Month guide · Charleston · United States
Charleston in October
What October is really like in Charleston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Charleston. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. Humidity breaks and the sea is still warm; one of the best months, popular for weddings and festivals.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 7th-warmest month in Charleston: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with September (29°C (84°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:23
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:47
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Sea
- 23°C (73°F)
Autumn (September–November). September carries hurricane risk, then October and November bring lower humidity, warm water and oyster season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Fall Tours of Homes — evening house and garden tours (usually autumn)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · Ashley River Road
Middleton Place
About 25 km northwest of downtown, Middleton Place has formal terraced gardens laid out from the 1740s, with butterfly-shaped lakes stepping down to the Ashley River.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Garden · Ashley River Road
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Take the nature train or boat tour around the former rice fields to see wading birds and alligators.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Historic site · Sullivan's Island
Fort Moultrie
Part of the same national historical park as Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island repelled a British fleet in 1776 from a palmetto-log fort — the origin of the palmetto on the state flag.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Street · South of Broad
Rainbow Row
Photograph from the opposite side of East Bay Street in the morning, when the sun lights the façades and traffic is light.
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
The sea averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Charleston.
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 14°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Charleston?
One of the best months to visit Charleston, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are March–May and November. Compare every month.
Charleston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Charleston?
It is one of the best months to visit Charleston. Humidity breaks and the sea is still warm; one of the best months, popular for weddings and festivals.
+How warm is Charleston in October?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Charleston in October?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.