Oct 24, 2024 • 5 min read
24.10.2024 - 20:17 / lonelyplanet.com
Oct 24, 2024 • 9 min read
Charleston's balmy southern climate opens up all sorts of interesting adventures at different times of the year. Summer is the best time to visit Charleston for those who prefer beach trips and ambles around historic houses and museums, but the city has a special charm in winter, when the crowds thin out and the holiday vibe comes with mild temperatures that could almost be described as warm in the afternoons.
Then there's the fall, when the summer heat has died down and major festivals and restaurant events kick off the autumn harvest. Crowds gather well into November, but the mild weather means you can often stroll along the city's historic streets without a coat even when snow is falling in the north of the country.
No matter what time of year, you’ll find plenty of places to go and things to do. Charleston has a wide variety of activities and is perfect for a three-day trip or longer if you want to spend more time in this charming, historic destination. Here’s a breakdown of the best time to visit Charleston, SC for the best activities, weather, low prices and more.
Best time to visit for smaller crowds
The winter months from December to February are considered the off-season for tourism, but if you’re someone who likes to escape the cold, traveling to the Lowcountry at this time will warm up your winter. Average temperatures in the daytime hover around 60°F (16°C), a very pleasant temperature for the holiday festivities. Airfares drop too, though there's a spike for the holidays in December and Valentine’s Day in February.
Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.
Best time to visit for going to the beach
Like any American city close to the coast, Charleston is all about the beach in summer. The temperatures can climb above 90°F (32°C) and with the thick humidity, it's a time to seek out salty sea breezes and maybe a colorfully layered cocktail. Summer is the best time to travel between downtown and South Carolina’s coast; while beach rentals are usually booked up by June, you might catch a break on availability and costs if you stay inland.
Best time to visit for festivals and pleasant weather
Charleston has two peak tourist seasons, coinciding with milder temperatures on either side of the hot, humid summer. Spring and fall are marked by mild weather, big festivals and farmers markets. Hotel prices are at their highest during spring break and Easter; the late fall has the perfect mix of moderate temperatures, fewer tourists and more affordable rates. April, May, September and October are among the most popular months for bachelorette parties or weddings; many couples come to Charleston specifically
Oct 24, 2024 • 5 min read
Oct 23, 2024 • 5 min read
Oct 23, 2024 • 5 min read
Oct 22, 2024 • 7 min read
Whenever you're dreaming of cosmopolitan cities, glistening lakes, and verdant mountain vales—that's the best time to visit Switzerland. If the mood strikes you to dip into Lake Geneva in the summertime, or cozy up in the winter for a dinner of raclette-covered everything, you need to go to Switzerland as soon as you can. As for the actual logistics of how to time your visit to this landlocked European country of centuries-old culture and commerce, it all depends on what you want to get out of your trip.
Finland's flagship carrier, Finnair, will expand in the United States next summer, launching its largest-ever schedule from the U.S. to Finland.
It's that time of year again: The holiday season is nearly upon us. Consider this your call to start booking those holiday trips.
Oct 18, 2024 • 8 min read
The years-long bureaucratic tangles that plagued passport renewals and first-time applications since the pandemic are finally over. Not only have US passport processing times bounced back to pre-pandemic rates—they're the shortest they've been in years.
From my first camping trip at four months old to my most recent hiking expedition in the Adirondacks, I've spent the majority of my life camping and hiking my way through the world—laying under the stars in a tent across 15+ US states and Canadian territories, exploring dozens of national and state parks, hiking up mountains and through forests, and otherwise enjoying (or being subjected to) every type of weather, terrain, and wildlife. Being the youngest member of an enthusiastically outdoorsy family means that I know a thing or two when it comes to picking out gifts for those that prefer to spend their time surrounded by nature. Whether you're looking for something practical, like a new pair of hiking socks or boots, or want to gift something a little more exciting, like a sleek, inspirational coffee table book or a Stanley pour-over set, these are some of the best camping gifts for hikers, campers, and backpackers right now.
“As far back as I can remember, I knew I was different,” says Alexander Smalls. Growing up in a Gullah Geechee household in Spartanburg, North Carolina, the chef says he recognized the implication of those differences—in appearance, history, and cuisine. “I discovered early that my friends did not eat any of the foods that I ate. My foods were more akin to West Africa, you know, and very much pronounced in that way,” he says. It wan't until he moved to New York as an adult, that he assimilated the value of that diasporic connective tissue. “Food was a big part of cultural expression and identity of the African diaspora,” he says.
While passport application and renewal delays are over and traveling internationally is—for the most part—easier than ever, did you know it’s totally possible to hop on a plane to a white-sand beach or streets that feel just like Spain with just your driver's license in hand? The best places to travel without a passport are within reach. You just need to know where to look. And one of the best options American travelers have at hand are the US territories.