United States, North America

Charleston in July

Beach season at full tilt. Plan walking tours for early morning.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 91F (33C), daily storms

A courtyard on Rainbow Row, Charleston — CharlestonPhoto: John Hoey from Framingham, MA, United States, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

July is a month of real tradeoffs in Charleston. Beach season at full tilt. Plan walking tours for early morning.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 91F (33C), daily storms
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What July is like in Charleston

July is beach season at full tilt. Highs are near 91F (33C), the humidity is heavy and storms roll in most afternoons. The beaches are busy, especially on weekends, and prices stay fairly high. Horse-drawn carriage tours pause when it gets too hot, and walking the city at midday is draining.

It suits families on summer break who plan around the beach and early-morning sightseeing. If you mainly want the historic city and gardens, choose April, October or early November instead, when walking is a pleasure. Book beach rentals and hotels early for summer weekends.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Charleston this month.

Full beach season

The water is warm and the beach towns are lively. Go on a weekday to skip the weekend crowds.

Early-morning walking tours

The historic district is at its best just after sunrise, before the heat builds.

Fort Sumter by ferry

The boat ride across the harbor catches a breeze on hot days. Book the first ferry.

What to pack for July

The lightest clothes you own
Swimsuit and a beach towel
High SPF sunscreen and a hat
A compact umbrella for afternoon storms

Our timing tip

Plan walking tours for early morning and head to the beach or a museum by late morning.

Book Charleston for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Charleston
Opens a hotel search for Charleston in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Charleston
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Charleston
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Charleston for July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Charleston

Full guide

Fort Sumter

Reach it only by the official ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point. Book ahead in spring.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The historic district, Battery, and Rainbow Row

Walk early in the morning in summer. The side streets south of Broad are the quietest.

Tickets and tours →

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

One of the oldest public gardens in the US. Azaleas peak in late March and April.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Drayton Hall

A rare unrestored 18th century plantation house, with strong interpretation of the enslaved community.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Patriots Point

The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and a Fort Sumter ferry stop in Mount Pleasant. Great with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Middleton Place

Formal terraced gardens along the Ashley River, with a working stableyard. Best in spring.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit Fort Sumter on the first ferry of the day, and do the historic district walk before 10am.
Stay in North Central or on the upper peninsula instead of the South of Broad core. Rates are lower and you are a short ride away.
Book Wine + Food and Spoleto hotels months ahead; a weekday trip between the two in April offers the same blooms with lighter crowds.
Weekdays at the beaches are dramatically calmer than weekends in summer.

Know before you go

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking from mid August into October. Named storms can close attractions and trigger evacuations.
Many plantation and garden sites have limited hours on major holidays; check before Thanksgiving and Christmas visits.
King tides and heavy rain can flood low-lying downtown streets for hours. Check local alerts during storms.
Beach lifeguard coverage and some beach-town businesses reduce hours outside the summer season.