Charleston, SC Travel and Things to Do Guide
Charleston is one of the South's most recognizable event destinations, a coastal city where historic architecture meets a waterfront along the Ashley and Cooper rivers, Charleston Harbor, and the Atlantic. Planners get a rare mix: a walkable historic core, a convention campus, and a setting attendees actually want to explore.
The city is known for its food and Lowcountry culture, and for events like the Spoleto Festival, which brings world-famous performing artists to the city each year. Warm coastal weather and river-and-harbor scenery give meetings a distinctly Southern backdrop. That charm sits on real infrastructure: a large convention center, downtown headquarters hotels, and historic and waterfront venues offer flexible event space in Charleston for citywide conventions and intimate executive gatherings alike.
Why Charleston is Ideal for Event Planning
Charleston works because so much sits close together. Downtown is compact and walkable, with headquarters hotels, restaurants, and unique venues within easy reach, so attendees spend less time in transit.
For larger programs, the Charleston Area Convention Center campus keeps big pieces in one place, pairing exhibit and ballroom space with an attached hotel and entertainment venues. And Charleston International Airport (CHS), the busiest in South Carolina, connects well to most U.S. cities.
Major Convention Centers
Charleston Area Convention Center
The anchor for large-scale meetings and trade shows, on the convention campus in North Charleston.
• 77,000-square-foot exhibit hall for expos and large exhibitions
• Grand Ballroom plus a full set of breakout and meeting rooms
• Connected to the 255-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center
• Adjacent to the North Charleston Coliseum and North Charleston Performing Arts Center
• Onsite AV support and video conferencing available
Its strength is scale plus adjacency: exhibit space, a headquarters hotel, and entertainment venues on one campus, ideal for trade shows and conventions.
Charleston Gaillard Center
A downtown conference and performance venue in the heart of historic Charleston.
• 100,000 square feet of total meeting space across 21 rooms
• 13,000 square feet of exhibit space and a Grand Ballroom
• 1,800-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall for general sessions
• Terrace lawn and pre-function salons for receptions and smaller meetings
It's a strong fit for conferences and galas that want a downtown address with performance-hall production values.
Accessibility and Connectivity
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the busiest in South Carolina and connects well to most U.S. cities, making it easy to bring national groups in. Downtown sits about 12 miles from the airport.
• Airport shuttle service at several downtown and convention-area hotels
• Taxi and bus access between hotels, venues, and the historic core
• A short shuttle links the convention campus to the downtown Historic District
Headquarters Hotels and Accommodation
Charleston offers event-friendly hotels downtown and by the convention campus, so you can place attendees close to the program.
• The Charleston Place - 434-room downtown landmark with 57,112 square feet of meeting space
• Francis Marion Hotel - historic 234-room downtown hotel with 23,500 square feet of meeting space
• Charleston Marriott - 344-room peninsula hotel with 19,720 square feet of meeting space and 15,000 square feet of exhibit space
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center - 255-room hotel connected to the convention center
• Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport-Conv Ctr - 166-room hotel near the airport and convention campus
For citywide and trade-show programs, the Embassy Suites keeps room blocks steps from the exhibit floor.
Unique Event Venues
Charleston's historic homes, gardens, and waterfront spaces give groups settings a ballroom can't match.
• The William Aiken House - National Historic Landmark downtown with indoor and outdoor space for up to 500 guests
• Lowndes Grove - historic waterfront estate on the Ashley River with lawns, piazza, and 9,156 square feet of event space
• The South Carolina Aquarium - downtown waterfront venue with aquarium galleries and a harbor overlook terrace for up to 800 guests
• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - historic gardens on the Ashley River with the Carriage House, piazza, and lawn spaces
These venues build a sense of place into receptions and offsite events, which is what attendees remember.
Dining and Culinary Experiences
South Carolina is famous for barbecue and Lowcountry fare, and Charleston's dining scene is a real draw for groups.
• McCrady's Restaurant - new Southern fine dining with three private rooms for meetings and functions
• 39 Rue de Jean - French brasserie with a private upstairs space for group dining
• Hominy Grill - Charleston restaurant known for Lowcountry cooking, with space for gatherings
Entertainment and Outdoor Activities
Charleston gives attendees reasons to stay a while.
• Waterfront along the Ashley and Cooper rivers and Charleston Harbor
• Historic architecture and the walkable Historic District
• The Spoleto Festival, which brings world-famous performing artists to the city each year
• Performances and events at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center
Event Planning Support Services
Charleston's venues and partners help handle the details.
• Venue sourcing across convention space, hotels, historic homes, and waterfront settings
• Onsite catering at many unique venues and restaurants
• Onsite AV support and video conferencing at the convention center and Gaillard Center
• Hotel and room-block coordination near downtown and the convention campus
Climate and Best Time for Events
• Spring (March-June): 58-72°F. Charleston's best season, with azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, ideal for outdoor receptions and garden venues.
• Summer (June-August): 78-82°F. Warm, sultry days with coastal breezes and afternoon thunderstorms, best for indoor programs with evening events.
• Autumn (September-November): 58-76°F. Bright sunshine and crisp evenings, excellent for conferences and outdoor networking.
• Winter (December-February): 47-52°F. Mild and cool, well-suited to indoor meetings and holiday gatherings.
Conclusion: Charleston as an Event Destination
Charleston gives planners a rare combination: a walkable historic downtown, a purpose-built convention campus, reliable air access through Charleston International Airport, and a culinary and cultural scene attendees genuinely enjoy. Its hotels and venues cover large conventions and intimate gatherings alike.
With flexible event space in Charleston and a setting that feels like a destination in its own right, the city makes it easy to deliver a meeting that works and lands with attendees.
The city is known for its food and Lowcountry culture, and for events like the Spoleto Festival, which brings world-famous performing artists to the city each year. Warm coastal weather and river-and-harbor scenery give meetings a distinctly Southern backdrop. That charm sits on real infrastructure: a large convention center, downtown headquarters hotels, and historic and waterfront venues offer flexible event space in Charleston for citywide conventions and intimate executive gatherings alike.
Why Charleston is Ideal for Event Planning
Charleston works because so much sits close together. Downtown is compact and walkable, with headquarters hotels, restaurants, and unique venues within easy reach, so attendees spend less time in transit.
For larger programs, the Charleston Area Convention Center campus keeps big pieces in one place, pairing exhibit and ballroom space with an attached hotel and entertainment venues. And Charleston International Airport (CHS), the busiest in South Carolina, connects well to most U.S. cities.
Major Convention Centers
Charleston Area Convention Center
The anchor for large-scale meetings and trade shows, on the convention campus in North Charleston.
• 77,000-square-foot exhibit hall for expos and large exhibitions
• Grand Ballroom plus a full set of breakout and meeting rooms
• Connected to the 255-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center
• Adjacent to the North Charleston Coliseum and North Charleston Performing Arts Center
• Onsite AV support and video conferencing available
Its strength is scale plus adjacency: exhibit space, a headquarters hotel, and entertainment venues on one campus, ideal for trade shows and conventions.
Charleston Gaillard Center
A downtown conference and performance venue in the heart of historic Charleston.
• 100,000 square feet of total meeting space across 21 rooms
• 13,000 square feet of exhibit space and a Grand Ballroom
• 1,800-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall for general sessions
• Terrace lawn and pre-function salons for receptions and smaller meetings
It's a strong fit for conferences and galas that want a downtown address with performance-hall production values.
Accessibility and Connectivity
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the busiest in South Carolina and connects well to most U.S. cities, making it easy to bring national groups in. Downtown sits about 12 miles from the airport.
• Airport shuttle service at several downtown and convention-area hotels
• Taxi and bus access between hotels, venues, and the historic core
• A short shuttle links the convention campus to the downtown Historic District
Headquarters Hotels and Accommodation
Charleston offers event-friendly hotels downtown and by the convention campus, so you can place attendees close to the program.
• The Charleston Place - 434-room downtown landmark with 57,112 square feet of meeting space
• Francis Marion Hotel - historic 234-room downtown hotel with 23,500 square feet of meeting space
• Charleston Marriott - 344-room peninsula hotel with 19,720 square feet of meeting space and 15,000 square feet of exhibit space
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center - 255-room hotel connected to the convention center
• Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport-Conv Ctr - 166-room hotel near the airport and convention campus
For citywide and trade-show programs, the Embassy Suites keeps room blocks steps from the exhibit floor.
Unique Event Venues
Charleston's historic homes, gardens, and waterfront spaces give groups settings a ballroom can't match.
• The William Aiken House - National Historic Landmark downtown with indoor and outdoor space for up to 500 guests
• Lowndes Grove - historic waterfront estate on the Ashley River with lawns, piazza, and 9,156 square feet of event space
• The South Carolina Aquarium - downtown waterfront venue with aquarium galleries and a harbor overlook terrace for up to 800 guests
• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - historic gardens on the Ashley River with the Carriage House, piazza, and lawn spaces
These venues build a sense of place into receptions and offsite events, which is what attendees remember.
Dining and Culinary Experiences
South Carolina is famous for barbecue and Lowcountry fare, and Charleston's dining scene is a real draw for groups.
• McCrady's Restaurant - new Southern fine dining with three private rooms for meetings and functions
• 39 Rue de Jean - French brasserie with a private upstairs space for group dining
• Hominy Grill - Charleston restaurant known for Lowcountry cooking, with space for gatherings
Entertainment and Outdoor Activities
Charleston gives attendees reasons to stay a while.
• Waterfront along the Ashley and Cooper rivers and Charleston Harbor
• Historic architecture and the walkable Historic District
• The Spoleto Festival, which brings world-famous performing artists to the city each year
• Performances and events at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center
Event Planning Support Services
Charleston's venues and partners help handle the details.
• Venue sourcing across convention space, hotels, historic homes, and waterfront settings
• Onsite catering at many unique venues and restaurants
• Onsite AV support and video conferencing at the convention center and Gaillard Center
• Hotel and room-block coordination near downtown and the convention campus
Climate and Best Time for Events
• Spring (March-June): 58-72°F. Charleston's best season, with azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, ideal for outdoor receptions and garden venues.
• Summer (June-August): 78-82°F. Warm, sultry days with coastal breezes and afternoon thunderstorms, best for indoor programs with evening events.
• Autumn (September-November): 58-76°F. Bright sunshine and crisp evenings, excellent for conferences and outdoor networking.
• Winter (December-February): 47-52°F. Mild and cool, well-suited to indoor meetings and holiday gatherings.
Conclusion: Charleston as an Event Destination
Charleston gives planners a rare combination: a walkable historic downtown, a purpose-built convention campus, reliable air access through Charleston International Airport, and a culinary and cultural scene attendees genuinely enjoy. Its hotels and venues cover large conventions and intimate gatherings alike.
With flexible event space in Charleston and a setting that feels like a destination in its own right, the city makes it easy to deliver a meeting that works and lands with attendees.
Weather and Seasonality
SPRING
Average temperatures: 58° F (14.4° C) to 72° F (22.2° C)
Spring is the Charleston area's most spectacular time of the year. From early March into early June, enjoy the vibrant colors of azaleas, dogwoods and other flowers in bloom.
SUMMER
Average temperatures: 78° F (25.6° C) to 82° F (27.8° C)
The Charleston region's warm, sultry summers are punctuated by cooling coastal breezes and passing afternoon thunderstorms - all of which invite visitors to slow down, sip something refreshing and relax for a while.
AUTUMN
Average temperatures: 58° F (14.4° C) to 76° F (24.4° C)
Autumn in the Charleston region brings with it days of bright sunshine, clear blue skies, golden marshes and perfectly crisp evenings.
WINTER
Average temperatures: 47° F (8.3° C) to 52° F (11.1° C)
Typically mild, winters in the Charleston region are cool with periods of rain and the chance of snow flurries come late December or early January.
Average temperatures: 58° F (14.4° C) to 72° F (22.2° C)
Spring is the Charleston area's most spectacular time of the year. From early March into early June, enjoy the vibrant colors of azaleas, dogwoods and other flowers in bloom.
SUMMER
Average temperatures: 78° F (25.6° C) to 82° F (27.8° C)
The Charleston region's warm, sultry summers are punctuated by cooling coastal breezes and passing afternoon thunderstorms - all of which invite visitors to slow down, sip something refreshing and relax for a while.
AUTUMN
Average temperatures: 58° F (14.4° C) to 76° F (24.4° C)
Autumn in the Charleston region brings with it days of bright sunshine, clear blue skies, golden marshes and perfectly crisp evenings.
WINTER
Average temperatures: 47° F (8.3° C) to 52° F (11.1° C)
Typically mild, winters in the Charleston region are cool with periods of rain and the chance of snow flurries come late December or early January.
| Month | High/Low °F | Seasonality |
|---|---|---|
| January | 58°/38° | Low |
| February | 61°/40° | Medium |
| March | 69°/48° | High |
| April | 75°/54° | High |
| May | 82°/62° | High |
| June | 87°/69° | High |
| July | 90°/72° | Medium |
| August | 89°/72° | Low |
| September | 84°/67° | Medium |
| October | 77°/56° | High |
| November | 69°/47° | Medium |
| December | 61°/40° | Low |
