Everything to Know About Charleston
Here's how to plan the best possible trip to South Carolina's biggest city.
Charleston is all about the vibe. In a word, it’s charming. Part sleepy southern town and part modern metropolis, Charleston charms with style and class. And it’s always, always, up for a good time.
When to Go
The mild temperatures of spring and early fall bring the most tourists to Charleston—and the highest hotel prices. Come instead during the late fall or early winter, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds have left.
How to Celebrate
Come in spring for the world-famous Spoleto Festival USA, which showcases big names and soon-to-be-big names in music, theater, and dance. In March, the Charleston Wine and Food festival offers the perfect reason to eat your way around the city.
What to Eat
Charleston is worth a visit just for the food alone. Don’t leave without trying these classics that play up the best of local ingredients—namely, fresh seafood. The city’s signature dish, no question, is shrimp ‘n’ grits, a rich, creamy combination packed with flavor. Then there’s the lowcountry boil, a one-pot dish of shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage, and whatever else catches the cook’s eye. And tangy she-crab soup stuns with crabmeat, sherry, cream, and (sometimes) roe.
Souvenir to Take Home
The best souvenirs are unique (no Starbucks mugs, please), authentic, and useful. In Charleston, a traditional Gullah sweetgrass basket fits the bill perfectly. Artfully coiled by skilled hands from local sweetgrass, the baskets were originally used by West African slaves to separate the husk from the grain in rice fields. Watch basketmaking in action at the Charleston City Market, and pick up one to take home.
Instagram-Worthy View
Rainbow Row is a candy-colored Instagrammer’s dream. The 13 row houses on East Bay Street were built between the 1740s and 1845, then fell into disrepair after the ravages of the Civil War. A preservationist painted three of the homes pale pink in the 1930s, and other homeowners followed suit with complementary hues. The result is a pastel parade of charm—and the perfect backdrop for a selfie.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico