November is a great time to visit Charleston, SC! Enjoy autumn leaves and cooler temperatures while you explore the Holy City and its beaches. From shopping to outdoor activities, history tours, and delicious dining, there is something for everyone. Here are the best things to do in Charleston in November!
Fun Things to Do in Charleston, SC in November
1. Shopping in Charleston
Whether you’re shopping for the holiday season or want a souvenir to take home, there are many great places to shop in the city!
The historic district of King Street is one of the most popular shopping spots in the city. Here, you’ll find a variety of shops, from high-end specialty shops to locally-owned boutiques.
Here are some of the different shops you will find on King Street:
- Jewelry stores
- Apparel and accessory boutiques
- Specialty food stores
- Home goods
- Fine art and antiques
Pro tip: King Street is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city! Make a reservation at one of these delicious brunch spots to eat before or after your shopping spree!
If you want to shop for handmade goods from local vendors, you will also want to check out the Charleston Farmers Market and Charleston City Market.
The Charleston Farmers Market is an outdoor market made up of local artisans, farmers, and food trucks. They set up at Marion Square in Downtown Charleston every Saturday morning.
Here, you will find all kinds of goods, from local produce and food vendors to handmade jewelry, art, soaps, and more. They even have a holiday market in December!
There’s also the historic Charleston City Market, another vendor-style local market made up of over 300 makers. This is the most visited attraction in Charleston!
Charleston City Market is open daily. Stroll through to meet the makers and find a souvenir to bring back home.
2. Live Music, Arts and Entertainment in Charleston in November
Don’t forget about all the live entertainment during the winter months!
The Charleston Music Hall is a beautiful place that hosts popular bands, TEDX talks, comedians like Brian Regan and Nikki Glaser, and a host of other live performances!
Check out their website here for all the fun things coming up this year!
3. Explore the Great Outdoors around Charleston
Charleston’s mild weather in November makes this the perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors!
The best way to enjoy outdoor activities in Charleston is by going to a public park. Most public parks in Charleston are low-cost or even free to visit.
If you want to spend time outdoors doing an activity like hiking, fishing, or paddling, check out James Island County Park or Johns Island County Park. These are spacious parks that offer all kinds of recreational activities.
Another popular spot is White Point Garden in the downtown area.
- Pro tip: if you love the outdoors, you can even go camping at one of these parks! Check out this blog post for 7 of the best camping sites in Charleston, SC.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors while still being close to shops and restaurants, check out the pier, Charleston harbor, and playground at Charleston’s Memorial Waterfront Park.
And of course, you can always visit the beach! Bundle up for a long walk at one of these popular Charleston beaches:
- Isle of Palms
- Sullivan’s Island
- Kiawah Island
For more information about Charleston-area beaches, check out this blog post.
4. Learn More About Charleston’s History
Charleston is a great place for the history buffs in your group! The rich history and Southern charm of Charleston can be felt everywhere you go in the city!
One of the best ways to explore the city is by taking a self-guided tour of the French Quarter neighborhood. Here are some things you’ll see as you walk along the cobblestone streets:
- Historic homes, including antebellum homes dating back to the American Revolution
- The Doc Street Theatre, a historic theatre on the National Register of Historic Places
- The city market and Confederate Museum
- Gibbes Museum of Art
- Middleton Place
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
And if you’d rather take a guided walking tour, there are plenty of options for guided walking tours in Charleston.
This is also a great time to visit some of the city’shistoric sites without large crowds.
From the civil war era Magnolia Plantation and Gardens to the Charleston Tea Plantation and the national historic landmark Fort Sumter National Monument, you could make a whole day out of learning about Charleston’s history.
5. Dining in Charleston
It isn’t a trip to Charleston without checking out the dining scene and trying some of the award-winning restaurants!
With a rich culinary heritage, Charleston has become one of the most sought-after destinations for foodies from around the world. From fresh seafood to upscale Lowcountry cuisine, the city has something for everyone.
In this blog post, I look at some of the best restaurants in Charleston, SC.
And if you can’t decide on just one place, you can book a tour with Charleston Culinary Tours for a taste of some of the best places to eat in the city! The 2.5-hour tour is a great way to try local food from multiple restaurants.
6. Visit out Charleston’s Museums and Attend Educational Programs
Some of the best attractions in Charleston are the museums and education-focused events. You’ll find fun things for both you and the kids to see!
Charleston Museum
The Charleston Museum is the United States’ oldest museum! Founded in 1773, you’ll find these permanent exhibits:
- Becoming Americans: Charleston in the Revolution
- Bunting Natural History Gallery
- Lowcountry History Hall
- The Armory
- City Under Siege: Charleston in the Civil War
- Early Days
- Kidstory
- Historic Textiles
- Charleston Silver
Check out their exhibitions page to learn more about the current, upcoming, and the above mentioned permanent exhibitions!
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Located in Mt. Pleasant, this maritime museum has some of the most unique attractions in the Charleston area. With an admission ticket, you’ll get to:
- explore two US Navy ships – USS Yorktown and USS Laffey
- visit The Vietnam Experience Exhibit
- and the tour Medal of Honor Museum and Cold War Memorial
South Carolina Aquarium
If you want to see 5,000 different animals, the South Carolina Aquarium is a must-visit spot. From Loggerhead sea turtles to alligators and river otters, this aquarium doesn’t disappoint!
7. Special Events in November around Charleston
Along with all of the attractions and entertainment we looked at here, Charleston has some fun events and holiday happenings in November.
Here are just some events happening in November 2023:
- November 4: Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park
- November 10: YallFest, annual young adults literature book festival
- November 16-19: Rockabillaque, annual car show in Park Circle, North Charleston
- November 23: Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Holiday Festival of Lights: Kids can visit with Santa Claus from November to December at James Island County Park
For more events, check out this website.
Table of Best Things to do in Charleston in November
| Activity Type | Activity Details | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping | Historic King Street, Charleston Farmers Market, Charleston City Market | Variety of goods from local produce to handmade jewelry, art, soaps, and more |
| Live Entertainment | Charleston Music Hall | Hosts popular bands, TEDX talks, comedians, and other live performances |
| Outdoor Activities | Public parks, Beaches (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah Island), Camping | Parks include James Island County Park, Johns Island County Park, and White Point Garden |
| Historical Tours | Self-guided tour of the French Quarter neighborhood, Visit historic sites like Magnolia Plantation, Gardens, Charleston Tea Plantation, Fort Sumter National Monument | Guided walking tours are also available |
| Dining | Explore Charleston’s award-winning restaurants, Book a tour with Charleston Culinary Tours | A variety of options from fresh seafood to upscale Lowcountry cuisine |
| Museums | The Charleston Museum, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, South Carolina Aquarium | Some of the museums have education-focused events and programs |
| Special Events in November | Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park, YallFest, Rockabillaque, Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K, Holiday Festival of Lights | Various events and festivals happening throughout November |
Why Visit Charleston, SC in November?
You might think of Charleston as a beach town, but it is so much more than that! It is a city full of history, charm, and natural beauty.
If you’re planning a trip to Charleston, here are a few things to know before you go:
Fall and winter are good seasons to visit Charleston if you want to avoid large crowds. And, the average temperature in Charleston, SC in November is 67 degrees!
That makes November the perfect time to visit Charleston for holiday shopping, exploring the outdoorings, and enjoying all of the attractions, entertainment, and more.
Conclusion to Things to Do in Charleston in November
In short, you can see there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy fall in the holy city! From holiday shopping to fun attractions and history tours, there is something for everyone. Enjoy your fall vacation in Charleston, SC!
