Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Charleston, South Carolina: Is Charleston a good snowbird location?

Charleston is located on an inlet to the Atlantic Ocean called Charleston Harbor. In 1670, the first expedition of English settlers sailed up the picturesque tidal channel and stepped ashore at what is now known as Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, which includes 664-acres filled with majestic oak trees. Charleston has a very rich history that can clearly be seen in the older buildings and the city museum.

Where is Charleston, South Carolina Located

Charleston map

Why should people visit during the fall, winter, or spring?

People are attracted to Charleston because of its exclusive lifestyle and entertainment. The town is open all year round with all sorts of activities and places for people of all ages. Enjoy the history of many of its buildings. The climate and weather are pleasant in the winter and encourages walking. 

Climate

Charleston has mild weather during the winter, the temperature rarely goes below 43°F (6°C) or above 75°F (24°C). There will be more than enough sunny or partly sunny days, and rainfall is minimal.

For more climate information visit Meteoblue

Things to see in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is an important tourist location and has many places worth a visit:

• Cypress Gardens: It is a very beautiful and incredible place to visit because of its naturally beautiful and serene environment.  If you visit this garden, you will recognize it from the scenes of the film: "the notebook" and "the patriot". It was reopened to the public on April 13, 2019.
• McLeod Plantation: due to Charleston's rich history of slaves, McLeod Plantation is a must-visit. It is a 36-acres area that boasts of a riverside pavilion with an avenue of oak trees. You can visit the factory and also see the antique houses.
• Helena Fox Fine Art: Located South of Broad in Historic Charleston, SC, Helena Fox Fine Art specializes in fine American representational art. The varied collection of work mingles with nationally and internationally renowned contemporary American artists.
• The Charleston Museum: Founded in 1773, The Charleston Museum, America's First Museum, has been discovering, preserving, interpreting, celebrating, and sharing ever since. The collections, exhibitions, educational programs, and events are designed to inspire curiosity and conversation.
• City Market: It is often referred to as the "Slave Market" because it was here that slaves purchased food for the plantation. Today, the market is filled with residents and visitors, perusing stalls loaded with toys, clothes, leather goods, and regional souvenirs.

Things to see not far from Charleston, South Carolina

There are several neighboring towns and places that are worth a visit:

• Folly Beach: It is located 12 Miles (19 km) from Charleston. After exploring Charleston's historic sites, you can take some time to relax and enjoy the Southern sun. Overlooking the massive stretch of coastline makes for a great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
• Sullivan's Island: It is located 10.3 Miles (17 km) from Charleston. It has to be accessed by the boat. It is a little island where you can enjoy your time, free from all the business of the city. It is composed of soft palmetto logs. It withstood a nine-hour battle in 1776 when nine warships were advancing on Charleston.
• Edisto Island Museum: It is located 33 Miles (53 km) from Charleston. Over the years, EIHPS continued to expand the Museum and its collections as well as working to preserve the island's history outside of the Museum. The Museum has installed an exhibit on the Edisto Indians, a local tribe that long ago vanished from this island.
• ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge: It is located 27 Miles (43 km) from Charleston. The natural values found on the refuge today are here because past private landowners tended the area wisely. Undeveloped and unpolluted, the habitat remains diverse and extremely productive.

Activities in Charleston, South Carolina in the winter

When it comes to finding a good activity to entertain yourself, Charleston has many available options:

• Crafted Brewery tours: It is a 4-hour tour during which you can taste brewery from nearly all of the Charleston's distilleries.
• Fishing: There are many preserves and beaches in the area where you can go fishing.
• Walk around the city: The best way to explore Charleston is on foot. It is rich in history and nature that you would not want to miss out on anything.
• Yacht excursion: you can enjoy excursions on private yachts. You can also enjoy good food and music while exploring the Atlantic coasts.
• Seaplane tours: You can enjoy seaplane tours of Charleston. You will enjoy the aerial view of Charleston. Prices vary according to duration.
• Parasailing: you can enjoy parasailing along with other water sports. Many companies operate on the beaches of Charleston.
• Events: You can be part of some incredible events in winter such as solving a murder mystery or enjoy stand up comedy.
• Festivals: You can also be a part of exciting winter festivals like annual Christmas lightening or dickens dinner.  
• Yoga Retreats: You can find some top-class fitness and yoga retreats in Charleston so that you can stay healthy.
• Golf: You can play golf at one of the most exquisite golf courses, Wild Dunes Resort Golf. It has 36-course ground with amazing amenities.
• Day trips to other cities: there are many places worth visiting outside Charleston. Small islands and preserves as well.

Shops & Restaurants. Are they Open in winters?

Charleston has several smaller and bigger shopping centers. You will find most major stores present. Charleston Farmers Market is one of the best farmer's markets in the area. It provides an open space for over 100 local vendors to install their shops. You can find fresh produce like fruits and vegetables along with locally baked items and organic honey. You can also find a lot of souvenir shops around the city as Charleston is filled with old history. The best places for souvenirs are the basket people in the City market. They have handcrafted antiques.

Charleston Is full of history, some dishes are popular because they describe Charleston. These dishes are Pilau, Gumbo, Hopping John, Madeira wine, Oysters, Fried whiting and red rice, She-Crab soup, shrimp and grits, Mustard base BBQ, Fried and garlic crabs, and triggerfish. All of these dishes have a close history with Charleston.

Transport

Charleston has its own Charleston International Airport which is located just outside the city. Traveling to and from the airport is very convenient and cheap. You can take metro rail, metro bus, airport shuttle, or taxi from the airport to your destination. Having a car can be convenient during your stay. You can rent one at the airport easily, but there are also numerous other locations if you do not want to rent one all the time.

Bus services are great in Charleston. There are many bus companies in the city on different routes. There are more than 27 bus stops and bus stations in the city. You can also catch an intercity bus at these bus stops if it suits your schedule. CARTA is the transport authority of Charleston that overlooks the system of bus schedules and routes.

Charleston has both, a train station and a metro rail service. For inter-city travel, railway trains are a good option. Amtrak operates in Charleston. You can check the schedule and pre-book your travel through the Amtrak website. Metro rail is one of the cheapest ways to move around the city but it only has two tracks. There are multiple metro rail transfer stations available throughout the city.

If you want to use public transport, an easy way to find the best route is to use Google Maps. Find the directions from your starting point to the destination, and click on transit. It will then show you the public transport options.

Health

Charleston is a high-tech city, and you can find incredible care and treatment in both private and public hospitals in Charleston. Clinics with separate services are also available. All the hospitals have 24/7 emergency and departments to treat every kind of illness:

• Roger St. Francis: General hospital with 24/7 emergency. (https://www.rsfh.com/roper-hospital/)
• Ashley River Tower: Private hospital (https://muschealth.org/)
• Charleston Dental Associates: Dental Clinic (https://www.charlestondentalassociates.com/)

Accommodation

There are several real estate companies in Charleston. You can rent accommodation according to your needs. Some major operators in Charleston are:

• Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/)
• Rent.com (https://www.rent.com/)
• Apartment Guide: (https://www.apartmentguide.com/)
• Airbnb (www.airbnb.com) is also available in case you're looking for a customized offer. The prices vary according to the location and the size of the accommodation.

In Charleston, you can also find a 1-bed apartment for $850 (approx. €766, £646, $1154 CAD, $1266 AUD) if you research diligently.

RV/Campers/Motorhome

There are many RV sites available within the city but most of them do not have a website. The nearest parking spaces with a favorable environment are:

• JB Charleston RV Park: It has 40 RV sites with all the facilities. Prices start from $23 (approx. €20, £17, $31 CAD, $34 AUD) per night. (https://www.militarycampgrounds.us/south-carolina/charleston-afb-rv-park)
• Charleston County Parks: 125 full sites available for RV or motorhomes. All modern facilities are available. Extra $4 for guests. (https://ccprc.com/)