Month guide · Charleston · United States
Charleston in September
What September is really like in Charleston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
September is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Still hot and the peak of hurricane season, but quieter and cheaper; check forecasts before booking.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Charleston: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 30 days. Compared with August (32°C (90°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 07:03
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:26
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°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, September rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in September
- MOJA Arts Festival — African American and Caribbean arts (usually late September to early October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · French Quarter and Market area
Charleston City Market
Buy sweetgrass baskets directly from the weavers, who often make them on the spot and can tell you how long each one took.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Rainy day
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Historic site · South of Broad
Nathaniel Russell House
Completed in 1808 for a Rhode Island-born merchant, this Federal-style house on Meeting Street is known for its free-flying spiral staircase that climbs three floors without visible support.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Upper King
Aiken-Rhett House
Spend time in the kitchen and slave quarters at the back; the self-guided audio tour is strongest there.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · French Quarter and Market area
Old Slave Mart Museum
This building on cobbled Chalmers Street was part of Ryan's Mart, where enslaved people were auctioned in the late 1850s after public sales were banned from the street.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Charleston.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 20°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Charleston?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Charleston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Charleston?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Still hot and the peak of hurricane season, but quieter and cheaper; check forecasts before booking.
+How warm is Charleston in September?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Charleston in September?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.