traveler of charleston logo

All Eyes on the Sky: Solar Eclipse to Pass Over Charleston

Table of Contents

Just when we thought being in Charleston couldn’t get any better, it’s now one of the best places to view the solar eclipse happening on Monday, Aug. 21.

The first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire United States – coast to coast – since 1918 will enter the country crossing Oregon and will exit three hours later in South Carolina between Georgetown and Charleston.

photo/NASA
photo/NASA

According to NASA information, the eclipse should pass over Charleston between 2:45 p.m. and 2:48 p.m. During that time, the moon will completely cover the sun.

Remember, it is never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays – even if the sun is partly obscured. To watch the eclipse, wear a pair of safety glasses. If you’re attending an organized event, check to see if glasses are provided; otherwise plan to purchase a pair for yourself and your children (sunglasses do not provide adequate protection).

There are several events happening around the Charleston area on Aug. 21 where people can gather to watch the eclipse. For a list of events, visit travelerofcharleston.com/events_categories/eclipse/.

The state of South Carolina is planning for a million visitors in the days leading up the eclipse. If you’re coming into Charleston, here are a few safety tips from the S.C. Emergency Management Division.

  • It’s hot here in August. You may be outside for quite some time so pack plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen.
  • Don’t forget your eclipse viewing glasses. Many events may provide glasses but there’s a chance they won’t have enough for everyone. Be sure to purchase only those glasses are that ISO certified.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get to your eclipse viewing destination or to/from your hotel. Expect traffic to be heavy not only on Aug. 21, but in the days before and after as well.
  • If you are driving during the eclipse, do not stop. Keep moving. Stopping in the middle of a roadway is very dangerous.
  • Be prepared for cell service to be overloaded.

Also, note the pedestrian/bike path on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge will be closed  from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 21.

For more details and maps on the 2017 solar eclipse, visit eclipse2017.nasa.gov.

 

Charleston Tour Pass

Visiting Charleston Just Got Way Easier!

TourPass includes all the top tours and attractions & historic sites. Save up to 40% or more on admissions + skip the lines

Visit TourPass

Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

Additional Places to Explore

Traveler Mag Icon
Receive Charleston Updates

Get the First Timers Guide...it's free

We’ll email our online magazine, map, helpful articles. Unsubscribe at anytime.