Spring break road trip (part I): from Washington DC to Charleston
Today was the first day of an epic road trip that took us from Washington DC to Savannah, New Orleans and Memphis among many other cities. Our first stop was Charleston, full of southern charm. Are you curious to know what to do there in one day? Follow my adventures around the country!
The itinerary
First things first, here’s the itinerary I did with some friends for 10 days. From Washington DC to northern Florida or Tennessee, we drove 2,800 miles, covered 7 cities and 10 States throughout the United States.
First stop: Charleston
After leaving from Washington DC, we were stuck in a traffic jam for hours until we finally reached Florence (South Carolina), where we spent our first night.
The day after, we arrived to Charleston. However, it was pouring rain and the touristy walk wasn’t as nice as we had expected.
What to know about Charleston
Charleston is considered one of the most beautiful southern cities in the country and was a rich colony thanks to its tobacco and rice plantations. It’s a popular destination for its fine southern cuisine and its historic antebellum homes. Be ready to extend your stay!
What to do in Charleston in a day
You can easily walk around Charleston by foot.
Here are the highlights I would recommend visiting if you’re in Charleston for a day:
- Waterfront Park: come here for a leisure walk along the harbor and snap a picture with the Pineapple fountain.
- Fort Sumter: located on an island not far from the Waterfront, this is the place where the first shot of the Civil War was fired, back in 1861.
- Old City Market: the former slave market buzzes now with locals and tourists alike. Stop by for a glimpse into life in the Old South and buy leather goods or regional souvenirs.
- French Quarter: with a similar style to the famous one in New Orleans, it is known to be the most romantic of the Charleston’s districts. Enjoy walking around the cobbled streets filled with lush vegetation, hidden alleys, elegant mansions, horse-drawn carriages and wrought iron balconies.
- Try the southern cuisine: we ate fried green tomatoes and jumbo shrimp in a local restaurant. Both dishes were delicious and full of flavor!
Jumbo shrimp is a must when it comes to southern cuisine 
Hello beautiful mansions 
Fried green tomatoes
Charleston features elegant cobbled streets 
The famous Pineapple fountain in the Waterfront Park
This is the end of the first leg of our road trip. Next stop Savannah (Georgia), just two hours away!
In case you’d like to read all the road trip posts in this adventure, here’s the full list:
