Charleston offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and southern charm, making it the perfect destination for a two-day getaway in an RV rental. This port city offers land and sea recreational opportunities ranging from thrilling adventure to the ultimate in luxury.
Renting an RV lets you explore the city for as much or as little time as you want, and convenient RV parking is available at the City of Charleston Visitor Center Parking Garage, which is within walking distance of historic attractions. RV campgrounds in the area range from primitive sites to RV resorts with many amenities. One of the advantages of staying in a campground as part of your Charleston itinerary is that you can cook in your RV’s kitchen or enjoy a meal prepared over a campfire. Then, you can check out the city’s nightlife, bond around your fire, or spend time stargazing.
Search RV rentals in the Charleston area.
Preparing for Your Charleston RV Trip
RVshare makes it easy to enjoy all the perks of vacationing in a rental RV without the investment and maintenance hassles of owning one. If you have a truck or SUV with a towing package, browse our listings to find trailers and 5th wheels from under 20 feet to 40 feet or more in many weight classes. If you’re looking for a motorhome, you can stretch out in a Class A loaded with amenities, or couples can plan a romantic getaway in a Class B campervan. Class C motorhomes are a budget-friendly option for larger groups; some can sleep up to 10 people.
Several RVshare guides can help you prepare for an incredible RV adventure:
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Renting an RV with RVshare
• 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting an RV and Helpful Hacks
• RV Parking Tips: Finding the Perfect Spot for Your RV
• Convenient RV Rental Delivery: Bringing the Adventure to You
Picking the right campground is just as important as finding the ideal RV. Oak Plantation Campground has park-like grounds with a swimming pool and is minutes away from Charleston’s historic plantations, downtown shopping, and golf courses. Or, you can camp on the grounds of a 377-acre plantation at Mount Pleasant/Charleston KOA Holiday and rent a bike or boat to explore the outdoors. A more affordable option is the Buck Hall Recreation Area, which offers spots away from the hustle and bustle of privately owned campgrounds.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Charleston.
Day 1: Exploring Charleston’s Historic French Quarter
Morning: Charleston City Market
During the 19th century, this area was a gathering place to buy or sell produce, meat, and other items or hear the latest news and gossip. Today, the Charleston City Market has over 300 shops and booths and covers four city blocks. You could easily spend a whole day here, but because only one building is air-conditioned, you’ll want to visit early in the day if it’s warm out. You’ll find souvenirs with the Certified Authentic Handmade in Charleston seal, tasty treats, and a stunning variety of goods for sale.
Lunch: Fresh Seafood, Southern Style
In addition to the many pubs in the French Quarter, you can enjoy a sit-down meal in air-conditioned comfort at A. W. Shuck’s Seafood & Oyster Bar. If the weather is nice, you can also dine on their patio. They offer four types of seafood tacos, Lowcountry crabcakes, po’ boys, boiled and fried fish, shrimp boils, and other surf or turf delights.
Afternoon: Tour the Museums
Two notable museums are in the French Quarter: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon and the Old Slave Mart Museum. The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon was built in 1771. It’s handicap accessible, and they usually offer tours every half hour. Just two blocks away, you can reflect on our nation’s history at the Old Slave Mart Museum.
Setting Up Camp
When you’re done exploring Charleston’s French Quarter, it’s time to head to your RV campground and set up your vacation home. When you reserved your spot, the campground should have sent directions to the site and check-in procedures. Alternatively, if you opt for RV delivery and set-up service, your rig will be ready upon your arrival.
Dinner: Enjoy a Meal by a Campfire
If you skip paying to dine out in the French Quarter, remember to pick up supplies on your way to your campsite. You can keep it simple by roasting hotdogs over a campfire or preparing something more elaborate in your rental’s kitchen.
Day 2: Tour Historic Sites Outside of the City
Morning: Explore a Plantation
Step back in time at the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, about 12 miles from downtown Charleston. With its 66 acres of gardens and six miles of hiking and biking trails, you may need more time to see everything than a single morning. Fortunately, the price of admission allows for a second visit.
Lunch: Enjoy Southern Cuisine
After working up an appetite, you can enjoy upscale southern food at the Angel Oak Restaurant. Their lunch menu includes Southern staples like shrimp and grits. They put their own twist on the sides with options like Parmesan Truffle Fries and Candied Bacon Brussels Sprouts.
Afternoon: Where the Civil War Began
Fort Sumter is the location of the first shot of the Civil War, where Confederate soldiers fired on the fort. You’ll want to get tickets in advance to get a full tour. Fort Sumter Tours is the only tour operation for Fort Sumter that is authorized by the National Park Service.
Evening: Take a Night Tour
Charleston has such a rich heritage, so why not conclude your visit with an evening tour with a history theme? For the over-21 crowd, try the Speakeasy Sagas Pub Crawl. On this two-hour guided tour, you’ll hear tales of bootleggers and other notorious characters as you visit historic speakeasies and other prohibition-era establishments. You can imbibe in old-fashioned cocktails, like a Gin Rickey, or sample a distinctly modern craft beer or wine.
Day 3 and Beyond in Charleston
A significant benefit of traveling in an RV is the option to extend your stay in or near this charming, vibrant city. If you can spend more time here, here are some options the locals recommend.
• Hit the Beach: At Folly Beach, you can surf, paddle board, or take a fishing tour. If you need some downtime after all the sightseeing, just sit under a beach umbrella and take in the ocean air.
• Check Out the Wildlife: The Charleston area has no shortage of natural beauty, and you can witness the wonders of nature with Charleston SC Dolphin Tours. They’ll take you through the marshes and waterways around Charleston, pointing out the local animals.
Winter Activities
Charleston County Parks puts on the annual Festival of Lights at James Island County Park from mid-November through December, where you can visit Santa, browse the shops, and take a ride on the Festival Express or the carousel. For more active folks, join the Reindeer Run in mid-December or the Charleston half marathon in January.
Indoor Activities
With its mild climate, Charleston offers abundant outdoor activities, but it also has fun and exciting indoor adventures. The South Carolina Aquarium is home to hundreds of aquatic creatures and offers a variety of daily programs. You could also visit the International African American Museum with 12 permanent exhibits featuring interactive displays and 50 films.
Charleston offers a plethora of activities for all ages at any time of year. With a rental RV, you can enjoy all the area has to offer and have your home on wheels to return to a night.
