City

Charleston

157,665 people (2024)

Charleston enchants with cobblestone streets lined by pastel antebellum mansions, a storied Civil War past, and one of the South's most celebrated culinary scenes. From Fort Sumter to the Rainbow Row waterfront, history and lowcountry flavors meet at every turn.

Written by our AI

Historic & culturalFoodieWeekend getawayFamily-friendly

Our AI's themes

How long

2–4 days

Our AI's estimate of a typical stay.

Sightseeing weather

March, April, May, October and November

Weather only, worked out from the town's records.

On the map

Where it is, and the other places we have mapped around it.

Skip the map

View on OpenStreetMap

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Tiles by OpenFreeMap.

Things to do in Charleston

4 we list here

Written by our AI

1South Carolina AquariumMuseums & galleries·About 2h·Easy·Any timeDive into the underwater wonders at the South Carolina Aquarium, where you can witness thousands of aquatic creatures and learn about marine conservation efforts.

2Boone Hall PlantationHistory·About 1h 30m·Easy·Any timeStep back in time at Boone Hall Plantation, one of America's oldest working plantations, featuring stunning gardens, a grand mansion, and preserved historic slave cabins.

3Charleston City MarketShopping & markets·About 1h·Easy·Any timeCharleston City Market is a vibrant, historic marketplace brimming with local artisans and unique crafts, from sweetgrass baskets to handmade art.

4Charleston Tea GardenAbout 1h 30m·Easy·Best at middayVisit the Charleston Tea Garden, the only tea plantation in North America, for a delightful tour that takes you through the tea-making process.

Durations, effort and best times are our AI's estimates.

Places to eat in Charleston

8 we list here

Written by our AI

1Wild CommonSeafood, Steak house·Suits dinner·$$$$Wild Common is a Michelin-starred, tasting-menu-only restaurant in Charleston, known for its disciplined seasonal program and intimate setting.

2Bertha's KitchenSoul food·Suits lunch, dinner·$$Bertha's Kitchen is a renowned restaurant in Charleston, celebrated for its soul food and Southern comfort dishes.

3The OrdinarySeafood·Suits dinner·$$$The Ordinary is an upscale seafood restaurant in Charleston, housed in a former bank building, offering a lively atmosphere and a menu focused on fresh, local seafood.

4HuskSouthern, Lowcountry·Suits lunch, dinner·$$$Husk is a renowned restaurant in Charleston, celebrated for its focus on Southern ingredients and traditional dishes.

5FIGNew american, Seasonal·Suits lunch, dinner·$$$FIG is a beloved restaurant in Charleston, known for its consistent and beloved Southern-inspired menu.

6Chez NousFrench, Mediterranean·Suits dinner·$$$Chez Nous is a cozy restaurant in Charleston, offering a menu inspired by French and Italian cuisine.

7The Obstinate DaughterSuits lunch, dinner·$$$The Obstinate Daughter is a restaurant in Charleston, known for its coastal Italian cuisine and relaxed atmosphere.

8Sorghum & SaltAmerican·Suits dinner·$$$Sorghum & Salt is a restaurant in Charleston, offering a menu that highlights Southern ingredients and flavors.

Cuisine from OpenStreetMap. "Suits" and price bands are our AI's estimates.

Places to stay in Charleston

12 we list here

Written by our AI

1HarbourView InnHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$Located near Waterfront Park, this hotel offers harbor views, complimentary breakfast, and an evening wine and cheese reception.

2The Spectator HotelHotel·Good for couples, business, groups·$$$$A boutique hotel blending Charleston's charm with Jazz Age elegance, offering personalized butler service and a speakeasy-style bar.

3Courtyard Charleston WaterfrontHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, located near Charleston's waterfront.

4The Mills House HotelHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A historic hotel offering modern amenities, including a rooftop pool and on-site dining, located in downtown Charleston.

5Kings Courtyard InnHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A boutique hotel in a historic building, offering comfortable rooms and a central location near Charleston's attractions.

6Shem Creek InnHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, located near Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant.

7The VendueHotel·Good for couples, groups, business·$$$A boutique hotel in Charleston's historic district, offering art-inspired rooms and a rooftop bar with panoramic city views.

8Francis Marion HotelHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A historic hotel offering modern amenities, including a rooftop pool and on-site dining, located in downtown Charleston.

9Indigo InnHotel·Good for couples, families, budget travelers·$$A charming bed and breakfast offering comfortable rooms and a complimentary breakfast, located in downtown Charleston.

10Comfort Suites Charleston West AshleyHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, located in West Ashley, near Charleston.

11Hotel Indigo Mount PleasantHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, located in Mount Pleasant, near Charleston.

12Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston North/Ashley PhosphateHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, located in North Charleston.

Type of stay from OpenStreetMap. "Good for" and price bands are our AI's estimates.

Each place opens our booking partner, where you can check prices and book. We may earn a commission if you book.

The weather you'd get

Typical daily high and low, and the share of days with rain, from historical records (2011-2025). Average weather for Charleston, not a forecast.

58°

44°

27%

62°

48°

31%

67°

53°

27%

73°

60°

28%

80°

67°

34%

85°

74°

53%

87°

77°

56%

86°

76°

61%

82°

71°

44%

76°

63°

24%

67°

53°

24%

62°

49°

28%

Warmest month: July, highs around 87°F, 31°C. Wettest: August, rain on about 61% of days. Driest: October.

Sightseeing weather. The mildest, driest and calmest months for sightseeing are March, April, May, October and November. That is weather only. It says nothing about ski seasons, beach days or festivals, which is often why people go.

More from OpenStreetMap

Everything else OpenStreetMap holds for this place, as mapped.

Capital6

Opened1670

From Wikipedia

Charleston is the most populous city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint of South Carolina's coastline on Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean formed by the confluence of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers. Charleston had a population of 150,227 at the 2020 census, while the Charleston metropolitan area, comprising Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, has an estimated 870,000 residents.

Sources and credits

Names, place details, opening times and addresses © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.

Text: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Facts: Wikidata (CC0).

Weather: Open-Meteo historical weather data.

Airports: OurAirports, public domain.

Photo: East Battery Street Charleston Aug2010 by Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Descriptions, themes and estimates are written by Journey Builder's AI.