhere at Patriot’s Point (I chose to go to Patriot’s Point and spend the day there).
Plan to spend 2.5 hours at Fort Sumter including time there and back. (Round up to 3 hours for waiting in line.)
USS Yorktown
This aircraft carrier is huge. Gigantic. Probably not compared to other carriers, but definitely next to the Laffey and tiny humans. I underestimated the time it would take to see all of it, and I even skimmed parts.
The Uss Yorktown (CV-10) was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the US Navy. She has been modernized a few times since her inception in 1941 (launched in 1943), but there are still plenty of sights to see. There are four distinct sections to the ship, but the museums, video hall, and 28 aircraft on board add to the mass of sights to see.
Plan to spend 2-3 hours on board – including the Medal of Honor Museum.
Medal of Honor Museum
The Medal of Honor Museum is located on board the USS Yorktown and is a heartfelt exhibit designed to tangibly connect artifacts and stories from the past to the present. It’s a beautiful museum with moving tales inside that definitely should not be missed on your visit to Patriot’s Point.
The Vietnam Experience Exhibit
The Vietnam experience might’ve been my favorite for a variety of reasons. My grandparents were in the Vietnam War, but they have never talked about it much – not at all really, except one was a Navy chef and the other in the Air Force (seriously. No matter how many questions I asked either of them, that’s all they gave me). It was an emotional experience for me to imagine them there (and also hear and see others in the video).
From the mini-theatre inside a Saigon-inspired “street corner” to the wartime simulation of a support base and artillery fire base, the Vietnam Experience Exhibit brings war time to life (be wary of the sounds if you are sensitive to that – because the experience does include war sound simulations).
Plan to spend 1-2 hours here (err on the side of 1 hour).
Vegan Food in Charleston
After visiting Patriot’s Point, I headed to Annie O’Love’s Cookie Cafe (previously Cafe of Sweet Abundance) for dinner and dessert/snacks. Due to my Charleston budget, I chose one vegan restaurant, and it was this one. They have tons of interesting and unique options like peanut butter crusted tofu, “”macdaddy butter” (vegan pimento cheese), savory granola, and pesto on a sandwich (that’s just one item!). Not to mention the myriad of cookies, sweets, and combination sweet/savory food.
There are several other vegan places to visit for two days in Charleston, too (and places with options)! Gnome Cafe is a classic near downtown Charleston serving breakfast foods (biscuits, pancakes, burritos), lunch (sandwiches and salads), and pastries. Neon Tiger is the other all-vegan restaurant offering pizza, mac and cheese, burgers, salad, drinks, and more (it’s open late!).
For mixed-diets needs, The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery, Brown Dog Deli (popular), Huriyali, and Verde are just a few options. BKeDSHoP has vegan and omnivore donuts and Off Track has vegan ice cream, too! My parents visited and enjoyed several of these spots on their two day anniversary trip to Charleston.
Places to See a Sunset in Charleston
A perfect thing to do in Charleston on a budget, there are several places around the Charleston area to see a nice sunset. I missed getting photos, but Riley Waterfront Park (with the famous Pineapple Fountain) is one amazing option, especially if you want to walk around the area in the evening.
Some other sunset spots include Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant (perfect for after Patriot’s Point, which is in Mount Pleasant), Folly Beach, and the Battery.
Day 2: Two Days in Charleston on a Budget
Tip #1 Get up early for photos without people and good lighting at the Pineapple Fountain.
Charleston Free Walking Tour
At 9:30am (double check this time as days may vary), the first free walking tour around Charleston starts, and I highly recommend taking it. You will get the back story on the history of the area while also seeing famous spots like Rainbow Row (the colorful buildings next to each other), Dock Street Theater, two famous churches (St. Phillips Episcopal and French Huguenot), Nathaniel Russell House, and The Old Slave Mart Museum. I love these free walking tours everywhere, and they are always pay what you can.
Price: Free – what you can pay. Plan to spend 2-2.5 hours on the tour. You can always return to any of the sights for a tour/more photos.
Walled City of Charles Town
If your guide does not stop by the Walled City of Charles Town area/sign, be sure to head back to 82 E. Bay Street for a quick history lesson on the town.
The Old Slave Mart Museum
The Old Slave Mart Museum is not as popular as many of the other sites in Charleston, but it needs to be. Everyone is extremely friendly and ready to answer questions, plus the museum brings a lot of insight into Charleston and its history. At one point, nearly 35-40% of enslaved people went through Charleston via this open air auction house and others, so it holds a lot of history. Several of the people who work there (when I went) were descendants of enslaved people from Charleston as well.
The outside of the Old Slave Mart Museum is eye-catching with it’s metal bars and signage, and upon entering there is a lot of reading and info, so this museum may be the best choice for families with young kids that want to interact with items.
Price: $5-$8. Plan to spend 1 hour here.
Historic House Exploring
I spent the next 30 min – 1 hour walking up and down some of the streets with ornate, larger houses around the Battery (think Lamboll St, Atlantic St, Gibbes St, Limehouse St, etc.). You can take this time to just explore the architecture here or head closer to where the stores are and browse. Browsing stores and city streets is always an excellent way to visit Charleston on a budget (or any city).
Price: Free. Plan to spend 30 minutes.
The Battery and The Pineapple Fountain
If you did not head to the Battery or the Pineapple fountain earlier, now would be another opportunity to visit. The Battery is named for a civil war defense artillery battery along the promenade, and visitors now stroll along Charleston Harbor. You can stop by the White Point Garden Park before heading down East Battery Street towards East Bay Street.
You will soon see the famous Pineapple Fountain in Joe Riley Waterfront Park (make sure to turn right on any street from South Adgers Wharf through Vendue Range/Queen Street). The fountain has been in the park since 1990 after Hurricane Hugo, and it represents hospitality, resilience, and hope in spite of tragedies. The representation of resilience and hope directly relates to its creation after Hurricane Hugo, but the hospitality portion of the fountain stems from the Pineapple.
Price: Free. Plan to spend 30 min – 1 hour.
What is it with Charleston and Pineapples?
There are two prominent stories told about the origin of pineapples – and both are plausible. Pineapples are not native to Charleston, but it was a popular port city so the people were familiar with many items, but the exotic pineapple was novel.
As more trading routers opened, pineapples gained popularity. In tandem, they also grew as a status symbol because they were rare and expensive. They became known as a delicacy, and those who had them were higher class. Furthermore, if you were a guest offered pineapple, you were seen as honored and revered.
Another story suggests the famed hospitality pineapples originated from sailors returning from abroad. Sailors would place pineapples in their windows to signal to their community they were home. Some historians say the pineapples were speared in front yards, while others say they were hung on front doors. These pineapples were viewed as an invitation to stop by the sailors’ house, eat, and exchange stories.
Regardless of which history is accurate, pineapples are now common decor seen around Charlseton and a popular symbol of hospitality.
Charleston Historic City Market
After exploring this area of Charleston, head a mile or so over to the Historic City Market. Established in 1804, the City Market is one of the oldest public markets in the nation. There are more than 300 vendors in the open air sheds and enclosed Great Market. There’s something for everyone to see here, be it art, photos, cooking, home decor, furniture, or more.
Price: Free to explore. Plan to spend under an hour.
Note: There are people all around selling the popular sweetgrass baskets. My only request when purchasing these is make sure the person selling them is local and made the baskets – it should not be a problem in Charleston, but there have been a few “made elsewhere” reports.
King Street
Most visitors want to see the famous King Street while visiting Charleston, and it’s just a few blocks from the City Market. Its biggest draw is the shopping on this street – it was named one of the USA’s top shopping streets at one point. There’s antiques, fashion, design, restaurants, well-known brands, and smaller brands lining this street, so it can be a short stop or an all day affair to visit.
Extra Time: Two Days in Charleston on a Budget
These locations are great options if you have extra time, would like to substitute a previous activity, or have a bigger budget to work with for two days in Charleston!
Angel Oak Tree
If you have more time, the Angel Oak Tree is a beautiful stop about 30 minutes from Downtown Charleston. I went before it opened (I did not realize it was gated), so I could not capture the sunset or sunrise picture I desired, but it’s a gorgeous tree to stop by and see.
McLeod Plantation
If I had another day in Charleston, I would have made sure to go to the McLeod Plantation. I asked an employee at the Slave Mart Museum which plantation would be the best to visit for accuracy and truth, and McLeod was the best option. Sure some of the others are “more beautiful,” but learning about Black history and stories was my main goal, and I look forward to making this my first stop next time I visit.
International African American Museum
The International African American Museum will open in early 2023, so if you plan to visit after it opens, add it to your itinerary. The museum will detail the journey that began centuries ago and continues today about millions of Africans being captured and forced across the Atlantic to arrive in foreign ports around the world. It will tell of this journey, their descendants, their resistance, their ingenuity, and how it shaped and continues to shape the world.
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Also known as The Custom House or The Exchange, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is another museum in Charleston that historians may fancy visiting. It has served as a variety of civic functions, including a prisoner of war facility in the American Revolution, but is now a museum exhibiting information throughout the years. Whether you are interested in George Washington’s visit or the dungeon tour, this museum is well-recommended.
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