Heather

How is the weather in mid-May. What about the crowds? We can only go for about 8 nights. Should we stay 4 in the historic part then 4 on the beach. What does everyone one suggest? Or shodul we jsut rent a place for a week and travel to the beach/downtown. We will be driving from northern VA.

ncgrrl

The weather is iffy. Could be lovely, could be 95F with humidity to match. Since you are from VA, you know about the southern weather.

Mid-May is before the kids get out of school, so it shouldn't be as crowded.

I like you idea of 4 days in Charleston and 4 days at the beach. I wouldn't want to drive more than necessary on vacation.

When I was in Charleston last (about 1 1/2 years ago) I went and saw the C.S.S. Hunley. It's at the old naval base about 30 minutes from town. If you have any interest in Civil War history or ships you would find this interesting.

danna

Did you want to swim? Water is still too cold for the average southerner in May. Otherwise weather should be beautiful.

The beaches are less than 30 minutes from downtown, so it's not a serious concern either way.

Tina

May is great in Charleston. Humidity could go either way, but the temperatures are warm enough for your summer clothes, and cool enough to stay out all day without melting. I would suggest staying downtown because on the beach the nightlife is limited. Spend your days and the beach and come back downtown to relax.

Robert

May is my personal favorite month in this area. I'd expect highs in the 70s, lots of sun, and the azaleas will be in full bloom. Expect lows in the low 60s to upper 50s.

Great time for a trip to Charleston.

dan woodlief

May is nice but can be very hot. I would suggest staying in one spot. It really doesn't take that long to drive around. The schools are not out yet, as someone said, but you may run into school groups on field trips all over the place that time of year. We did, even a bus at the beach. My cousin works at the aquarium there and said it is common. Not a big deal though. Make sure to visit Waterfront Park. It is busy on the weekends in warm weather. I also recommend the Hunley visit that was mentioned above. Last year you could only visit on a few days per week. You find a link to the Hunley site and others on my Web site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com.

Carol

Hi Heather,

Hope you will enjoy your LowCountry trip, no matter what you decide to do!

Since you're talking 8 nites, I would consider 4 nights at a B&B downtown Charleston and perhaps 3 nites at a motel in the Mt Pleasant/IOP area to have a change of scenery and access to different venues... Just a thought.

Regardless of what you decide, your time itinerary is one of the best in the LowCountry. April & May are normally gorgeous weather-wise. Enjoy....

travel3773

I think that 4 nights would be enough in Charlston. We stayed a week, and although we loved the city we could have stayed fewer days and seen everything we wanted to see. Can't speak for the weather in May. We were there in March and the weather was perfect...between 75 and 80 and sunny every day.

GoTravel

The Spoleto Festival is May thru the beginning of June. You may not be able to find a hotel.

mojitogirl

I have been to Charleston in mid-May twice and the weather was wonderful both times-70-80 degrees. Wasn't too crowded at all.

We stayed at the Ansonborough Inn, very nice and highly recommend-only drawback is no pool.

We combined this with a trip to Savannah one time, which was a lovely combination. I believe it was about a 2 hour drive from Charleston.

andy

Heather-

First the weather in MAY is TERRIFIC- it can be sort of warm-like 80's and depending on the day, can also be way way humid....but not unbearable (which JULY certainly is!)...

I would split the honeymoon up and stay 4 nites at a romantic BnB IN Charleston and then spend the other 4 days At KIAWAH ISLAND ( 30 min.outside of Charleston) as the beaches are beautiful..You will get tired of walking around in all that heat all day long and will eventually want to stop and smell the roses...

Also ,while you are at it--there is a great BnB that we have stayed at for years--THE ELLIOT HOUSE--it has a large outdoor jacuzzi under a grape arbor-they serve wine and cheese outside every day byt the jacuzzi and also have free bikes that you can use to explore the historic area....This BnB has awesome atmosphere-4 poster beds,continental bkfst delivered to your room on a silver service--and rooms decorated with gorgeous fabrics and wallpaper-- right in the middle of EVERYTHING near the market....

And if you are into SHOES--make sure you do NOT MISS BOB ELLIS SHOES on King St...it is the BEST place for shoes in the US!!

GoTravel

Andy, you are exactly right about Bob Ellis Shoes. I also think it is the best shoe store in the US. I frequently shop in New York City and they don't have a shoe store that compares.