Loading...

Charleston

TRAVEL GUIDE

Charleston

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Charleston

# 1

Southern hospitality is a real thing in Charleston.

Southern hospitality is a way of life in the Lowcountry and something Charlestonians take a great deal of pride in. There’s no shortage of excellent hotels and historic inns to choose from depending on your preferences and price point. While many hotels are within walking distance to the city’s top attractions, be sure to inquire about any unique local offerings and amenities your hotel has to offer, and don’t miss the opportunity to book an experience directly through your concierge. 

# 2

The weather in Charleston varies greatly, so plan accordingly.

Plan for the seasons and pack and plan your visit accordingly. If you’re traveling during July and August, be prepared for high temperatures and lots of humidity. In the summer months, you might want to plan your activities and sightseeing first thing in the morning to beat the heat and plan on hitting your hotel pool or heading to the beach in the afternoon. In the wintertime, when the temps drop down at night, make sure to bundle up as Charleston does get chilly. While fall and spring are both ideal times to visit weather-wise, you should always be prepared for the possibility of rain.

# 3

You will definitely need to make reservations to snag a table at Charleston's best restaurants.

Charleston is a place that takes its food and restaurants seriously, so no matter the season, make sure you book your reservations in advance. Charleston-based chef Mike Lata suggests choosing a restaurant that’s known for cooking local food and planning dinners at your top choices accordingly. “Don't be afraid to take an earlier or later reservation, from there, you can always call or email the restaurant and request the time you prefer,” Lata tells Fodor’s. “There are always lots of cancellations in a tourist market—maybe you’ll get lucky. If you don't get the time you want, arrive in advance for a drink and hope to get sat earlier. In my opinion, good meals while traveling are worth working for.”

# 4

There's a lot of culture and history to experience, so expect a packed itinerary.

Charleston is a treasure trove of art, history, and architecture, and there’s so much to see, learn, and discover. Don’t miss a chance to take a historic walking tour and soak up as much of the city’s past as possible. Just take care when you’re walking, and be mindful of the cobblestone streets. If mobility presents an issue, you can also opt to take a pedicab, horse-drawn carriage tour, or bike around town. It’s important to note that while Charleston is a very safe and walkable city, you should remain vigilant in some parts of town, including North Charleston, late at night.

# 5

Don't forget to leave Charleston and visit neighboring beach towns.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the surrounding beach towns and Sea Islands. Just over the Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant is a charming neighborhood with a variety of excellent local eateries and bars. Venture a bit further and you’ll find Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms, both of which are within easy driving distance from Charleston and a great way to take a day trip and experience a slice of the Lowcountry lifestyle.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Neighborhoods

On rural Edisto (pronounced ed -is-toh) Island, you'll find magnificent stands of age-old oaks festooned with Spanish-moss, and side roads
See More
This town is a gateway to a number of attractions in Santee Cooper Country. Named for the two rivers that form a 171,000-acre basin, the Santee
See More
East of Charleston, across the beautiful Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, is the town of Mount Pleasant, named not for a mountain but for a plantation
See More
During the early 1800s, large tracts of land were available North of Broad—as it was outside the bounds of the original walled city—making it
See More
Locals jokingly claim that just off the Battery (at Battery Street and Murray Boulevard), the Ashley and Cooper rivers join to form the Atlantic
See More

Hotels

Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice

Quickly find Charleston Hotels and compare prices.

Powered by Clicktripz

Language

English

Nearby Airports

CHS

Electrical Outlets

120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

Currency

US Dollar

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

English

Electrical Outlets

120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

Currency

US Dollar

Nearby Airports

CHS

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Charleston with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Charleston with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Charleston with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Our worldwide travel correspondents bring you the best and most up-to-date coverage of over 7,500 global destinations.

Shop Now

Fodor's Best Weekend Road Trips
Whether you want to explore a national park, visit major tourist sights, or escape to a...

View Details

Fodor's InFocus Charleston: with Hilton Head & the Lowcountry
Whether you want to tour historic houses, feast on Lowcountry cuisine, or party on King...

View Details

Fodor's The Carolinas & Georgia
Whether you want to drive a scenic road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stroll...

View Details