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The United States has so many cities that attract solo female travelers. One of the most popular Southern cities is Charleston, South Carolina. This past summer, I hit the open road with my dog and traveled to this historical gem. In this post, I will share with you how solo-friendly I found the city to be as well as things to do by yourself. Also, in this post, I narrow it down to 9 things to do alone in Charleston, SC!
Before I get into all the fun things there are to do in Charleston alone, I wanted to talk about the weather! If you are visiting in the summer, then be prepared to sweat! Charleston is HOT, HOT HOT! It is hotter than you might be used to if you aren’t someone who has experienced an East Coast humid summer.
If I were to visit Charleston again, I would aim to visit in the fall or spring. The milder temperatures are more enjoyable for me as I loved strolling around this sophisticated historic gem that is Charleston, SC! It is also on my list of US winter destinations.
Best 9 Things To Do Alone in Charleston SC
When I travel alone, I am concerned with a few things such as SAFETY, GREAT FOOD, and ACCESSIBILITY. As a solo female traveler, those top three are my qualifying factors when choosing a destination. With all three in mind, I booked a trip to Charleston! Some of the best things to do alone in Charleston, SC are as follows:
Walking Tours
When you visit Charleston, you visit a historical landmark. I couldn’t believe all the beauty that was surrounding me from King Street to the French Quarter. There is an incredible amount of history to experience on your trip. The best way to get bang for your buck is by booking a walking tour of Charleston.
This highly rated 2-hour walking tour will take you through the intriguing history of Charleston. Learn everything from the seven major fires, meanings of the ancient symbols on the tombstones, sieges, and bombardments to the major earthquake that struck the city.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour
I found that some of the best things to do alone in Charleston, SC involved a group tour. My favorite part of being a solo female traveler is having the freedom to do things on my own schedule. But, it can get a little lonely to have no one to talk to all day. So if you visit Charleston alone, join a tour or two!
This Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour is the perfect way to learn all about Charleston and possibly make a friend along the way. The tour is only 1 hour and highlights the city’s mansions, churches, and gardens.
Best Car Rental Company in Charleston
90 Minute Supernatural Walking Tour
Some people visit Charleston, South Carolina, purely for the city’s dark history. If you are a solo female traveler with a spooky side, I highly recommend you check out this 90-minute supernatural walking tour. It is one of the best things to do alone in Charleston, SC, without actually being alone.
Visit the Old Citadel and College of Charleston and be prepared to be spooked with stories of ghosts and paranormal activity!
Charleston: Tour Pass with 40+ Attractions
Speakeasy Prohibition Cocktail Tour
If you are traveling solo, it isn’t always the greatest idea to drink alone, so I would highly recommend a group tour. Visit some of the best bars in Charleston on this 2-hour cocktail tour! The price of admission to this tour includes 4 cocktails.
Learn all about prohibition in South Carolina and some of the lesser-known people that made names for themselves during this time in American history.
City Market
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One of the best things to do alone in Charleston, SC is visiting the city market! Plan to spend at least a few hours exploring what this market has to offer. Support the local vendors of this historic market located in the French Quarter!
The city market is within walking distance from King Street in Charleston’s French Quarter. It opens daily at 9:30 am and closes at 5 pm. Come hungry and ready to marvel at the crafts of these local vendors.
Try The Local Seafood
South Carolina has some of America’s best seafood! I would highly recommend a couple of places to try some clams and oysters.
Charleston is well known as a foodie town, so it is very wise to arrange for a reservation. I visited 167 Raw, located on King Street, and I can’t say enough good things about my experience.
It was busy my entire time there, so getting a reservation is key. I prefer to sit at the bar when I am traveling. It makes it feel more of a social experience.
Also highly recommend as one of the best things to do alone in Charleston, SC is checking out Leon’s. Leon’s is located outside the French Quarter and is not necessarily within walking distance from downtown Charleston.
Leon’s is a 30-minute walk or 9-minute taxi ride away from King Street. It is one of South Carolina’s finest, so if you have the time, I would highly recommend it.
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
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If you are looking for a little break from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, make your way down to the Waterfront Park & Pier. Here you can enjoy the beautiful foundations and gardens along the waterfront.
Bring a book or your camera and just let yourself enjoy the sites of this historical city. You will find some of Charleston’s most beautiful homes along the perimeter of this park.
I arrived at this park in the early morning and took pictures at the famous Pineapple Fountain. It was fairly empty at 7 am, making it easy for me to set up my tripod and snap a few photos. Looking for the best camera gear for your solo trip? Here are my essentials for every solo female traveler.
Stay Solo In a Historic Hotel
When I travel solo, I like to stay central and in style. I feel like paying just a little bit more to be in accommodations that truly make you happy can go a long way. Sure some people would argue that when traveling, the point is to stay out of the room as much as possible. So then why stay at an expensive place? I don’t disagree with that, but if you have the means, I would encourage you just to spend it on the hotel.
In all my years traveling, the nicer the place I stayed, the fonder the memory I had of the city. When I stayed in cheap and not-so-nice places, it was cheaper the whole experience. In Charleston, there is no shortage of high-end hotels, but if you want to stay in a historical gem, consider either Zero George Street or French Quarter Inn.
Day Trip to Savannah, GA
Just 2 hours south of Charleston is the enchanting city of Savannah, GA! A magical place I would highly encourage you to visit if you have the time. If you feel comfortable renting a car, I can tell you it is an easy drive from Charleston to Savannah.
If taking the train sounds more appealing, just be advised in both cities, you will need to take transportation to the Amtrak stations. In both cities, the train does not arrive within walking distance from the old town.
For a solo trip to Savannah, GA check out my post and free Google map of pinned locations. Like Charleston, Savannah has an intriguing history of mystique and allure! If you plan to make it only a day trip, be sure to maximize your time and join a trolley tour!
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