Charleston, South Carolina

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FIRST

Beyond the agenda. Your curated guide to Charleston — hand-picked for the Xweather First community.

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Charleston is one of America's most storied cities — where Lowcountry cuisine, maritime history, and coastal energy meet. Make the most of your time here.

Event

Xweather First 2026

Dates

4–5 November 2026

Location

Charleston, SC

Xweather team picks

Recommended by the team

Personal favorites from the people who know Charleston best.

Rebecca

Xweather team · In Charleston since 2023

Harbour tour

Charleston Harbor Tours

"Take in the harbor with a glass of champagne at sunset and watch the dolphins play!"

David

Xweather team · In Charleston since 2007

Cocktail bar

Citrus Club

"A viewpoint to the Holy City, amazing cocktails, and the best people watching in Charleston."

Dan

Xweather team · In Charleston since 2009

Restaurant

Kultura Charleston

"Delicious food, vibrant flavours, and an unusual menu — with the coolest vibes in the room."

Our picks for you

All

Coffee & breakfast

Restaurants & bars

Outdoor

Culture

Golf & sailing

Coffee & breakfast

Coffee

Bad Bunnies

The city's most beloved independent café. The owner personally welcomes every guest — exceptional coffee in a warm, unhurried space.

Downtown

Coffee & food

Island Provisions

House-made syrups, excellent bagels, and a laptop-friendly vibe. The Boss Bagel with hot honey is a crowd favourite.

Downtown

Café

Baba on Cannon

A neighbourhood favourite on Cannon Street — great coffee, relaxed atmosphere, and the kind of place you'll want to linger over breakfast.

Cannon St

Italian café

Sorelle Mercato

Italian-inspired café and market. Superb espresso, pastries, and provisions — the kind of morning stop that sets the tone for the whole day.

Downtown

Coffee & brunch

Harken Café

A bright, welcoming spot for coffee and a proper brunch. Known for thoughtful sourcing and a menu that goes well beyond the basics.

Downtown

Coffee

Second State

Specialty coffee in a stripped-back, focused setting. No distractions — just very well-made coffee from people who care about the craft.

Downtown

All-day café

Miller's All Day

Beloved all-day café on King Street. Breakfast biscuits, strong coffee, and a lively room — the kind of place that feels like Charleston at its most itself.

King St

Restaurants & bars

Dining & inn

Post House Inn

Set in the Old Village — the neighbourhood featured in The Notebook. A short drive from downtown but worth every mile for the food and atmosphere.

Old Village, Mt Pleasant

Michelin

Vern's

Get there early — our new Michelin standout fills up fast. One of the most exciting restaurants to open in Charleston in years. Don't sleep on this one.

Downtown

Seafood

Chubby Fish

Bring your book and a folding chair for the line — it's worth the wait. Wildly creative seafood and one of the most talked-about kitchens in the city.

Downtown

Oyster bar

167 Raw

No reservations — head across the road to Bin 152 for a glass of wine while you wait. Worth every minute for the freshest raw bar in Charleston.

King St

Seafood

Hank's Seafood

The first-ever seafood restaurant in Charleston — and still one of the finest. Classic preparations, impeccable sourcing, and an atmosphere that feels timeless.

Queen St

Steakhouse & seafood

Marbled & Fin

The best salmon you will have — full stop. A polished steakhouse and seafood concept that consistently outperforms its own reputation.

Downtown

Steakhouse

Oak Steakhouse

A Charleston classic housed in a stunning 1800s banking hall. Exceptional dry-aged beef, an extraordinary wine list, and service that never misses a beat.

Broad St

Steakhouse

Hall's Chophouse

A Southern classic in every sense. The Hall family greets every guest at the door — prime steaks, live gospel on Sundays, and a room that buzzes with energy.

King St

Italian coastal

The Obstinate Daughter

Handmade pasta to die for — and worth the coastal drive out to Sullivan's Island. One of the most distinctive dining experiences near Charleston.

Sullivan's Island

Beach bar

Chico Feo

Relaxed beach vibes, good music, cold drinks, and an anything-goes atmosphere on Folly Beach. The perfect antidote to a long day of sessions.

Folly Beach

Cocktail bar

Last Saint

Walk through the red door. A no-menu speakeasy where the bartenders craft your drink from a conversation. Cult favourite for a reason.

Meeting St

Outdoor & adventure

Kayak & wildlife

Charleston Outdoor Adventures

Kayak tours, dolphin sightings, oyster farm visits, and shark tooth hunting on Morris Island. The top-rated outdoor experience in the Lowcountry.

Folly Beach★ 5.0

Sailing

Charleston Sailing Adventures

Sunset sails from the downtown waterfront with dolphins, harbour views, and an expert crew. Consistently rated Charleston's top sailing charter.

Wharfside St★ 5.0

Golf

Dunes West Golf & River Club

One of the standout public courses near Charleston — beautifully maintained with exceptional greens and a Lowcountry backdrop.

Mt Pleasant★ 4.5

Culture & sightseeing

Art museum

Gibbes Museum of Art

Charleston's premier art museum — a stunning building with a strong permanent collection and rotating shows. Free Wednesday evenings 5–8pm.

Meeting St★ 4.7

Museum

International African American Museum

One of the most powerful museum experiences in the country. A landmark institution on Gullah Geechee heritage and Black American resilience.

Wharfside St★ 4.8

Museum

The Charleston Museum

America's first museum, founded in 1773. Natural history, local heritage, and artefacts that span the full sweep of Charleston's extraordinary past.

Meeting St★ 4.6

Historic house

Aiken-Rhett House

The most intact antebellum townhouse in America — preserved largely as it was in 1858, including the original outbuildings. Haunting and essential.

Elizabeth St★ 4.7

Historic house

Nathaniel Russell House

One of the finest Federal-style houses in America, famous for its free-flying spiral staircase. Beautifully restored interiors and exceptional gardens.

Meeting St★ 4.7

Gardens & plantation

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

America's oldest public garden, open since 1676. Impossibly beautiful in autumn — azaleas, cypress swamps, and alligators around every corner. Allow a full morning.

Ashley River Rd★ 4.7

Make the most of it

Weekend schedule

A suggested itinerary for the days around Xweather First — mix and match to suit your pace.

Day 1

Friday

7:30am

Coffee

Bad Bunnies

Start the day at Charleston's most beloved independent café. The owner personally welcomes every guest.

9:00am

Culture

Walk the Battery & Rainbow Row

Stroll the seafront promenade and the famous row of pastel antebellum houses before the crowds arrive.

12:00pm

Lunch

167 Raw

No reservations — head to Bin 152 across the road for a glass of wine while you wait. Worth every minute.

2:30pm

Culture

International African American Museum

One of the most powerful museum experiences in the country. Allow 2–3 hours.

7:00pm

Dinner

Vern's

Get there early — our Michelin standout fills up fast. One of the most exciting restaurants in Charleston right now.

9:30pm

Drinks

Last Saint

End the evening at the red door speakeasy. No menu — just tell them what you're in the mood for.

Day 2

Saturday

7:00am

Coffee

Sorelle Mercato

Italian-inspired café and market — superb espresso and pastries. The kind of morning stop that sets the tone.

8:00am

Outdoor

Charleston Outdoor Adventures

Early morning kayak tour — dolphins are most active at dawn. Book ahead, this fills up.

1:00pm

Lunch

Hank's Seafood

Charleston's first-ever seafood restaurant — classic preparations, impeccable sourcing, and an atmosphere that feels timeless.

3:00pm

Culture

Gibbes Museum of Art

Charleston's premier art collection — stunning building with rotating exhibitions.

5:00pm

Sailing

Charleston Harbor Tours — sunset cruise

Take in the harbor with a glass of champagne at sunset and watch the dolphins play.

8:00pm

Dinner

Oak Steakhouse

A Charleston classic in a stunning 1800s banking hall. Exceptional dry-aged beef and a wine list to match.

Day 3

Sunday

7:00am

Coffee

Harken Café

A bright, welcoming spot for coffee and a proper brunch — thoughtful sourcing and a menu that goes well beyond the basics.

9:00am

Golf

Dunes West Golf & River Club

One of Charleston's best public courses — book a morning round before it fills up.

12:30pm

History

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

America's oldest public garden — impossibly beautiful in autumn with cypress swamps and alligators. Allow a full morning.

3:30pm

Late lunch

The Obstinate Daughter

Worth the coastal drive to Sullivan's Island — handmade pasta to die for and one of the most distinctive dining experiences near Charleston.

6:00pm

Walk

Sullivan's Island beach walk

Long stretches of undeveloped beach — the perfect end to a weekend. Fort Moultrie is worth a stop on the way back.

8:30pm

Farewell drink

Miller's All Day

End the weekend at this beloved King Street institution — lively room, great cocktails, and a proper Charleston send-off.

First time in Charleston?

Things worth knowing

A few things that surprise most first-time visitors — and a couple the guidebooks won't tell you.

Order the she-crab soup

It's Charleston's signature dish — a rich, creamy bisque made with blue crab and a splash of sherry. Every restaurant has a version. High Cotton's is exceptional.

Walk the Battery at dawn

The seafront promenade and Rainbow Row are gorgeous any time, but at dawn the light is incredible and you'll have it almost entirely to yourself — a very different city from the tourist-filled afternoon.

The city smells like pluff mud — and that's a good sign

The low-tide scent from the Lowcountry marshes is distinctly Charleston. Locals call it pluff mud and consider it the smell of home. If you catch a whiff near the waterfront, you're doing it right.

The grid doesn't make sense — and that's fine

Charleston's streets pre-date American city planning. They curve, dead-end, and change names mid-block. Don't fight it — use Google Maps for anywhere outside the immediate historic core.

Sweetgrass baskets are worth buying

Gullah Geechee artisans have been weaving sweetgrass baskets in Charleston for over 300 years. You'll see them sold on Market Street. They're not cheap — and they shouldn't be. Each one takes days to make.

It's called the Holy City — not for the reasons you'd think

Charleston earned the nickname for its skyline of church steeples, not for any particular piety. There are over 400 churches in the city. At certain angles, the steeples are all you can see.

Get out of the city

Weekend drives

Charleston's best kept secret is what surrounds it. These are worth the drive.

20 min · Beach & bars

Folly Beach

Charleston's most laid-back beach town. Surf shops, seafood shacks, and Chico Feo's beach bar energy. The drive down Folly Road past the marshes is half the appeal. Go for sunset.

↗ Directions from venue 30 min · Historic village

Sullivan's Island

A quieter, more refined island escape. Home to The Obstinate Daughter, Fort Moultrie, and long stretches of undeveloped beach. Edgar Allan Poe was once stationed here — the island inspired The Gold-Bug.

↗ Directions from venue 20 min · Old Village charm

Mount Pleasant & the Old Village

Cross the Ravenel Bridge for sweeping harbour views, then wind down to the Old Village — the neighbourhood featured in The Notebook. Post House Inn is here. Sleepy, beautiful, and completely un-touristy.

↗ Directions from venue 25 min · Gardens & history

Ashley River Road

One of America's most scenic drives, lined with ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall all sit along this stretch. Allow a full morning.

↗ Directions from venue 45 min · Gullah Geechee culture

Edisto Island

One of the least developed sea islands on the East Coast. Gullah Geechee heritage, ancient live oak forests, and a beach that feels like it's from another era. Stop at the Edisto Island Serpentarium if you dare.

↗ Directions from venue 1 hr · Lowcountry escape

Beaufort & the Sea Islands

A perfectly preserved antebellum town an hour south. Stunning waterfront, excellent restaurants, and a gateway to St Helena Island and the heart of Gullah country. The drive through the sea islands is extraordinary.

↗ Directions from venue

Know the city

Neighbourhoods at a glance

Charleston's historic peninsula is compact and walkable — here's where everything is.

Fine dining & history

French Quarter & East Bay

Flanking the waterfront, this is where you'll find Hank's Seafood, Oak Steakhouse, and the Old Exchange. The Rainbow Row houses are here too. A 10-minute walk from the event venue.

↗ Directions from venue Bars, restaurants & shopping

King Street

Charleston's main strip. Independent boutiques, cocktail bars, and some of the city's best restaurants. Hall's Chophouse, 167 Raw, and most nightlife are here. Easy walk from downtown hotels.

↗ Directions from venue Downtown / historic district

Historic District

The heart of Charleston. Cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and most of the cultural sights. The event venue at 21 Magazine St is here. Almost everything is walkable from a downtown hotel.

↗ View on map Outdoor & on the water

The Waterfront & Folly Beach

Sailing charters depart from Lockwood Dr and Wharfside St on the western waterfront. Folly Beach — where kayak and wildlife tours launch — is about 20 minutes south by car.

↗ Directions from venue

Event week forecast

November in Charleston is mild and pleasant. Expect temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s°F, low rain probability, and light winds — ideal for outdoor activities.

Mon 2 Nov

65°F

48°F

Mostly sunny

Tue 3 Nov

63°F

50°F

Partly cloudy

Event day 1

Wed 4 Nov

64°F

49°F

Sunny

Event day 2

Thu 5 Nov

62°F

47°F

Sunny

Fri 6 Nov

60°F

46°F

Partly cloudy

Figures are historical November averages. Live forecasts powered by Xweather will update closer to the event.

Pack smart

Daytime

Light layers

November days sit in the low-to-mid 60s°F (17–18°C). A light jacket over business casual is ideal — warm enough to walk between venues comfortably.

Evenings

Bring a jacket

Temperatures drop to the mid-40s°F (7–9°C) after dark, especially near the water. A warm layer is essential for sunset sailing or outdoor dining.

On the water

Wind-proof layer

The harbour can be breezy even on clear days. Bring a wind-proof outer layer if you're sailing or kayaking, regardless of how warm it looks onshore.

Practical info

Getting here & getting around

Everything you need to navigate Charleston before, during, and after the event.

Event venue

Address

21 Magazine Street, Charleston, South Carolina

Directions

Open in Google Maps →

Neighbourhood

Located in the heart of the Historic District, within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels and restaurants.

From the airport

Charleston Airport (CHS)

About 12 miles / 20–30 mins from downtown depending on traffic.

Rideshare (recommended)

Uber and Lyft are both available at CHS. Expect $25–35 to downtown. Pick-up is at the ground transportation area outside baggage claim.

Taxi

Taxis are available curbside — slightly more expensive than rideshare, typically $35–45 to downtown.

Getting around downtown

On foot

The Historic District is very walkable. Most restaurants, bars, and sights on this guide are within a 15-minute walk of the venue.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft work well throughout Charleston. Most downtown trips are $8–15. Surge pricing applies Friday/Saturday evenings.

Parking

Street parking is metered and limited. The closest garages are the Visitor Center Garage (382 Meeting St) and the Cumberland Garage (Cumberland St).

Good to know

Tipping

Standard US tipping applies — 18–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars. Rideshare tipping is optional but appreciated.

Reservations

Book Magnolias and High Cotton in advance via OpenTable or Resy — these fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Time zone

Charleston is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) — UTC−5 in November (EST).

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Charleston, SC

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