There aren’t many places in the world more beautiful than Charleston, SC in the Spring. The flowers are in bloom and the weather is perfect with the salty ocean breeze in the air. Charleston is a well known tourist destination having won for multiple years in a row the “Best City to Visit in the U.S.” from the readers of Conde Nast Magazine. In this article we’ll highlight the top things to do in Charleston on Spring break.
GET OUT ON THE WATER
Charleston is surrounded by water and you’d be selling your trip short if you visited and didn’t experience the city from the water in some form or another. There are many ways to do so and we’ll highlight some of our favorites below:
Fort Sumter Tours – take a boat ride out to where the Civil War began! The fort is a National Park with Rangers who will answer questions while visiting.
- Charleston Harbor Tour – great way to see the harbor and learn about the historic sites all around.
- Nature Adventures – offering kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours from scenic Shem Creek (a popular dolphin playground).
- Schooner Pride – Take a relaxing sail on Charleston’s only 3 mast tall ship. Just sit back, enjoy the sites and let the wind guide you around the harbor. While this is not a narrated tour, it is a great way to see the sunset and fan favorite.
- Barrier Island Eco Tours – Go on an eco-adventure and get an up close view of the beauty of the Low Country marshland and barrier islands. These tours are educational yet very entertaining and fun for kids and adults alike.
- Palmetto Breeze – Step aboard Charleston’s premier 50-foot catamaran. Designed for stunning views in the South’s picturesque setting, this 2-hour sail gives you the chance to feel the ocean breeze and take in Charleston’s most famous landmarks.
- Captain Cocktail Cruises – Departing from Shem Creek or downtown Charleston, this cruise is all about fun, music, and good times. Bring your best playlist and take control of the custom sound system while enjoying games, ice-cold drinks, and plenty of laughs.
GO TO THE BEACH
Charleston has a number of fantastic beaches that are within a 15-20 minute drive from downtown.
Folly Beach – a relaxed and fun beach town with plenty of waves, sand, shops, restaurants and bars.
Isle of Palms – Located on the northern side of downtown Charleston and just a few minutes from Mount Pleasant, the Isle of Palms has plenty of amenities and is a great family friendly beach option with public restrooms.
Sullivan’s Island – A barrier island north of the Charleston harbor, Sullivan’s Island has only about 2,000 residents. With its unspoiled views and terrific dining options, Sullivan’s is a favorite among Charleston area locals. The beach has few short-term rentals and no hotels so plan a day trip to this beach, also located just a few minutes from the Isle of Palms.
For a more comprehensive guide to the beaches, read our blog “Ultimate Guide to Charleston Beaches.“
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN
There are so many amazing tours that you can choose from in Charleston – be sure to checkout our main Charleston tours and attractions page and view some of our suggestions below:
- Do a guided tour – Wandering through downtown reveals charming sights, but it’s the city’s stories and history that set it apart. Opting for a guided tour in Charleston provides a fantastic way to delve into its diverse heritage, making your visit both informative and truly memorable. There are many to choose from, we recommend the following:
- Take a Carriage Tour – Catch a carriage tour to really learn about Charleston’s history, Colonial style. Hear hundreds of years of history set against the sound of hoofbeats. The carriage tour guides are some of the best in Charleston for rich storytelling and a cracking a joke or two. Hands down, the two best in the city are Palmetto Carriage and Old South Carriage Company.
- A Walking Tour – Walking tours offer everything from historic walking tours, culinary and food tours, ghost and graveyard, ghost and dungeon, haunted jail, haunted Yorktown and Magnolia Cemetery tours. Voted the “Best Tour Company in Charleston” many times over, we recommend Bulldog Tours.
- A House Tour – Edmondston-Alston House Museum is a great house on the Battery that has an amazing story. Stop by anytime for a tour.
- Walk the Historic District – Simply park and walk South of Broad Street and take it all in….go down alleyways…cobblestone streets and soak in the beauty of Charleston. Make your way to the Battery and White Point Gardens and enjoy!
- Visit Waterfront Park – A beautiful park that is home to the famous Pineapple Fountain (popular IG photo spot). The Park has sweeping views of the harbor along with a long pier with swings. From here you can also take the Charleston Water Taxi to Mount Pleasant and Patriots Point Maritime Museum and tour the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier.
- Charleston Farmer’s Market – Every Saturday from April to November (check website for exact dates), there’s an amazing farmers market at Marion Square from 8 am to 2 pm. Food vendors, artisans, music, dance and a lot of socializing will be found here.
- Get a Charleston TourPass which includes all of the top things to do in the city on one easy to use pass. Full admission is included and you can choose from a 1 to 5 day pass.
FOR THE FOODIE
Charleston is known for it’s amazing restaurants and Chefs. Below are a few suggestions however there are so many options that we recommend doing some research on your own as well.
- FIG – Headed by James Beard Award winning Chef Mike Latta, FIG is a the standard for and was a pioneer in the Charleston restaurant industry. This restaurant group also owns The Ordinary which is a raw bar and oyster house on upper King.
- Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar – Generationally tested, gourmet recipes with a regional flair. Don’t leave Charleston without grabbing a dessert and drink from here.
- Lewis Barbeque -Barbecue enthusiasts have flocked to his pits for years, waiting in long lines to get a taste of his expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts” sausage, oxtail, and his legendary beef brisket. Thinking about Lewis makes us hungry 🙂
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit – featured on Food Network and many other well known shows, this biscuit joint slings some good food….recommended for breakfast or lunch.
- 5 Church – great food and an even greater atmosphere. The restaurant is housed inside of an old church located on North Market Street downtown.
- Oyster House on Market – if you love local shellfish such as oysters, shrimp and seafood in general…check this place out.
HAVE A DRINK
If you’re 21 years of age or older of course.
Upper King Street, downtown Charleston – We recommend heading to upper King Street which is near the intersection of King & Ann Streets. You’ll find everything from speak easy’s, dance clubs, sports bars, upscale, rooftop and more. Great food options are available in the area as well. Remember to be responsible and don’t drink and drive. Uber and Lyft are easy to find in Charleston.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant – There’s nothing better than having drinks by the water with friends and the good looking people who inhabit Charleston. If this sounds fun, go to Shem Creek and visit Salt Water Cowboys, Red’s Icehouse and Tavern and Table.
Deep Water Vineyard – If you’re feeling adventurous take the 40 minute drive and visit Deep Water Vineyard, the only one of it’s kind in the Charleston region. They offer tours and tastings. On Saturdays they have live music and food trucks which is a great time. If breweries are your thing then we have plenty of those to choose from…over 30 and growing!
GO SHOPPING
Who doesn’t love some shopping? We do and there is great shopping in Charleston.
King St. (south of Calhoun Street) – Everything from local shops to high-end retailers can be found here. Everything from local shops to high-end retailers can be found here.
Charleston City Market – One of the nation’s oldest public markets and the cultural heart of Charleston. The City Market is home to more than 300 vibrant entrepreneurs.
