A Summer Guide to Charleston

Summer mornings are a wonderful time to discover Charleston on foot.

Step outside Fulton Lane Inn and King Street is just moments away. From there, wander toward the Charleston City Market, continue through the historic district toward Rainbow Row, or make your way to Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain.

Starting earlier in the day gives you plenty of time to explore before deciding where the afternoon will take you.

Browse a gallery. Stop for an iced coffee. Wander down a street you haven’t explored before. Or find a shady spot beneath the live oaks and simply enjoy being outside for a while.

Many of Charleston’s shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, parks, and historic landmarks are within a short walk of Fulton Lane Inn.

Explore Charleston Within a 15-Minute Walk

Few things feel more like a Charleston summer than a day near the ocean.

Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms each offer their own version of the Lowcountry coast and make a popular day trip from downtown Charleston.

Spend the morning walking along the shore, settle in for a few hours by the water, or explore the restaurants and communities surrounding the beaches before making your way back downtown.

However you choose to spend the day, sunscreen, water, and a little time to slow down are always good additions to the plan.

Charleston’s waterways offer another way to experience the city during summer.

Take a harbor cruise or sailing excursion for views of the Charleston skyline, Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge, and the surrounding waterways. Charleston Harbor Tours offers several ways to explore, including sailing excursions aboard the Schooner Pride.

For something more active, Coastal Expeditions offers kayaking and other opportunities to experience the Lowcountry from the water.

Keep an eye out for dolphins along the way.

Whether you’re sailing across the harbor or paddling through a tidal creek, getting on the water offers an entirely different perspective on Charleston.

When the summer afternoon heats up, Charleston offers plenty of reasons to head indoors.

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium along Charleston Harbor, explore centuries of Lowcountry history at The Charleston Museum, or spend some time discovering the city’s galleries.

Historic homes offer another opportunity to step inside Charleston’s past. The Nathaniel Russell House, Aiken-Rhett House, and other historic properties throughout downtown provide a closer look at the architecture, people, and stories that shaped the city.

Or simply follow King Street until a shop, gallery, or café gives you a reason to step inside.

There’s no rule that says you have to spend every minute of a Charleston summer in the sunshine.

Charleston gives you plenty of reasons to plan your day around your next meal.

Summer brings fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, cold cocktails, leisurely brunches, and evenings that seem made for gathering around a table.

From Fulton Lane Inn, restaurants ranging from casual neighborhood favorites to some of Charleston’s most celebrated dining rooms are within walking distance. Start with brunch, stop somewhere for a cool drink in the afternoon, or make dinner the centerpiece of your evening.

For a special night out, Circa 1886 Restaurant offers a fine dining experience inside the historic carriage house of Wentworth Mansion®, our sister hotel.

With so much nearby, you can decide what sounds good when the moment arrives.

Some of Charleston’s best summer experiences begin after the hottest part of the day has passed.

Catch a Charleston RiverDogs baseball game beside the Ashley River, take an evening sail through Charleston Harbor with Charleston Harbor Tours, see a performance, or simply walk toward the waterfront as the day begins to cool.

You don’t necessarily need tickets or an itinerary, either. A late dinner, an evening stroll through the historic district, or a quiet walk back from King Street can be just as memorable. Summer days may be long, but there’s no reason to fill every minute.

Summer brings concerts, sporting events, cultural celebrations, performances, and other seasonal happenings throughout Charleston.

The calendar changes from year to year, so our Summer Events Guide is updated with current events and details to help you decide what’s happening during your visit.

Explore Our Summer Events Guide

After a summer day spent exploring Charleston, Fulton Lane Inn offers somewhere quiet to slow down.

Begin the morning with complimentary Continental breakfast delivered to your room before heading out into the city. Spend the day shopping, sightseeing, visiting the beach, or getting out on the water, then return to the Inn when you’re ready for a break.

In the afternoon, join us next door at Kings Courtyard Inn for wine and hors d’oeuvres before heading out for dinner or an evening on King Street.

Then retreat to Fulton Lane Inn and settle in.

Sometimes the best part of a busy Charleston day is knowing you have somewhere peaceful waiting for you.