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5 Things to Do in Charleston Over Labor Day Weekend

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“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer.” – Helen Hunt Jackson, American poet

 

Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season. Kids head back to school, summer vacations are memories and lazy days of lounging are behind us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have one more incredible weekend in Charleston. It’s a fitting farewell to summer days and a welcoming to the fall season just around the corner.

So if you’re visiting Charleston for Labor Day weekend, here are 5 ways to kiss summer good-bye and wave hello to fall.


1) Spend the day at the beach

Don’t miss out on a beach day, even after Labor Day! The weather is still warm and the locals might be too busy to go. Take the opportunity to relax on the sand, play in the ocean, and enjoy an ice cream while watching the sunset over the water. Don’t forget to collect seashells as a happy reminder of summer. If you’re craving more excitement on the water, Tidal Wave Water Sports offers thrilling activities, or you can explore the beautiful waterways with kayaking or paddleboarding from Nature Adventures. Learn more about the different beaches in the Charleston Beach Guide.

Isle of Palms


2) Attend an event

Charleston’s calendar of events is always busy this time of year. So whether you want to catch a play, visit the farmer’s market or see musket demonstration at Charles Towne Landing, it’s easy to pack the weekend with fun activities. Also, don’t miss the Lowcountry Jazz Festival as award-winning jazz, soul, R&B and pop artists take the stage at the Charleston Galliard Center.

Check out our full Events Calendar to help you plan your Labor Day weekend in Charleston.


3) Eat someplace new

Whether you’re visiting Charleston for the first time or the 10th time, you won’t have any trouble finding an incredible restaurant – everything from barbecue and seafood to burgers and beers. Charleston has established herself as a true culinary destination with world-class cuisine.

Need inspiration? We have a list of 20 Charleston area restaurants you just have to try. And find out which Charleston restaurants have been featured on television.


4) Walk the Battery

Simply soak in the beautiful views of Charleston, catch a glimpse of Fort Sumter and admire the stately historic mansions along East Bay Street. Be sure to stop by White Point Garden, a public park on the peninsula. Tip: everyone loves to take a picture on or near the cannons at the park.


5) Learn about Charleston’s historic past

Immerse yourself in Charleston, SC’s rich historical past through an engaging guided tour. Discover the captivating stories and hidden gems that bring this vibrant city to life. Whether you embark on a guided walking tour, a charming carriage tour, or a scenic boat tour, you will come to discover that Charleston is far more than just a pretty face. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this vibrant city on a guided tour tailored to your interests.  View the top rated guided tours on our Tours & Attractions page.

 

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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/

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