Weekend Getaway to Charleston
Located on the coast of South Carolina, Charleston is one of the most iconic cities in the South. This Southeast gem is known for its incredible food, charming antebellum architecture, and its predominant role in shaping the nation’s history. It’s a city rich with culture, overflowing with beauty, and one that will leave you swooning. This travel guide will cover when to visit, where to stay, and all the best things to do on your weekend getaway trip to Charleston.
This is your travel guide to a weekend getaway in the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina.
Getting to Charleston
The airport is situated in North Charleston, about a 15-minute drive from downtown. If you won’t be renting a car during your visit, you can either use a rideshare app to get into the city or take the Downtown Shuttle for $15 which departs every 15 minutes.
Another great option for visiting Charleston is to combine it with a Lowcountry road trip to Savannah. The two historic Southern cities are only about a two-hour drive apart, and each is stunning.
Getting Around Charleston
WALK
The best way to explore the historic streets of Charleston is on foot. The French Quarter, King Street, and South of Broad areas are all very walkable, and you’ll definitely want to take in these lovely streets at a slower pace. Keep in mind that the areas near the waterfront are paved in stone, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
BUS
The Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) will escort you across much of downtown Charleston. The best part? It’s completely free! Check out the route map to plan your stops, and use the Transit App to track buses in real-time.
DRIVE
Getting around downtown Charleston by car isn’t ideal. If you need to bring your car into town, just use one of the many available parking garages, and then head out on foot. If you plan to visit any of the beaches, plantations, Angel Oak, or other areas outside of downtown Charleston, you’ll likely want to rent a car.
Best Time to Visit Charleston
SUMMER
Summers are hot and especially humid in Charleston. Hurricane season also starts in June, so be cognizant of this when planning your trip. Tourism takes a dip during this period, so prices will typically drop, and crowds thin during this time.
AUTUMN
Although you won’t find much for fall colors, the temperatures are pretty much perfect starting in October. With beautiful weather, this is a popular time to visit Charleston, so expect peak season crowds and pricing.
WINTER
Winters are typically considered mild in Charleston; however, it can get a little colder than you might think. While it’s pretty unlikely you’ll encounter snow (although it does happen), it can get rather windy during the winter. This makes it feel colder than the thermometer reads. Because of this, Charleston is one of the few southern cities that isn’t considered a winter getaway. On the plus side, you can expect low crowds and off-season pricing during the winter.
SPRING
There’s truly nothing like springtime in Charleston. Temperatures are mild, the summer humidity hasn’t yet set in, and blooming flowers seem to ooze out of every bit of the city. March through May is the most popular time to visit, but, in my opinion, it’s worth experiencing despite the crowds. Rain showers occur occasionally, but with generally comfortable weather, this is a beautiful time to be in Charleston!
Where to Stay on a Weekend Getaway to Charleston
To stay closest to the action, look for a spot in the French Quarter or near South of Broad. Accommodation prices can get on the spendy side here, so if you’re looking for something more affordable, try areas like North Charleston or across the bridge on James Island.
The Dewberry
For a luxury stay in the heart of historic Charleston, look no further than The Dewberry. It’s beautifully designed, with every detail thought out, and its services include award-winning dining and complimentary bicycles.
The Vendue
Another well-placed hotel in Charleston’s French Quarter, The Vendue is full of historic charm. In addition to the beautiful rooms, the hotel has some pretty great amenities like complimentary bikes, cookies every evening, an art and wine reception each afternoon, and free parking passes for Folly Beach.
AirBnB
If a hotel isn’t your thing, there are loads of great AirBnB options to suit various budgets. We stayed at this tiny home on James Island and really enjoyed it. While it’s no misnomer (the place is quite tiny) it was well thought out, had a great host, and the location was perfect for being close to the beach and downtown Charleston while staying within our budget.
Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway to Charleston
Explore the French Quarter
Within the original walled city of Charleston lies the French Quarter. This is where you’ll find some of the city’s most historic buildings like the Charleston City Market, the Exchange & Provost, and The Old Slave Mart. Explore the area to admire the architecture and learn more about the city’s history, and then amble over to the French Quarter’s gorgeous Waterfront Park.
See the pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park
Speaking of Waterfront Park, you can’t miss a stop here on your weekend getaway to Charleston. You’ll spot ornamental pineapples all throughout the city, but none are as prominent as the iconic fountain at Waterfront Park. The pineapple was a symbol of hospitality and friendship in early America. In Charleston, pineapples were often placed outside a home’s entrance to indicate that a sailor had returned safely and was welcoming guests. Since then, pineapples have become the unofficial symbol of Charleston.
Go shopping on King Street
Running down the center of Charleston is King Street, one of the country’s most acclaimed shopping streets. With countless shops ranging from national luxury brands to chic local boutiques, it’s a fashion-lovers paradise.
Take a carriage ride
When your feet need a rest, grab a spot on one of the guided tours departing from the Charleston City Market. You’ll explore Charleston by horse and carriage while learning historical facts and local lore as you pass by notable landmarks throughout the city.
Grab a bite at some of the South’s best restaurants
The southern states are known for their incredible cooking, and Charleston is one of the best foodie cities in the South! From classic southern fried chicken and biscuits to South Carolina-style BBQ, Charleston has countless delicious choices. Pro tip: Many of the top spots like Husk and Chez Nous book up early, so be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Read More: The Best Places to Eat in Charleston
Walk the quaint streets of South of Broad
Have I mentioned you’ll want comfortable walking shoes to explore Charleston? In addition to perusing the French Quarter, you positively must go for a stroll South of Broad. This is the area of town stretching from south of Broad Street down to the waterfront, and it’s possibly the most picturesque part of the city. If you’re wondering where to start, Church Street, Stolls Alley, Tradd Street, and Zig Zag Alley are all beautiful places to wander. Be sure to seek out the pastel line of homes known as Rainbow Row while you’re here.
Stone streets
Every ounce of downtown Charleston seems to hold its share of history, right down to the stones lining the streets by the waterfront. The smooth, rounded rocks paving the roads were once used as ballast stones, stabilizing empty ships that set sail from England. When they arrived, the stones were discarded to be replaced by cargo and were later used to pave the roadways.
Visit The Battery & White Point Garden
At the southernmost tip of Charleston, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers flow into the Charleston Harbor, is The Battery. The defensive seawall promenade is the perfect spot for a sunset stroll with views of the waterfront and Fort Sumpter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Just across the street is the beautiful White Point Garden. What was once used as a place for artillery during the Civil War is now a lovely little park to mosey through while you admire the antebellum mansions nearby.
HISTORY LESSON: Charleston’s position along the water meant it was often invaded by pirates. In addition to repeated attacks, some of the most famous pirates in the world, including Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, used Charleston as a hub to sell their stolen goods. The latter was eventually captured and put to death in White Point Garden.
Hit the beach
The view of Charleston Bay from the city is beautiful, but for those ocean waves and sandy shores, head to one of the beaches nearby. Three of the most popular are Folly Beach, Sullivans Island, and Isle of Palms. If you’re planning to make a day of it, be sure to head out early (before 9 a.m.) in order to beat the traffic.
HEAD’S UP: Sand gnats, sand fleas, no-see-ums, biting midges – whatever you prefer to call them, these critters are irritating, and you’ll find them here on South Carolina’s beaches. A good breeze will typically keep them at bay, but be sure to bring bug spray to help prevent bites. Sand gnats are most active at dawn, dusk, after rain, and on cloudy cool days.
Discover the fairytale-esque Angel Oak tree
This sprawling oak tree on Johns Island looks like something out of a fairytale. You truly need to see it in person to fully appreciate just how marvelous it is. It’s estimated to be around 400-500 years old, making it one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi.
Visit McLeod Plantation Historic Site
There are several former plantations to visit near Charleston, but my pick is most certainly the McLeod Plantation. This historical site is one of the very few plantations in the country that acknowledges its history of slavery and the enslaved people who lived here. Our tour of the grounds was given by a man of Gullah Geechee descent who described the lives of both the black and white occupants throughout history, the plantation’s strategic importance during the Civil War, and the impact the people here had on the history of Charleston and the culture in our country.
It was educational, thought-provoking, and honest, yet it left me with a feeling of hope rather than despair. I highly recommend visiting and joining a guided tour.
Strolling along the historic streets of Charleston feels a bit like stepping back in time, not least because you won’t find any skyscrapers cluttering the city center. In fact, The Holy City doesn’t allow any buildings to exceed the height of its tallest church steeple. It’s this sense of a bygone era coupled with the incredible food and rich culture that makes Charleston the perfect weekend getaway.
PIN IT FOR LATER
Shop My Travel Essentials
Some links on this page are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you purchase a product using the link. As always, I only link to products and brands that I personally use and recommend. Thank you for your support!
